Oh wow--I almost didn't open this thread today, and here's a ques for lil' ol' me! LOL Thank you for the compliment kodak1. Our kitchen is ~13 X 13. Island measurements: Width: 31.5" cabs only, granite top 33.5" across Length: 61.5-61.75" cabs only, granite top (part of which is underneath the table top) ~64" long. Tabletop is 33.5" across, ~28.5" from end to end. It sits on a little "riser" glued to the top of the island and overlaps the island by 6" (leaving ~22.5" of free space underneath). We love the set-up but certain things in hindsight: KD had specified the tabletop to be laminated onto the island granite. This was prior to my learning about laminated counters/edges on GW (in NY most granite is already 3cm, so they don't often laminate our edges). I had no clue what that meant, and the guy doing our templating either didn't know either, or didn't know how to laminate only a portion of the tabletop to the island (I think he suggested/explained that they could have extended the island counter the full length, incl the tabletop area, and then laminating another piece on top of the tabletop section, but that didn't sound appealing to us). So, we ended up with a "riser", and because we wouldn't be deciding the exact am't of overlap until they were ready to install the tabletop on the SS leg, we agreed to the riser width proposed by the templator. Had I known how much weÂd end up having the tabletop overlap the island countertop and how it would all look when completed, I think I would have had him make the riser more substantial in size. No biggie but might have tweaked a few things. Also, because of our island placement/location (we had some flexibility with it's actual location in the room by some inches forward and back and side to side in the space), and because we didnÂt want the tabletop itself to go beyond the "walls" separating the kitchen from the adjacent roomÂwe wanted it to be fully inside the kitchen space, we ended up with a smaller overhang/table than we could have. WeÂre only talking inches, but a few more inches of leg and elbow room would be very nice to have. Also, even with our making sure the tabletop is within the kitchen "walls," I sit at the end, and technically IÂm sitting in the other room when IÂm seated at the tabletop (semantics, but I am in the next room!). It works for us, just pointing out some things about which we were unaware while going through the process. As for 3 stools, there are only two of us, so it works out fine; the third stool is empty 90% of the time anyway. We have a 4th stool that we keep off to the side (next to the remaining piece of wall separating the kitchen and LR). When my parents are up visiting for example, weÂll pull the 4th stool next to the island itself (near the table end) and DH will usually sit there if we want to eat in the kitchen rather than the DR. HTH! If I can answer any more ques, let me know.

WOW! Thank you all for the kind comments! I'm feeling warm all over:) Carecooks, good luck and have fun with your remodel: It's great to be able to make a place your own. I'm kind of envious that you are just starting...WAIT what AM I saying?! The cabinets are from a local cabinet maker, natural cherry. The copper is NO care, but I like the patina. Definitely not a surface for people who don't want drips and splotches to show. Circuspeanut (funny!) the paint is Sherwin Williams, Fireweed and Blonde. I decided to try matte paint this time around because I didn't want the sheen to interfere with what I saw. DH thought it looked a little third world, but, I believe, is used to it now. Boysrus2, I promise more island photos tomorrow evening. There are drawers, a sink with a lot of stuff jammed into it, an oven, and a small wine rack. Oh, and a secret place. I'll try to get some representative photos tomorrow. Thanks for your patience. It's only a slightly better mess tonight (a week's accumulation), but I'll spiff it up and shoot it. oh yeah, and mustbnuts, it's verde fuoco on the island. Thanks again, you guys are making my day!

I want to caution all of those who think narrow aisles are OK for a multi-cook kitchen. If you plan your kitchen very, very, very carefully you can probably pull it off. However, if you're not very careful you will end up with a kitchen like Rookie_2010's MIL's kitchen or my SIL's kitchen...very difficult for more than one person to work in...and/or your narrow island becoming a "barrier island" (both of which my SIL has b/c she just had to have an island in a kitchen that couldn't support it...she has grown to hate it over time...especially as her children have grown). If you will have more than one person working in your kitchen at a time on a semi-regular basis, regardless of what they are doing, think long and hard b/f you deliberately plan for a narrow aisle and/or cram in a narrow island... Our kitchen is 10'6" wide and while I have a "U" shape, the fact that the legs are rather short and the base wide, prevents people from becoming trapped in it. I had a choice of an island or what I have now, and I am very, very glad I was talked out of an island by the wise folks here! If you do decide to plan for narrow aisles, etc., at least go in w/your eyes open and realize that you will have a less-than-optimum space and that you will most likely have to adjust your kitchen use to accommodate those aisles (or island).

I obviously don't know your family/friends/lifestyle, but who will be sitting in the middle island? Is it people YOU would want to be talking to or whom your husband(I take it from your response that he is the primary chef?) would be more likely to be conversing with? I know when i work I like to be talking to people, but they should always be in front of you, not behind you as you are working. I think that if you go with the picture and have people seated on the SIDE and one corner of the island, then it won't seem intrusive into the family room space. Just do as in the pic and have stools that can be completely out of the way when not in use. I also think the inspiration picture has it right in having the prep sink more in the middle than on one far end, thus allowing room for a person or 2 on the side of the island to sit. I know it cuts up the work area, but seems more "amicable" to guests. Another more random question: You say he is territorial when he cooks. Do you do all of the prep for him as more a sous chef? If so, I'd rally for the fridge to be where the ovens are and the ovens to be where the fridge is. If he will be annoyed by you going to and from the fridge to get things and people in his space to get drinks, etc, then the fridge is the busiest place in the kitchen in that regard, so you may think about moving it from his space. If he's the one that preps what he cooks though, then its placement is fine.