Jennifer, thanks and thereâÂÂs no harm in looking so go for it =) Hollysprings, thanks for your input! =) ItâÂÂs not what you think. I go to high end showrooms and search internet websites as well ��" I get the name and price of the slab IâÂÂm looking for and start my search again with the private sector rather than the box stores or the very big high end shops. I was originally looking for the exotic carnival countertop when the gentleman said he doesnâÂÂt have that specific one but has a few other exotic types I may like if I liked the Carnivel. I have luck finding most of what IâÂÂm looking for in the smaller private sector. IâÂÂve used similar countertop service providers in the past with no issues (IâÂÂd like to think IâÂÂm able to tell armatures from professionals), IâÂÂve also walked away on quite a few when IâÂÂm not confident in their services. Although I am excited about the price, it is not at all the driving force. IâÂÂve gone as far as coming close to ordering from the states very expensive slabs but decided against it since pictures are not always accurate. Bottom line is most of the time items are expensive due to the very high mark-up costs and a little shopping around helps. My Uba Tuba 16x16 granite tiles in my foyer cost over $20 per square foot special delivered at home depot and I paid just over $4 per square foot (installed myself) and no- not china. Baltomom, yes I was afraid it wouldnâÂÂt be the best match despite how much I loved the granite itelf. Holly-kay, thank you! =) Snookums, yes itâÂÂs black in that area. And yes I really love the granite and just wanted re-confirmation that it will go with my cabinets. Not included sink space, is 20 linear ft of countertop space considered more than average countertop space?

My first thought is that the top is a white corian or other solid surface. It doesn't appear to have a high sheen, but that could be in the photography. You could get a similar look with a Quartz, marble or Corian. The backsplash could be a natural stone - limestone, marble or something. They usually come in the brick style with coordinating trim pieces & mosaics that are used over the range. I personally don't think you would get the same effect with oak floors. The natural grain of the hickory wouldn't stand out as much because you would have a similar (but different) grain running through the floors. You also wouldn't have the contrast of the light and dark elements working together.

Could you have both--sink under window and a prep sink in the island? The prep sink could do double duty near the bar. If possible, I'd rotate the island, so if you're using it for prep, you will be facing the great room. The range hood will be a focal point, (hood six inches wider than the range, to provide better capture area for steam and grease), and the fridge will be easily accessed by the living areas.Click to enlarge.

I attached the entire floor plan here. I have also made 3 more alternatives per everyone’s suggestions. Please keep giving me your valuable advices!. I will try to answer each question. But first and foremost, I want to thank everyone who is reading my post and trying to help me with my questions. I am so grateful for you all! 1. To Diana Bier Interiors, LLC : I am not a designer, I wish I was though😉 We have worked with an architect firm for quite some time for the entire house renovation. We have tried everything to make the best out of the limited space for the kitchen and a powder room (a must for us) on the 2nd floor. Finally, we came up with this general idea. I would love to hear from our Houzz community. BTW, venting the range hood is not an issue per our contractor. My main concerns are those 6 questions listed in my first post. 2. To Lisa Dipiro : the reason for 36” walkway to the right side of the island: there is really not much traffic going on as all action is taking place on the other side of the island. So, we chose to give more space to the island. As for the fridge, we are using Sub-zero and its doors can be opened 90 degree, so no space needed for that part of the wall. Would you think this still works (walkway)? . 3. To clt3 : we cooked one turkey in the past 25 years. So, we decided to go with XXL Miele Combi-steam oven (24”W x 24”H) which can fit a 15 -20 lb bird if we really want to cook another turkey in the next 25 years. Heard that the combi-steam oven is amazing:) 4. To mama goose_gw zn6OH : wow, amazing mind. Shrinking the island, moving the peninsular to give a full counter around the corner wall! Should I try to put the wall ovens against that wall? I did a few more drawings. Your thoughts? Agree with no bar sink and a 30” range top. 5. To dan1888 and mama goose_gw zn6OH : great thinking! We have tried to turn the island by 90 degree again and again in the past. But the distance btw the range and island is at 5 to 6ft, even if the main counter row is deepened. We are afraid 5-6ft is too wide. I am only 5’2” and plays the main chief in the house currently. 6. To live_wire_oak : love your philosophy. Yes we wanted to have EVERYTHING in this small kitchen don't we? We will have to give up something here in this space, you are right. 7. To Buehl l: many details I left out at the first post. My bad. Please see the entire floor plan. The walls are pretty much fixed. The “+/-“s or “?”s are due to uncertainties as the entire house is to be rebuilt. We are a family of two, just myself and the hubby. But I am a mother who is longing for her grown up children to come back home on weekends or one day perhaps with their wives and my grandchildren too. Food prep/cooking, entertaining is all in our plans when we retire. I do not like people watching me to cook. The husband wants to learn baking when he retires but that may never happen as he loves his job too much. Thanks for all the links on kitchen design! Very helpful.