here is how it would look with 4'

First, let me say I am hugely not a fan of the open concept where kitchen, DR and living room are merged into one large space. So add in some windage for my bias against it.

But perhaps my strong bias can also serve to illuminate two reasons why I would not shorten the wall:

1) Shortening the wall increases the problem of having the prime living and entertaining space exposed to the visual, aural, and aesthetic chaos that is a working kitchen. I think being able to be cook in a separate space from the sitting room is very valuable.

2) Shortening the wall will create a sense of physical exposure to a larger space when cooking. Walls, even partial-wall partitions, serve to enclose and shelter spaces, giving them a valuable sense of place within the building. Instead of having a room (albeit largely wall-less, but a defined space nonetheless) devoted to cooking, it will turn your kitchen into just a corner vignette of kitchen cabs and appliances. In the same way the LR will lose a valuable space-defining wall. Sitting rooms without a sense of enclosure lose their feeling of intimacy and take on more of an air of an airport lobby, IMO.

Just my two cents worth.

L.

Leave the 8'. And extend a wall out from the exterior junction of the living and dining rooms to form a cased opening with a header. Your dining table can still expand into the living space with enough leaves if you are wanting to serve 12 for a formal dinner, but the opening will help to define the two separate spaces better.

I'd also do a narrower island (3') and then do another small wing wall with cased opening between the kitchen and the dining area on both sides. You wouldn't need much of a wall. Maybe 27" or so. Just enough to provide a "stop" to the cabinets and have enough wall to paint. It still leaves it almost fully open to each other, but also helps to define the workroom from the family gathering zone.

Live Wire Oak, thank you for your input..my question is why would you make the island smaller? I want to use it as a table so i need enough let room to be comfy, but i also need to use it for storage...so what makes 6x3 better than 6x4? just curious i am learning as i go.

I like it the way you have it drawn. I think the extended cabinet helps define the kitchen space a bit. I think it will still feel very open with the way it flows from living to dining to kitchen. Stick with 6x4 island. It will allow you to have a 1' hidden row of cabinets under the seating side of the island for those seldom used items like cupcake carriers and the like. Unlike live wire, I would not extend the walls to enclose the space more. You just need enought to define the space and setup the arched or cased openings you have planned.

I know that you originally wanted more definition between the dining and living room, so I think that LWO's suggestion to do a small wing wall between the two with a cased opening is a good one. As to whether or not you would want to do the same between the kitchen and dining area will depend on how "formal" you want the dining area to be. The way it's laid out, it will get a great deal of everyday use, but be able to be expanded for larger gatherings. The island won't be used except for casual snacking. It's not user friendly enough of a layout, or at a user friendly height, to make it the spot for everyday meals. That may be your intention, but it won't be reality. The table will just be more comfortable, especially for kids. The island will be for quick snacks, or maybe a bowl of cereal in the morning. The rest of the meals will be at the table. And how "away" from the kitchen you want that table to feel for everyday dining will give you an idea if you want mini wing walls and a cased opening betwen the two rooms.