Hello again. We've been investigating benjsbride's design. We had a builder come in and give us an estimate for removing the big wall. It is load bearing plus it had 3 HVAC lines in it. Since the wall has HVAC and there are no relatively easy ways to relocate the HVAC line we would have a 12"x12" soffit on the ceiling. Something we could live with considering the improvement we could get by removing the wall. The space that benjesbride had designated for the wall oven is also a load bearing wall and that one has water and drain for the upstairs bathrooms. We may forgo making that change and leave the closet as is for the moment. What we have now is show below in the image and also the linked plan. The left wall (when looking at the 2D image) has our builtins remaining that come out to 12" which should then be rather flush with the 12" wall they need to build for the HVAC lines. You can see this space in the linked plan. We end up losing the wall oven so what about placing it in an island? Is this type of thing even done? Overall thoughts on the updated plan? http://kitchenplanner.ikea.com/US/UI/Pages/VPUI.htm?&LoadDesign=74dc074dc94e43cc8a346e583ec064ff&UIContext=SE_Menu&IsSharedDesign=1&Entry=Kitchen

Thanks guys, it's a work in progress, perhaps once I get started I can narrow down my questions ;) I need to make it totally safe as it is a school for severely disabled children; I fear I may need to fence off some plants for safety (Which is not great as I want everything to be sight / touch / smell.

No. The cabinet color doesn't work with the floor. They will be adjacent to each other. You will notice that they don't work together. There is still time to turn the ship before it hits the rocks. I don't like the grey flooring and find it to be overdone. Grey is a hard color to get right because of the varied undertones. I suggest a mid-toned wood colored flooring or a quiet, solid ceramic tile. Unless you are going for a very specific Scandinavian vibe, the lighter wood tones will look off in 10 years. The grey floors will be the butt of jokes at that point. Mid-tone will work with all sorts designs and will age well. Tip: When you go to put your selection board together, don't put it on a surface against a wall with a design. Your eye will pick up the colors of the floor and wall. When I get to final point, I take the elements outside in the natural light. You would be amazed at how things change in a more natural light.

Working your %#& off to prep a kitchen for remodel isn't the same as normal kitchen use. :) Check out linoleum (not vinyl. I mean vinyl is okay but linoleum is awesome.). It's really nice. Warm, squishy, seamless, easy to care for (no you don't have to wax it or whatever that guy who always logs in to say linoleum is bad says), just generally nice. Forbo's Marmoleum comes in a color for everything. If you go with the tile you can have anti-fatigue mats where you work if needed. Rugs can be tripping hazards as we age but if you just have them in front of the sink, prep, and cooking areas, you'll get trained pretty well on where they are.