Ok, so things have changed quite a bit since our trip to the appliance store. Convincing him to get the two dishwashers was a breeze. I'm pretty sure that's a done deal. One other thing that we both agreed on was to can the double ovens and get the 48" dual fuel range. It just works better for our scenario. Having the oven below doesn't bother me in the least, and i think it will work best for our situation and for making that wall the centerpiece of the kitchen, which is one of the things we really wanted to do. I am very happy with that decision. two other things we discussed: The second refrigerator in the pantry (similar to what you have...sort of. It would be right behind the one you drew, Rhome, in your scenario. I think this is a good compromise, considering we have such a large pantry. He's pretty indifferent on the layout, but he'd rather not have a prep sink in the island. It does seem like a logical spot for it, but I'm not sure it would be such a bad idea to put it to the right of the stove, next to the fridge. Thoughts? I will say that I generally prep while I cook. I'm not the type that preps everything, then starts cooking, so it might be a good idea to have it on the same wall. Currently I have my prep space between my sink and stove on the same wall and I love the convenience of that. Rhome (or anybody else who wants to play), you like your Electrolux Icon? I'm a little nervous with the not-so-good reviews, but they seem to be improving. Thanks for being patient while it took so long to get back to this thread. We had some very special people to honor this memorial day weekend and it was quite busy! On a side note, I know the linked words in a post are annoying, but I can't bring myself to intentionally type a word wrong so it doesn't link ;)

Thank you! The island is 30" deep so you have a bit of room behind the sink for the faucet and so you don't easily knock things off the back of the island. I'd like to see it more like 36" deep, but I think this will be OK. I wouldn't want to make either aisle any narrower (especially b/w the cooktop and island). The usefulness/need for a prep sink is determined more by layout than kitchen size (as well as how much the kitchen is actually used as a kitchen - I'm not being sarcastic, some people have "show" kitchens and rarely, if ever, cook...we're all different.) In your case, you want a multi-cook kitchen, you want to work facing others, and you don't have the room or room configuration to get it all with a single sink. Honestly, I think a prep sink enhances the functionality of most kitchens with a decent amount of counterspace - as long as they're placed correctly! Our kitchen isn't any bigger than yours (may even be smaller) and the prep sink is what makes it work so well. I moved the refrigerator to: (1) Give you more workspace for two nice-sized Prep Zones near water (peninsula + b/w cooktop & sink) (2) Give you more workspace in the Cooking Zone (3) Move the refrigerator so "snacker" traffic would not go through the prime kitchen work area (4) Be able to move the MW so it is easily accessed by both kitchen workers as well as "snackers" (5) Make the refrigerator more accessible overall from the FR, LR, DR (& the BRs LOL!) As to refrigerators and ovens next to each other...they're both very well-insulated and it should not be a problem. If you're concerned, then consider a 9" Utility Pullout b/w the ovens & refrigerator (for broom, mop, etc.), reducing the 27" cab to 24", and changing to a 24" Pantry cabinet...like this: I recommend keeping the refrigerator in front of the aisle that leads to the cooktop, etc. so the island does not become a "barrier island" b/w the main work zones (Prep, Cooking) and the refrigerator. [Note how it's a "straight shot" to the refrigerator from the cooktop & sinks - no running around the island.] If perfect upper cabinet symmetry isn't a priority, I would actually do something like this to get even more workspace b/w the cooktop and prep sink: Note that the upper cabinet space is a factor of 12 on both sides of the cooktop - you could work with the upper cabinets to have symmetrical doors or at least balanced doors (if that's important to you). [Testing the post editing capability! :-)] This post was edited by buehl on Mon, Nov 26, 12 at 18:03

I've definitely seen plenty of others do the DW on the perpendicular wall from the sink. How long is that "arm" of your counter run? Could you put the DW on the far end of that run and still squeeze in an 18" drawer stack there? That'd give you plenty of "standing space" at the sink with the DW open. If you can do that, then I'd go with that plan. 15" drawer stack might be OK, but I'm not sure. I guess to maintain access to that blind corner, you'd need some sort of corner cabinet there . . . so work that in to your plans. You do need trash access somewhere nearby, so that complicates things as well . . . Play with your floor plan and see what you can come up with. The main advantage is that when the DW door is open, it isn't blocking access from the prep zone (range-sink counter run) to the sink itself. You don't want to be tripping over the DW door with a hot pot of water when you need to drain it. Another way (that I like better) that might work with this same general floor plan would be to put the sink and DW over on the short run next to the banquette. (Put the sink under the window, and the DW to the right. Change the upper cabinet to a traditional lower/upper combination to free up that counter space for hand wash drying, etc. Then put the range smack in the middle of that nice long counter run (the one where your sink/DW are now). Allows lots of space on both sides for prep, etc. If you do that, you might look at replacing the counter/cabinets on the right side of your fridge with a big pantry cabinet (unless you have plenty of pantry space elsewhere).

All of the design and decorating kudos go to the GF! My son just went along and paid the bills..lol..she bought some stuff too.. and my DH and I just helped with the free labor!!! She really has decorated the house beautifully and on a budget.. in all areas except the floor they stayed in the budget we worked out prior to the purchase! Here are a few more b/4 and after.. dining room before.. I still have to get a new pic from that angle.. but next two you can get the idea after living room beforeonce again.. different angle.. but LR after - no more french doors, and wider opening master bath before.. REALLY UGLY!!! This is after.. but before the vanity and mirror were put in.. one wall of all subway tile, my husband did!! And crummy acrylic shower was replaced with tiled with frameless door.