I see a couple of problems. I really don't like the refrigerator wall arrangement. I see some traffic conflicts. I'm going to let one of the pro's jump in, they are so much better at this. I have two thoughts.

Given that the refrigerator wall is a bump out and it looks as if you would have room, you do have an opportunity to nestle a full depth refrigerator along that wall and bump in the remainder of the cabinet run to create a built-in look. This would give you a bigger, less expensive refrigerator option. It's a simple framing change to the wall they are about to create. Just something to keep in mind. I did this in my kitchen and it worked out nicely.

Also, where do you plan to put your dishes? Will there be a conflict between the door and the dishwasher door when it's being unloaded?

One thing I'd think about is having that cooktop in front of windows. If you live in an area with cold temps you'll definitely steam up those windows once you get cooking.

The smoke and oil deposits will be an issue. The hood will have to be powerful enough to capture most of the grease and smoke. My guess something grater than 800cfm.

I don't see much landing zone near any of your ovens, especially if you are using the island for prep. I worry that the counter between the fridge and cooktop will go unused. And I also worry that you will be leaning up - putting stuff in the dishwasher very close to your seated guests on the island end.

Would you consider putting all the stools on one side to give you more cabinets and prep / clean up space on the "working" side of the island? I know it messes up your party / dry prep, but it might be a little weird prepping right next to the seating area.

More ideas later

What are the detailed dimensions of your space?

What can/cannot be changed/moved/removed/added?

Will this be a one-person (and only one-person, ever) Kitchen or will others be working in the Kitchen occasionally or regularly? Prepping, cooking, cleaning up, baking, etc.

We have a "Layout Help" FAQ that discusses the information we need.

How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include?

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information

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In addition, we have a set of Kitchen Design FAQ threads that discuss best practices/guidelines for good kitchen design. They will help you understand the comments you receive:

FAQ -- Kitchen work zones, what are they?

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they

FAQ -- Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc

FAQ -- How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where?

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage

Looking for layout help? Memorize this first.

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first

Is there a really nice view or are you trying to get as much light into the kitchen as possible with the large window?

Oh, those are a lot of questions. I'll try to answer the ones that I can:

@Stan Z, those windows face east and the open side of the kitchen faces north. The window that is currently there is larger than the one planned (new is shorter and narrower by at least 1 foot). We do need the light.

@jannicone, I expect to take something out of the oven and turn around and set it on the island. That's what I do now and it works well.

The center of the dishwasher is 27" from the edge of the counter. That doesn't seem too terribly close.

Where are you suggesting that I put the stools? I don't understand. If I put them only at the end, I only have two chairs. If I put them all along the side, then I have no prep space and have lost two banks of drawers. If I'm prepping on baking side of the island, there won't be anyone else in the kitchen so no one will be sitting there. I thought it would be ok since there is 48" of cabinet space, then the chairs. I only have a 42" island (where absolutely all my prep happens now). Perhaps its an issue. I'm planning on stools w/o backs so they can be pushed all the way under the counter.

Oh, the counter between the fridge and the cooktop. Well, I happen to have a Savannah cat who takes great joy in stepping in fresh baked goods, taking bites out of things that just came out of the oven, and throwing stuff to the ground just to watch it smash. The purpose of that counter there is to be able to put stuff in there to cool (oh my gosh I want that -- I have to cool stuff in my office now) and where all the cooking oils/salt/pepper/stuff that I use at the cooktop. Its not on the counter now, but its all over creation by necessity. It will be nice to have it all by the cooktop, yet safe.

@richbeau, I live in Texas. Nuf said. :)

@homechef59, I think that the appliance wall is more of a recess than a bump-out. Building terminology is not my bag though. I'm planning on using my current counter-depth refrigerator which is a style can be almost completely built-in. Pulling those cabinets out to accommodate a full-depth refrigerator would reduce the aisle from 45" to 40". Using my current fridge is a budget concession.

The dishes will go in drawers to the left of the sink. If I could get them closer to the dishwasher, I would! I hate putting away dishes.

Yes, the dishwasher door would get hit by the outside door if they are both open at the same time. The stupid dishwasher issue was hard to fix and this was the compromise. Plus, I never open the door more than just enough to scoot my body through or else the cat will go on an adventure (which I have to follow). I have to admit much of the design of this kitchen and much of my house are attempts to be smarter than the cat. Its a sickness.

@buehl, mostly one person kitchen; only me and my 15yo son in the house. Two if my sister visits. Two for prepping/cooking/cleaning up when my sister comes. (Or she'll sit on a chair :).

The appliance wall cannot be moved or removed. The pantry wall cannot be moved removed. The outside door cannot be moved.

Here is a floorplan that has measurements. Note that the appliance placements are not correct on here. These were my proposals.

Oh, my, you sure do paint a picture of the cat's antics. :)

Your island and cooktop location reminds me of nightowl's kitchen, in this thread.

This is a shot in the dark, since I don't know the size of your family room, but could the fridge go beside the door? You could move the island down a little, and add a few inches on the prep end, to give you a little more counter space, plus the dish drawers would be wider. I moved ovens up and moved the pantry to the same wall, then moved the island toward the west. The baking staples would still be close to where you plan to do baking prep.

With the island moved toward the wall, you could make the counter with the cooktop deeper, and get the cooktop a few inches farther away from the window. GW discussions--deep counters.

I ran across the post of Nightowl's new kitchen relatively recently and I love pretty much everything about it. My favorite photo is the one with a zillion drawers pulled out.

I like this idea a lot, but unfortunately I can't put the fridge there because it would be only like 3' from my fireplace. Not the focal point I'm looking for :). My family room is maybe 15'x18. Not so big. That fridge messes up the design universe of my kitchen. Who needs one anyway.

I like the idea of making the cooktop cabs deeper. I'm going to ruminate a little. Thanks!

Ah...well, if you need to jettison one of the major appliances, toss the cooktop. I love to bake, too, but cooking? I wouldn't miss it. ;)

Me too, but I'm much more interested in cooking since I got an induction cooktop. I think its a combination of it catering to my impatience and being able to put my cookware in the dishwasher.

I thought about asking if you're using induction, because I have images of the cat loving that window!

is the cooktop location to code ? I don't think some locales allow due to potential fire hazard (breeze from window)

@mama goose_gw zn6OH, Honestly, a major reason for my switch from gas to induction was cat safety. Its worked out really well.

@divotdiva2, I don't know -- my contractor didn't seem concerned. I'm trying to picture the kind of breeze that you'd have to get to make a fire-hazard out of an induction cooktop. Wow!

Mamagoose raises a good point -- induction or not, do you want the cat sitting on your cooktop? Do you have reason to think that the cat won't be interested in looking out that particular window? I can't imagine it's easy to keep a Savannah from doing whatever it wants, so planning around what the cat is likely to want makes sense to me. (Says the person who plans to replace hardwood with tile solely due to cat behavior. The things we do for our fur persons!)

yes no flame with an induction but building code may just specify ANY cooktop isn't safe by a window. I've not seen it done but that's not to say it can't be. Your contractor should know the code so hopeflly no problem. You can lock it in case the cat prowls.