amberley - sorry I didn't check in sooner. I love your layout - what a great 1st try! I spent an hour writing a post two nights ago an then managed to delete it just before I submitted it. I don't know if you've moved on from the drawing you posted, but I'm going to put in a couple of thoughts and hope at least one or two are helpful. Please bear in mind I'm not a "layout guru", but since this is a Chef's table I'm jumping in. 1. Would you consider switching the dishwasher and the trash pullout so the dishwasher is on the left? That would give much better clearance for walking behind the person unloading dishes. You could simply move the sink to the right 6" (the sink would be a little more behind the island, but 42" clearance should be enough for passing anyone washing dishes). Or you could also steal a few inches from the pantry to the left. This might make the hall/LR entryway a little tight. I don't know how much traffic this entryway gets, but there is another entry way just on the other side of the fridge. Stealing a little from the pantry could move your range a little to the left and give you a little more counter space on the right (it looks like you have only 15-17") for ingredients/utensils/mise en place and "on deck" pots/pans" 2. Also for better dishwasher clearance, would you consider shortening the marble area 6", getting rid of the mixer cab, putting your mixer underneath the butcher block and expanding your baking drawers from 30" to 36"? (don't know if this would cramp your "rolling" style) I'm biased against the mixer cabinets which have a shelf that positions up to the counter, because the ones I've seen tend to shake a lot once the mixer really gets going. 3. If you're doing volume baking, would you consider leaving space for a 18"x18" rolling cart w/5-6 shelves underneath the area labeled "bookcase or open for stools"? I made a 6 shelf one for myself out of Metro shelving. It has a cutting board insert top. It acts both as a cooling and loading rack for baked items (when kids are little allow pans to cool on counter for 15 min before putting on cart). It can store all sorts of baking and cookie pans & parchment paper/silpats. And it can be rolled to wherever it is needed in the kitchen. Just an idea! 4. Also for sheet & baking pan storage, have you considered using the cabinet above your fridge. I went with a 24"d x 36"w cab and put vertical inserts in it to keep the pans sorted and standing up. That way you only have to be able to reach the bottom corner to pull them out. It's a great use of an area that's normally "hard to reach" storage (unless of course you're really tall which I'm not). 5. I like having the microwave by the fridge as a lot of what I use it for is heating up leftovers. Would it be possible to add a shelf above the "Micro T.O. Stack" and put the microwave on it? (I know for some the unenclosed microwave is an "aesthetics violation"). If you can go with a smaller microwave that's only 18" wide, you get a little counter right by the fridge. This also keeps the microwave out of reach from little ones (Although now that DD just turned 11 and is allowed to use microwave, she's complaining it's hard to reach). You could also put plastic wraps and bags in the top drawer stack and use this station for wrapping/putting away food that goes into the fridge. I like having the plastic wrap by the microwave because I'm always using it to cover containers and bowls I'm putting into it. Again, I hope at least one of these is helpful. Congratulations on your fine start.

Thank you everyone! We are so excited! The cabinets should be done in the next 2-3 weeks. We are closing on our current house Dec. 12, and hoping to be in the new house by Feb. 1. BalTra, this is the only other picture of the wine cubbies that we have, taken from the back, without the shelves. These weren't in the plans, but a last minute change suggested by the cabinetmaker. I would guess the cubbie space is 5-6 inches, so you'd definitely have room if you have 12". I uploaded a few more pictures to share... Better photo of the door sample: Kitchen at sunset: there's actually really great light during the day. this is the foyer, going into the great room. the kitchen is off to the right. looking into the kitchen from the great room (ignore Elmo on outer island place holder). The arch in the back is the command center. looking from the kitchen to the dining room. there's a covered deck to the left. the back porch off the dining room with stamped concrete. Our dishwasher is slightly raised: DH shows the size of the pantry: View from the pantry, looking into the great room: View from the pantry, looking into the kitchen:

Rules are meant to be broken. Lol. If there is a new mantel i like the width. Smaller will encourage more accents on mantel. But all in the eye of the beholder. Art is personal. I like the clean look of this art. A new fixture would also enhance the room But just offering other options.

Do you enter through the front door or through the garage? To me, that would dictate how the space should function. I enter through the front, so I would at least need a catch all for keys, sunglasses and a space for my purse. If this going to be primarily used for guests, then I guess I would just put some pretty things here. There's no color in any of your photos. Maybe do a bold wall or art piece that really says something.