Claybabe- Nice to read that you like the back to back sinks. I'm all for hand washing at any sink...especially when the nieces and nephews visit! LOL I thought about putting the prep sink on the end by the range, but I think I would use it more, closer to the baking area. I'm forever washing flour, eggs, etc off my hands, when baking...and it would be closer to the frige for washing veggies to prep on the island. Do you have any pictures of your kitchen with the back to back sinks?

I have followed your plans a bit, and have read through quickly, but have a couple problems with the newest plan. I feel strongly about these things on your behalf, so I hope I don't come off as rude or only negative, because I know you've worked and come a long way here. I really am only trying to help you avoid regrets. 1) The biggest problem is that the refrigerator is completely out of the work area, and through the cleanup zone from the stove and prep areas. The stove, prep sink/prep work, and fridge should form the age-old work triangle. The idea of zones is to share things like the fridge, but not cross through and create traffic problems between workers and things like open dw doors. I've said it before, I think the cook takes priority in having access to the fridge, because he/she often needs something QUICKly, and doesn't have time to traipse through the kitchen and around everyone and everything to add something to what's cooking on the stove. 2) The island size seems, sorry to be blunt, but ridiculous to me. Based on the aisle measurements, it seems to be about 8 ft by 9 ft. This is almost the size of some rooms in our house! How will you clean it? What will you use as a countertop? I love expansive islands, but I am afraid this one will be so big, and not look nice, as Laurameh expressed above. I prefer one-level islands, though, and don't think varying heights would solve the problem here. 3) I hope you're not planning to hem in your cooktop with structures that divide the counter? There are ways to achieve the hearth appearance without the towers shown in magazines that come down to the counter and all the way to the front edge. They would block movement, reduce flexibility in your work area, and block the light from the windows. Comments to other discussions that have gone on before: Aisles: I have 4 ft aisles behind my sink and baking areas, but only 3 ft aisle between rangetop and island. It is as Bmore explained...Dishwashers, fridges, and oven doors take room and people need to get safely around them...Maybe even work on the opposite counter. But in the cooking area, I want to prep, turn to the stove, turn back to retrieve prepped items, etc. I don't want to run back and forth, just turn. Also, the tighter aisle, hopefully, discourages traffic from going through and routes them to the wider ones. As a matter of fact, I've shown a photo of our 36" aisle before, because it's much roomier than I expected, and 2 cooks, or cooks and our 2 dogs fit there pretty well! :-) 30" counter between 2 tall elements: I think you've moved past that, but just in case...I could agree with Bmore's and Lisa's comments about the hazard of that becoming a junk area only and not having room to work, in some cases. However, if the area has a specific purpose, it can work great. We have a 30" counter between a wall and a fridge. It is our 'breakfast/snack center.' We have our toaster oven there and keep things like cereals, crackers, chips, and bread in the cabinets there. I could also see such a spot as a place for the coffee maker and supplies, etc. If it has a purpose, a limited area like that can serve you well.

Thanks for all the great photos. Please keep them coming. I'm sure others love seeing them even if they aren't building a kitchen right this minute. Please share any cool island hoods you have seen too. I want a great looking hood too. But it has to be a real vented hood that does the job, not one of those modern looking hoods that aren't vented (and don't work well). parctigal - I agree about reflecting the island in the ceiling but not a good option for me with only 8-foot ceilings and an island hood above. However, I do think a great looking island hood can have the same effect. I love the one in the last photo posted by jannicone. cpartist - I love their counters. I looked into them some time ago and decided agains them for some reason which I don't remember now. It may have been cost or durability issues. I should revisit this, maybe I'll come to a different conclusion this time.

Yes, a buffet is the way to go but i would not go built in, floating shelf as it isn't a short wall. Your space would carry a freestanding one which will give a focus, breaking up the length of the wall and a centre point for art. A longer 3 to 4 door unit over something too short - it's hard to tell how much length you have, but it would be better to have something which spans the space (with with less space at the either end) than one which breaks up the space evenly (ie 3rds) which will just look like there is something plonked in the middle to fill the wall feeling. My observation is that ones that work successfully are ones that are the centre and create a focus, rather than crowded with items around or above. Once you have found one to your liking, remove the plant from the corner. A plant on the buffet if you like greenery.