Aliris, I know exactly what you mean because I have witnessed subpar/unused venting before. The yuck doesn't just vanish but goes to the closest surface it can cling to. That said, grease will go to the overhead vent if available (and turned on) and/or it will cling to the inside of the underside of the vent that will have to be cleaned manually along with the vent screen). Just because you have a vent, there isn't a free ride from not having to clean. I realize that most of the vent screens pop out and can be thrown in the DW. I question the area on the underside of the vent and how often that needs to be cleaned too. A good vent will help tremendously though with containment. Most everyone considers a backsplash behind a range necessary so the grease and splatters do go other places besides through the vent. As expensive (and gorgeous) as they can be, vents aren't a free ride for cleaning, just more containment. Something that continues to surprise me is when I say I'm considering downdraft, it's as if I say I'm not providing any ventilation. I've had downdraft before and though it may not be as good as an overhead, it does provide some help. I had a downdraft in our previous home and no one said anything about smells when we went to sell. The house was described as "turn key ready". I'm figuring having to clean the window behind the range more often then the other windows. Since I don't do much besides brown, I'm not anticipating a grease or steam particle large enough to attach itself 6' off the ground (9' ceilings). Perhaps we have a physics person who can determine the weight of a grease particle vs the velocity it's coming out of. I'm not trying to be a PITA but it does really come down to the remote possibility of it being able to travel that far. Now all that said today, I was mocking up how it might feel to work with 12' of windows in front of me and frankly it felt uncomfortable. I felt like I was on display. I asked my DH and a friend and both of them were fine with it. I don't know if it's something I'd have to get used to or it would always feel uncomfortable. The strangest part is we have 12' of window in the great room (where I did one test) and I've never felt it till today. Bottom line as you can read, I haven't decided on all windows or 2 windows and a vent.

Yes, mnerg; we understand! A "perfect" fit just might not be. I do at least: I would actually really like to see some efficiency curves on those fridges as a function of clearance, say 0.5", 1", 1.5", 2", 3"... Kas? I just bet this stuff gets published but how on earth would one find it? Alison: WOW is that pretty! Those glass front well-light cabinets are so riveting! No wonder you're thrilled. Have you looked at hardware on Lee Valley? Not sure if you're wanting something more unique but I've liked their stuff in the past; haven't looked recently. But it's a great company if you're not familiar with it. Droll David: thanks! You really lifted my day with your nice words. Because funnily enough, I have dreaded my postings imagining anyone who might read them to be rolling their eyes in annoyance. I've been chastened more than once about "overthinking things", which is simultaneously humiliating and annoying since after all, what's a forum like this for if not to obsess? If given permission to be obsessive is it possible to 'overthink'? (Evidently, yes). So anyway -- I completely appreciate your kind words as I do feel immensely self-conscious warbling on about this stuff. People are dying by the thousands on the other side of the globe and I'm spending my time wondering whether to box in my refrigerator; I'm even erasing and retyping it when I spell it wrong. And you too, mnerg: thanks for the seconded booster. As I said, though it's kinda pathetic, you'se-two's kind words really floated me through hours today. Methinks it's time to peruse the FKB since I still haven't got an answer. I agree with that droll David about some essence of intention being transmitted. But since all these kitchens actually are designed, why do some look more-so. And if non-formality is the aim, that's different from haphazard planning. BTW functionally, I should think those boxes would do a number on stagnating the air. And I wonder whether the presence of a mega-hood would assist in air circulation and therefore refrigerator efficiency?

I think the decision should be more fundamental than two countertops or not. Move higher-level in your thinking and decide whether you want the island to be the same or different: A) - Island to match the rest of your cabinets and be an integrated and harmonious part of the whole kitchen; or B) - Island to be a separate, free-standing design element - like a table - something different from the rest. If you go with option A, then keep the island cabinetry and countertops the same colors and styles as the others and know that you're making the right decision for that design. If you go with option B, then I'd suggest changing the color of the island as well as the countertop, possibly even a different door style and/or different hardware. Make it visibly and distinctively different from the rest of the kitchen. Give it its own identity. Add legs, base molding (versus standard toe kick) - other details that separate the island from the rest of the kitchen and make it look like furniture instead of kitchen cabinets. IMO, the one thing you DON'T want to do is 'split the difference' design-wise, because then your kitchen design becomes muddled, and those are the kind of designs that don't wear well. Is the island the same? Or is it different? Choose one!

This has been so helpful- argh I wish I had posted earlier instead of agonizing for weeks. I thought I had a long post yesterday after about half the comments came in but may not have hit submit so repeating some info. I did not think about the dark cabinets weighing down the room and lower whites being more susceptible to dirt. we talked about that a great deal yesterday evening. I'm still trying to distinguish whether I really like grey because I am seeing it everywhere or if its something I can live with for a while- right now the answer is yes of course as I have been planning this kitchen for almost 3 years but plan on going back to look at other colors with a more open mind. I included a pic of what the kitchen may look like with current revisions. Grey base for island and cooktop. White uppers. Initially thought the cabinets on the right here would also need to be white but grey looks nice. Also mine will be a lot less grey as the refrigerator/freezer columns are SS front so only about 5 feet of cabinet. The one other thing I should mention is that I plan to have bright colored pendants over the island to provide pops of color there and in other spots around.