Thank you so much for your input! I went to a showroom yesterday to see the Electrolux Icon set (the only one around Baltimore that had them on the floor!) I was really impressed with the quality and the layout. The Thermadors give up just two inches but that seems to make a difference in the layout (There are no shelves on the whole bottom half of the Therm too.) The *only* thing that somewhat bothers me is that I wish the ice machine was in the middle like the Therm or the GE Monograms because I have two daughters who can't reach or will pull the ice down on their head, but I could always put in a second container of ice down on a lower shelf given how much space is in the freezer! We are also getting an ice machine for a wet bar but I hate to think of 8- and 10-yr old hands going in it every time they want a drink! I've also heard good things about the Electrolux ovens and particularly like the roll-out racks which are included (and all extra for the Therm.) So, that pushes me towards the Electrolux as well. There's a nice rebate going on right now and I'm up to three items b/c the fridge and freezer are considered separate appliances. That's an $800 discount, need to investigate a couple other Electrolux appliances (have heard good things about the bev center, wine cooler and/or ice machine. Not sure about the dishwasher vs the others) because I could get it up to $1000. And, going with the Electrolux is certainly lower than the Therm even with the 1-2-Free deal, especially since it's not guaranteed to be the best products for my situation across the board. Anyway, that's where I stand right now. Would love to hear more - Thanks!

Houseful-thanks for all the detailed pictures! So cool how you have transformed that space! This house is in Arcadia, we are currently in the East Valley. So...one thing we are playing with is the idea of keeping the original flooring. That requires moving as few walls as possible to keep repairs/replacements to a minimum. So that is informing the following ideas: I am currently toying with the idea of having a doorway from the library to the kitchen that lines up with the doorway to the dining room. With both the kitchen/library and kitchen/dining walls being half walls opened up above the lower cabs, if that makes sense. So I could see out the dining room windows at a sink and the library window at a cooktop possibly. Lining up the doorways would direct traffic through the kitchen but maybe that would be okay since my work area would be all on one side of the doorways? If we did this you would be able to see the backyard from the library and view out the front from the dining room... Rosie-the garden room was not built according to the plans and is just a room with a huge skylight...I was thinking of keeping it, but with half walls so when you enter the house you can see through it to the back windows...I was thinking of making it a small play room with a couch under the skylight. (Skylight is quite long and narrow along the wall opposite the door). A friend of mine has a reading couch under a skylight and it is magical to stretch out and read there during rainstorms... I like the idea of the kitchen in the middle, I think...Now, it is desirable to do less for the flooring reason, but I want to think big and I would love ideas that grab space from anywhere, really. We are mere days into months of planning so my initial thoughts may change dramatically. I would love to tear out as little as possible but I am open to considering it nonetheless!

I was prepared to pay up to $2500 a piece for the built-ins. I just never knew that built-ins cost so much more! I actually like the all stainless look :-) I guess this is a YMMV sort of thing. We donÂt have the house yet  I canÂt wait to post the layout for all of you to help me with. Right now, the fridge wall is not seen from anywhere but the kitchen  so that should not be a problem. Unless you all convince me it should be somewhere else! LOL. This is a fairly large kitchen and I just remember seeing kitchens from this site that used the full fridge and full freezer and thought what a neat idea that was. Now, I have the space and wanted to check it out. I never dreamed these things cost so much. I also never considered refrigerator drawers hmmmmÂ. ItÂs really fun thinking about all of this. I go to sleep at night thinking of this, and I lay in bed for 10 minutes every morning doing the same. I find I think clearest at those times. :-)

If you keep the corner pantry, I'd suggest making the door diagonal, so that 1) you have more floor space and a wider aisle, and 2) you'll be able to open the fridge door past 90 degrees. If you leave the wall that extends beyond the fridge, you'll need some space to the left to make sure the door will open far enough to remove crispers for cleaning. You might consider moving the ovens to the left of the pantry, and putting a landing area between the fridge and freezer. Your aisles are narrow, especially the aisle with the island seat, but it looks as if you've taken the counter overhangs into consideration, so maybe they will work. I have narrower than recommended aisles in my old-house kitchen, and 40-42" works fine for us.