Hello experts! Help please? We are building a new home (first floor framing beginning soon) and it's time to nail down the kitchen layout. We are having a second meeting with a local kitchen designer next week, but I would like to be armed with ideas.

For reference, our ceilings are 10' tall and we are looking to do cherry cabinets. White just won't work for us on the bottom cabinets, I know they will look terrible within a few years given my family. :-)

One idea that the KD suggested is to do 48" upper cabinets with wood crown molding trim that would meet the white crown molding from the house (mane with a small soffit to connect?) I can't picture how that would look. This eliminates the need for open tops on the cabinets or using the small glass front cabinets as filler. Would love pics of this if any of you have done it.

Also, I am hoping to eliminate the island sink if possible. I don't really want anything breaking up the island. I don't cook much, but the kitchen is the center of the house where everyone hangs out. What do you think of that? The KD we met with initially did think that we could eliminate it.

The kitchen is about 21.5' from sink wall to refrigerator wall and about 15.5' from the range wall to the breakfast area. We have plenty of room, I just want to get it right! The only downside is the only natural light comes from the windows over the sink (which face East). The sliders in the table area open to a screened porch.

Builder has recommended Thermador appliances, but I really don't know what to choose.

Thanks in advance!