Sue- Seams in the ecnter of a sink are not a taboo thing, BUT, many Fabricators do not want to do them for various reasons - biggest one - they've never done it before, so they don't want to try it out on you... In all fairness to your Fabricator (I am one too) seams in the center if a sink are a lot more detail work and there's a bigger risk in chippage on either side of the seam if they do not have the right equipment to decrease the risk of chippage. We do them (not as a rule), but in situations like yours, it's nice to pull that trump card out and "win the game" so to speak. As far as doing an "L" piece - it CAN be done, BUT, the risk factor goes up because "L's" are not really stable while in transport, and can break if not handled correctly - most guys (including me) prefer to avoid that agrivation... hope that helps kevin Kevin M. Padden MIA SFA Fabricator, Trainer & Consultant to the Natural Stone Industry www.azschoolofrock.com

Wow, S Wheeler, poster came here with a question, not to get bawled out on the internet, maybe dial it back a notch? Please don't tell her she 'deserves' a hack job when she asks a question. That's not playing very nice. (yes, I know you don't have to play nice, you do willingly offer up your expertise, and I do like straight shooters, but come on...don't try to intimidate people!) In my opinion the paying customer does get a *reasonable* amount of 'telling x person how to do their job', because the trades' idea of a 'standard job' does not always coincide with what the customer wants. Fabricators, good ones, obviously know their trade and their stones, and we should listen carefully to their expertise; I agree, a quality installer likely won't want to install a patchwork quilt and put his name on it. I certainly see your point. But stone fabricators are not designers or architects, and I wouldn't bow down to any trade's aesthetic judgments as something I should just blindly trust--especially with stone that is expensive and should be done to all parties' satisfaction on the first go round. I think OP deserves to understand what's happening with her install. I was the one who said I went to the yard and taped off the cuts on my slab to make sure the fabricators and I were on the same page. I wanted to make sure there was complete understanding on both sides as to how things would go BEFOREHAND. And then, I wasn't even there on install day, and I came home pleased as punch with the job. Fabricators/installers are happy, I am happy. There now, that wasn't too painful, was it? In my experience, it is the quality and experienced outfits that can explain their recommendations well and clearly and are transparent and open to questions. A person doesn't need to be temperamental to be good at what s/he does.

I know you said you did not want to switch rooms; but since you like the look of the sink in the bay (the outside views are awesome), it may be worth exploring. If your DH is like mine, change is hard, but he comes around eventually. Perhaps posting another thread that asks people to weigh in on the two kitchen locations with a mock layout for each might get DH to consider the possibility if he can read what others have to say concerning the positives and negatives of each kitchen location. Many people are remodeling to get a larger kitchen space by eliminating two sit-down eating spaces in their homes. Thus, If you switch the rooms, I do not think you would have to “stage” a formal dining room if the time comes to sell. The larger, well designed kitchen would be a major selling point. Keeping the kitchen in its current location does not gain you a whole lot more space for the kitchen because of the traffic patterns; moving the kitchen to the dining area gains you much more kitchen space. You gain the space for family friendly island seating, and the kitchen does not have to be in a location that “fights” with the traffic patterns of your home. The generous dining space combined with the larger kitchen space would be awesome to entertain in. One negative would be carrying groceries a tad farther but not a whole lot more. ;

I have done a "guesstimated" concept sketch for you using the photo and estimating standard cabinet sizes and then sizing your island accordingly. Here is what you CAN do, make the island longer and then extending into the adjoining room a banquette and table. Not sure this is doable because I don't know what is on the other side of the kitchen. You need a minimum of 42" between island and peripherials for enabling two people to work and pass each other, appliance removals and replacements and repairs, etc. There is a reason this current kitchen has a small island, that is the only way you can do a table and chairs in this space to the left of the island. So, if you can come out into the adjoining room, you can do a longer island and put your table out like I have drawn it. So, you really need accurate measurements to make good decisions and not make a BIG mistake. Hope this helps.