Something seems to be missing in EVERY thread about Single vs. Double Bowl sinks. Large single sinks have the space for large items but lack the versatility of having two bowls. Double bowl sinks, regardless of the ratio of the bowls, just aren't big enough for a lot of items. But wait, you can have the best of both worlds IF you have a little space. When planning our kitchen remodel/expansion my wife and I got into the age old one bowl vs. two bowl argument. Our old kitchen had a Kohler Executive Chef double bowl sink. The larger bowl was not big enough for big stuff so I wanted a single bowl - she wanted a double bowl, so here is what I did. I had our KD order a 54" wide, quad door sink base (Medallion) and I put a Blanco Diamond Super Single Bowl (33" X 22") Silgranit Sink (440194) on the left and a Blanco Precis Medium Bowl (13" X 18") Silgranit Sink (440144) on the right. I separated the two sinks by 5" to allow sufficient strength for the granite "Bridge" between the two sinks. I also had 5 groves cut into the "Granite Bridges to allow water to flow between the sinks in the unlikely event someone left the water running in one of the sinks. While it does take some space and a little imagination to accommodate this arrangement I believe it is the best solution to the one vs. two bowl dilemma - we simply LOVE it. Just a comment about the Blanco Silgranit sinks - I cannot ever see us going back to a Stainless Steel or Cast Iron sink - Blanco Silgranit sinks are IMHO the beat sinks available today.

BalTra, it's nice but in no way does it fit your notion of flexibility. Both the banquette and the island would be built in. Neither could move an inch. Plus, given your square footage limitations, why build in TWO small dining areas? Maybe just a seat at a nice-sized but not large island for kiddo or a friend to keep you company? But you don't want a "large" "formal" table in your kitchen for everyday meals--of course not. Precious few would. How about instead a nice cozy table for 2-4 that expands to hold 8? Handsome enough to dress up but with a tough finish that doesn't showcase fingerprints? Or the table you mentioned that could be separated into various parts and put back together as needed? Or a table that lowers and raises as desired? All are ways to design in comfort and flexibility instead of building in inadequacy. You could, of course, if you wished also have a fine-quality banquette-style seat that's super comfy to pull the table, or a piece of table, up to; I'm thinking more of a custom couch for dining, though, which doesn't have to be bolted to the wall and floor. With your table pulled over, or pieces placed at the ends and in front, it would allow friends to dine or lounge for hours.

I like the door move! I can totally picture prepping while looking out that wonderful bay window and chatting with those at the table. I am not sure, but what if you switched the fridge to the other side? I was just thinking it might be nice closer to the family room so people could get a drink or snack without cutting through the isle bothering the cook or else have to go all the way around the island. A microwave drawer on that end of the island might be convenient near the fridge and sink. Also it looks like the dishwasher is directly across the isle from the stove and that could cause a problem. What is the dimension of the isle way between the stove and island? I would recommend at least 48". Mine is 53" and it is sooooo nice to have space! Oh and I'd also consider switching those cabinets to all drawers. I keep my pots and pans in a 36" 3 drawer stack with the skinnier top drawer used for my spices. It works great. Best wishes and keep us posted on the progress. Btw, did you decide whether to keep the dental molding?

Thank you, everyone, for taking a look. :) I'll try to answer all of your inquiries to help with the advice. I'm attaching a photo of the room on the other side of the diagonal wall. If you shoot through the small door in the kitchen you hit the dining room. If you go left it's the living room. I'm probably going to leave the diagonal wall as it makes the living room less boxy. I've swapped all the flooring to wood-look, hand-scraped tile. I wanted hardwood but wanted bullet proof tile for my dog. The picture shows the installation. I haven't finished the kitchen floor but all of the other rooms are done. I'm adding 4" baseboard molding and painting it Farrow and Ball's All White. I'm looking for a beach, light blue with depth for the kitchen/family room. The cabinets are maple and in good shape. It makes it hard to donate/toss them. The family that had the house before me took the refrigerator and the microwave did not work so I purchased Kitchenaid counter-depth appliance in stainless. My Mom felt the built in oven was too small and so I purchased a down draft oven to replace the cook top. I already have to do some electrical there to move the extra wattage. My Dad is an electrical engineer so he can help with that. I would probably put the sink in the island and so I would have to move the plumbing. The good news is that I can almost stand up in the crawl space so hopefully that will make it a little easier. Because of the changes I'm already going to have to replace some of the cabinets... The granite. It's kind of pink/salmon with black and it is on every cabinet surface throughout the house. :0 I would like to swap this with Carrera marble and tile the black splash. I'm hoping the original granite can also be donated. I really want a timeless classic look. I priced inset cabinets (including the island) I think through the cabinet joint and they came in at around $15k. I think they were MDF and I really wanted wood. I haven't decided on a sink. I was concerned that farmhouse sinks were trendy but they seem to be staying around. :) The house theme is modern cape cod. So for the island option it would probably cost $22k. I priced cabinets at Home Depot (non-inset) and they came in around $5k. So less expensive cabinets would bring me in at $12k. If I leave the layout, paint the cabinets, order the replacement ones I need, swap the counter top and backsplash it would probably be around $7k. It's a pretty big difference in dollars. I also don't know if at some point if I would rent the house out. I don't know how bad a kitchen would take a hit. That's about it for now. Thank you again and please let me know if you have any other suggestions. :)