Thanks for all the ideas! GauchoGordo, we have french doors to the patio from the living room (2 of them!) but then we'd have to take the trash out to the garage through the living room, and we like our big dutch door in the kitchen. Cindy103d, I think the stove would still be under our window if we move it to where you suggest - it's probably hard to see in the illustration, sorry about that. Sena01, that drawing looks fabulous! It makes a lot of sense to me. I think we keep running into this problem where that North Wall, with the 3 windows, looks out into our neighbors house - it is also DH's boss's house (we live right next to a private school, where DH teaches, and the headmaster is our neighbor). We have put some window film up on those windows so we can't see everything they're doing in their great room, but it's still really close - and we have a much better view out of the South Wall, into our garden. Maybe it doesn't matter so much. Right now we don't have a DW so we're at the sink A LOT, washing up (on the south side), so it seems like we spend a lot of time there - but once we have a DW this will reduce, in principle. And we'll still be cooking at the south wall and eating there. DH is also unconvinced that two sinks are necessary, in his effort to keep costs down. I would need to do some more research on GW to gather arguments for both sinks. One thing in our favor there is that we have two right, so moving/adding plumbing isn't a problem.

Getting there! A few comments: The refrigerator needs landing space. Regarding the peninsula -- you still need enough space to accommodate the table you plan to put in the same room. Windows -- I highly recommend wide, counter-height windows to bring in as much light as possible and to take advantage of the view. Regarding children -- do your grown children ever visit and give you a hand in the Kitchen? Will you eventually have grandchildren who will want to help Grandma (or Grandpa) in the Kitchen? . How about something like this? It gives you everything you asked for and fixes the issues I saw above: It still has a counter-depth refrigerator, but if you really want a bigger refrigerator, you could put in a standard-depth. (But, do you really need a larger refrigerator if it's just the two of you?) In addition, there is no worry about a bottleneck at the refrigerator. (I do have to ask, though - you say it's only the two of you and that you do not work in the Kitchen at the same time...so, why is there a bottleneck?) The primary work zones are nicely separated so there is no contention for counterspace (e.g., dirty dishes stacked on the counter will not be in the way of the Prep Zone/workspace) The sink is large enough to handle both cleaning up and prepping - it's a Kohler Stages 45 (http://www.us.kohler.com/us/Stages-45-x-18-1-2-x-9-13-16-under-mount-single-bowl-with-wet-surface-area-kitchen-sink/productDetail/kitchen-sinks/427383.htm?skuId=405416&brandId=432902) It gives you plenty of workspace in the primary Prep Zone. There is plenty of dish storage and it's close to the table space. The MW drawer is next to the refrigerator in a "Snack Center" - so someone not preparing a meal can use the MW without getting in the way of someone preparing a meal (or even cleaning up) - not bottleneck. -- I highly recommend a MW drawer b/c of how easy it is to use, especially as we get older. It is opened by giving it a gentle tug and is closed by giving it a gentle nudge - the drawer then opens/closes by itself. To stir food, you do not have to take it out, just open, reach down to stir, and close. It's also easier and safer to lift it up to the counter than taking it out from above the counter (risking sloshing it and burning your face with splashes). -- If you don't want a drawer, then I recommend a MW sitting on the counter in the Snack Center. The sink wall cabinets and counters are 3" deeper than standard to give you more storage as well as more counterspace. 3" does make a difference! Those 3" also give you more space b/w the sink and window so it's easier to clean behind the faucet as well as increases your faucet options b/c you don't have to worry about the faucet working properly with a window sill right behind it. (Sometimes the window sill gets in the way of the faucet handle and does not allow full use of the handle.) -- If you cannot get deeper cabinets, then pull them out 3" from the wall - you will still benefit from the increased counter depth. Note the 3 corners are all handled differently. -- The peninsula corner has a cabinet turned 90 degrees so it is accessible from the dining side. You can store tablecloths, napkins, placemats, etc. - those things used in the DR only. When you do this, you do have to ensure you have 3" of filler on each side of the inside corner so the drawer fronts/doors and pulls/knobs clear the same on the other side of the corner. In this case, simply increase the width of the cabinet - the back of the cabinet acts as filler inside the Kitchen. This is the most efficient use of corner space. -- The corner b/w the sink and range wall is voided out to give you wider cabinets on each side of the corner. As with the above, you need 3" on each inside corner. -- The corner b/w the range and refrigerator wall is a corner susan for storing small appliances. This is a great way to store small appliances as you have two shelves split b/w the top & bottom of the cabinet and anything you want is always in front and easy to remove/put away - simply rotate the shelf until the item is in front of you! -- Stay away from blind corner cabinets - they're the worst use of corner space. Access is rarely easy. With the (expensive) swing outs, if something falls off the shelf, you cannot close the swing out until you retrieve the fallen item - and that usually means crawling inside to retrieve the item. . Layout #3: . Layout #3 Zone Map: .

Thanks Aloha -- when I start a new thread I will definitely add that! Have you tested "png" or "gif"? I'll test those as well. [I'm going to start a new soon -- the exising one is around 200 posts and it's getting unwieldy.) Oh, and I think I'll add something about converting PDFs to JPGs for those who only have PDF. Again, thanks -- great addition to the Read Me thread!

I'm planning a big remodel and have already engaged with an architect and a general contractor. However, I feel like I may need additional help to come up with the most optimal and efficient kitchen layout. I'm looking for a designer with whom I could discuss pros and cons of different kitchen layouts based on the way that we use the kitchen. I'm not 100% sure how to find such a person. Most of the local kitchen designers seem to offer additional services, as a part of the whole package.... I'm aware that kitchen cabinet stores offer design services as well, but I think my kitchen is a bit tricky and I would like to get an opinion of a designer. Would on-line services such as Decorilla be a good option in this case? Any other options? Thanks!