I have xenon under-cabinet lights, which create light similar to what you're planning to use, and we used to have Uba Tuba granite. The lights create a reflection in the granite and show everything underneath the upper cabinet .. this is why we used to have granite. I changed to Corian, and I'm a happy camper. Connie

If your husband doesn't want the "lab look" then I would not recommend soapstone. You probably know what a die-hard soapstone fanatic I am. I'm very tactile, and the texture is just everything for me. But to be honest, the water rings and rubber marks were a big surprise to me (It is possible to oil them away, but then the overall look is blotchy). I had never heard of them before. I can live with them, b/c I like a kitchen that looks like a work area. But I just can't see them in your lovely kitchen. For example, since I have little counter space, I have lots of appliances that don't stay on the counter (they go in the cupboard). So, I get out the blender, or the food processor, or even the electric pencil sharpener to use it. When I lift it off the counter to put it away, the rubber feet have pulled the oil off the soapstone, and little gray ovals remain. I guess if I always had my appliances out, I wouldn't see them. Even ceramic crocks left out for a short period of time pull the oil out. Francy

Thank you for your kinds words chefkev. So, I can give you some things to think about while you're waiting. This is the way my crazy mind works and are the kinds of stuff I think about before going out on that first date with a design. People (visiting) want the ref, the micro, the dishes (both clean and returns of dirty dishes) and the breakfast area. The way they get to most of those is to walk through your work area and filch your counter space. I'm thinkin' that the gather around the 2x2 peninsula thing isn't going to work out well - that seems to be the amount that "sticks out" from the regular counter. So I wonder if its possible to turn the kitchen around so the business end was towards the larger windows and the table space was nearer the laundry. The windows could make it so expensive.... Would it work to use the dining room for most dining - possibly by moving the entrance to the dining room? There might just be room for a small island with 42" aisles. If you're a gather around family, you might think about it. Bigger *but still with problems* is to trade the kitchen for the laundry and have a sewing/homework/study combo also in the old kitchen. Laundry's got plumbing and can be opened up to the hall or not as you choose. You might be able to work in a coupla stools, but no real seating. I wonder if the little cluster of storage spaces at the kitchen entrance could become something more useful... I wonder if you'd be better off lining both sides with 30" deep counters? Going with a 5 foot aisle and a lotta counter instead of the baby peninsula. Alternately, Euro modern uses small bump outs - arcing out a three foot long piece of counter - but only 6 to 8 inches extra. It can yield more working counter space and a bit of the gather around feeling. I wonder if that ref can move closer to the sink. Even if it meant tearing out the little closets. Then, the long wall where the ref used to be could have shallow cabs = like a 15" deep pantry bank and the peninsula could become longer.

My older kitchen is 12'8" x 12'8" and in my "my pics" idea book. While the cabinets are older, the layout is very good for a small kitchen. It is an L shape with small island. The other possibility is a U shape with no island. You want fridge / sink / range in that order or reversed. If you go with the small island - no sink or stovetop in the island - there is no room for it to be done well.