Actually MUA is not required by Code everywhere, only some areas. Regardless of Code requirements, the OP needs to do MUA with 1200 cfms because that much suckage carries with it the risk of sucking back CO into the house, i.e. backdraft. It's a serious risk because with that much cfms pulling air out of the house, other exhausts will be pulled in, like from the water-heater, furnace, chimney and dryer vent. That backdraft is bringing poisonous carbon monoxide into the home. You can get away with no MUA with an exhaust that is 400-600 cfms and if your house is drafty and not a newer super-insulated house. But not at 1200 cfms. At 1200 cfms, cracking a window will not be enough. You will need to install an MUA system. Either add that to the expense of your renovation, or choose a different cooking setup. People not willing to install MUA is a main reason why people forego the 60" ranges and their exhaust requirements, and opt instead for a 36" rangetop and separate ovens.

I did not have to choose between an island and a peninsula, but I did have to consider between a couple of different plans that we came up with. I wanted more counter space and storage. I calculated how many Linear feet of counter space each option gave me, and estimated how well it could be used. Then, I calculated how much actual storage I would have (linear feet) in uppers and lowers. Then, I also figured exactly where all items ( and I mean ALL items) would be stored, and which configuration would allow me to store them best. I had to find places for spices, Tupperware, garbage, bread machine, cookbooks, pantry items, dishes, cutlery, placemats, dish cloths and towels, pots, oversized plates & bowls, etc. I found it worked best for me to organize my kitchen into work zones. Lots to plan around. I got rid of anything i didn’t need and/ or seldom used, and I used ideas from Garden Web/ Houzz a lot!

Sorry, lglossner , but your sketch is way too symetrical and too many materials. I would stay true to the original design and keep the existing siding. Why waste money and add to the landfill? Same goes for the brick; no reason to replace with stone which is now a days is usually faux. Houzz has some great examples of lakehouses for inspiration. Put the ones you like in a Houzz ideabook with notes why and what you like or don't like. You can check out the ones I put together for myself. The point is, that these ideas you collect will be very helpful when you are working with an architect or designer. (I would not wing this without professional help.) Start with what speaks to you. This color would work with your brick.

Hi A F! I ran across your post as I was also searching for some examples of 3D tile kitchen backsplashes, and I honestly did a double-take as I could not believe how much our spaces and ideas are alike! Absolutely love the photos you had posted, and though it’s been 9 months since this post and your project is likely complete by now, I couldn’t help but reply as the coincidence is too grand! A bit of background - we are in the process of a custom new build, and about to receive our cabinets from Barker Modern in the next few weeks. The layout of our kitchen is exactly like yours, except on the wall we will have two rows of cabinets with the top one going to ceiling. We ordered pantry style cabinets on the corners/end of the wall going floor to ceiling, so the very top row of cabinets is the same depth as the pantry cabinets on left and right side, and then the second row below those wall cabinets is the standard 12” depth. Ours are white also but matte, with the second row up top black. We too have the fireplace in the great room facing the kitchen, with a linear fireplace and recessed TV, and our fireplace was tiled with black, but 3D tiles in the shape of small triangles. :) We bought 3D tiles for our kitchen backsplash also, the Bethlehem Ivy Hill glossy white though, as we’ll have the black wall cabinets next to them at the top and the countertops also dark at the bottom. We are still waiting for our cabinets before we can even do the backsplash, but I would absolutely love to hear how the backsplash ended up working on your end and what option you went with. One thing my contractor warned me in picking the 3D tile, was possibly it looking odd in areas where outlets have to be installed given the texture of the tile. Not sure how that will work yet. I see you have outlets on the backsplash area also pretty much in the same areas we will, and I’m curious to know if that posed any issues or made the tile look odd. As for the rest of our home, we too have plans for cooler tones, minimal aspects, with extra-white walls throughout, lots of black and grey, and clean lines. Would love to see how your project turned out, and hope you are enjoying your newly renovated space!