These are some great ideas ... to be clear, I can paint the cabinets no problem (have experience and appropriate equipment), but I have resisted over the past couple of years because we had higher priority things to get done in the house. We're getting past those now, so have time to go back and tweek. I like idea of crown on the uppers. Removing the cab over the sink is problematic ...it has an LED under it that is really important to the sink function ... will have to look and see if I can pull it, route the wiring into the ceiling and then back down into another dangly fixture that could match whatever ends up being over the island? Funny thing ... taking photos and then studying them actually helps ME! The fan is ugly ... but it is a wonderful thing ...maybe paint it white to match ceiling? (we did this to two fans in this house and two in another ...makes them sort of disappear). We replaced two in another house with dark brown ones to hook up with the dark woodwork ... it looks good, too. We'll look at replacing the glass on the two dangly lights ...it does need some contrast from the white ... since they don't do much, anyway, perhaps industrial stainless, dark gray, red or black?

Great topic crl_ ! I spent a couple years figuring out what I wanted in my new kitchen. I had a pretty good kitchen before my reno, but there were definitely improvements to be made. My best changes: Drawers! Love lifting dinnerware up from drawer rather than down from upper cabinet. Love having my coffee cups in drawer immediately below coffee machine. Love not having to crawl around on the floor to access whatever is at the bottom and back of a cabinet. Induction! Probably the best surprise of my new kitchen, for all the same reasons listed above. Wall ovens! I don't know if I love my ovens because they are at the perfect height for me, or because I finally splurged on good equipment. Probably a combination of the two. I can tell you that my waist line is paying the price though! Big single sink. There's lots of discussion here about this. I grew up with double sinks, thought I'd probably get a low divide (best of both worlds, right?) but bit the bullet and got the single. It was, for me, the right decision.

With the possibility of multiple cooks in the house, and children who will also be learning to cook and help in the kitchen, I'd include a prep sink on the island. Helpers can load or unload the DW, or gather dishes to set the table, without crossing into the prep path. I increased the seating overhang to 15"--the minimum recommended by the NKBA.I, too, live in a multi-generational, multi-cook, household--my daughter, her husband, and their two children live with me. I love my second sink!

You’ve made charming choices! The island lighting is perfect. One of my favorite moments is the curve of ther counter stools repeated on the mat for the dog bowl. You must be thrilled with the outcome. I’m looking forward to seeing the custom cabinet doors and a light without glare over the sink. Nice!! I always like to see the before and after right next to each other.