The first 2 pictures here are my favorite solution. The first one being my favorite for a more modern space with the lights on each side of the chimney! [Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Saskatoon Interior Designers & Decorators Atmosphere Interior Design Inc. [Traditional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Libertyville Design-Build Firms Great Rooms Designers & Builders [Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Orlando Design-Build Firms Hobus Homes [Contemporary Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Orange County Interior Designers & Decorators Zuniga Interiors [Transitional Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/transitional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2112) by Austin Interior Designers & Decorators Katie Johnson This post was edited by rtwilliams on Wed, Jan 8, 14 at 17:01

Just to help you visualize - - From the vent hood above the range, there will be a metal duct that has to get to the outside, via the cheapest and shortest and least ugly route possible. Sounds like your range is on a wall (not an island cooktop etc). Here are some possibilities, from easiest to hardest. At some point in this progression, a normal person gives up. - If your range is on an exterior wall, the duct simply goes out the wall. Cheap, easy, concealed, yaay! - If your range is on an interior wall and close to an exterior wall, with continuous upper cabinets between, the duct can go up to the ceiling then turn and go horizontally to the exterior wall, concealed in or above the upper cabinets. Pretty cheap, pretty easy, concealed, whew! - If your range is on an interior wall and close to an exterior wall and there is open wall between, the duct can go up to the ceiling then turn and go horizontally to the exterior wall but has to be exposed or "concealed" in a soffit. Not so cheap, not so pretty, ugh. - If your range is on an interior wall and *not* close to an exterior wall, then the duct can go up into the attic and out the roof. Not as cheap, but still concealed, tolerable. - If your range is on an interior wall and *not* close to an exterior wall and there is a second floor above, then the duct can go up, into the space between the ceiling and floor, and run parallel to the joists to the outside. Now not cheap at all, ouch! - If your range is on an interior wall and *not* close to an exterior wall and there is a second floor above and the joists run the wrong way, then the duct can go into the interior wall, down through that wall to the basement or crawlspace, and from there run to the outside. Definitely not cheap, might not work well (long duct runs are bad), big bummer. - If your range is on an interior wall and not close to an exterior wall and there is a second floor above and the joists run the wrong way and the house is built on a slab, then . . . "kids, we're moving!"

I think in your last photo you are going to be too cramped in that corner. It is best practice to have the trash on the left and the DW on the right, which usually works best from a efficeincy standpoint. The only way I see the range working on the island, with a more substantial hood, would be to design in a column(s) that could house the duct to go under the floor and head north. The downside is all the turns/elbows and thus more blower capacity to make it all work, AND the columns in the design, which you may not like. There are always compromises :)

Thanks for all of the great feedback! We too are concerned about seeing the kitchen from the front door. It does make for a very informal space. Starting from scratch we would not have designed a house this way, but we are trying to make the best use out of the space we have. We had contemplated moving the kitchen down to the dining/laundry area as suggested. The big problem with that setup is we would have to give up the laundry room, and it would make for a pretty large dining room area that I�m not sure we would fully utilize. It would also require a decent amount of work, to move doors, electrical, plumbing, add windows, etc. I do like the idea of a sliding door leading out to the porch area though! The rear family room currently does not exist, as I had it drawn on the original floor plan. That is a future addition that may or may not happen, just depending on how long we stay in the home. Currently there is a non-conditioned sunroom where that family room would be located (so we still have to keep an entry into that area). The front living room is the only true living space the house currently contains. I agree regarding formal living spaces. My parents have a formal living room, and that room is absolutely never used (other than to store coats when guests come over). I too agree about swapping the living room furniture arrangement. I am not fond of having to walk in front of the television when entering the home from the front door. However, to swap the setup and create a hallway with the couch, we greatly decrease the useable space in the living room. You also are greeted by a television set and the back of a couch when you first walk in the door, vs. looking at the front of a couch and chairs. Again, it�s definitely not ideal, and it would be great to have a separate foyer. I�m kind of torn about the concern over venting the cooktop. Growing up, my parents did not have a vent over their range, other than the undersized vent that was built-in to the microwave. There were never any issues with fumes or smells. Our main concern with the island cooktop is the traffic jam that seems likely to occur with having the sink, stove, and dishwasher directly all in the same general area. We also would like to have the island completely open, as it seems that everyone likes to congregate around an island. We just really didn�t want to see the refrigerator when you walk in the front door. As liriodendron suggested, the island cooktop does create the "cooking show" effect. I think we are leaning towards moving the stove to the outside wall. I�ve included some updated shots of the kitchen layout, along with some shots of layout if we were to swap the kitchen and dining room areas. I�ve added a second window to the kitchen area, which would bring in more light to the kitchen, allow us to better center the sink and cabinets, and allow for more counter space between the sink and the refrigerator. Photos if we were to swap the kitchen and dining room areas: