You figured correctly...1 sq = 1 ft, which is, I'm sure, what you meant. I have 3 ft between cooktop and island top. The island top is 51 x 60". THen there is 8 1/2' left for the table area. We have 3 1/2' between island and table, the 3 1/2' table, then 1 1/2' to the wall. So approx 30" for rangetop - 36" aisle - 60" island - 42" aisle - 42" table - 18" space - wall...totalling 19 ft. With our family of 10, we definitely have multiple people in the kitchen at a time, and that's what I designed the kitchen for. Seems that if someone is cooking or baking it draws others to start their own projects or work along side. Then more come in just to visit or nibble. I know our layout looks kind of tight along that middle length, but it doesn't seem it, and works fine. I have no regrets about the proximity of things. Island. I designed it off a photo of an island I liked. I thought I could go with form over function on the island, because there were so many drawers in the rest of the kitchen. But I love the drawers so much and don't like the regular doored cabinets on the island. So I am getting rid of the doors and shelves and going to drawers. Also, the overhang is 18", and we don't ever sit at the island, so I am going to usurp some of the overhang for another shallow cabinet opening to each side. My dh was afraid of getting rid of all island seating, so there will be a 2 ft space in the center of the end for one stool. Having the stool is handy anyway, since I tend to grab it when I want something off a top shelf, rather than go get my step stool. You probably saw these pictures, but here they are again...Island as is in kitchen and the drawings of how it was planned, then the last two show the proposed changes. Let me know if you have any more questions:

Please help! We're in the process of building now and trying to determine whether we should include an island in our kitchen. On paper the kitchen is 14'x14' and we were planning on adding a 3'x3' centered. Drywall is up and the length of the kitchen that includes the main walkthru is actually 13'9". The fridge (37" deep installed) is on this length too. We are now thinking narrowing this side of the island to 2' which would give us 40" from the front of the fridge and 40" to the other cabinets on the opposite side. The other sides would still have 42" clearance each and the island would be 3' on this side. Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Hi! It is so nice that someone is going to use my kitchen as an inspiration! Thank you! My island cabinet dimensions are 8'3" x 5'1" (that includes base moulding) The marble countertop measures 8'5" x 5'4" The two style stools that I am considering are either black windsor (non-swivel) counter-height that would coinside with my DR chairs or Aluminum school-house style from Crate & Barrel. I need something that can withstand the abuse of three boys under 8 years old! I am very familiar with "acountryfarm" and have looked at her posting many times. She has gorgeous trim throughout her house. As far as the look of her floor for my style kitchen, I would say that it would definately work BUT, I would personally only use one type of countertop (not both soapstone and marble like I did). The reason I say that is because I think that too many different "hard" surfaces would be too busy. The tile floor being one of them. Just my opinion! BTW, I found a great custom cabinet maker and he built me such gorgeous cabinets for such a great price...that's the only way I was able to afford the rest of the finishes in my kitchen...I hope your cabinet maker turns out to be as good as mine!

How low are the bay windows? If you could get your social seating there with a little table, it would be really nice. If you can get rid of the seating on the island, or at least on the end, I could sort of see it working (once you put some numbers on the paper of course!). I would perhaps make it deeper so that I could prep on the end if needed. So I guess to answer the square or rectangular question, I'd say square until you run out of reasonable space that direction and rectangular until you impose on walkways the other. Where will dishes go? I like them near the DW because it gets unloaded more often if they are. My inlaws have a sink in an island that's around 6 ft wide. Dishwasher, double sink, then 24" drawer base. It's all encapsulated by a ledge on 3 sides to block spills. they always have a dish rack on the side with the DW and prep on the other side. Drives me bonkers. Huge kitchen, tiny island. But they don't HAVE to prep there. I don't prep next to a sink. (My floor does get wet though!) So, what's surrounding the dining room? How nuts to try to put the kitchen in that area? A bay window is awkward in a small kitchen but perfect in any dining room... That sink and sink cab are unusual in that they are custom made for each other and take advantage of the space perfectly, so if that sink is good enough for you, then yup, 24" is going to be fine!