I've taken a lot of cr@p for doing what you're wanting to do. My scale is a bit smaller though. See the unusual spot in the island? That's where my banquette will go. A bench against the island seating two with a half circle-ish shaped pedestal table and two chairs. We had a banquette for our kitchen table in the old space and I knew I wanted to work in a kitchen table spot in the new kitchen. I couldn't make a space large enough on the perimeter for a table during our whole house reno so got a crazy burr in my bonnet to inset the banquette in the island. Many here think I'm nuts, and I think one of the reasons I haven't finished the area 14 months later is because I am doubting my vision now. DH works for a restaurant supply company so has a custom booth maker ready to build this for us. I told Marcolo if it didn't work after it was done, I would just never post a pic and would live in shame forever. We'll see......

You are smart to think carefully about designing this before you build. IKEAFANS has some hacks for building bench seats with above refrigerator cabinets. Like Clarion said, the idea finished height should be similar to a dining chair (17-19 inches). Factor in a comfy 4-5" cushion. You can order these already dacron wrapped online from customcushions.net etc. Make sure that the seat base has an overhang of 5 inches so that people can sit naturally tucking their feet under. Also factor in a cushioned back that is 4inches or so but is angled back 3inches. When you do the math, the seat will seem kind of deep and low but trust me, it works well once the cushions are added. This will be a favorite place to hang out for hours playing games, doing homework, gossiping and ofcourse for eating. In your space a landing zone on the left may be useful. Also consider morgue drawers for some additional storage. Great place for seasonal items and appliances used once in a while wi_sailor girl L shaped banquette Here is a link that might be useful: KitchenKelly's Morgue drawers

sorry to say that I rejected just such a planning option due to windows backing a banquette. The built in banquette would look great until someone went through the window backwards :-( or no one would sit with their backs to the windows in the winter :-( or we kept losing guests behind the banquette window drapes :-) We will be going with regular chairs. Caspian

Has anyone purchased banquette seating through this company? I'd be interested in hearing whether you were pleased.