I think you should think about how much seating you want, whether it would be island/peninsula (36") or table (30") height seating, if you want a lowered baking counter (usually 30" high) for rolling out dough, and finally how highly you prioritize each over the other. I'll give you some examples of possible layouts to get you going.. Rhome's kitchen has an U+island layout, baking counter, 1 island seat (she changed it from the posted layout) only but 4 table seats. The table seats are obviously a bit farther from the action than the one island seat but that's OK for her needs. This is one of MY old potential layouts: This is an L+island, which is nice because the seating is not in the way of any of the kitchen action. If I had done this layout, I could have put the lowered baking counter in the top right corner. If I had been building new instead of a remodel, I could have made the overall kitchen larger to allow for more island seating. I do have a dining table (not pictured) to the "bottom" of the image. (Note that there are some major problems with this layout, like adequate seating and landing space, which is ultimately why it was scrapped. However, I did end up with something similar. Always post your layout here for tweaks!) Finally, whether you do island seating or not, you can always add a table in or in an area open to the kitchen. Since you are building new, perhaps you would like to think about incorporating the hearth room idea. Basically, put some upholstered seating by a fireplace (or maybe windows) at the other end of the kitchen like this: . Here is the link to the full kitchen. It's a modified U+island by the way, but I don't recommend this layout.. It would be fine if the island had a prep sink, but as is the island is a barrier between the sink and range.

Karin, It is all so exciting especially as you plan and see things come together. Just remember there will be bumps in the road so don't get discouraged. Also take care of yourself, you have a lot on your plate without the renovation. I read a post on another thread and it really helped me get over the rough spots, sorry I don't remember who wrote it but they said "keep telling yourself - it won't be perfect but it will be great, it won't be perfect but it will be great." Good luck and keep us posted!

Houseful-thanks for all the detailed pictures! So cool how you have transformed that space! This house is in Arcadia, we are currently in the East Valley. So...one thing we are playing with is the idea of keeping the original flooring. That requires moving as few walls as possible to keep repairs/replacements to a minimum. So that is informing the following ideas: I am currently toying with the idea of having a doorway from the library to the kitchen that lines up with the doorway to the dining room. With both the kitchen/library and kitchen/dining walls being half walls opened up above the lower cabs, if that makes sense. So I could see out the dining room windows at a sink and the library window at a cooktop possibly. Lining up the doorways would direct traffic through the kitchen but maybe that would be okay since my work area would be all on one side of the doorways? If we did this you would be able to see the backyard from the library and view out the front from the dining room... Rosie-the garden room was not built according to the plans and is just a room with a huge skylight...I was thinking of keeping it, but with half walls so when you enter the house you can see through it to the back windows...I was thinking of making it a small play room with a couch under the skylight. (Skylight is quite long and narrow along the wall opposite the door). A friend of mine has a reading couch under a skylight and it is magical to stretch out and read there during rainstorms... I like the idea of the kitchen in the middle, I think...Now, it is desirable to do less for the flooring reason, but I want to think big and I would love ideas that grab space from anywhere, really. We are mere days into months of planning so my initial thoughts may change dramatically. I would love to tear out as little as possible but I am open to considering it nonetheless!

IMO just like any kitchen you want something that can be cleaned easily I like slate for outdoor spaces both for the walls of the kitchen and the counters it stands up well to all kinds of waether cleans easily and looks awesome.Theother material to look at is soapstone. I ahve used 12 x 24 slate tiles too.