No reason not to put a door there and have it open on both sides....unless you want drawers in that spot facing the island (I would, unless I had a particular NEED for a cab there). Orrrr..use extra large drawer faces on the drawers on the short side so it looks like the entire stubby run is a drawer bank. Sure, you'd be disappointed when you opened it, but not before then. If that's too weird, and you also do want a cabinet instead of all drawers, swap the door for the drawers. Put the drawers in the corner opening toward the island and put doors under the glass uppers. Then you can have 3 evenly sized doors, except one of them is fake.

Liriodendron: I will think it over. Most of the time we throw everything in the DW so it's only problematic on the holidays. I will try to do some sort of mockup tonight with the laundry sink where we're washing dishes to get a better idea of what it will be like. David: Thanks; that might make a very good home for the KA mixer. Diana: DWs which have electronics that come on when opened are a problem. If you can disable that they're usually okay but really strict people will check with Star-K or another authority before purchasing. F&P used to be certified but now I see it's not the Star-K list anymore. :-( The Rubbermaid tubs in the shower is a brilliant idea! WRT the corner pantry area, I am now waffling between two solutions: 1. Build a pantry unit with 24" base cabs and 12" cabinets above that appear to sit on the counter. When opened, there would be space at the bottom for appliances and coffeepot but space for dry goods and glasses above. The fridge will stick out like a sore thumb next to it but I can live with it till it breaks and then replace it with a counter-depth model. There was a picture in a saved thread of wonbyherwits' pantry: http://starpoohonline.com/pantries.pdf If I did this I think I can get maximum lenth of the run because it can wrap around the corner to the wall oven run. 2. Build a step-in pantry similar to natal's in this thread: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0802070524922.html I could build it 30" deep but would have to make it shorter to allow the wall oven run to be the maximum length because otherwise it will be too short to be useful. And I will have a backup pantry at the base of the stairs for less-used items. Other less feasible idea would be to run the step-in pantry as far as it can go, leave the DR door in its original place (near the chimney on the bottom right wall, where the wall oven run is going) and have an 11' run to work in wall ovens, baking space and servery. Turned it over and over in my head but couldn't really come up with a configuation I liked. I'm really torn between a cabinetry pantry that would give me counter space and a perfect coffee spot, but look a little silly next to the 30" deep fridge and a step-in pantry which would give me more food storage (and save money on cabinetry!) but feel a little tight. I think I'm leaning toward the former--what do y'all think? It would look less silly at 24" as a freestanding piece which could work since I'm going for an English look anyway. Something like this, only with the counter raised to 32" or 36": Oh, and one more thing? LOSING MY MIND.

I appreciate the reply! We're actually trying to get away from the southwest feel, but some floor treatments are a good idea... probably will have a good effect when the hard floors go in down the road. I have to agree with you about the shoji screen--this was really a (half-baked) attempt to pull those massive ceilings down and try to complement the upward profile of the kiva fireplace. It's been a struggle making this airy room feel cozy.

Gray would work well, I would look at a lot of wallpaper before deciding. I like the grass cloth. A darker gray might look better. I think even a small graphic pattern with the color of your walls would be fun. This Mediterranean scene is a nod to your fireplace. Both the black and the white colorway would be great.