Buehl-- we're hoping that the spare bedroom upstairs will end up becoming the new playroom, and some stuff will be in their rooms. We'll end up with a small toy chest in the living room and the rest upstairs. So the whole "new space" thats created when we take down the wall will just be kitchen and dining room. After seeing Raenjapan's kitchen I may be swayed back to keeping the kithen to the left side and moving the bench for the banquette along the 94" wall and putting a penninsula between the other two windows. Lyvia-- the two 24" bases you see in the current kitchen are actually an island with a strange overhang. I wouldn't be able to put a fridge there. (I know the drawing is a little confusing, it was drawn mostly to show the layout of the first floor.) I also think I won't really have room for two separate seating areas in the kitchen, even if one is really small. Once I start drawing things in, and factoring in wide enough walkways it gets crowded fast. nini & florantha-- seems like G-shaped kitchens are more popular than I thought!!! That is what I origianlly was thinking for the kitchen (towards the left of the empty floorplan above). I love hearing that you have this same thing and it works for you. Also, we currently have Austrailan Cypress flooring in about 75% of the downstairs and plan to push it right through the new kitchena nd dining space as well. Its really beautiful (here is the internet pic.) LRy-- I think the pendants are from Ikea. if not, they are almost identical. If you go to their website ikea-usa.com I think under other departments they list lighting, and its 3 or 4 pages in. $29.99!! I saw them last weekend in person and fell in love. They are really sharp looking. Mnerg-- there are LOTS of possibilities with this blank space. TOO many! LOL! I am having a terrible time making up my mind. I keep worrying I won't ever get it right! I have also considered a small movable table for the center of the kitchen. I guess if I end up with a large center space I can always buy something like that to hang out in the middle when I need it to. Thanks everyone for all the help!!

Need advice please. have island 10ft long island x 4ft 2" (50inches)wide. overhang will be 12 inches down the entire 10ft length. have 24"d base cabinets plus another 12"d set of base cabinets back to back. (36 inches of base cabinets that granite will sit on). question is how many support posts will be needed down the 10ft length of overhang ?(14inch overhang) Will one support post on each end be sufficient or do I need 3? can't add metal supports into top of cabinets, not enough space between the cabinet doors and top of cabinets. no room for corbels. support posts are the only option. would like one on each end vs adding one in middle. help!

Hi Daisychain01! First, let me compliment you on your beautiful island! You have inspired me! I'm building my own island and now, having seen yours, I think I may go with maple for the top! And how very clever of you to think of looking in antique stores to figure out a way to get your drop leaf! I may do that too, although I'll have to hire an expert for that; my DIY skills aren't up to that. I applaud your decision to leave it natural. Gorgeous and functional!

What about The Original Granite Bracket? We are looking to use this for our granite island counter top. Although you are not using granite I don't see why something like this couldn't be used for butcher block.