prill.... everything is relative. Compare to what solid wood doors would have cost in Premium QS oak, I don't think it is expensive. I think the wood was like a 30% upcharge for the premium, but the graining was so far superior. Anyway, I think for all the doors, drawer fronts, end panels, they did the boring for me for the IKEA bases, my pullouts, oven cabinet doors, etc... it was $2600. My total cost for cabs for the kitchen came in at around $4000. Pretty good I think.

Hi, maggiebkit, I don't comment on too many layouts, but you are planning essentially the same layout that I have, so I feel qualified to offer advice. I did a budget facelift/remodel, did not move plumbing, so kept the sink in the same spot in relation to stove and fridge. I'll throw you a curve, and suggest that you keep the fridge where it is--close to dining areas, and consider switching the sink and cooktop. You can split the window and put the stove between two smaller windows (if the exterior appearance is not adversely affected.) Advantages that I see are: You will prep between sink and cooktop, and have a view while working. You will have views from both windows while cooking. Cooktop is closer to oven, convenient for venting both, and preparing recipes which utilize both. Dishes and cleanup are closer to dining areas, and DW is no longer in entry path. Disadvantage is no window over sink, if that's not an exterior wall--maybe a deal breaker for you. As bmore suggests, I'd make the island shorter, so that anyone who comes from the entry and makes a beeline for the fridge (starving teenager), doesn't have to travel around the bottom and back. As for skipping a prep sink, I don't have one in the kitchen proper, but I have a small 'auxiliary' sink a couple of steps away, in another room. I love the flexibility of having a second sink as a drop zone for anything that needs to be soaked, or as a back-up sink if I'm using the large sink for canning, etc. If you can squeeze a second sink into the floor plan and the budget, I'd recommend it! Finally, if you keep the current layout, it's not too far to walk in a small kitchen--mine is ap 13.5x13.5, so very similar to yours. The fridge is four steps from the sink, and I don't find it too inconvenient. I would like to see your microwave closer to the fridge, but in the real world of small kitchens, sometimes we have to make adjustments. Good luck with your remodel! Here is a link that might be useful: google search - stove between windows

When my daughter bought her house, there was a desk area in the kitchen with old metal rails and brackets that pop in for bookshelves above. She hated it. A few years later, she had a carpenter change this to an upper cabinet that came down to counter-height, and below that a built-in "room" for the cat box with a door with an opening, and to the right of this, she had a counter-height unit built that had a wide, shallow drawer below, divided in half (each boy had half for his small "stuff" that was often all over the kitchen counters). The counter area is perfect as a landing zone for various things, and above it are built-in, adjustable book shelves for all her cookbooks. This counter holds the tissue box, it has a plug so devices needing charging can go there. It's useful but less messy looking than a desk. Hers is open underneath and that's where 2 extra stools for the island live.

mine are colocasia..I plant them in the ground and in pots..about 2 inches or so below the surface..I've been successful with planting in soil..I've never started any in water so I don't have any advice about that..my biggest pot..