Wow, you are certainly able to fit a lot on those shelves! Very good idea! Here's a link to what I was thinking of - I'm keen on a countertop, and have checked out some sideboards (like at IKEA), and they are a bit low. Given that I have a tight space, and young kids, I wonder if I could get something with sliding doors? Not sure about the uppers - I could always leave it open (I do love my wall paper). I noticed that my cupboards in the kitchen stick out a bit, but are standard depth. Hmmm, if I don't need it for food (I have a pantry unit in the basement), will shallow cupboards be of much use to me? other than for storing crayons....and paper if stacked on its side.... Here is a link that might be useful: one example?

Thanks for all the great ideas! the stuff that is there now could all go in the basement in storage. we dont need access to folding chairs everyday. they actually belong in the basement, but SOMEONE, keeps forgetting to bring them down... So how would this look: have drawer storage below for breakfast table things. (placemats, tablecloths) counter for dropping things down. wall cabinetry above. have it all recessed into the nook and have some sort of door built out that can open and close the whole space to hide it for when company comes over. Some sort of folding door. Or a door that opens and then can be recessed back into the space. we have a separate place for our mops and vacuum cleaners and things. and we have a mudroom right off the back door for bike helmets and bug sprays. (that is the little bump out between the breakfast room and kitchen)

Hi all - Thanks for the comments on the layout, hopefully they'll help other people. You probably didn't notice my remark that I posted the layout just 'cause Aloha asked, my cabinets are all made (except for the one to go over the fridge) so I'm not able to make layout changes now. Just for a point of interest for folks, I did consider a different placement for the fridge. However, turning it the other way is not an option, since I'm retaining an existing built-in that's in that space, (you can see it in my original post). The only other places the fridge could go would be along one of the perimeter walls which I didn't want to do because it would be a tall bulky object right where I just took walls out to open the space. The island landing is only a step/turn away, which is not ideal, but it works fine for us in our existing layout which is similar. And GreenDesigns, while 4" isn't enough for "cabinet" there's no need for a cabinet here, just an opening with a cover. So it will be 4" interior dimension between the fridge an the wall. Actually I'm hoping hoping that we can find 5" when we take out the existing nook, but that may be a pipe dream. I would like to do a pull out similar to this one, but hidden behind a piece of trim: http://www.ikeafans.com/forums/modifications/4959-4-broom-closet-modification.html I think that would work best if I have 5" to work with, but I likely only have 4". I will see what my contractor thinks, and if that's not going to work, I'll fall back to a hidden hinge on a piece of trim which will open to reveal the 4" opening - this conversation has helped me realize that I'd want to ask him to put a piece of something in the back so it's not too deep, just deep enough for the broom so things don't get lost back there. This is definitely not as complete a solution as what you are describing GreenDesigns, but it's all I really need, since I store my vacuum and other cleaning supplies somewhere else. If I don't do this, I need to put the broom in one of the tall pantry cabinets that are opposite the windows, and it would be a shame to give up good storage there just for a broom - but I use my broom every day so it has to be in the kitchen. Either way, my intent is to "hide" the opening so that swhen closed it will just look like trim around the fridge - I'll put a matching piece on the other side for symmetry. And jmcgowan, oh how I wish there was such a thing as "extra" space in my life. That "square" is a bathroom to the right and a closet below. I didn't bother drawing that in, since it's all staying. I did consider reworking all of that, but ultimately decided that it wasn't worth the additional cost and wouldn't gain that much because I really don't want to move or remove that existing built in. I know not everyone feels the same, but I love the character of my old house and want to retain everything I can. And thanks for the picture, that is helpful, I think I'll end up with something kind of like one of those sections, but with slightly wider side trim to mask my opening. Thanks all, and if anyone else has a picture of a trimmed out recessed opening for a fridge - I'm still looking for inspirations.

@rebunky that's a very interesting idea that I hadn't considered! The only challenge is that our fridge will be 84" tall, so I'm not sure anyone could reach the cabinet doors to open and close them. Do you tend to leave yours open most of the time, or do you not have that same problem? Kids would need a step stool for sure. Thanks so much everyone for the input. I'm leaning towards sticking w/a (simple) light fixture over the table but having such a hard time. I suppose I could stick a small TV behind a cabinet, if not above fridge. I'm almost to the end of the decisions I have to make (kitchen is down to studs, so I'm being dragged to the finish line one way or another!), and I seriously feel like my brain is in a fog. Can't. Make. Another. Decision. :) There ought to be a name for this malady, lol! "Kitchen Reno Psychosis"...!!!