Sorry all - I let this thread slip through the cracks while I've been busy or else concentrating on other things! Profrip - The middle of the room pendant that i have now isn't meant to be anything too permanent. I do love that disc/flying saucer look - whether it's turn of century or 1950's diner. I guess it reminds me of the funky huge red one my mom had in our bright yellow and red and orange Matisse-inspired kitchen in the 1970's! But that particular pendant in my kitchen was cheap and too modern (not that I mind inexpensive)! So am I correct to assume then that the general idea is that if you have a pendant or two above the sink, it's generally good to have recessed in the center of the room or else the opposite? Generally speaking? I wish I knew how long I'll keep that pot hanger in the center of the room above the island. I know most people don't do that now but it IS very convenient. I thought I could get rid of it and get the wall pot hanger style to put next to my stove, thereby freeing up the center of the room more...but if I move the stove where I might move it, there will no longer be a wall just to the side of it as there is now...in which case the pot hanger would have to go on the wall behind the counter to the right of the stove which I imagine would mean I'd have to reach over a ways? Plus another convenience of it being in the center of the room is that it's close to the sink for filling w/ water. Those w/ pot-filling faucets wouldn't have to worry about that, obviously, but I don't have one! Where did they put pots in 1913 I wonder? On an open shelf? On a wall hanger? I know a few hundred years ago they went over the island. It sounds like talking to a real lighting person would be a good idea for your space. Have you done that since you last posted here? Thank you for the warm welcome to NYC! :) I somehow believe you that New Yorkers would be perfectly nice to strangers. Well, what do I know! I love your description of your earliest memories of it. Someday...I'm determined...someday! As for that last link you posted: I think those lights are kid of strange! The row of them in the background is just a bit odd to me - but there are some things I really like about that kitchen. EVERY SINGLE TIME I see wooden counters I drool. I love the look of American cherry but it's too soft, and all the hard woods I could find were either too light to me or else too red - or else too stripy - or both. The nice brown woods w/ just a hint of red/orange, e.g. Pacific Madrone, are too stripy.

WMA, Another few weeks and I'll be able to post pictures of my real cabinets - yahoo! Unfortunately, the sketch that I have actually shows the hutch with just tall doors, but I also have a rendering, in which lots is wrong(the island, the fridge cabinet, the shelves) but the hutch is rightish. From Kitchen Planning From Kitchen Planning While I love Breezy's suggestion of one drawer, I didn't find it workable for me. I have a fear of someone setting down a glass of milk, or wine and then pulling the drawer open. SMASH That's why, in my original plan and most likely, still probable plan, it is our coffee clutter hideaway. Coffee is limited in duration and access. I can put coffee pot, grinder, this week's beans, filters and sugar bowl. Coffee service starts at 5:30 and ends at 8ish- done, clean pot, close doors until tomorrow. Another fear is that one of my boys will just put their hand though the glass- we are a very active household and to my dismay, many balls, sticks, and cleats make their way into my kitchen. Plus no water bottle every gets carried to the sink to be filled for practice they get hurled like a football in a Hail Mary-ugh. FInally RE the countertop drawers, I looked at showroom displays with the drawers on top of the counter and the depth of the drawer from front to back seemed very inadequate. I wanted the drawer for our placemats and napkins and I really didn't think they would fit. I know you said you want something between the counter and the glass. Why is that? Is it a visual thing? maybe look at some photos on Houzz, these came up when I searched "cupboard to counter" [Contemporary Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/contemporary-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2103) by Chicago Design-build Airoom.com Architects-Builders-Remodelers [Traditional Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/traditional-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2107) by Seattle Kitchen And Bath Kayron Brewer, CKD / Studio KB

An OTR microwave mounts to both a wall bracket (which holds the back) and the cabinet above (which holds the front). Without the front, a 'sheet of plywood' would still need some sort of wall brace (large L brackets or 2x4s at a 45* angle from the front to the rear wall) capable of holding the weight of an Advantium (not light) and whatever you choose to put in it. Otherwise, it's going to twist off the rear bracket and go crashing to the floor. You probably don't want the 120v Advantium. Doesn't work all that great. 240v is better. I know they used to make a 240v OTR version. I almost bought one open box.

I have the same problem. Steam being exhausted when food is cooked in the microwave. If i turn the vent fan on while cooking food in the microwave, the steam does not condense on the cabinets. Presumably because the volume of air being vented is many times greater than when only the microwave is venting. The velocity and volume of the microwave vent air stream rivals a fart. There is no way that that provides enough airflow to move any substantial column of air in exterior vented ductwork. The problem is that new microwaves have done away with the front vent grille, and instead they direct the steamy, wafting air vertically, where it can destroy your cabinets. Posted below are photos of my installation, where the top vent is spaced forward of my cabinets with a very healthy dimension. Yet, my cabinets are being destroyed (notice the white residue on the frame and door after only three months of occasional usage.) Although, I do appreciate the sleek look of the microwave face (no nasty grille) as it destroys my kitchen.