No, I think extending that wall would really cramp circulation space. If I've got it measured correctly there's only 4.5 ft between the edge of the counter and that post as it is. I think it would be unacceptably awkward to make traffic go around the end of that wall if it were extended. (Also, we wanted 1 freestanding post somewhere in the design of our home, but that's just a silly personal choice, not a requirement for any real reason.) Also, I think the interior views re better to be able to come into the house and see through to the stairs. That range wall is an interior wall, and can move, or be mostly removed. (Obviously the post, however, can not). The other side of that wall is the main front entry. The closets/bench will not be built as drawn. (The upper closet will go, and probably the lower closet will be a bit larger) I want a closet in the entry, and I need at least a little of that lower closet, because I have to hide some HVAC ductwork to the upstairs in a couple of places, and that's one of them.

Thank you. If you can recess the fridge under the top part of the stairs, that should work--a full depth fridge will give you more storage space, and will be less expensive. I liked the idea of adding a little space to the pantry, since it's more of a work room, and if you have the fridge and freezer in the locations drawn, the extra space would give you more 'step back room.' It appears that you have space to push that wall out a few inches, and still have comfortable seating at the island. I'd move the sink and DWs down, to leave space for someone to squeak by, if the DW to the left of the sink is open. That would mean a triple window (better than a double any day ;), and I'd make the end counter flush with the wall beside the window seat, to balance the reveal on each side of the kitchen window. Then I'd add an upper the same width as the wall ovens, 30", which will also give you more space for dish storage. The narrow base cabinet between the DW and oven can house cutting boards and baking sheets. The clean-up sink appears to be only about 24", so I'd recommend at least 33"--big enough for baking sheets to lay flat. With four seats on the long side, the island needs to be only 96", or 24" per seat, which will leave more space in the clean-up aisle. The trash pull-out is on the end, convenient to all zones (except the baking pantry). The wide drawers on each side of the oven can house pots/pans, bake ware, and mixing bowls. Just because you have a dedicated baking area, does not mean that you can't knead bread dough on the island, with your kids near, and I'm sure you'll want to cut out cookies where kids can help from both sides of the island. Will you be able to easily vent the range on that wall?

Overall it's a nice layout. Specific comments: - The half bath couldn't be worse placed. Instead, flip-flop it with the mudroom ... this also allows for a bathroom that's convenient to the outside. This gives you a large walk-in pantry between the kitchen and the dining room (not ideally placed, but I'd do it). And that'd allow you to have mudroom-type storage where you currently have the pantry. - Still on the subject of the bathroom ... with a bathroom available to guests near the kids' room (which I'm thinking is kind of a den?), do you need that half bath? Bathrooms are the most expensive rooms in the house, and they continue to cost in terms of maintenance. - What's going UNDER the switchback stair? This is a large space -- I'd make it into half-height shelves or cabinets, which could open into the full bath, making it into really nice storage. OR it could open in to the office. But don't let that big space be boxed in /useless. - Still thinking of bathrooms ... I'd definitely lose the double sinks in the full bath. - Do you plan to have a TV in the living room? The only spot I can see for its placement is above the fireplace. Do think long and hard on this one. - Do you have doors between the living room and the kids' room? I grew up in a house that had a similar fireplace, which was flanked by single glass doors (in our case, they led to a sun room). My grandmother always had lace sheers on the glass doors, and it was a lovely set-up. - Consider that you have access to the backyard through the kids' room ... but once you place a table in the breakfast nook, that door will be useless. If this were my space, I'd leave the windows as they are in the living room, and I'd put a glass slider into the mudroom /on the side near the kitchen ... this'd be useful for carrying trays out to the grill. - You'll have nice light everywhere in the house ... except the kitchen. It won't be dark-dark, but you also won't have lovely morning sunbeams on your countertops. - 36” range + wall ovens vs. 48” range (familiar with MUA etc) This is a large-but-not-huge kitchen ... I can't see the justification for a 48" range. They're quite expensive and they keep on costing: oversized hood, amped-up electrical, additional floor support. And why? 30" is enough ... 36" is more than enough. Don't give up your average-sized cabinet storage for this. If you're thinking of parties (15+ isn't that big a group), I'd much rather have an extra refrigerator in the mudroom rather than an over-sized range. - General Cabinet layout Eh, it's okay -- good circulation, but things aren't really top-notch functional. Plenty of counter top space without going overboard and inviting clutter. Someone will say not to place the sink and the range back-to-back, but I'm okay with it. The dishwasher is on the right side -- no, left, but correct side -- of the sink. Glasses are a pain to put away, so you want it to be near the cabinet by the fridge. This gives you one good-sized drawer for knives /things you'll want near the sink. How much space do you have between the main cabinet run and the island? I'm concerned these two items may be a little too far apart to "play well together". I have that now, and while it's better than too little space, I wish-wish-wish I had right-sized instead of that extra step between the two. Questions to think through: - When you come in with groceries, where will you set them down to sort them out? - Where will your dirty dishes sit? - Where are your small appliances? - 15+ people not uncommon You have plenty of space for seating and setting items out in a buffet style. I like a kitchen flanked by a breakfast nook and dining space ... it allows the kids to sit in one area, while the adults are in the other ... and the food can be laid out between them. I'd skip the island seating. With large groups, you have enough seating ... but you're going to use this space for setting out food. I'd rather have another row of shallow cabinets on the "back side" of the island for extra storage. Where I think you're skimpy is the space beside the refrigerator, which is likely where you'd set out drinks for the group. You could place drinks AND dessert in the butler's pantry (for self-serve). Leaning towards a 48” AG range, partially to preserve the space next to fridge for a tall, pull out pantry. Definitely no to a tall pantry next to the fridge. You need this space for glassware and "landing space" for the fridge. I think this is also your "away space" where you'll place your coffee maker, bowl of fruit, and cake-under-a-dome. I don't see a natural place for a tall pantry cabinet ... but with a walk-in pantry, you don't really need it.

This kitchen has two sinks. The one to the right of the stove is not centered on that wall obviously, but it IS centered under the window which to my eye gives the feeling of symmetry. I think there is a way to have a sink not be perfectly symmetrical, but still look great. Totally get not wanting to face the wall while doing dishes. I would add in a prep sink then if you feel you have the space. But don’t make the same mistake I did by making the sink too small. I have a small square one and the thing drives me NUTS. If I had to do it over I would make it MUCH larger, but I wouldn’t go any smaller than 21” (interior dimensions). Also, after living in my kitchen for two years I came to the understanding that wherever I had a sink, there should be dishwasher adjacent. Prep sinks are for prepping, and I always have lots of utensils, measuring cups, knives etc that I use there and having to carry those items to the dishwasher basically creates the same problem as crossing isles if your sink is in a bad spot. I should have put a single dishwasher drawer right next to my prep sink. I could kick myself for that one! I do have my main full size dishwasher next to our large sink as well as an additional dishwasher drawer, but the drawer is in the wrong spot (not adjacent to my prep sink).....big mistake.