Lavender - thanks for the layout and granite feedback! Rhome -- thanks for your layout ideas (and forgive me for not calling on you specifically for advice, you obviously know what you're talking about!) My question was about the upper cabinets -- @lavender, I am SO looking forward to our new lazy susan base. It will have an adjustable shelf with the lazy susan attached (so no center pole to interfere with objects) and I can make the top shelf taller for appliances, and the lower shelf shallower for bowls, etc. As for the uppers, the plan currently includes a cabinet opening fully on the sink wall, abutting a blind corner cabinet, opening on the range wall, that goes into the corner. My KD said that she could change the design to a 90-degree-opening shelf, like this: Rhome, you're right that the cabinet sizes would change -- the KD suggested using 21" uppers on either side of the range for symmetry (which would necessitate changing the lower tray cabinet to 9" instead of 12"). I still think it might be worth it for the increased access to the corner space. We currently have an angled cabinet, and everything gets lost in it -- I just pulled out a 4 year old cake mix last night! Never again!! The KD insists that we don't need a filler between the pantry and fridge, but I'm not convinced. The Kitchen Aid CD French Door doors swivel somewhat when they open, so I'm not as concerned with a problem when they fridge is opened -- I am more concerned with not being able to open the pantry doors fully to access the pull-outs.

Hi everyone. I've been trying to get paying work done (I freelance), but I've had more ideas bouncing around my head. I'm liking what we all came up with for the island/table configuration. But, I really want to move the wall. I think it just opens up many options for the kitchen. I talked to the engineer today and am setting up an appt for him to evaluate next week. I also talked to a framer that a full-service firm who didn't want my small job referred me to. He does nothing but framing for builders and remodelers. He told me "realistically anywhere from $1500 to $3k" and he knows about pouring new footers if needed and building temp support walls on all 3 floors while the new support is being built. IF it is under $5k altogether to move the walls, then I'll do it. Our cabinets will come in at under $5k, so I figure for the $10k lots of folks in our neighborhood spend on cabinets at Home Depot, I'm getting the layout I really want. So here is my latest plan (number 472 I think ;-) Janet--I got you some landing space for the ovens! Which is now also a beverage center outside the main work space, so I think that is good placement for kids to grab something and for adults at parties. All my wine glasses can go in the cab above. The micro is there as well. The micro might be better inside my L space, but this way, it's pretty convenient to getting heated stuff to the table. And we use it mostly for steaming veggies or heating up leftovers, so things usually go from micro to table. Plus there is more storage space with that unit. I appreciate the feedback on the corner, but I like this cabinet versus the 36" lazy Susan (which I think should be renamed the "go-getter Susan" ;-). I don't like the piano hinge door on the Susan cab--I can see my kids banging it around and scratching up the cabinets around it will get banged up too. That IKEA corner unit has a door and it is just two half moon shelves that swing out. It may not hold as much, but I found it pretty handy to use. Plus, it gives me a drawer right there by the cooktop which the Susan doesn't have. Another thing I realized is that the DR door shouldn't be centered on the wall--it needs to stay near where it is now. Even though I think it looks more aesthetically pleasing to be centered, that door is a direct pathway into the kitchen and we don't need to be maneuvering around the dining room table. LavenderLass--you may have missed this in my earlier verbose posts, but I already have most of the appliances in the basement. They were a great deal from a fancy appliance store that went out of business. So, it's putting the cart before the horse, but I'm trying to work it all in. Thank you for helping me out on the window--I'm definitely going to find out the costs on that one. It would look much more upscale. I'll check in after I've met with the engineer and get more precise bids on the wall. Keep your fingers crossed. Thanks to everyone for your encouragement and suggestions so far. Susan Layout number 472: View of the DR wall for this plan:

Here's something to get the ball rolling. It's similar to your "L-shaped" version but with a few changes. It provides... Plenty of prep space b/w the sink and range Plenty of landing and work space around the range A large single-level island (over 6' wide) for entertaining and cake decorating (and any other large project) A fairly well-protected Cooking Zone A refrigerator and MW that can be easily accessed by those working in the kitchen as well as a "snacker" looking for a snack or drink - without getting in each others way The MW is near both the refrigerator and a water source - most MW'd food originates from the refrigerator or freezer and most need water added to them b/f MWing The ovens are a straight shot from the range and have 27+ inches of landing space immediately adjacent to them. But, this location would require the pass-through to the LR be closed up. There's a lot of wall space lost b/c of the cold air return and the HVAC, so some compromises may be needed. This is not my only idea, but it's the one I worked up first - it's late now (2am - yikes! - time flies when I'm on the Forum or working on a kitchen layout!) so I'm off to bed. I don't know when I'll get back to it, but at least it's something to start with...

I know what you are going through with the fridge. I had a similar problem with mine. Ours was only a year old so I didn't want to replace it with a counter depth - plus the CD are so expensive. We ended up building out a step-in pantry and hid it next to it. I like your plan 1 best. Unless you can hide the fridge better in plan 2 such as recessing it into the bathroom, I don't think you'll want to see it stick out so much from the LR. The fridge may be farther than you would like from the cooktop in plan 3. In plan 1, It looks like you would have 3' between cooktop and fridge. This is not bad and you would probably find yourself prepping closer to the sink anyway. I like the island idea. I think you could leave your sink where it is if plumbing would be an issue in the island. The island would give you a great work surface right across from your cooktop and fridge and not too far from your pantry. You can attach a table height seating area behind it that would provide seating on three sides. (Like butting up a table to the backside of the island to make a "T" shape). Houzz will have some examples (sorry, I'm not good with links.) BTW, I had that same vinyl floor in my last house. :)