So I went ahead and ordered it. I couldn't resist bc I had a 15% off code. It took about 6 weeks to get here bc I had them use the Sunbrella fabric (in taupe) vs a stocked option. It came to just under 2grand after the discount. I'm liking it right now but I'm not sure I'll keep it once my boys get older. It takes up a lot of space. Very well made though and the extra storage in each bench is fantastic. Now I'm trying to figure out what to put on the wall above it. Eventually that wall will come down. Thank you for all the help and advice that was given. I figured id come back and show the final product. Please ignore the comically thick seat cushion. I had one made to match the bench but didn't realize that the "luxury padding" would be so thick. I'm going to have a thinner one made.

Thank you all for your thoughts. It is so helpful to read a variety of perspectives. Thank you for the info Annie. Maybe a winter project (if the built in benches survive that long--just joking, I am resigned to dealing with it the best I can as is). Bronwynsmom: yep. I didn't want to come across as overly dramatic, but it does indeed sap my energy. My kids prefer lounging on the stairs over the benches and it just makes me cry a little bit inside each time I see one of them on the stairs. And yes, intentional over dramatization in effect! Les: I will look into various upholstry/cusjhioning possibilities. This seems to get pricy quick. I am definitely thinking of making some myself or modifying less expensive ones. Francoise: I have thouth about the deeper seat portions. The parts that hinge up for the storage or only in certain sections, so I cannot just put in larger hinged tops. Actually, maybe I could. Hm, I am going to look into this more. If I can make larger ones, even just where the lids hinge, I could still replace the original ones if needed. But then it might be odd having only certain parts of the benches extend out farther. Unless I make them kind of T shaped to fill in the gaps. Not sure that makes sense unless you can hear me thinking. Teacats: I do think painting the bannister is a possibility. Apparently the house used to have cabinets that matched the bannister, but previous owners had the current cabinets and breakfast nook put in. Updating the bannister all around would be my preference. Grandma: taking out the backs would give us an extra 2 inches it looks like. I am worried that if we try to do that we will mess up somethign along the way. I don't know if it is just us...but any project we undertake becmoes about a gazillion times more complicated than it originally seemed. Geo: If you have little kids, I think the banquette seating is a great asset. Even when we first moved in, almost 3 years ago, my boys were young (small) enough to have friends over and everyone would squeeze into the benches and do projects, have snacks, etc. Deeper and taller seats would definitely be better for people over 6ft. It is interesting the different styles of tables suggested. I don't really know what style this cabinetry is even considered. To me it is more formal that what I would chose were I remodeling a kitchen. I had thougth the dark pedestal tables were the closest match for the rest of the kitchen.

Here's another point of view from someone who went with a counter height set that is open to the kitchen. We were at a friend's home one evening when we were just planning our new home build. It was a casual get-together with wine & cheese, beer and pizza. They had an island in the kitchen with a counter height table set adjacent to it. Everyone gathered in that area and had a place to sit to eat. Since we were all on the same level, it was easy for a group of people to be connected, while still having that informal feel. Because it's so easy to just step off the counter height chairs (counter - not bar height)it was also much easier for people to mill around the area to grab an appetizer or replenish a drink compared to raising oneself up and down from a regular seating height table. The atmosphere just seemed very casual and relaxed. On the way home that night I told DH I had decided to go counter height. For the way we live and entertain, it just works for us.

I think the sink opposite the range is fine. But I don't think there's enough refrigeration looking forward with a growing family. Now perhaps this is just me -- your desires and needs should be paramount. You're taking down a wall and combining the kitchen and dining room. LOVE that! Very smart. But then there's a tangle of chairs and stools around the island. The table is a few steps away. That makes no sense to me honestly. I see it all the time and think it might be so much better to build an island with storage and prep and additional refrigeration features -- things that even the kids can use as they grow. If they do their homework or art projects they can use the big table. That lovely bay window is practically ignored! I'd look to use that with a window seat built in and a mom chair nearby.