The kids may be short forever. I have one that will be because she takes after me. :) I do have a 42" counter in a recreational vehicle and I hate it for cooking and dishwashing. It's fine for other stuff and I'm pretty picky about height things. A kid that is old enough to do anything on a counter is probably tall enough to do it on a 42" tall one if we're talking about easy stuff like pouring me coffee. A pullout cutting board is always nice though, for anyone. Find a 42" counter somewhere and play with it. See how it feels, especially in back since you're looking at a deep one. Stick with drawers. Measure cereal boxes first. I am not ready to retire my microwave in favor of my speed oven. There is still hope, but not much.

First of all, is it possible to turn the table so that the long side is facing forward? I'm also wondering why you have a plastic cover on one of the chairs. The rug needs to be larger than what you have there now so that you can pull the chairs out and still have them on the rug. A small rug also does not look attractive. It's unfortunate that the colors of the chair lock you into a carpet color that is gray, which doesn't look very good with your brown wood floors. Is there a chance that could be changed?

It is a challenge because the pendants are such an impactful element side by side and in such close proximity to your breakfast table you need to find something that doesn't compete with what you already have. I would add another material like glass so the area doesn't feel to heavy. https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/hd0/thorne-modern-5-light-kitchen-island-pendant-l6087-k~trpt2405.html?curpage=4&sku=TRPT2405&refid=GX263428761104-TRPT2405_24715957_24715958 https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/birch-lane-astoria-1-light-schoolhouse-pendant-bl3637.html

I have this small dining area adjacent to the kitchen where I’ve had for 3 years this black Ikea piece for my toddlers toys, finally putting everything in his room but not sure what to place there, ideas please? Thank you!