Nature/cuts creates the book match, you simply decide whether to take advantage of it.

A well executed, well placed seam on an island is fine. WELL. is the operative word. That is best at the sink ( middle) if there is one. It makes it the shortest seam as well, and you would WANT it at the sink with any bookmatch. Otherwise. ....... I l avoid the seam altogether.

All of this can't be answered for you as w e have no idea the size, length shape of the island. nor its dimensions, or whether what you plan is even a great idea within your kitchen.

Post the kitchen layout PLAN . WITH all dimensions. Not a fancy aerial view - the boring plan with appliances, cabinet inches etc. Every last inch of everything. " As large as possible".............is????

Hi Jan - I posted pics of the floor plan and kitchen renderings. Our GC mentioned the seam would more than likely be down the middle at the sink. We’ve asked to meet with the fabricator to discuss before making a final decision. I’m interested to see his work first hand. Thank you!

Overall I like the plan and the seam placement is fine. What I don't understand (even though I see it all the time) are cabinets blocking in your range. Why do you want to feel enclosed by cabinets while you are cooking. That looks like a high heat output range- are those cabinets within spec?

The odd shaped island won't get a book matched seam (that would require 2 consecutive slabs and they are placed "end to end" like opening mirror images of a book.). It will just get a seam and, IMO, will always look awkward because you won't match the veining. Forcing a too wide island out of a stone with movement is a bad idea.

The layout also creates a pinch point where it will be tight to walk around if someone is sitting at the island.

I would avoid irregularly shaped islands if you can and stay within the dimensions of a single width slab.

@HALLETT & Co. kitchen renderings and floor plan were completed by our kitchen designer. I’m confident they’re within spec but will keep it in mind. Thank you so much for your time and input.

The doors are too skinny flanking the hood....do three doors instead. Have the doors open AWAY from the hood. You'll like that much better. The hood is big and the skinny doors aren't the right scale, IMO.

@The Kitchen Place I’m so glad you mentioned it! Thank you so much for letting me know. I greatly appreciate your expertise.

Out of curiosity..........is this a new build? Lots of clipped corners..........

I'll stop there.

@JAN MOYER I know what you mean. Trust me it’s been a pain planning to remodel. The house is not a new build. It was built in 1995. It must have been the style at the time or restrictions who knows? We’re limited to the current build. Thank you for letting me know.

The angled island is really strange, and you're going to have a big, noticeable seam in in no matter what. Also, the cabinets sitting on the counter next to the cooktop, whether they are acceptable under code or not, would drive me absolutely insane. I would rethink this entirely.

I wouldn't want a seam unless it could be bookmatched, and I think that would look odd with the odd shape of your island. Why not do a rectangular island?

I also agree with @biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) about the range decorative arch (whatever that's called). Do you have that now? I see that in kitchens that I assume no one ever cooks in. If you don't cook, I suppose it's fine. But otherwise, you'll have no landing space next to your range. I have 18" on one side now, and THAT drives me crazy. Being hemmed in on both sides would make me rip out my cabinets and start over.

I'll be the dissenter.

First, I think too much in a small footprint where every inch counts. That said? There are worse things than a sink facing a wall. You have to look at the pots and pan to scrub - what's the big deal ? A sink in front of a window probably goes back to a time with no dishwasher

If you are going for WOW......I certainly get it, but perhaps a bit of scale back.

I'd want range where the fridge is. sink where the cook is, and fridge??? Left of the sink. An island with nothing on it.......and only what fits.

If that door is to garage? I'd consider a relo if at all possible. ..............

@JAN MOYER we placed the sink to look outside the beautiful lake view. It was purposely placed for that reason. I would have originally moved the entire sink designed to the bay breakfast nook window area but we recently replaced brand new windows And would lose that beautiful view seating area.

The door does not go to the garage it is to the hallway to our master bedroom.

If you have seating in the breakfast nook area, do you need seating at the island as well?

@biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) not necessarily Do you have an idea in mind to share?

Not a fan of the island. Also do you actually cook? I'm wondering if you actually cook because of the cabinets you have sitting on the counter to either side of your range. When I am cooking at my range I always have a spoon rest with something to stir a pot or a spatula resting there. Many times I also have additional ingredients that need to be added sitting on that counter space next to the range. With those cabinets sitting on the counter where do you place anything? It would also drive me nuts to have people going into my fridge behind me while I am prepping at my sink or cleaning dishes.

@vinmarks I think the kitchen designed looks good, but I’m here to get functionality and design opinions, and greatly appreciate your feedback. I’m considering changing the storage oven range cabinet doors to have more use of the counters. Appreciate the feedback.

@Alohairene, what is the ventilation plan for the range? At first glance I would prefer to have the range where the fridge is currently shown, but it depends on ventilation.

All awkward show and no go. The person who designed that doesn’t cook. Doesn’t understand seams in stones. And doesn’t understand even the basics about kitchen design. Your useful prep space is microscopic. Very dysfunctional.

@biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) thru the roof. Just curious why would you prefer to have the range where the fridge is? With that said how would you have the kitchen island placed in the kitchen? We are open to options and moving things around. Thank you!

@User thank you for your input.... please also share what changes you would make in the floorplan of the design so that I may share them with the designer. That would help me when I meet with the designer. Thank you

I agree with @User that your current design looks like it was designed by someone who doesn't cook. I definitely understand your desire to take advantage of your lovely nook view, but given how much time one spends prepping while cooking, I think the better way to enjoy that view is to have your main prep space (on the island) facing that view. Here's a quick mock up of something that might work better. This could be tweaked in any number of ways and allows for island seating (or not, as you prefer). Aisle between sink and island could easily be enlarged and the island would still be very generously sized. The fridge is a bit farther away from your living area, but still accessible without anyone entering the work zones. You could also add a small beverage fridge in the island.

@biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) Awesome! Thank you for taking time for providing helpful information and a layout to give me a different perspective for the kitchen! This is the best and most helpful feedback!

@Alohairene glad I could help. I am envious of all of the space you have for a huge, unobstructed island - I love to spread out when I work so that would be ideal for me. Looking forward to seeing what you decide to do.

I don't know about you, but I am a super sloppy cook. If I were to make pancakes with that range configuration, where would my bowl of batter go? I would need it close by or else it would be all over the floor

@biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) I like your kitchen floorpan. It seems very functional. I will lose storage not having the pantries. How do you picture the upper cabinets with this floorpan? I'm having a hard to envisioning the upper cabinets and where would the pantry go?

@Alohairene I think you will find that with a rectangular island, you will have MUCH more (easily accessible) storage in the island than with the angled version. You do lose the pantry wall with the fridge, but you have plenty of space on the long wall to add a tall pantry cabinet (or a couple of them). With 187" to play with, you have 79" left once you subtract 48" for your fridge, 24" for your DW and 36" for your sink (unless you want a bigger sink). Divvy that up however you like. Do you want countertop right next to your fridge? If so, something like this could work:

The only thing I would say about bion's layout is that it puts traffic between the range and island (going to the master bedroom). However, if that's the only thing down that hall and whoever isn't cooking doesn't cut through the hot zone to get there, it should work. I don't think you'd have enough space to turn your island the other way.

If you wanted a prep sink in the island, you could flip your sink & fridge in bion's plan, which would give you a separate prep & cleanup zone. You originally had 2 dishwashers shown, so if you generate that many dirty dishes, you may want two separate zones. My family does just fine with one dishwasher, and I'd STILL love to have a separate cleanup zone.

Keep in mind that the ventilation question is a big one, especially with a range of that size. Before you get too excited about this layout, make sure you can vent your range.

A range that size is a 20K+ minimum expense, by the time you add in the ventilation and make up air system. It can go to way up at the drop of a hat with a more upper end choice on range, or hood, or if you live somewhere that requires heated make up air.

While I think your range area / hood design looks beautiful, I would strongly recommend making sure you have landing space next to the range. I currently have one skinny countertop section and a slightly larger section and it's the number one thing that drives me crazy about my kitchen. When I am cooking, I often have a bowl or several bowls of prep ingredients waiting to go into the pot. Or I might have a sauce cooking on the stovetop and need to transfer to a dish for baking. I wish I had more clear space on either side of my range for functionality.

@anj_p's suggestion of swapping the main sink and fridge is one I considered. It could work well in your space if you don't mind interrupting the island counter. Here's a rough mock-up:

@User's point about ventilation is spot on and should be a main focus with a range this size planned. Make up air systems aren't always required by code (depending on location) and I wouldn't count on your KD or even your contractor to know the ins and outs of what is truly required to properly vent a range of that size.

@anj_p we have a general contractor who is remodeling based on the kitchen remodel Designed. We will of course ensure the range is properly vented which is required by El Dorado county of California permit and county code and inspection.

I’ll consider this as well. Thank you so much!

I wasn't suggesting you wouldn't do appropriate venting - but sometimes in a retrofit you don't have the space due to the orientation of the ceiling supports, size of the supports, and/or size of duct required. Getting a 10"-12" duct into an existing ceiling can be challenging, to say the least (unless you have attic above?), and having the range on an interior wall makes it even harder due to the required bends. Just make sure you dot all your i's and cross all your t's. Makeup air is virtually always required for a 48" range assuming you buy an adequately sized hood for the range.

Thanks @biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) for the graphic! :)

@anj_p and @biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) Awesome 😍 Great feedback and thank you for asking about the appropriate area for the oven range ventilation. It seems that is where we need to start first. We have a cooktop with a down draft in our kitchen now, and yes, both walls are interior walls. There is plenty of attic space above the kitchen area, and we know it was inspected by the GC and KD (who are a team) before the kitchen remodel design and renderings were provided. I will ask if the oven range can be relocated, to where the cooktop is now. Otherwise, it may need to be installed on the longer wall for appropriate air ventilation. Thanks for bringing that up.

We will purchase an adequate size, recommended hood for the oven range.

@biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) considering the mockup you provided, I would still like to add a second dishwasher. Which would then have the lineup as fridge, dishwasher, sink, dishwasher and pantry lined up.

what if the oven range needs to stay on that longer wall for proper ventilation?

What are your thoughts on the microwave drawer being placed under a wall counter area, or the island? much appreciated!

That.............is what I was talking about wayt up there. If you cook enough to need a big range. big fridge? That's a better user of the space.

If you need to keep your range on the long wall, put your sink on the current fridge wall. Basically swap the sink & range spots in bion's layout. If you add a prep sink your island would be less of a barrier, and you could stay on that wall the entire time you cook (and get separate zones).

@anj_p that makes sense. If the range is on the longer wall, would you put the prep sink directly behind the the range on the corner of the island? I really like the idea of a prep sink. Does it seem odd to have a prep sink so close to the main sink?

yes that's what I would do. It's not odd at all... your island is currently acting like a barrier between the fridge and range or sink, depending on which is on the short wall, so by adding a prep sink you get rid of that problem.
Disclaimer: I used to be a huge fan of big beautiful uninterrupted islands, until I had one. I love the space but I wish I had a prep sink there! I really dislike using my cleanup sink for food prep, and it gets a bit crowded when someone is doing dishes when I'm cooking. but unfortunately I'm stuck with it, so I better make do!

Having the seam centered on the sink is way overrated, especially with an apron front sink. Depending on the color, particulates, and movement in a stone, if the fabricator had the ability to "shop" the seam placement over the entire sink area, his chances of getting an inconspicuous match are increased considerably.

@Alohairene if you have to leave your range on the long wall due to ventilation concerns, you might consider something like this (if you don't mind having a sink on your island). This wouldn't be my first choice but obviously ventilation requirements will drive some of your decisions.

As for your question about the microwave drawer, I would just make sure it is near the refrigerator, since I primarily use my micro for reheating leftovers. If you use yours differently, think about what might be most convenient for your family. I personally prefer my microwave higher up (an under cabinet mount), but DH and I are tall and don't have to worry about children using it.

@biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) what are your thoughts based on what @anj_p suggested ... Using your mock up plan marked as featured... and swapping out and moving the sink and dishwashers on that shorter wall?

@Alohairene here's a mockup of that - I'm not sure I love the idea. It might work better if you swap the fridge and range locations from where I have them below, but then the range is closer to the door to the hallway (which may not be ideal). Having the prep sink on the end of the island doesn't really give you a lot of room to do actual prep right next to the sink, and you can't really flip the island because of clearances and the narrowness of the bay.

@biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) wow thank you..after looking at it I probably prefer the fridge closer to the nook table area.

Yes, if you do it that way the range & fridge would be swapped. The prep sink would be small - 18" or so, which would leave you with ~3.5' for prep if you did it that way.

I like @biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley)'s layout with the sink and dishwashers in the island. I woudn't move the sink to a blank wall with no window over it. Keep the sink in the island to have that beautiful view and light while doing dishes!

I like the plan with the clean-up sink and 2 dishwashers on the long wall closer to the breakfast nook that @biondanonima (Zone 7a Hudson Valley) created. People do not need to walk behind you to get to the sink when you’re at the stove or removing something from the oven.

I put in a 22” wide x 16” prep sink on my island. I was worried it would be too big but I've come to like it. I'm going to get a cutting board made to fit over the opening so I can prep over the sink.