I'm having a hard time seeing all the details in the pic because it's too small. Is it possible you could post a larger picture? I think you'd get more responses. Plus provide some details about what you want from the space. Do you need/want seating/eating space in the kitchen? Kids? How many cooks? From what I can see, you don't have anything on that run of cabinets on the bottom. I can't see that area serving any purpose. You certainly won't use it for working or preping. I'd be inclined to get rid of that run of cabinets entirely and use that space to make the island larger. Then I'd add a prep sink to the end of the island by the fridge. BTW, when you start a new thread, it remains at the top of the board until you start getting responses. When you responded to your own post, your thread started dropping down the board. Try posting larger pictures so people can see the details and provide more information all in one post. I think that would help a lot. :)

damiarain, I don't want to have a giant table for 15 set up all the time. That isn't practical, and I didn't like that humongous table my architect sent me. BUT, I do want there to be some way I can set up a large table for everyone, or two smaller tables for everyone. I think most women want to set a table with pretty dishes and a tablecloth for the holidays. Right now my dining room is only wide enough for a table that seats 6. I can't extend it easily without blocking the back door (and we're in the south, people go outside, I have a deck) or moving all my living room furniture. There has to be a way to make a layout that works for everyday and entertaining. That was why my original thought was to eliminate the island, and use a table in the kitchen. I liked the pictures I found of that. My kids tend to stand in the kitchen with me and eat anyway. I could also do a counter height table that doubles as an island, a moveable island that can be wheeled out of the way to extend a table, an island with seating that a table could be pushed against, etc. But I don't really want a table that has to extend into the family room- I have that now and don't like it.

We are interested in first floor remodel...opening up the kitchen and moving bathroom out of the center of the home. Desperately seeking ideas!!! We entertain a lot, have 3 boys, very active home. Open to anything from complete remodel to smaller project. Attached is the current floor plan. Thank you!

Why I like my version: I like that the DW is next to the dining room making it easy for cleanup. I like that there's a nice work triangle between prep sink, fridge and stove and that the cleanup sink acts as a secondary prep area. I like that there is lots and lots of counter space for working. I like that the pantry is right next to the fridge and that both are close to the garage so when taking in groceries, it's easy to put them away and you're not walking back and forth across the kitchen to put some stuff in the pantry and some in the fridge. I like the L shaped layout as it makes it easy to move around. Like in Mama's plan, i like that there's plenty of room in the island for both a drawer microwave and a trash pullout.