Thanks for the great feedback so far! Keep it coming!! The original island was 8'x3'8'. The new version is 4'6x8'. It was initially supposed to be a workspace/table combo, but I realized to Lisa's point that it will really be only used as a table if we keep it like that. I also had the concerns about more appliances than storage, and that's part of why I started modifying the island. If we were to use the architect's design as is, we would add an additional workspace, much like you did. We were thinking something less fixed, like this: [[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/architectural-portfolio-eclectic-kitchen-portland-phvw-vp~2936999) [Eclectic Kitchen[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/eclectic-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2104) by Vancouver Photographers Shawn St.Peter Photography However, our concern is that with 2 islands and the corner nook, it starts to get very cluttered and busy. That led me to want to move the dining area to the nook and use the island as a work station w/ more storage. There are only 2 of us for now, but with house guests and entertaining, we would want to be able to seat 4-5 regularly and 6+ for special occasions. You make a good point about the limited side seating, so we will remove it. I'm glad you all pointed out the issue with the dinnerware being so far from the dishwasher. My concern is that if we move the sink/DW back to the corner, there's not really any more storage over there, and then the sink is really far from the fridge. We could put the dinnerware and glassware in the uppers over the DW in my layout to resolve the issue, and then would just need a place for the flatware - either over the tupperware or back in the corner by the ovens. I could also probably get 18-20" of drawers next to the DW if I cut the tupperware/wraps drawers in half and take the extra 6" from the drawers on the other end (which would also put more counter space between the sink and ovens). OR the dinnerware/flatware could go in the drawers on the end of the island. So let's assume we can solve the storage location issue - would you still move the sink? (I don't think we could do a second sink because of the costs, so let's assume only 1.) How does the pantry on the left allow more space for the fridge doors? We would have french doors on the fridge, so I assumed it wouldn't matter which side. I actually wanted the left originally so I could put stuff from the fridge directly on the counter to the right, but since the laundry and pantry are paneled it looks better to flank the fridge with them. I guess if we kept all cabs the same color, it wouldn't matter as much. We put the fridge and pantry at the same depth as the laundry for 3 reasons: 1. a 36" deep fridge would look built-in without built-in prices 2. deeper pantry = more storage and 3. if we put the "tall things" in a contrasting color to the other cabinets, we would want them all flush so they form a wall. We haven't seen the ovens under the counter in person. We are planning on using the new Bosch swing door ovens, so hopefully that helps with some of the bending issues (only down vs. down and over). It does mean that we would want 30" clearance on either side, though, for the door to swing out. There is also a chance we may not be able to use both ovens because we only have 100 AMPs and it would be very $$$ to upgrade, so we could reduce to a double wall oven or just a single. I'm not a huge fan of the double wall oven because it seems like the top oven is too high to easily see and reach inside. However, I don't have personal experience using them so maybe it's not really an issue? Here is the link to my other post for reference: http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/remodel/msg0812432221051.html I plan to add an update as soon as we make a final decision on the contractor!

I would do horizontal in the same direction as the stairs. This way as you land on that floor, the layout of the hardwood will make the floor appear long. The part where the hallway turns, will have to continue the same direction but that’s ok. All the best, Ruchi

The plot plan doesn’t help me, but I can chat about my house. It is a ranch, one story, which we bought for our downsize. Built in 1976, it was in not great shape, so we had to take it down to the studs and pretty much wound up with a new house. I digress…the reason I know it had potential because of the orientation…North to South with the garage on the West side. It is not L shaped (another plus for me); the two car garage had is own roof line and the doors face West, so not to be seen from the curb. I’ll post a picture from our first months in the house. I don’t have a recent photo showing new landscaping. The inside layout is perfect for us. As Virgil suggests, we get full benefit of the sunlight, with the hall running across the North front. We also had installed solar panels on the the back South side, which has been a Godsend. Feel free to look in my project book for the interior. Oh, why I like the garage on the West side…I love looking at sunsets, but from outside. West light, in my previous homes, was hot, distorted my wall colors, and showed every speck of dust on the floor, furniture and windows. (A good time to add never use B.M. Monroe Bisque in a West room.,,lesson learned). Good luck!

Thanks. The office set-up is just in there temporarily for COVID. We have a built-in table for 8 in the kitchen w/the ability to extend, so we don't need a dining room and the living room we have in back is much bigger. Mostly the room has sat unused for the last year. Agreed on the space being best near where we spend our time until they're old enough - that floor is kitchen & living room, so between the two, that's really where we'll be.