Trying to design the best kitchen layout in new home we're building. The footprint of the home is custom to the land so it's really a "Y" shaped home (thus the angle going towards the dining table). The first sketch is how a designer sort of just drew a kitchen without giving it much thought(counter height island/snack bar). The second sketch is from the Home Depot kitchen designer center. We were thinking a unattached island/snack bar may be better to aid in the traffic flow to the dining table. In either case, most of the area above the planned sink is all window (we have a beautiful view that direction). Depending on the layout of the kitchen we can move windows if necessary since we are in the designing stage right now. The only wall cabinets will probably be on the fridge side (because of the windows) so for the first time in my life I'm thinking drawers are my best option. I'm wondering how dishes and glasses are stored in a drawer?? The pantry drawn is a fairly large area I think. It can also be altered. The open stairway railing/fireplace corners will need to stay put for the most part. Is there anyone who has time to help me design this?? I'm fumbling around worrying myself sick. I really appreciate all input! (PS: tried to put images on original message, they were soooo small it'd take a microscope to see it...now trying a link. If anyone can help me post this I'd appreciate it greatly!!) Here is a link that might be useful: Lucky Lane Kitchen Designs

**In the mean time, do you have a suggested floor plan that puts the range on the outside wall?** Yes, although I'm a bit confused by the measurements because in the 3D rendering of the sink wall it looks like the sink is further to the right (closer to the DW) than it appears in the first overhead rendering. But the second overhead rendering--the one with measurements--is more like the 3D version, so I'll assume that's the most accurate. Anyway, based on the 3D layout and the one with measurements, one thought is to put the range on the same wall as the sink, over where the 36" wide baking area is right now. That would give you a very workable amount of counter space between the sink and range (which is where most non-baking prep happens), while also letting you define the fridge wall as your baking zone. Alternately, if you don't do much baking or if you feel there's enough room on that wall for both, then the fridge wall could be a snack zone where people grab stuff from the fridge, put it in the microwave or toaster and then take it out of the kitchen. That would keep snackers completely out of the way of anyone cooking a meal or doing cleanup. In this proposed layout, if you want to maximize the workspace between range and sink and/or get the range a little further from the window, you could make that narrow cabinet that would be to the left of the range (it's currently to the left of the lowered baking counter) even narrower and use it either for vertical storage of cookie sheets, muffin tins etc., or as a spice pullout.

Thank you for your advice! I didn't know that lantern was called the Darlana, thank you as it is so beautiful! I like that idea too because I am using lanterns in the front of the house. Do you think I should use the gold or rubbed bronze (or black?) with the chrome faucet and pulls? What types of fixtures coordinate with it? I have been searching Houzz for ideas but am curious what I should use in the formal dining room, breakfast nook, and foyer that will coordinate but not be too matchy matchy with the Darlana?

Janni.... "On the island, the cabs that face out - are you sure you want those to be drawers? I have a series of large "empty" double door cabs - and plan to use that for my AWKWARD stuff like a rice cooker, waffle maker, etc. I actually have my food processor and waffle iron in a drawer today and I don't find them that particularly convenient." i also have several small appliances like waffle maker, food processor, rice cooker etc and this would be a good place to store these items. I wonder if they would fit better if this was divided into 2 drawers instead of three. Do you find it inconvenient because the drawers are too shallow? I wonder if more of these bulky small appliances would fit in these double door cabs than the drawers?? Definitely worth considering. I'm 60 and I dislike island sitting but I still have teens at home and grands that will want to sit there. I don't know where the best place is to put 3 seats. full height book space would be nice. Thank you for your helpful suggestions Janni. eta...still concerned about the bumped out cabinet too. Thanks for your thoughts on this.