Thanks for your suggestions, All! You've given me much to think about. I was trying to figure out if a U shape would work, and it helps to see it drawn out. It would work, but I have to decide whether or not I should give up one or both of the angled cabinets. Love the look of the angles over a strict galley as it opens it up and will make it different from everyone else's in our community....The angled look would tie in so well with the other angles in our unit (It is not a rectangle, but more of a "wedge" shape - narrow at the front door and opening to a wide, panaramic waterview through sliders and picture windows.) Anyway, the angled opening would also would make it feel bigger...but it does cut down a bit on counter and storage space. Think we'll be fine with the cabinet space since the wall we are opening up is 5" thick, so we'll gain that space at the end of each side. We also will be taking the cabinets to the ceiling, so will gain an extra shelf in all wall cabinets. So, prefer the look that creates challenges...but it does help to hear from all of you so we can make these decisions after considering everything!

just my 2 cents.. i currently have the set up of your first drawing. where you have the pantry i have a wall to the living room, i put a 6 inch deep 5 foot high free standing shelf along the wall (easy to make) and i keep anything in glass jars on that, i have a reach in pantry.(where your deck is i have a bed room with a bathroom next to it, door facing the kitchen, and the pantry is between the bedroom and bath), the shelf i have is narrow enough not to impede the entry next to the peninsula, and it keeps me from worrying about having a glass jar break in the pantry, everyone who sees it thinks its a great idea (i keep remains of boxes of pasta in canning jars etc). my kitchen is open to the dining room, which no one who i see with this design uses as a dining room because the walk way to the sliding glass doors eventually takes precedence (Florida = Lani), or if they do, the table is pushed up against the wall which leaves seating for 4. i also have a slim cabinet and a semi-corner upper cabinet(s) on the wall to the right of the sink,my dish washer is in the spot of your original drawing, i have a lazy susan corner on the bottom in the corner. The over hang of the upper cabinets makes a spot to park the appliances with a clean up area right next to the sink which keeps things from sprawling, i have a set of drawers instead of a cabinet on the outside of the dishwasher, very handy.. . It seems to me that some people are sit-down-at-the-table types and some are more casual island eaters.. when my daughter was younger we used the large area of the peninsula to make bread and such from the dining room side, that way she could sit up and reach and it was a nice area to use for lots of things. the actual work flow on this for me is parking the grocery's on the peninsula and on flat stove top to load fridge, the biggest problem i have is with the microwave. first had it on the Pinn but if two people were in the kitchen there would be an issue with doing anything with the sink, i moved it to the other side of the sink, between it and the stove, its a better location but it uses up a lot of room and its awkward to get things in and out, for that reason alone i liked the idea of a microwave area. it looks like you currently have a microwave installed in the wall next to the fridge? My neighbor put his on the counter and then made a huge space above for an appliance garage, (think just one big shelf), you'd only have to close off the underside of the stairs really; the cool thing is he used a painting hinged on the corner side as a door. i would say live with it for a minuet first, and then if you were going to do anything i'd put a pantry at the end of the room like in the 3-D model Anna has, also the peninsula, if you are not going to use that room then you might want to shorten it, mine is a bit tight and the other issue is where to put the trash.. if you are an under the sink person then fine, but otherwise i ended up putting it at the end of the peninsula, now its tucked under on the outer side with a stool in front. what is really amazing is that so many people spent so much of their time to help you with this, and that i actually sat here and read each post.. it had a coffee table conversation feel to it, very well done everybody :) best of luck with the new home, the only other thing i would say is, you have to decide if you and SO need a break from the stress of actually buying the house before you start tearing it up (warning: only do ONE ROOM at a time) or if you are the kind of folk who like to get it all out of the way so you can be done with it.. may your home always be filled with love (and big ideas).. Lin

plan 1 with changes; the 42 in walkway on the sink side of island should increase to 48 in minimum... Lengthen the entire island section. the 5ft between bar stools and pantry area can accomodate some island real estate-move the end into that space a little more-possibly curve that end section-semi circle or the like.Then as you move back toward the dining room part of your space I would decrease the depth a bit and go with one level-counter height-and elongate the look and extend the island into that space near the dining area.Seems to be a corridor kitchen-the bar stool end is island-like-but your core area is not really an island-able space. I would play up the corridor aspect by creating this more galley approach -keep the walkway open and not put the frig over on the left as in plan 2. could be a great open look with a contemporary vibe.

I like your idea of the microwave where the fridge was originally proposed. Good point to have my hungry "snackers" away from the main work space. Yes, I will have 5, possibly 6 bar stools at the island; two with their backs to the dining area/vaulted family room, and 3 or 4 along the wall with the proposed microwave. I want a waterfall edge counter closer to the oven/range and the other side to be cantilevered for open leg room. Again, any thoughts or suggestions appreciated!