My DH must be wavering because his priorities are shifting. NOW he says he's concerned that it will look too busy (range on perimeter), I'm thinking it's OK but Buehls ideas are so much more interesting. Originally I wanted the window to be the focal point of the room, but I've shifted. Being the windows would be a west facing, I would have to pull down window coverings which would ultimately get filthy from all the splashing, rinsing etc. from the sink. Add in the window coverings would have to be simple, there would be no "fun" in the room. Enough about my thoughts, because I'm totally on board. Lascatx. after Steph2000 asked me about my actual storage needs, I realized after all the calculations we had enough. I want drawers throughout this new kitchen for precisely the reason of not having to bend down and under to get at things. Buehl, my DH and I have already had MANY discussions about how we use the kitchen for various things done in the kitchen. He sees at least that he doesn't use the stovetop as much as he thought he did. He can't seem to separate cooking and prep from one another though. He admits that he is only thinking about the main course for dinner and not the salads, vegetables, sandwiches, etc. Not only this he barbecues out more things then not (main reason how he became the primary cook). Buehl I'll also point out to him that we don't need to make the island nearly as deep as we had before (no grease splatters). We were tight on space before. We can now entertain the extra deep countertops and uppers. Even though were on the shorter stature, doesn't pulling both the bottom and uppers balance it out fairly equal? Option G will not work since the wall is 15 1/4' before a ton of new windows start. Option F already has 14.5' of cabinets. Actually I'm not going to calculate it out, but being the limitations of the cabinet sizes, we may actually have more cabinet space with the range on the perimeter instead of the island. Option F is wonderful!!! I must ask, what kind of design software you use? Lavendar, we have only ideas floating around and nothing as concrete as a range. We are going modern but still haven't decided on the cabinet fronts. Mostly we're looking at blackish cabinets, but then I sometimes dream about a medium wood. We are BIG on windows!!! The only reason we thought Buehls idea would work is because we still kept the same amount of window view. My DH is more concerned about making it too busy instead of making it more impressive. All in all, I think I'm going to have to be patient with him coming around. It's not that he is against Plan F as much as he's struggling with how much he loved our previous house kitchen remodel with the island cooktop. We dealt with the dripping veetables etc, etc because we loved prepping in the open space on the island. Now that we have can "have it all", I want it. Thanks again for everyone's help! This kitchen is going to cost a LOT more then orignally planned but I'm always about value. This new kitchen is of IMMENSE value to me.

debrak, that's a great idea - I'm just not sure our guy knows how to work like that. But I want someone who does. I also think that the problem might be me. That I don't know how to effectively ask for what I want, without feeling like I'm throwing a temper-tantrum. I want to step back and let the architect do what he does best, but I also want the end result to fulfill certain criteria, and I feel silly asking for that. So it's probably just me. I probably need psychotherapy before even considering a building project. ;-\ laughable, yes, I've lived with a drive-under before, and I agree it is not ideal, but we have weighed this particular aspect over and over, and it always comes back as the best choice in our circumstances. We do plan on a dumbwaiter or elevator (or space for one in future). A drive-under is really no different than what we do now, only hopefully it will be more pleasant, with real stairs and indoors. Now, because the house is so elevated and we have no garage at all and the deck stairs are at the opposite end of the deck from the kitchen door, we stop along the side of the 40' long deck and throw the groceries, luggage, etc, up onto the 6-7' tall deck (we removed the railings for better access - against code I know), then drive 40' to the stairs, park the car, get out, walk up the 15 stairs, turn around and walk back 40' to the kitchen door. Sometimes we make our daughter stand up there and catch the grocery bags as we toss them, like some kind of fire brigade! It's a crazy pain in the rear. Especially in the rain or snow. oldbat2be, love your house! You are right, it may be time to consider a different architect. Or again, maybe I need advice on how to talk to this one. He did listen at first, but then lost interest after we didn't like his first plan. This post was edited by jenswrens on Mon, Dec 17, 12 at 22:03

supermom.... thanks so much for the heads up. I'm right around Ft. Lauderdale but the door style won't work for me plus I want all drawers (where ever possible) for the lowers. It would be great to find something like that. I check craigslist daily and will start again with ebay. I know the chances of finding the door style I want in the configuration I need will be slim to none. But ones never knows.... I'm going to perfect a final drawing and then post. I'm going to need help to figure out what kind of lighting. Again... a little ahead of myself but if it took me this long to achieve a layout; who knows how long lighting will take! The electrical is one thing that we won't be doing any of the work on ourselves so I'd like to have as much as I can figured out so when we do have an electrician come in I can get a price for all the work at one time. You are all amazing! Thank you seems inadequate. Elyse

Without a water source, prepping on an island or peninsula usually doesn't happen much - no matter what you "plan". In my old Kitchen, I had a 36" piece of counter that was not near the sink that I never used and, instead, used the 24" b/w the sink and range. I needed water to prep and it was much easier to stick to the 24" of counter than to keep moving things back & forth. We have heard similar stories over and over here. . Regarding barrier islands not being in the way - yes, they are. *** Warning - what I am about to say may offend some people. I don't mean to offend, but I want to be sure others reading this understand. *** Some people won't admit it's an issue running around an island or maybe they don't realize how much they're running around the island until they take the island out. My SIL always told me that she was OK with a barrier island - UNTIL she remodeled. She took out the island (with no sink) and intended to put another one in later - but she finally admitted to me that she would much rather have a lot of open floor space than put an island back in. She didn't want to admit originally that she had made a mistake (so typical of us humans!), but now is willing to admit it and says there is no way an island is going back! She is so happy that she doesn't have to run around that island over and over - and it really wasn't all that big an island - only 42"W x 35"D. BTW...she doesn't have much prep space b/w the range & sink, but always used it anyway b/c, like me, it was easier than moving things back & forth. I think she has about 18" b/w the sink & corner and another 18" b/w the range and corner - that's it. Even when she had the island it was much easier to use the counter b/w the sink and range. I couldn't talk her out of having the sink under the window - that's why she as so little prep space in the remodeled Kitchen. :-(