To add photos to original posts, just put them in a comment. Comment on your own post and add photos.

To clarify: Your budget is $50k for the entire kitchen using walnut, or just the pantry piece? Because $50k won’t do it for the entire space using the materials you mention.

The island is too long and crowds the table in the bay. And it is a barrier island between use points. You need a lot more refrigeration than you currently have. Overall, you need a much better design than that. Too many issues and lies baked into it by your cabinet seller who is not a kitchen designer.

50K might cover just the walnut cabinets in a 150K redo, but nothing else. Cabinets are only about 1/3 of an overall kitchen redo budget. National average for a mid grade redo is 85K. Walnut and quartz is not really mid grade materials. Neither is a kitchen that is larger than average.

You really need the help of an experienced kitchen designer.

I wouldn't put new cabinets in w/o fixing the DW placement. Swapping the sink and DW would give you helpful counterspace on both sides of the sink, and make prep work easier by moving the DW out of the zone.

I have a price of $29K for the cabinets with solid wood construction and I think that should leave me enough for quartz countertops

. I would LOVE more design advice.

Should I keep the pantry (have extra storage space) and maybe just stagger the doors to make it look more interesting? Or should I put in a beverage center and add counter space?

maybe even add a counter height beverage fridge?

Like I said…. I am kinda out in the country and its hard to get people out here

Hard to say without more info. You're an experienced cook and entertainer. What are the pain points right now when you cook and when you entertain? Does the coffee equipment get in your way when cooking? Would a beverage center be for coffee, tea, wine, cocktails, all of the above? Do you have a garage or basement where you could store a lot of pantry goods? What are you feeding 12 grandkids? Some grandparents would need more counterspace and fridge space to make a lot of sandwiches. Other grandparents would need a good pantry cupboard to hold the Costco tubs of chips and granola bars.

The certified designer who works with our clients freelances and does online work. I’d highly recommend her, if she can fit you in.

I would also have very large concerns with walnut cabinets that only cost 29K. Walnut is an expensive premium wood. So is an experienced cabinet maker.

I must confess that I also share the concerns of the other commenters about cabinet pricing. I would take a step back and find a true kitchen designer to help you properly allot your space. It will save so much extra cost and heartache. My smaller kitchen renovation with painted maple Thomasville cabinets, quartz counters (waterfall edge on peninsula, GORGEOUS), and less expensive wood floors was 50ish K. We also had ordered and received cabinets right as COVID (our living room and part of the garage were filled with assembled cabinets for 2 years) so I know prices are higher now. Wishing you the best with this project!

In answer to"pain points", I need a little bigger island to put food on and more counter space. My current island is 24"x 48" and when we have family events(usually buffet style), my hot foods and eating utensils take up the island and the rest of the food ends up on passed around somehow. If I could increase the island to 65" or so... that would help keep the food together. I used cardboard boxes to visualize it and although the extra length crowds the table a little, its still seems doable? I could keep the table by the window so it is out of the way and only bring it out for family events when six of the grandkids eat there and everyone else is in the dining room near the big window. Quite cozy. ( i also wouldn't mind getting a different table.)

For larger parties of 40ish people, I use both the kitchen island AND the oval table for more food... again, buffet style. For seating, about a dozen people use the larger dining table, a couple might wander to the adjoining living room and the other 30 are PACKED into the kitchen. It's so much fun!!! For these parties, my beverage area usually ends up on the L-shaped counter from the right of the stove to the dishwasher. (I put the coffee pot and toaster away). We have bottled wines out and usually a big beverage dispenser with "punch" To flip the DW and SInk would interrupt that space and the sink is quite convenient for us on the end. Pop and beer are in the fridge.

I will have 75.5 inches of wall space on the fridge wall (once we move a couple things). I could move the fridge to one side and have 39" of countertop and cupboard space on the other side? That could become my additional countertop/beverage serving area? I know that having the fridge on that wall is not the best work triangle... but I am used to it this way and there is no other wall space to move the fridge too without placing it too far away or blocking the view to our deck and beautiful backyard. Maybe using the 39" of space next to the fridge for a countertop area would be more practical? it would be closer to the island and it could be for beverages or extra food. If I did this, I would keep the full wall pantry. However it would be nice to make it look more interesting... maybe with a different door heights? This wall is more visible to everyone seated from the dining room, so I had thought that I should make it a focal point but maybe I am just overthinking it. if I keep the depth, change the door heights and put a few interesting jugs on top of the cupboards... maybe that is good enough?

I don't make them too many sandwiches... but no one leaves Grandma's house hungry! ;c)

The things that jump out at me are the door (wall?) covered in stickers/magnets and the upper cabinets with all the things on top (too much to dust up there!). Center the breakfast table under the light fixture. Select an accent color for accessories: canisters, placemats or tablecloth, kitchen towels, potholders.

The comment about the door is correct… it’s filled with drawings from those sweet grandkids and its quite cluttered.

The jugs/stuff on top could go too. I plan to remove the fan and put in recessed lighting .

hi mcarroll16

Thank you for your comments. Definitely rethinking moving the fridge to side closer to the sink and putting the cupboard space next to the fridge. Plenty of room for a microwave shelf there and counter space below ... and I did want a better vent over the stove with a decorative hood. Everyone says "storage space" so if I keep the wall pantry.. I might try to center two inner doors opening from the middle. Time to de-clutter the top, but I love the authentic "little brown jug".

Any thoughts/ guidelines about lengthening the island?

I have also thought about rotating it 90 degrees and opening it up to make the refrigerator more accessible but then I would have to walk around it to get to it, so probably not?

Hello, here is my concept, not sure how much room is across the sliders to extend cabinetry towards the lake.

I don't understand your rotation plan. Rotate the island 90 degrees? Rotate the kitchen layout?

Sorry… was referring rotatingto the island… as in connecting it to the left of the stove … like a U shape with the open part to the fridge.

I like the mirror idea and am quite surprised… but it DOEs actually reflect the lake. unfortuanately at the end of the fridge wall is the start of the living room …which isnt very big…. thereare way too many hallways here and no good way to redirect them… traf traffic flows completely around the open staircase…

I am a practical person and I think you need to take a step back for a minute. You have multiple posts and 2 usernames which is confusing. Now you have multiple opinions on the issue. From my limited knowledge the 2020 program used you posted is a program used by sellers of cabinets. It's like tetris: pre-sized pieces put together. No actual design. Sad to say but due to 2022 reality this kitchen may not be completed for 18-24 months and those grandchildren will have grown considerably. There are a few with kitchen design experience who post on here, I hope they see your dilemma and join in. Good Luck

I found this dilemma, which is apparently not resolved, so I will post here, if Gin J doesn’t mind. I think you can make the LR/DR opening 24” narrower to make the kitchen longer. Leave 3ft in front of sliders to walk, and leave 2 1/2 ft behind DR chairs to walk.

Dear jck910…. I didn’t mean to have two posts…. I tried to edit but couldn’t… so I reposted so I could add more info and photos that others had requested. Lynzy was kind enough to tell me to just add to the comment section. THANK YOU LYNZY! So much simpler. Unfortunately, I can’t seem to delete the other post… op open tto suggestions how to do that and again, so sorry for the confusion(not sure about the other ”username”?

I don’t have the LR exactly right, my best guess from your grid drawing and LR photos, but looks like you can extend the kit/DR wall and even add French doors if that would be helpful

Gin J says she regularly hosts 30+ people in her home. Given that, I think it's a bad idea to shrink any doorways or walkways. I would look for ways to increase serving surfaces and maximize circulation.

*Add cabinets and countertop by the fridge.

*Think hard about whether you really need that pantry space at all. I still don't understand whether you need storage there. You said above "everyone says 'storage space.' But you also said you're only using part of the pantry. If you add cabinets by the fridge, could you do without the pantry wall? Having an extension table there and more seating might increase comfort at your large gatherings. I hate bench seating, but in your situation a banquette makes sense. Discomfort of a bench seat is better than the discomfort of no seat.

*I wouldn't expand the island, for the same circulation/seating reasons. I think you would get the best entertaining space by keeping the island as is, eliminating the pantry altogether, and figuring out a spot in the living room for a folding table for drinks or buffet service. But if you really need more in the kitchen, decide between larger island or pantry. Not both.

*Peninsula vs. island is a tough call. I just ripped out my U kitchen. Hated the way it invited a crowd of people into the middle of the workspace. But in your case, it sounds like people are in the middle of your kitchen anyway. You said 30 people in there? They can't all be crowding into the narrow aisle between fridge and island. So for you, maybe a peninsula and U shape does make sense. Hopefully others can advise. I hate U kitchens so much, I cannot give neutral advice here.

Johnson Brothers Consulting,

Thank you and yes I would like the contact information for the designer you recommended.

As far as the company goes... they custom order the doors and make their own boxes. All dovetailed joints,

I actually started this project last October... due to some confusion by one of the cabinet maker's employees, (and our absence in the winter/ spring months) they are honoring the walnut prices from December 2021. This company has been around a long time and has a A+ rating and 5 star reviews and I have seen their work. I probably could get most of my money back if I had too., but they do good work. I am guessing from the comments made, this is why everyone seems to think that the price should be higher.

What I am thinking is that I need a CKD for design and once that is decided, I think they will do a good job.

A CKD is a great idea when you are changing the layout or want help deciding how many drawers and where, etc. I think 12 of the 30 people are your grandkids? Sounds like a wonderful family gathering getaway home. I assume your kitchen needs to work for multiple cooks, and a snack zone to keep kids outside your work triangle. Do you have ample outdoor covered entertaining space so not everyone is underfoot in the house? I see TV trays in the LR, how many do you need to seat in there at once? Since you are on a lake, does your laundry room need 2 washers and 2 dryers - the stackable kind? Do you have any space under the staircase on the hallway side to add a storage closet?

Here is another idea to discuss with CKD to give up island idea and create “U” shape with 42” wide hallway beside kitchen to keep traffic out of work triangle

Solche Tisch macht deine Küche modern , Idee ! - Youtube

Sofa in der Küche! Ideen! Pr - YouTube

Натуральный свет очень нужен нам - YouTube

You mentioned in the beginning that the big wall of pantries is no longer needed. I would consider another serving place there since you host such a large family. The cabinets below can store serving utensils and platters that are primarily for the big family events. That might allow you to shorten the length of the island to make it easier to walk around.

Just hire a kitchen designer. Seriously. You are all over the map with bad ideas that need the word NO attached. Like trying to ignore and minimize the architecture of that bay window.

If the Johnson Brothers contact doesnt work out, I have a recommendation for you that also des online. My sister used her.

You could have a rolling cabinet that is designed into the pantry space that can be pulled out next to the island when needed.

D M PNW has a great idea! Something like this:

Haight Ashbury · More Info

Getting a professional designer is obviously the best idea here, glad you are planning to do that. But ask your designer about the tuck-away rolling cart concept.

Does anyone have any thoughts/ comm comments on the

….Idea of the putting in the design in the first picture into the oak pantry spot in the second picture? I never heard many comments about how it looked or if anyone liked it. I do ststill kinda like it. Here Here’s a couple more pictures

I personally don’t like the look of the two dropped upper cabs. If your going to do that pantry, keep the glass uppers the same shorter size. Also, you’ve gotten tons of input across a couple of postings. Maybe just step away snd think on it a while, with a good kitchen designer. Feels like it’s going a bit in circles here.

I think most commenters here feel reluctant to comment on one specific cabinet item when your overall design seems incomplete. But since you asked, I'll bite. I think I said this above, but if you are doing a cabinet in that space, I would do base and uppers all the way across. No tall pantry ends. From what you've said, it really sounds like you need counter surface more than storage. I would also make uppers one height, top and bottom, not staggered heights relative to the countertop. Simple, clean design so the display items in the glass-front cabinets are what you see, not busy cabinetry mosaic.

Sounds good. I feel like I am getting a better idea of space, etc. Havent heard any more recommendations for online designers…. have looked up a couple of other people… and feel like I am finally getting somewhere. Thank you.

You have not contacted me for my recommendation, if you are still interested in professional help.

@Gin J Because you asked for feedback, IMHO all cabinets should form a straight horizontal line for a pleasing and simplified visual effect. too choppy when some reach higher or some are lower to countertop.

Another idea for the space where your wall-to-wall pantry is now, if you don’t need more eating area, is to make it a Butler’s pantry. Store everything you don’t use daily but use for entertaining, include an appliance garage, and whatever else you would use but don’t want in your work zone (coffee bar, mini beverage fridge, mini ice freezer, microwave, etc)

Hello Johnson Brothers,

I did post once that I am interested in your recommendations, It probably got lost in the mix.

Yes I am interested

ginjohn100, apologies for the following if you already know this. I think Johnson Brothers wants to give you a recommendation through private messaging, not here on the board. Click on the user name. In the upper right, click the "Send Message" button. And before you do that, make sure you've ennabled receiving messages in Houzz. Happy to explain that too if you need. (I had to ask someone walk me through it just a few months ago.)

LOL! I had NO IDEA! Thank you!!! You have been VERY HELPFUL!

Here is a layout that gives you 6ft island with seating, wide path behind island to keep traffic out of your work triangle, separate prep/bake/cook/clean up zones for multiple cooks, circular flow into kitchen and around DR table to accommodate large crowd, more room to use sliders…need to fill in lower part of bay windows for sink and DW, move cooktop.