All of you are so fantastic-- I seriously don't know what we'd do without the help of this forum. It certainly wouldn't be a DIY project, and we'd be spending twice as much to get a kitchen half as good! So THANK YOU all for the time and consideration you put into answering questions. After reading through these posts, I'm convinced to go with a full-size fridge. I just can't stomach paying more for something smaller, and as sue pointed out, I think a CD could backfire worse if a family moved in and needed more fridge space. FWIW, I live in a mature, gated, lake community with homes from 30-years-old to brand new, and $150K to $700K. Pretty eclectic! We live in one of the least expensive homes-- 3 beds, 2 baths, built in '94, with one of the biggest yards in the neighborhood. It has fantastic resale potential, but my hideous kitchen (posted it several months ago but can't find the post) it white linoleum with really odd/crappy white cabinets, white laminate countertops, and brass hardware. Awful layout. In my size home in this community, our potential buyers could be anywhere from a retired couple looking to downsize to a young military couple with one or two children. So even though we don't necessarily need the fridge space, the next people might! wa8b: the layout issue you mentioned is certainly a potential problem as far as traffic flow. Behind the peninsula is a dining area, and to the left of the fridge/pantries in my drawing is the living room entrance. We were originally trying to keep the appliances situation close to where they are now to avoid added costs, but now that we've decided to stick with an electric range (even though we'd rather have gas), the potential to easily move the non-outside-venting range is definitely an option. However, my drawing represents where the stove and sink are currently located, and I've never had much of a problem traversing the 7.5' of space... Also, I like the idea of keeping the drawer bases for pots and pans on either side of the stove. But maybe I should referse the fridge/pantries and the stove/counters. The room would be more open when walking in, and the stove wouldn't be right next to the garage door. I'll probably post a separate thread about layout to discuss this... caryscott and raehelen, thank you so so much for the photos and drawings! It helps a great deal to see my potential options. caryscott, I can see that a non-CD fridge does not stick out that far, and the gray sides definitely make a difference. For those of you who described the logistics of recessing the fridge into the wall, thank you so much! This MIGHT be a possibility-- we'll see how comfortable DH is with the idea. :) Again, you've all given me a lot to think about-- I really appreciate all of the feedback! Katie

Kaismom, The strip under the sill is wood, coated with a few coats of oil-based enamel. There was some question as to what to do with this strip--tile, wood, or?? In my opinion, it looks best to have it trimmed like the window normally be trimmed. In your case, with oiled wood trim, I would coat that particular strip with Waterlox and you should be fine!! You might have to re-caulk once in a great while, but it is certainly a lower maintenance situation than caulk we all have in the bathtub, right? (o: We have been using ours for 5 months and so far don't have even the slightest hint of wear or water damage. In fact, the only water which really hits the caulk line is when I am wiping up with a damp cloth. It isn't ever sitting in a pool of water. I hope this helps!! The window is worth whatever small bit of extra trouble you may have to go to.

Hi, 2Fishies. Thanks for the post in the other thread to lead folks here. I do like the extra counter top space you would get for the full 6' if you build a bump out like Erikahnh's. Plus, if your second story overhangs the first, you would not need to build an extra roof for the bump out (or for a bow). As to the cost question, you are right, you'll have to consult with your contractor. Since this is a new build (yes? no?), it may be less expensive to buy "off the rack" casement windows and construct a bump out. The final issue is the "look and feel." Which do you prefer? It looks like Erikahnh's window section is about 8' long -- and that provides a nice expanse of view. Since you have 6' you might also have enough. Since we had just over 4' I really wanted to bow to give us the extra sight lines. Ok, there is one final consideration: the view from outside. Looking at your elevation, IMHO a bow and the bay in the dining room would be just fine. Both are curved so that provides some symmetry. How do you think you'd like a box bump out with the bay window? If this is new construction, what if you went with box bump outs both in the kitchen and dining room -- especially is that approach was more cost effective? Lots to think about. Let us know what you decide.

Choice made then. It's always nice to see people check their options and then go for what they really want. As someone suggested, you could always detach and/or cut it down if you ever wished to. Probably not, but saving extra tile and trim would make the usual good sense should you ever decide to rearrange, whatever the height. Others, it's been rather eye-opening to see how many people don't find this very comfortable, even tall ones. At 5'2" I didn't weigh in with how much I dislike perching over relaxing into a chair because these days it seems most people top me by at least a head, if not shoulders too, and I thought this might have become mostly a "personal" problem. Like the typical new dining chair AMAF. :)