Well, there are some 'Blue Glow' Agave in that wall so you might want to be careful where you nestle! Actually, I am hoping to do a more permanent version of this wall (it would look a little different as we have to account for ongoing growth of plants) at the Conservation-based garden where I work in the mornings. This wall was inside at the home show but not inside my house- though I'd certainly love that!

1- don't get rid of those pretty cabinets on top. I was admiring them and I pictured them in white. I think black on the bottom would be too much with the black appliances. You can cut out the background in the doors with a rotozip and replace with glass doors. that might look pretty. if you don't like that idea or the painting idea them how about changing the doors instead of replacing the whole cabinet? I just ordered doors and drawer fronts for my kitchen and the total was only $279, much better than new cabinets. 2- Organic and I have the same floor. 3- Did I read you were considering blue corian countertops? That sounds good to me. I did my countertops in tile, which admitendly some people don't like and it cost me less than $50. I love your plate rails on the wall and that blue storage shelf. soooo cool!

a2g: under the soup recipe I linked the post from mntrdredux where powerbread was discussed, but here's the direct link to the recipe I used. Usually I take the time to make it over 3 days, it has much more depth that way. But it's good to know that in a pinch you can just throw it all together all at once and still have a decent and tasty loaf of bread: power bread The muffins are nothing special, but they are quite yummy and it gets my no-I-don't-eat-vegetables toddler to get a bit of zucchini past his lips. Here's my mom's recipe for chocolate zucchini cake, I just put it into muffin tins and baked them 'til they seemed done (15-20 mins?). I omit the orange rind and do a mix of whole wheat and white flour. Chocolate Zucchini Cake 2 1/2 cups flour 1/2 cup cocoa 2 1/2 tsp baking powder 1 1/2 tsp baking soda 1 tsp salt 1 tsp cinnamon 3/4 cup oil 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 2 tsp vanilla 2 tsp orange rind 2 cups grated zucchini 1/2 cup milk 1 cup walnuts/raisins (optional) Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt and cinnamon and set aside. Mix oil and sugar until smooth. Add eggs one at a time. With a spoon stir in vanilla, orange rind and zucchini. Alternately add dry ingredients with wet to creamed mixture. Add nuts, pour into 10" bundt pan. Bake at 350 F for 1 hour Tami-the pulls are Amerock Blackrock, details of my kitchen can be found here

The island is still a barrier, the fridge door opens the wrong direction to be convenient to that side of the kitchen, and there is no landing space for the fridge, except over the two seats on the end. Imagine someone trying to gather items to make a sandwich (blue line in front of fridge), and then needing a place to assemble it. And forget about it if the seats are in use. The pantry is in a good position though, and it, and the ovens, are the only zone crossing, except for the freezer, and I'd think you'd be taking something from it several hours before you start prep. Your plan with the twins on the right wall is better, IMO, but with the oven on that wall, and the island with seating on two sides, with a bigger prep sink: The end of the island will be landing space for the fridge, and with the shorter island, there is room for someone to stand there and assemble a sandwich or snack. There is zone crossing, but the fridge can be accessed from the living areas without interrupting someone at the clean-up sink. With the shorter island the two people on the end can make eye contact with those seated on the long side--if you are in the far seat, you can see each of your kids as you eat and talk, or if you and your DH sandwich the kids, you can see him, without leaning around a kid. And you'll still have easy access to the work aisle, if you need to retrieve a forgotten item. You will also have shallow pantries, making it easier to see items without pulling out drawers or trays. What material are you planning to use for the island top? If stone or quartz, you won't get the top from one slab if the island is 12'. Maybe not from granite if it is only 10'. So, you'll need an extra slab, and you'll have a seam. You don't need more expensive, deeper cabinets to have a deeper island--you can use a framed pony wall, which would also add support for the deeper top. If you feel that you need more prep areas, you can m/l center the prep sink on the island, so that there is sufficient space on each side (excuse the crazy lines--I didn't take time to re-draw):