HI houseful, thanks again. Yes, I was thinking of putting a small pantry cabinet 12" deep (wasn't sure if built-in or stand alone would be better) on the family room side where the 2 ft. wall would be. Thanks for the pictures - that was a very creative way to handle it! We have a living room in front of the kitchen & dining room - I just didn't post that part. As for the kitchen sink run and the buffet on the other side, I separated them on purpose (thinking at least a 6" backsplash behind the sink) because I don't think there is any material that I would want such a fat piece of, if that makes sense. I think we are going with blue pearl counter/creamy white cabs in the kitchen. I looked at soapstone yesterday, and although I love it new, I don't like the scratches when it is worn. Funny, on rustic wood scratches look natural to me, but on the soapstone, it just looked like it was ruined (personal taste - everyone's soapstone pics are beautiful!). I like the blue pearl, but if it was much wider than a regular countertop, I think it would be too much of a good thing. On the buffet side, I was thinking of an off white base (maybe not same cab as kitchen) with an attractive cherry wood top. Is this layout ok folks? Thanks so much.

The 18" Miele is well designed and reviewed and should be fine for two people. Even if it is run more often, they say nowadays that dishwashers use a lot less water than hand washing, so that wouldn't be so bad. Thinking toward the future, however, one of the few appliances that really comes in a pretty standard size is the dishwasher. There are variations of less than an inch, but they're all pretty much 24". If you get the 18" unit, you're betting that in the future, because even Mieles wear out, there will be a nice replacement. Also, that if you should ever want to sell your home, the buyers won't be put off by it. Happy medium: Before you get too far along, why not talk to a carpenter or cabinet installer and see if the cabinetry can be customized so that the sink can be supported properly in a smaller cabinet, with the drainboard extending over the DW, and that the DW can be installed under it. There are many dishwashers that anchor at the sides rather than the top, so if the drainboard is pretty flat, and won't be affected by the heat of the machine, it might be possible. I know what it's like to be in love with a sink, but between one and the other, I'd chose a standard sized sink and dishwasher, rather than an oversized sink and undersized dishwasher.

Actually if I were to go with the Kohler Greek tub, which is awfully deep, and had to customize a solid surface deck for it, I might as well check out the possibility of doing a soapstone tub that is 48" long by 24" wide and has a bathing well of about 12". The Bootz 4-foot tub has a bathing area that is only 20" wide by 44" long, and the Greek is also 20" wide by only 36 at the bottom (but very deep). So. the bathing well of the stone tub would actually be quite a bit larger because the walls would be relatively thin. It could possibly work out less expensive than the Greek tub, or the 54" Kohler Seaforth (with a similar sized bathing well), but much more expensive than the cheap Bootz tub (which I am trying to avoid).

I like the way it's shaping up, and have to agree with RHome on her concerns. - If the rounded ends look good with your house, they do offer a nice seating option -- but then do them on both ends (which would really complicate your trash). If rounded ends aren't right for the house, don't do them at all. - I have a raised seating area and love it -- but I also have reasons for it that don't apply in your case. Mine separates the cooking area from the visiting area, protects the cooktop, and also acts as a buffet zone when we're entertaining. In your case, it would cut out useful prep space; in mine, it doesn't. Plus, my island is HUGE and needed to be broken up. Yours is very nicely proportioned and IMO, should be kept symmetrical since everything else is. - Because of the symmetry issue, I'd be inclined to agree with RHome about your sink(s), and maybe go with one like the lower soapstone one I posted. It'll also be cheaper and easier to fabricate. And a deep sink really CAN hide stuff! (That was one of the unexpected bonuses I discovered that I have really come to love.) - I've found that when the time comes to eat, most of the mess is around the range, since prep mess can be easily tidied as you go without messing with your timing. And a range mess will be partially hidden by your doorway. But since you're concerned about hiding a messy kitchen, and have an extra thick wall there anyway, what about putting back the pocket doors? We have a pair separating our dining area from the TV room, and in the right setting - which I think you have - they can provide the perfect sense of separation with openness. And you know, you can use 'regular' doors with a pocket application -- you aren't stuck with those flimsy ones you so often see.