lascatx - thanks for your thoughts. I'm pretty sure anything will be an improvement over the fridge stuck in a cubby where the doors don't open all the way and the major thoroughfare pinches to 27"! We actually have put blue painters tape around the kitchen to try out the pathways and see if it works. The big flow issue I think this solves is pushing the traffic when we come into the house to the south end of the island to get to the main foyer and connecting the mudrooms so there can be one common spot for coats etc (currently there are 2 coats in my dining room b/c DH leaves them there after taking the dogs out the back). I also thought it was ok to split the storage zones, particularly since the way I cook I tend to collect all the dry ingredients first and there is a landing zone just outside the pantry. I don't think of the fridge to pantry as a frequent traffic pattern. I could move the fridge over by the pantry, but like having it closer to the entrance to the foyer (and living room) because the most frequent trips into the kitchen are to grab a beverage and having it in the triangle but at the edge also keeps DH out of my way when cooking. What I like about this plan is that dirty dishes clean up can be to the right of the sink, prep between the sink and range (and probably also on the island if the way I prep now is a good indicator). I have toyed with the idea of adding a prep sink near the fridge (maybe on the island?) but honestly I'm not sure we'd use it and I prefer the island be an expansive work surface. Plus by getting rid of the servants stairs, the kitchen is better integrated into the rest of the house (right now to get to the kitchen from the living room / foyer / rest of the house you have to walk through the tight servants stairwell). I also thought about putting the pantry where the bathroom is but then the bathroom is going to be harder to get to from the rest of the house and you're setting yourself to cross into the major thoroughfare for that area of the house to get to the kitchen... I like having the "kitchen" part of the room being separated from the "passing though" part. I hope that makes sense? pal - I like the idea of a backsplash that mirrors the small window or putting a window there - I really think it brings some much needed symmetry to the space and helps it feel like a cohesive room rather than this cobbled together mess it is today.

We have a similar space just inside our front door. We put bookcases, storage cabinets, and a table. Right now my kids (6 and 4) use it as their art room, but it will be the homework room as they get older. I love being able to leave projects out and not have to worry about clearing the table before every meal. And I will love having a computer where I can keep an eye on them when they are older. We have a separate office, but that's mine and DH's space. We wanted a similar "office" type space for the kids. I would also extend the entry wall on the dining room side to match the office side. You can place a bench against one wall and hooks on the other. I would even consider closing off half that opening. That way that room won't be the first thing you see when you come in. I'd also keep the doorway to the kitchen, especially if you are going to be using it as a kid space. Much easier to see them in there. And I'm a fellow Minnesotanite, although I'm from across the river in St. Paul. :) Now I live in a small town in Southern MN.

Something to think about: If you go with the 6 x 6 window, and want it to open and not cost too much, it will probably have to be a sliding window with a vertical mullion up the middle. Or you could get fancy and more expensive with a fixed pane in the middle and single or double hung integrated windows on the sides. You didn't mention if you are getting wood, aluminum, or vinyl windows. If you go with the two 3 x 6 windows, they can be single or double hung with a horizontal mullion. A lot will depend on the style of your house.

I would use light filtering roller shades.