Good information, Rosie. Thank you. I have definitely been focused on the "form" not the "function". I've been picturing the room, not working within it. I know it does sound gluttonous to want 2 of everything. To try to justify, we live in a quasi-remote area so I definitely hit the "big city" to stock up, hence needing two fridge/freezers, plus weekly produce from CSA. And with one sink front and center, two dishwashers are intended to be a place to stash and clean everything including pots and pans so there's not much out in the open. I do like the idea of putting a DW on other side; unfortunately, the only water on the range wall is a pot filler so I don't know how easily a drain could be added for DW. Taking away pantries on ends of run, I could have about 49" of base cab to work with, split 24 for DW and a 24 drawer next to range. On the island there is room for a 24 or 27" base cab, preferably drawers, at end after side by side DWers. This could be knives on top and every day dishes below, leaving the range wall flanking drawers for baking dishes, pots and pans and food storage containers with cooking utensils in top drawers. Small appliances in pantry. I feel my prep will be split between island and next to range. Non cooked items on the island (salads, school lunches, pre-prep not for immediate cooking) and by the range for items to be cooked right then. Right now it all happens in a 2x3 corner btw sink and range so I've vowed to not have "corners" in this kitchen!! I'm determined to have the space emote serenity, not frantic, crowded clutter! The pantry is to house items not for daily use and food. (and the microwave apparently, which is fine, I try not to use it for much but others in family insist there be one). With no basement or garage, this room will definitely be utilized fully.

mpagmom - So glad I can help you procrastinate! I always have something for you to think about, if you are in need with your own list of things to ponder. Thanks for including the link/pics to the garbage under the sink. I'm open to the idea of garbage or recycling under the sink - or both. I think I'm going to need to decide if I want a 30" with a single bowl or if I want to keep the double sink and go back up to 36". One thing I've been pondering is the location of the sink on the peninsula run and that cabinet being right next to it. Things can get splashy, but I also benefit from counter space on both sides of my sink. Hm... lisa0527 - That website is fascinating, though some parts of it are creeping me out. The botanicals are cool, though. leia_in_lalaland (Love your name!) - Wow, you went to town, and I really appreciate it. Those plants are so unique, I need to look into that more. For some reason, they reminded me of the plant shelves I posted a pic of below. I stuck that in one of my files several months back now, while researching Sochi's living wall. I really like the shelves, but I'm just not sure I can afford to have something that comes out into the aisle. Unless it was high up and didn't interfer with opening the upper cabinet. Floating shelves are one of my favorite things. The picture 6 up from the bottom is also fascinating. It seems they stuck a very narrow upper across the galley wall. I wonder how far that extends. I imagine there's no uppers on the left side, either. It looks very practical and seems not to interfer with the use of the peninsula. The shutters, though, are also intriguing - that pic that shows a set of grayed out shutter doors, especially. I could have a faux door after all. lol Hm..and the tin reminds me of a piece I have in the entry. It hangs coats right now, but could hang towels, I guess. It's a piece of architectural salvage with hooks on it. I'll have to go stare at that... lol Thanks so much, everyone.

Post in the kitchen forum. There are quite a few layout experts there to help.

This is our first remodel project and we've certainly learned some lessons. We interviewed 4 companies - 2 design build firms and 2 architects. DH's uncle is an architect in another state and he was our sounding board as we went through the process, and gave suggestions on floor plan. Ideally, we would've had him do our house, but we couldn't afford it. We liked one architect's design portfolio, but decided we didn't have the money to do what they could've designed to really take advantage of their creativity. One of the design build's firm work was more in line with what we knew we could pull off. The floor plan they came up with is a good use of our space. If we had unlimited money, we would've gone a different option. Be prepared to consider options. We were dead set against touching the 2 bedrooms as we needed the space to live in, but the weird walk-in closet in one bedroom was the perfect location for the master bathroom. There were 2 closets in this room and it was minor change - building a 5' wall to close it off from the bedroom and creating a doorway in the other wall for access to the master. This one change made the entire layout work. We did consider minor changes, but they didn't fix underlying problems with layout. That's why people are suggesting you consider relocating kitchen or opening up some walls. Yes it is more to do that, but it costs so much to do anything in the first place and it may be worth it. You won't know until you check.