HI all, I appreciate the comments. I'm totally stuck with what to do, but want a reasonable plan so I can get apples to apples price comparisons (even if I tweak it later, after deciding on someone). So, in reply: Florantha - I think you are suggesting a door that would swing all the way open and stack back against itself, or having one that opens 90 degrees up against a cabinet? I think the stacking back against itself might be the best, but then that messes up the table because you need more clearance in the center for that rather than for one that opens to 90 degrees. (I hope that made sense, maybe it will in my pix). It is workable if we move the table a bit off center off the door though, I think. Cangelmd - We plan to do a hood over the cooktop/rangtop that has a mantel shelf on it, so because of that, we like it centered on the wall (or on the counterspace) between where we'll put the wall ovens (against the wall) and the wall with the sink on it. But I can see how that would give you a nice long run of counterspace. By moving the ovens over, and the panty to be next to the fridge, we do increase the space between the sink and the cooktop, which should be great prep space. Ideagirl2 - I see now! So move the door to where the fridge is. I see. Well, we worry about moving too many appliances because of the cost, but that is an interesting idea. I'm still thinking about that one. So, what I've done is this: I moved our little desk and shelf out of the kitchen by the knee wall to see what it would look like empty, moved the table to where it would have to be for the new door to open well, moved the desk to the FR (where I now sit!), and moved the shelf unit to mimic a very short penisula just to get a feel for things. This is what I'm thinking of: I think doing the SMALL penisula and SMALL island (which would be a table or on caster - i.e., not fixed) would give me more counterspace and a nice place for a couple of people to sit. Also, removing the cabinets/desk to the right of the patio door would save lots of money from the estimates I've already gotten. So, living with this for a day tells me: I like the penisula, and it would work with our "island" (currently mocked up by our Pottery Barn Kids table and a chair). But - the area to the right of the patio door looks bare, empty, and loney! Does adding the penisula make the kitchen END there? If so, will it look dumb to have a cabinet (floor to ceiling, same top styling as above the penisula for symmetry) in that empty corner next to the patio door, as in this: My fear is that doing TOO much next to the patio door, like this: will make the kitchen too crowded and full. It's really not a big area, and I fear putting TOO much into it (plus that's much more money of course). Do you think the middle layout above is a possibiity? Or by adding the penisula, does that end the kitchen and I shouldn't have the cabinet to the right of the door? If so, I think the next best option might be to remove the penisula, not do the desk, but do a cabinet in the corner to the right of the patio door which matches one of the left of the door. This is so difficult. Thanks for any comments anyone has! Piglet

I'm such a dope, it is 2-3 Inches, not feet. I corrected the subject. If it was a bigger area I would put stuff up there but 2 inches isn't enough room!! Sheetrock is an option, I thought about that, definite possibility. Art, the rest of the kitchen is painted. I don't want to paint the cabinets, I like seeing the woodgrain. Ann, It's funny you mentioned that, about the colored board. I was doing picture searches today on the web and saw cabinets done like that and I thought that might be an option. Then when I was at Lowes, I grabbed a bunch of free cabinet books for ideas, and one of them showed that style. I wanted to incorporate more of the cranberry/ pomegranate color into the room and that might just be the place to do it... I'm definitely going to consider that!

I won't be buying the Ballard pieces, but will have the cabinet maker build customs. I've done a bit of research into banquette seating and apparently the trick is to make sure the bench portion protrudes beyond any side cabinets and that it is longer than the table. So my plan was for the bench to be 72" long and have a table that is a maximum of 66" long when extended. The side cabinets will be 15" or 18" deep on the bottom and 12" or 15" deep on top and the banquette bench will be 24" deep. without furniture Like usual my making a post here has probably made me answer my own question lol. I think I like the idea of a banquette as it pushes the table just a bit closer to the wall thereby freeing up the space in front of the door a bit. Also it gives me a place to store the table leaf.

I find your apartment luxurious in the layout you now have and I updated your space without major construction, i.e. not moving the dishwasher or changing the downstairs bathroom. Living in NYC, we have welcomed guests and accommodate them as best as we can. Down the road you may want to consider enlarging the master bedroom bathroom to include a bathtub and laundry (!!!). This would enormously increase the resale of your property. I love the hot plates, but a small stove top and convection oven can do everything and more permanent, again increasing the property value. Don't spend the unnecessary expense of moving the sink or dishwasher, just to turn that corner and work with what you have. A decent size counter is a large workspace and dining area. I've had the biggest and best Thanksgivings in a teeny tiny NY kitchen!