This has been discussed several times on GW but I notice that they are saying that the search function isn't working too well right now, so that may explain your lack of results. I have 30 inch counters and love them. In fact, they are one of my very favorite things about my kitchen; full extension glides are the other. The architect wasn't sure about them and DH chimed in with him. I held my ground because I knew I wanted them and am so glad that I did. Your lower cabinets will not be quite 30 inches because your counters would be even deeper. I'm sure your cabinetmaker will know what to do about this. What surprised me was that there really wasn't an upcharge for the deeper cabinets with our cabinetmaker. Nice! We did go with shallower (24 inch) cabinet in the corner with the lazy susan and they just installed it with a space between it and the wall. I really didn't want a corner unit that deep. I also love the 15 inch deep uppers. For both upper and lower cabinets, it is amazing what a difference in storage capacity the deeper cabinets make. I have some photos in my album showing capacity if you are interested. Since I just added the kitchen, it's the featured one right now on the Finished Kitchen Blog. For me, there really isn't a downside. You have deeper counters so if there is an appliance on the counter, you still have work room and you have extra storage. What's not to love? VBG Here is a link that might be useful: FKB

Lavender, I thought about moving the sink down there, but I wouldn't have sufficient landing space on either side I think? I like the idea of moving it to the U end of the kitchen, in front of the window, perhaps with no cabs underneath, like the one kitchen pic in the Welsh house bmore posted. But I also really like the versatility of having the sink accessible from both the kitchen and DR. Bmore, so funny that you posted that kitchen. I'm on a family vacation road trip at the moment (Quebec City/PEI/Maine/New Hampshire/home) and I brought a dozen older European shelter mags to read. I found that Welsh place in one of the magazines the other day! It looks fantastic and you're right, many ideas to steal. Thanks! Roro67, I'm definitely hoping for the a similar tree house feel. Love the fire orb, but I doubt it will be within our budget. Kaismom, thanks so much for posting. You're absolutely right, we are blowing our budget on the architect and design, and unfortunately our budget is not unlimited so it must be a small footprint. Which is what I want regardless, just big enough. I lived in Europe for years and I had many functional small kitchens. I'm all for borrowing European small space ideas and trying to marry them somewhat with North American expectations for a house of this cost/quality. It will no doubt be a careful compromise. I still worry about the cantilever in January and February here, but the architect keeps reassuring me... We had a preliminary quote from one builder on the concept drawings a couple of months ago and our architect thinks we are okay budget wise. The more technical drawings were sent to two builders last week, so we will get our reality check soon. We will have a better sense then if we can add a couple of feet, or if we need to go back to the drawing board altogether. Fingers crossed. In terms of storage, the wall of tall is ideal I think. I think we will be fine with a speed oven. DH wants a good outdoor set up, so large birds, pizzas, etc. can be cooked outside ( for eight or nine months a year anyway). I could live with a narrow counter depth fridge I think, but DH is concerned and wants us to stick with a 36" CD fridge. We will see. Agree that a small functional kitchen is possible with careful planning and thought. I like galley kitchens anyway. Agree with you about the U. We will have some storage space in the basement. There will be a utility room for the W/D water tank, panel, etc. so you're correct that we could move some infrequently used items down there. As well, this home is only a 35 minute drive from our city home. When we have really large gatherings we can bring stuff up from home. That hall closet will remain storage. It is about 6' or 7' long, so a part of it could be used as overflow pantry space. It will be well used for certain. I really hope I can add at least 6"-10" to the width of the kitchen, making it 8'6" or almost 9'. I could have a 42" aisle then, plus a wide peninsula for storage, accessible from both sides. Along with uppers on the fridge/hob run I think (hope) this will be sufficient. I need to investigate the costs associated with closing off a wall of tall with attractive doors too. I do like that look and it would result in abundant storage I think. I really appreciate everyone's thoughtful comments, thank you so much. I'm looking forward to working through it all with you over the coming weeks.

Example: All I could do with this short cabinet in the Phoenix house was put in one pullout (Lowes? Home Depot?) on the top shelf - couldn't remove the shelf without wrecking the cheap cabinet. And I couldn't get enough room in the bottom to install anything. I don't have a "before" of it - it was full of stacked bakeware. The bottom holds the glass baking dishes, stacked on the left side. Pulling out the whole stack is not hard, Glass loaf pans on the right, with pie pans in the back. But that small insert up top corraled the most-used things, the microwave casserole dishes, with the small stuff in the back. Technically, I "lost space" along the edges, but the ability to pull it out and select the casserole dish I needed without going into the cabinet like a gopher diving for cover was marvelous. The accessible space went from a strip along the front of the cabinet to the whole drawer.

I would doubt you would have a live in caretaker? So probably just a need for 1 bedroom. I would think over 1600 sq ft + the addition should give you a nice space. Start with where the entrance and views are. Place a living room area there. Maybe you are even able to make a space off the living room for crafting? Kitchen and dining will probably be the 26 foot depth with a hallway between the 2 to get to the bedroom on one side and the living on the other side? I would maybe be tempted to put the bedroom on the far left side, with the bathroom being accessible just inside the mudroom addition. Could you put a long deck on the backside that has a door to the dining/kitchen space and the mudroom? If you aren't able to use an architect or draftsperson for this project, I would suggest cutting out the rooms from grid paper and moving them around. Maybe the bedroom/bath/closet takes up 20 feet of length, the kitchen/dining takes up 15 feet of length, and the living room another 20. That would leave you room or a small bedroom/craft room on the right side which could have extra windows and of course closets to store all the craft items. I think you will find you have more than enough room to fit everything in that you are at least able to choose the best location for the various rooms. Make sure your hallways and bathroom are ADA compliant so she is able to comfortably get around.