Oaktown, my comments in the other thread were specifically about that plan, as shown. When drives and walks are designed (rather than simply constructed), and integrated with the architecture of the house and with "soft" landscape materials and lighting, they can be very handsome and appealing, IMO. The key is "design", so that the architecture and the landscape are integral together. The same thinking applies to these elements both in the daytime and at night. Without thought and design, however, paving of whatever material, just becomes a utilitarian material, ultimately deteriorating with use, and without care, an eyesore that may detracting visually and from property values. This is just another example of how site and house are inherently linked and should be considered as a whole. Sounds like that's what you are doing. Good luck with your project.

on p1 there's a thread showing some storage spaces - on the far right and down to row 13 (might be off by 1 row) it shows a drop down door front used as a 'desk' for a laptop. To the right of that pic is another that shows a file cabinet drawer. Or for the computer/laptop space it could be a slide out like used in the past on computer desks. There are options to think about. You could then still have a window over it with a cabinet on either side (with glass if you'd want that). Even if the view isn't so wonderful, the natural light is wonderful to have. Especially if you live where it is drab, dreary at times of the yr. Some people have had a window etched or frosted. I've seen pics of a window with a stained glass piece hung in front of it. Or even a sheer to fade the view but still let in light. I'd put the fridge on the run with the sink in it - for ice, water, stone, fire to flow. Just be sure there is plenty of space for opening the door(s) and a body to stand there - and not be in the way of the cook. I think on the back wall it'd be more likely to put someone behind the island.

bluesanne I love that! I have a bass and guitar playing son who named our dog Hendrix. Just tonight he (my son not my dog) used one outdoor outlet to vacuum out the car that he drove to The Peach Music Festival. I use my outlets for holiday lights in front, party lights in back, and sometimes random stuff on the sides (like an electric hedge trimmer.) Super handy and wouldn't plan a new house without them. For outlets that you'll use for holiday lights, be sure to have them work from switches inside the house so you don't have to go outside and unplug them when you want to turn them off. (Timers work too, but I like having the option of switches.) Placement: one in back, near the driveway side of the house; one on the side on the non-driveway side of the house; two in front on either side of the front door.

They should be pushed in more over the counter rather than the edge? No My lighting designer advised me to put my 6" disc LEDs centered over the edge of the counter. That way there are not shadows either on the counter as you work, or being cast onto the fronts of the lowers. Mine are spaced just about 4ft apart (center-center) and that was based on the specs for my particular lights (obtained from the manufacturer's website) and 8' ceiling, so that the "cone" or diameter of the light on the work surfaces overlapped just a bit - for even lighting. My kitchen is small, no island, so it only needed lights on two sides - the second side (with the frig and pantry, and a small cabinet with top for landing space and phone) I placed the lights away a tad more, to illuminate the cabinet interiors and center of the room more, as there isn't really a work surface on that side. I also have a small pendant over the sink, which is set in farther because I lean in farther when washing things. She also said to pay attention to whether an open cabinet upper door will block a light from illuminating the inside of the cabinet - you may have to adjust placement for that. Please do not worry about symmetry in your lighting layout! You won't be looking up at the lights to admire their symmetry, but you will notice uneven lighting!