Only 18" b/w the range & sink??? I had 24" in my old kitchen and it was one of the #1 reasons for remodeling...it's way too little work space for prepping and cooking. Your DW is awfully close to the peninsula...do you really need that peninsula? You could gain much needed space b/w the sink and range if you could move the DW & sink 24" to the left or so. Alternately, could you "round" the corner and put the range on the wall to the right?

Thanks, everyone, for so many more very helpful suggestions and insights! Kren, thank you for all your suggestions, you've convinced me that it makes most sense to try to preserve the kitchen's current simple look. The houses's architect did make furnishings; some of these were shown at a display that I unfortunately missed; in photos, though, the furniture appeared a bit extreme. A wooden chair, for example, had a zig-zag support structure in place of legs. The emphasis seemed to be on douglas fir and redwood, as materials. Anyway, we're not going to be purchasing furniture any time soon, but your ideas sounded great! Mlchoisser, we had considered refacing the cabs a while back. Many of the cabinet interiors were okay; but some of the drawers have taken a beating over the years. The thing is, though, we can't reface because we're also planning to push one wall back, so its cabs will be demolished. The other issue would be matching new materials with the current oak cabs. (which raises a new issue, just realized: there is oak paneling throughout the living room, very visible from the kitchen) Buehl, the dynasty doors are excellent, i agree! And the door style you selected is so great! It's just that there's something about schuler's very matte look that grabs me. There's probably no difference in the finishes, in reality, but I don't dare start looking at dynasty doors again! Laurie, your cabinets are beautiful! It's such a relief to hear of your very positive experience! Daki, this weekend I'll upload some photos. It's encouraging to hear you say rustic and mid century modern can be combined. Bluekite, thank you for posting that link! That's very helpful!

I'm kinda dense tonight, is the layout you posted the way you want it to be or the way it is now. The pantry is moved to the left of the FP? Good. The desk is gone? Good Fridge should move to where you have the pantry drawn now. Is the sink in front of a window in that drawing? If not and the window is to the left, over that open counterspace, I would move the sink and DW over and give yourself more room between the sink and the corner to the range. Code says ranges/venting can't be near opening windows. Just check your local codes. Just my first glance thoughts.

Good morning! Thanks numbersjunkie, for taking the time to give feedback. The bump out is kinda interesting...who would have thought? mpagmom - Sounds like you think I might be on a good track here? I love your counter to ceiling cabinet. My only concern is that our peninsula is likely going to end up some odd depth and I'm not sure how to do it to the counter so it fills up that space completely and looks good from both sides? Hm... I wonder if I could do a floor to ceiling? I just doesn't seem it would have the same effect as the wall bumpout, somehow... I might have to at least play around with that. And, about the garbage under the sink... I've been pondering it. But I do a ton of prep work at my sink - not to mention rinsing out recyclables. The thought of having to pull away from the only sink so someone can use the garbage isn't thrilling me. I haven't had space for garbage in my current sink. If you had asked me the ONE thing I would love in a new kitchen, I would have said 'room for garbage'. Oh, the irony! Have I missed your unveiling? It sure looks like that is a lived in kitchen! It's looking great! Palimpsest - The details on each side of the sink are just 3 inch fillers from the virtual design program I am using. I have 2 on each side to reserve space for pullouts on each side of the sink - but don't intend to do fancy moulding on them in real life. Would it be inconsistent with this house to have those half-legs on each side of the sink? Better to keep it to just flat panels? I hear what you are saying about the glass doors over the sink. I'm drawn to them because they echo the white french doors that lead into the den from the room with the front door. I'm having a hard time letting them go - how strong is this recommendation? Lol The ultimate problem here in the end is the darn layout on the lowers. I can easily fit in what I need IF I forego symmetry on the back wall. Otherwise, I a) can't have drawers on each side of the stove like I want or b) have to give up a garbage slideout or a corner cabinet for the appliances. I really like the idea of garbage on one side of the sink and DW on the other. But, I can't find the room unless I put a blind corner into the stove area, which ruins the symmetry on THAT wall while eliminating the option of drawers. Bleh. This kitchen really did not feel small until I went to redesign it...