La Casa Azul Designs by Juaneice Hi there! Sounds great! Be careful when extending that island ... Something helpful may be to open that oven all the way , the other doors etc and see how far it extends into the kitchen (if you plan on moving the island in that direction) then measure for the new distance of the island! Hope this helps!

Dytecture The painted cabinets option would blend in more with the walls and a contrasting color for the island looks interesting.

smitarao Thanks Juaneice! We put up a cardboard countertop on the island with correct dimensions to test this out. The space around it seems sufficient. Working out so far.

Staged for Perfection I like the light cabinets with dark island.

Rachel Don't touch your wooden floor - it's gorgeous!

I like the look of the painted cupboards, but I don't like how they blend with the wall. I would want a little more contrast - if you're painting you could try a glaze finish in the doors to give it that antique look (try it on one door first!).

I would also consider changing the overhead tube lighting - not sure what I would put above the island, but something else...there are so many options, it could really be something retro or sleek and define the space a little.

good luck on your whirlwind renovation.

Daniel Dionne Designs llc Hi smitarao. I think Juaneice is wise to caution you on the scale of the proposed island. It really goes beyond what feels comfortable. It would be worth your while to investigate local CODES relating to clearance, when considering a kitchen update. This has definite re-sale ramifications. Aesthetically, I really like the idea of doing the island a different finish than the rest of the cabinetry. Will the table portion of your proposed island extend beyond the run of cabinets? If so, how will this effect the way that the space in front of the window is utilized? Best of Luck

smitarao Hi Daniel, with the bigger island (double width and length), I will have 38" clearance on 3 sides. The open side has a breakfast nook. The breakfast nook is quite small and has a patio door, so does not fit a full table and chair now - hence the island with the seating. I can put a low window seat of a couple of chairs near the windows. The table portion of the island will go about a foot beyond the run of the cabinets in the side of the sink, but does not cross the pantry (which is the logical end of the kitchen on the other side. Knowing this clearance on all sides, what do you think? Thanks!

smitarao Rachel, have to get rid of the wooden floor - it is damaged. It is still there in the family room though! And yes, thinking of pendant lights above kitchen island. I am not fond of box lights.

Rachel That's too bad about the floor - but maybe you could re-purpose some of the undamaged bits for something else (table top, paneling/wainscoting, etc.

Pendant lights would look lovely. I'm planning on a DIY mason jar look when I do my kitchen - check it out! (just google it for directions and there are a bunch of instructions/versions on the web).

Karen Naylor love the painted effect, may look better with darker spalashbacks and tops however, as the picture here looks a bit bland x good luck, looking forward to the end pics xx

Daniel Dionne Designs llc Hi smitarao. Without knowing your local codes, 38" clearance sounds sufficient to me, but I really would confirm that. Love the idea of a pair of chairs for seating. When you do that, place the whole setting on an area rug, infusing softness, color, texture and defining that area. Pendant lighting is another great idea. Try using 4, configured in a square approximately the dimensions of the existing light box, but centered to relate to the new island dimensions. Clean and simple with perhaps just a touch of bling...When you enlarge the island, replace the current, standard electrical outlet with an electric strip tucked discreetly up under the lip of the new counter top so that the outlet isn't so visually prominent. I assume you will have at least two levels to the island, since table tops are 30" and countertops are 36"...Or will you make it all counter height and utilize counter stools versus chairs? Since you have to replace the flooring, have you considered what type you will utilize? Can you show us a pic of where the family room and kitchen flooring will meet?
It would be very helpful.

Daniel Dionne Designs llc Nearly forgot: Window treatments. A clean cornice or valance above the sink. Add a blind or shade beneath if you need either privacy or light control. Hunter Douglas has multiple options. Panels on the window in the foreground, stationary or functioning, again, depending on your light and privacy requirements. Floor length, without break or puddle. Success to you!

smitarao Daniel,
Thanks! I can see my kitchen looking nice already! The island is all going to be the same height. I cook a lot and would love to use it as prep space too. I have chosen a lighter (creamy) travertine 18" tile for the floor - for diagonal placement. The family room is a light wood, and I will have a border tile - mosaic about 1.5" thick as a divider - which has both natural stone and deeper colors. Will 4 mini pendant lights in a row work? I'm also thinking of adding dimmable can lights around the kitchen, and undercounter lights. Also chose a whitish travertine (different from the floor tile) for the backsplash -with a row of small square glass-stone tiles border all along in the middle, in a backsplash with the same glass tiles. I got a pretty cool stainless steel faucet. But I can't decide between a single bowl sink and a 70-30 split (I know I want stainless steel). Thinking of oil rubbed bronze for pendant lights and cabinet hardware. Love the idea of the carpet for the chairs! Will get some pics. The backyard is private, so need no privacy. Thinking of just valences - or light curtains just for decor.

Daniel Dionne Designs llc A valance is fine for over the sink but I really encourage you to use panels on the seating area window Stationary panels to frame the window, but not block the view. More vertical, more perceived space and room height. Hang them 2/3 above whatever negative space is above the window and take them to just brushing or barely clearing the floor. I really like the direction you are heading. Love the recessed lighting. If you are going to line up the pendants, use 3 or 5, not 4. If you go with the square configuration, the 4 then works. Check out LampsPlus.com. They have an amazing variety of lighting options at really good prices. The lighting will be a major contributor to the vibe of this space. Make it count. Definitely use a dimmer on ALL the lights. It is such a treat to control light levels and change the effect for different scenarios. I could not live with a single bowl and if you cook a lot, as my partner and I do, I suggest the 70/30 split or some version of double bowl. Make it at least 10" deep on the large side. Have fun!

smitarao Thanks Daniel. The panels sound good. I have the stationary panels in my current home and it makes the windows look taller. And thanks' for the advice on the bowls.