Your layout grid didn't transfer well when I copied it, so you'll have to work out the clearances yourself. But, it struck me that your table could just be an extension of your island and work great. Then you wouldn't need seating at the island because the table would be right there. Moving the sideboard down to the vacant wall frees up the space for more cabinet storage, and moving the MW to the other side keeps the snackers out of the cook's way. You will need a 30" oven as 24" are virtually impossible to find and small inside.

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GreenDesigns - thank you for taking the time to respond. I had looked at orienting the island that way, but hadn't considered attaching the table to the end. I'm still thinking it over - it's a new concept and I can't yet quite see it in the space (the view from the front door, through the house and through to the end of the kitchen is a long one and breaking it with the peninsula has its appeal, but I am also a bit concerned that there will be just too much going on in the peninsula/ table/ chair area). I'll check out some more photo examples as well - thanks for including one.

Your layout also gets me some extra space to the left of the clean up sink. In my layout, the greater the space to the left of the clean up sink, the farther out the fridge goes.

Any one else have some opinions or suggestions? Thanks so much!

forgot to mention the oven - I have looked at a 24" that I like. It's an AEG (I'm in Canada, I don't think these are available in the U.S.). But I will think about a 30" as well. The 24" AEG gets me what I want in a lovely package at a decent price, but it will also depend on whether it's still available when we get around to buying appliances.

Saute- I like your layout...but I really like Greeen's layout.

Just an idea, but if you like to bake (as I do) then what about a marble countertop on the island and then use the darker wood top for the table area. In the picture, the island looks like the eating area is at counterop height, which might be nice, too.

How old are your kids? If they're old enough for counter height stools, they'll probably love them as they get into their teenage years. Great for parties, too :)

lavender_lass - marble would be more of a possibility with the island/table combo. While I do love marble, I'm not sure that I would be happy with it while it developed its patina (and I can be a messy cook). DH is strongly against marble counters in the kitchen - partly because he thinks we've got enough already (fireplace surround and raised hearth, plus floor and counter in bathroom), partly because he doesn't think he'd be happy patina-wise, and partly because he'd prefer soapstone for the counter. Does soapstone come close to marble as a rolling surface for baking? But the combination of marble and then wood on the long island would be striking...

I did some searching and found more discussions about extending islands and attaching them to a table and found info on houzz and here. One thing that came up was that with seating on only two sides, you lose some of the face-to-face contact that you have with people around a table. We do eat dinner in the kitchen about five nights a week, and I think I might miss having us around a table. The other concern I have, for my old house, is that the big island is quite popular right now while we're really after a fairly traditional look. Still intrigued a bit, though, so I'll mull some more.

Any thoughts on the viability of the fridge location in the initial layout? Will I regret having to move around the end of the peninsula to get into the fridge?

I love Greendesigns' idea of an integrated table coming off your island. I have one and it's very functional while keeping the visual clutter down. I collected images of these in this ideabook.

Here is a link that might be useful: Lookbook of table/islands

Saute- What about soapstone for the perimeter countertops and marble on the top half of the island/baking area? Then wood on the bottom half...and then extending down to the eating area?

A little marble will be great for baking, but the soapstone on the perimeters should make your husband happy and be easier for the kids to work with, too.

The fridge will cause a little bit of a pinch point (not too bad) but that wouldn't be a problem, with the island. As for the seating, two and two on either side should be fine for a family of four to interact and one on the end, if you're five. It's three on a side (IMHO) that causes problems with conversation.

Thanks for your suggestions. Still thinking over the island/table combo vs peninsula and table - trying to stay focussed on the layout for now. Some perspective drawings may help me to figure out what will work and what won't in the space.