Woah I like that wallpaper in the bottom picture.

So is the hardwood floor about the same stain as the cabinets? That could work, but if they are different, I'd prefer it match the cabinets to the floor. You know, sort of a eating-off-the-floor kind of thing.

Not oak--keep that in the kitchen.

Stainless might work.

I think painted is best, but setting a nice perfectly-fitted beveled mirror on top of it would be functional as well as discobally, plus it would look mostly painted and tame from the living area.

I may be biased but I'd use a piece of matching granite. It'd pull the two areas together

Here is a link that might be useful: granite countertops

If it were our kitchen, I would surface it the same as the counters. But, I would canteliever it over the back several inches. Then it can become a buffet line, pull-up a stool for a breakfast or cocktail bar. And, with your sink there, if you're hand-washing/drying delicates you can set them out of harms way until clean-up is complete.

Hmmm, I'd do something different.
I really like your glass pendants.
How about a glass shelf with stainless steel stand-offs?

I found something like that here:
http://www.brookscustom.com/
and here:
http://www.glassworksseattle.com/

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.brookscustom.com/

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

I was just saying to my DH that I'd like a glass shelf with stainless legs, but since we have our electrical running in the ledge (light switches and a plug), we'd have nowhere to put them, I think....

I like the idea of a safe place for drying items - I'm so paranoid about leaving anything wet on the butcher block as it is only oiled with mineral oil (since I use it for chopping).

DH suggested making the ledge a bit wider, but with the extra width hanging entirely over the livingroom side as suggested above.

Another thought that I had was to paint, with the same metalic paint that I used as a stripe in the baby's room, a design on the existing ledge. Like a damask. Or something similar to the wall paper in the nook (photo below - prior to the light fixture being hung and our table - frosted glass - and chairs - white with chrome legs - being moved in). Doesn't get away from the sticking issue though.
(My picture taking abilities are questionable - can't seem to get most of the room in one shot....)

Probably arm, leg + firstborn, but beautiful

CBD Glass

It appears that there's no room for a cantilevered ledge over the sink, because of the faucet, unless you do it "banjo" style as in many bathrooms, where it is narrow over the sink, but wider to the side.

What is the view from the sink?

Oh bmore... that stuff is gorgeous. Reminds me of 3form (?) glass.

What if you were to tile/backsplash the wall above the sink and then onto the ledge?

Going back to the original question, i can totally see all these different ideas looking great, but if you like the look of the painted surface, and the problem is the glasses sticking, how about several thin, heavily rubbed layers of furniture wax? You know, polish the heck out of it?

and then there's always coasters...

I think the shelf could be a smidge wider and would love to see it stained to match the cabs. Would coats of polyurethane protect it then? Or, if you like it painted, would poly keep stuff from sticking? I don't know how that stuff works.

I also do like the idea of something refelective or shimmery, to pick up that gorgeous wallpaper.

how about the wallpaper and cover with glass?

Remodelfla - you made me laugh - coasters! Of course! Simple, perfect solution. Of course, I'm trying to make things complicated. Silly me. Lack of sleep is starting to show in my problem solving abilities! And I could even use shiny coasters!

I like the idea of shiny for the whole ledge too, though when I unfurled the kitchen nook wallpaper across the ledge, not only did hubby look horrified, but the gorgeous flowers don't seem happy running in that direction. I do like the idea of either a material or a wallpaper covered with glass, and may actually consider that for behind the stove....?

Three more votes from guests for the granite. Here's the thread showing the slab for the perimeter and also has a photo of the sink, looking into the livingroom:

Here is a link that might be useful: Thread with granite choice

I don't know how this would work with your color scheme, but have you considered stainless or copper, both for shine/bling and durability? I'd have that sucker wrapped in copper before you could say "boo!" ;-)