It seems pretty good. Personally, I think the 6 or so inches of cabinet you have between the cooktop and the corner cabinet would be more useful as counterspace between the cooktop and the sink...Because the shortcoming I see here is that the cooktop and sink are a little closer than I might like. I would then do a right-angled front on the lazy susan cabinet, rather than the diagonal door. It makes wider access to reach the contents and gives you longer runs of counter 'frontage' and roomier floor space.

Is the window set in stone...because what I'd really prefer is to switch the cleanup area with the stove area, making the dishes more accessible to the bar area and the fridg, while putting the stove closer to the oven. It also makes the usual fridge-to-sink-to-stove path work better when prepping to cook. It would also keep the stove/cooking area more protected.

Where does the pocket door lead? I'm hoping that isn't a busy thoroughfare right through the kitchen.

The pocket door leads to a dining room and then to the Living Room -- and yes, it is a major thoroughfare right through the kitchen. However, I'm at a loss as to how to fix it.

I desparately wanted an island instead of the penninsula -- but we simply can't afford the $15K to do major structural changes (they support the second floor)on top of what is already a $75K project.

The window over the sink is an enlargement of a window that is already there -- I'm insisting on a window there because it overlooks our pool and I want to be able to see the pool for safety reasons (kids)

This is just me, but I would continue the overhang counter along the wall and let it die in the corner. Maybe put wall cabs underneath for kid-accessible storage with a message area above.

I might consider cutting the two cabinets flanking the hood so I had better sight lines out the windows.

What rhome said (of course).

I love the idea of extending the bar down the wall and putting shallow storage under, instead of the abrupt end to the counter.

So is that the family room on the other side of the bar? Any way to the living and dining from there? Which way is the garage and/or the direction the groceries come in and the way everyone comes in the house?

First off, I'd either eliminate or cut back the wall next to the refrigerator. Right now, you're going to need filler to allow the refrigerator to open.

If you cut the wall back to 24" or less, then you will not need filler b/c the doors will extend past the wall. A CD refrigerator's carcass is approx 24"...sometimes an inch or two deeper once installed, the doors + handles will stick out another 3 to 6 inches or so (check the spec on your chosen refrigerator).

We have a similar refrigerator setup. We had a 3' wall and cut it back to 2'. Next, once installed, our refrigerator's carcass was 26" out from the wall. We surround it by 3/4" finished end panels on both sides to equal the depth of the carcass, then put in a full-depth over the refrigerator cabinet. Lastly, the crown molding extends onto that 24" deep wall. The end panels went on both sides for two reasons...(1) the refrigerator carcass once installed was 2" deeper than the wall so the side of the refrigerator shows and (2) it looks better/balance/whatever when the end panels are on both sides.

So, order two 30" deep finished end panels for the refrigerator...the 30" can then be cut back to match your refrigerator's actual depth once installed.

Next, the wall setup.

If that door is heavily used and the kitchen is a major thoroughfare b/w the FR and LR/DR and rest of the house, then...

I prefer the cooktop where it is as it is at least somewhat protected b/c the traffic will be angling to/from the FR and will pass the cooktop further away than it would if it were moved down.

However, that also means the DW will block a major doorway when open. If you switched it to the other side, then it would be in the way of what will probably become your primary prep space...the space b/w the cooktop & sink.

I was going to suggest moving the refrigerator another foot or so into the FR (to within 6" or so of the FR window) and then putting the cooktop in the corner to (1) maximize your primary work space (b/w cooktop & sink), (2) offer more protection to your cooking zone, and (3) allow you to possibly move the DW, but it looks like there's another window in the kitchen b/w the refrigerator & kitchen back wall...is that correct?

It's too bad about not being able to take down that wall and do an island b/c it would probably solve most of your traffic issues... People wouldn't have to go through the working part of the kitchen to get to/from the different areas of the house. It's really a 15K project?!?!

BTW....what are the various dimensions of your space?

It's unfortunate to have traffic flow right through the kitchen, but even so, it looks as if there's enough space around the range/prep area to have people automatically curve their path around you to get to the fridge. In which case, it's not as bad as it looks. I like Bmore's idea to widen and extend the peninsula countertop and put shallow cabinets or bookcases underneath. If that's the family room that the kitchen is open too, then the bulk of your traffic will probably be from there anyway, and access to the refrigerator interferes with nothing.

Buehl, the refrigerator is not by a wall...?

I'm not sure I understand the refrig wall part either?

But, you'll notice another quirk -- there is a drop ceiling in one portion of the room and we have the fridge going all the way over to that -- it can't be moved further. And no, the drop ceiling can't come out.

The other side of the peninsula is an empty zone right now. There is currently a HVAC unit we will be moving to a new laundry/ half bath area we are redoing.

We may build in a bar area/desk and put in some chairs to make it a FR or lounge area?

Either the dishwasher or oven open would restrict traffic flow, but I'm just thinking neither is really open that often while entertaining?

Everyone comes in the house through the front door -- into the living room and through the dining room (which is currently a playroom) into the kitchen. People sometimes exit the other way -- down a hallway, past the master bedroom, a bathroom and back to the front door.

Oh! In the last pic it looked like a wall to me...so that comment is out, sorry!

I think there is a cabinet edging there -- does that make sense? Just a thin wall to "enclose" the refrigerator with the rest of the cabinets.