I'm always a sucker for '20s houses.

Your layout looks like it will be cute. However, the fridge placement is absolutely not working. You optimistically drew a straight dimension line between the fridge and the sink, as if you can magically pass through that wooden table while you're cooking. You can't. You'll hate that setup, just as all the people who have barrier islands in the same position hate them. It's especially tough for you because have a busy house, so someone will often be sitting at the table and making that barrier even bigger.

I think the fridge works much better in more or less its original position. That still leaves you plenty of landing space next to the range, plus you can use the opposite wall for the micro, pantry, etc. And you can actually walk to the sink.

Thanks, Marcolo. Would you say the same thing if the table was just moved? I drew it there to get a feel for the size of it compared to the size of the rest of the kitchen, but moving it a few feet so that I had a clear shot from the sink to the refrig would be easy. i really like the stove wall to be frig free -- i have a picture of a kitchen like that and I keep coming back to it. However, I very much want the kitchen to be function first.

Suzanne

This is impolite and excuse me, but I am bumping this up to get more feedback.

Suzanne

Have you considered putting the laundry on the second floor? I'm just wondering what the layout up there is. Having the washer-dryer up where the dirty laundry is taken off and the clean laundry is put away is much more practical than having it on another floor, if it's possible. If it's not possible, you might want to at least consider whether a laundry chute is feasible.

I agree with Marcolo on the fridge placement not working. I don't think moving the table is that great of a help--you would have to move it far, basically down into the entry way, to keep the table, chairs and people there from being in your way. What you've drawn is a table with the chairs tucked in--try drawing it as a table in use, a table with the chairs where they would be if people were sitting there, and you'll see what I mean.

So what I wonder is why not put the fridge down at the bottom left. Most people don't need to go constantly back and forth to the fridge when they're cooking--usually you get your stuff, put it on the counter and start prepping, with maybe one more trip to the fridge when it's time to add the eggs or whatever. So I don't think it needs to be so close to the range, and in fact it's more practical to have it closer to the sink since most of the stuff you need to wash before you cook it is stuff that comes from the fridge.

So how about the fridge and its setup go down at or near the bottom, and the table moves over to the right, closer to the wall and whatever cabinets take the place of the fridge? That also has the benefit of getting the table out of the central traffic path into and out of the kitchen. And it would mean people could get up from the table to grab a drink or whatever from the fridge without getting in your way while you're cooking.

I actually love the layout just as you drew it! It definitely achieves the charm you're aiming for, and I think it would be quite functional and a pleasure to cook or hang out in. I like having the fridge kind of hidden around that corner, especially since I'm guessing it is covered in your daughter's stuff (not that you don't want to display her beautiful her works of art, but that setup can make a kitchen look cluttered). I don't think the table location will be a problem, especially since you have room to scoot it down if it does turn out to be in the way. I'll disagree with marcolo on this (quite rare!), because it's not at all what I would consider to be the equivalent of a barrier island. The only thing I would change from your drawing is I'd put what I assume to be your subway tile backsplash all the way to the ceiling behind the range.

Oh, I would love a laundry on the second floor but no possibility in this house, I have three bedrooms and a bath, all small and all with inadequate closets. The first floor is as close as I can get. I had a laundry shoot in another house and it was wonderful. I'll have to explore the idea with my builder.

I am concerned about the placement of the frig. In my present kitchen, the frig is near the door to the diningroom. I don't like it. Putting it where ideagirl suggested would make it the first thing seen when walking into the kitchen from the dining room once again. Okay, so that is form over function. Any thoughts on this?

And the backsplash was just a suggestion. I wanted to see what it would look like but didn't have the patience to draw it all in and to size. I am sure I will be pondering over blacksplashes soon. I had questions about using some tile and some beadboard, but can't quite see where I could make the switch without looking jarring.

Thanks for the help,
Suzanne