You will get more help if you post a layout so we can see flow, dimensions, etc.

From what I can see:

I wonder how close the corners of the island are to the backsides of those at the oven and stove. Corners = ouch.

Do you need all the uppers, or would you rather have more openness around the window, or even a bigger window?

Do you not want to take the cabinets to the ceiling? I hate how much and how fast dust can collect on the tops of dropped cabinets, and you might as well have the storage?

Since we have never done this, I have wondered about a larger window, but then had concerns about having enough space in the pantry (22x5) to store extras like serving dishes, tablecloths, etc. I would love to take the cabs to the ceiling but am concerned about the added cost. Thank you so much for your response, every comment is so helpful!

your corners are opportunities.

You could have an appliance garage/shelf in the hidden corner next to the ovens. You could make the wall behind the ovens a bit longer, and then have a door / appliance hiding place.

You could have a great hood in the cooking corner.

With drawers in the island you will have more storage space.

rhome raised three other questions, all good.

Wow, 22 x 5?!!!! That's amazingly huge. I'll be envious. My pantry is about 3 1/2 x 4. :-)

Your kitchen on the house plan looks way bigger than what you show in the drawing. Can you post a kitchen layout?

I apologize for doing multiple posts, but this is what I have...

Island front...

Refrigerator wall...

cocomac, do you have an aerial layout of the kitchen that includes the cabinets and dimensions? That would be a much bigger help for us. This doesn't look ideal and I'm sure we can help you improve it.

Also, one of my biggest regrets is not going with a bigger window, and taking it down to the counter (so the counter is the sill of the window). Your kitchen seems kind of cramped, but even if you do not change the layout, a bigger window will give a better connection to the outdoors and make it seem much more spacious. Your pantry is pretty big and I think could take the hit of holding, what - 45"x30" more inches worth of storage?

Regarding uppers to the ceiling - would you consider paying the upcharge on just the fridge, range hood, and oven cabinets? Then on the others, just install the standard sized cabinets at the ceiling, then run an open shelf underneath them at the regular 18" height above the counter? Or just do the latter and have staggered height cabinets, which is also pretty?

tracie.erin, I do not have an aerial layout. We are meeting with our builder tomorrow, it has been a few weeks and he has some modifications to show us. I think I would much rather suck up the upcharge so as not to have open shelving. We have some open shelving in our current kitchen and it is not ideal for us. I really appreciate your suggestions, and wonder if having glass on the cabs flanking the sink would help make things seem more open?
Thank you:)

Regarding uppers to the ceiling - would you consider paying the upcharge on just the fridge, range hood, and oven cabinets? Then on the others, just install the standard sized cabinets at the ceiling, then run an open shelf underneath them at the regular 18" height above the counter?

GREAT idea!

Did they not provide a floorplan of your kitchen layout along with these renderings? If not, can you draw it on graph paper?

I emailed KD to see if he can provide the floorplan/aerial, because I wouldn't even know where to begin with the graph paper:)