I sorta like number 1, but it has issues for which I can't figure out any resolutions.

General statement - don't put a stool where the person using it gets wapped by the entrance door. Black and blue persons and persons who spent the evening getting up and sitting down and getting up.... can't enjoy the food.

Number two:
(1) move the dw to the other side of the sink.
(2) reverse the micro stack of cabinets and the ref
(3) Stack the micro stuff floor to ceiling with a pull out drawer-landing space underneath. (pseudo pantry).

Number three:
(1) toss out living room stuff except tv. Buy the biggest sofa on earth (well, the biggest one that fits), one large bookcase and one pin up lamp and put in alcove where you show dining. Put tv in bookcase. Move dining stuff to fireplace area.
(2) move island towards fireplace.
(3) slide cabinets and island a foot towards fireplace
(4) add shelves on the bathroom wall.
(4) add big hutch where loveseat was.

Also, if you overnighted some of that sous-vide stuff (email me for the address), I'd probably have better ideas for your layout.

Hi Marc-Andre - I'm not one of the layout experts, but I have a couple of thoughts:

1. I prefer I + island over L plus island

2. Do you really need seating at the island, given that you have the dining table and a couch near-by? Guests could still gather at the island, but stand rather than sit (providing you have something - a raised bar perhaps - to protect them from grease etc.). That door opening into the island seating area is a concern.

3. I'd prefer to have the m/w placed as in the third diagram - otherwise too close to the LR. Best to have open store in the cabinets that butt up against the fire place.

4. Given that you're on your own and typically cook for small groups, could you make do with a freezer drawer and two fridge drawers in your island, rather than a typical fridge? A few people here on gardenweb have used these drawers and seem to love them. You probably wouldn't lose that much storage with 3 drawers. I expect you would require 24" on either side of the cooktop to do this - consider losing at least that end seating at the island, allowing more storage underneath. Not having a fridge on the 14' run would provide you with a great deal more flexibility there.

bmorepanic & sochi, thanks for the comments.

You're both concerned with my guests being whacked by the door, how nice :-) I could reduce the seating by one spot and put more storage instead, indeed; the seating is not necessary per say, so I'll think about that. I think I'd feel better taking my time with the prep if I know guests are comfy, but it might not be necessary and would allow me to widen the skinny 36" aisle.

> i+left fridge
> reverse the micro stack of cabinets and the ref

The problem is that I can't open the fridge very wide if there is not a bit of spacing, which is why I put it there in the first place.

> i+right fridge
> add shelves on the bathroom wall

Didn't think about that, now it seems obvious. Maybe with some kind of rack to hang pans and stuff. Not really doable with the fridge on the left because of the pullout, but with the fridge on the right, sure.

As for exchanging the dining area and living room, well, you'd have to see the place, it would really kill the "living" in living room. The dining area is quite small, no window, and feels a bit in a corridor. Plus the fireplace would not be really usable anymore.

Sochi:
> I'd prefer to have the m/w placed as in the third diagram - otherwise too close to the LR

Yes, I'd like to avoid putting the MW and/or fridge to much inside the LR, it's tough though.

> freezer drawer

Never heard of those! Wow, they look pretty slick (and expensive!) I'll check them out some more, but surprisingly my fridge and freezer are usually pretty full. I often buy meat on sale, slow cook it sous-vide and then keep it ready in the fridge for a long time, plus loads of beverages and yogourts.

Another possiblity is to encroach in the bathroom which has a storage area next to the dining room, but I have to make sure I somehow regain that storage in the kitchen.

Eager to hear of other comment...

Just one little correction - in your second proposal, if you move the micro towards the wall and the ref towards the living room - so those two exchanged locations - then the ref can open really wide.

Stupid micro makers - micros generally open to the left - except a very few which have traditional oven doors. I'd leave the little utility pullout where you show it. You might look at speed ovens like the advantium or whirlpool velos instead.

Or, and I'm laughing about how absurd this would be for my budget, spend the big bucks for a turbochef!

I think with two fridge drawers and one freezer you might still have as much storage as a regular fridge. I wasn't sure of cost, unfortunately not surprised that they are expensive. Not sure where you are, but I think Corbeil sells them in ONT and QUE. I got a great deal on my MIele oven and speed oven from Corbeil - I got floor models for 40% off.

I forgot to respond about the oven - absolutely, a speed oven or adventium type oven/micro-wave is sufficient for your needs, I don't think you need a regular oven.

Bumping up for other comments.

bumping again for the lay out gurus, any ideas?