oops I mean to say, a 12 inch overhang on the family room/dining room side.

Can you post a plan or drawing?

not sure if i totally understand but i think i have seen an angled overhang and it looked just fine. also, if the angle is large enough, you may be able to fit a stool on that section and it is a little easier to talk to the person next to you rather than being lined up in a row. hope that makes sense!!!!!!!!

This is a really rough drawing I just did. Sink is in the center there. Does it help :)

Here is a link that might be useful:

With that configuration, I don't think you'll ever lack for company while you're working at the sink. I think it makes perfect sense. I wouldn't do a higher bar; why not just go counter height all the way, especially if you're not trying to hide the sink from view. I think working at the sink and talking to people along the sides facing you would seem really cosy.

With regard to the granite color, it's hard to say. We went with dark granite along the perimeter and a lighter, more airy marble for the island. We, too, were afraid of a big, black blot in the center of the kitchen. You'll have to hear from wiser minds than mine on this issue.

Thanks :) I am a little afraid of marble. Have you had any problems with it?

i totally misunderstood!!!!!!!! and i actually think your island looks really cool!!!!!!!!!! i think i would love to hang out there when you were doing stuff at the sink!!

I have an angled raised bar that is open to my family room(tropic brown granite). I considered making it flat during my remodel, but my designer said the sink needs to be somewhat hidden. It works well for my family with 2 kids. I did replace the 2 large barstools I was using with 4 saddle stools which has worked wonderfully since both of my kids always have a friend over. I still haven't had time to figure out how to post pictures, but if you e-mail me, I will be glad to send you a photo of my island. HOH! jlbtiger@bellsouth.net I am leaving for vacation tomorrow.

Thanks alot. I feel better about it now I've got some feedback.

I think the configuration looks great! It looks like a wonderful way to be "working" and have people hang out and not get in your way. I, too am curious about the durability of marble on an island.

Many people on this forum have noted that marbles etches at the blink of an eye. We don't have experience with that yet, because we're only just beginning to move back into our new kitchen and we're still using our temp kitchen for food prep. My marble island is two levels:

The prep (lower) level is taken up by a prep sink and giant butcherblock cutting board, so the remaining marble surface is likely only to be affected by water.

The eating (counter height) level is where we plan to be "careful", using placemats and runners under plates and platters--that is, until the first etching starts (boo-hoo), and then we'll see how careful we'll be after that!