Re the baskets, how hot does your cabin get (if you were going to use them for root veg, etc.)? How dusty/dirty does it get?

If your question about the beadboard is just about the looks, can you put panels on the DW and compactor? Is that a budget killer? The DW should really be right next to the sink. Another option would be to make the doors under the sink match the appliances, for a more unified look.

Or if you really want to go country rustic, old fashioned, you could put a calico skirt under the sink. :D

In my current kitchen and in my planned renovated kitchen I did and am doing what you are thinking about: a cabinet that opens to the backside (dining space) of the peninsula. I love it for several reasons. I am not a fan of corner cabinets in any shape or form. In the current cabinet I keep bulky light items like wicker baskets and odd shaped items like my cheese platter with cover. In my new space it will house my beverage center. I've often thought that if this space had roll outs or were drawers it would be great for keeping placements, napkins, tablecloths and runners, etc.
My first house had a corner lazy susan and IMHO it was barely usable.

plllog yes, it is just for looks. My appliances are not the kind that can take panels, appliances are new and still in the box but I can't return them. I thought of putting the compactor out in the laundry room or moving it to another wall. Cabin is remote so garbage sorting is a big factor. I like the curtain idea, maybe I'm being to picky? We will probably never re-do this kitchen so I want to get it right.

I think I will change the lazy susan for sure.

get rid of the compactor and put a double garbage pull out
the compactor for a cabin is not worth it, because you cannot leave the garbage there crushed, garbage in a compactor smells and is not practical.also change the D/W
to 24" with a panel on front.it doesnt look like the sink is centered in the run of cabinets, which is fine so you should be able to place cabinets to right and D/W to left symetricaly.

You're NOT being too picky. Getting it right in the design phase is by far the best way to go. And, yes, corner cabinets suck (I have to have two because that's just the way my kitchen is, but I'm sacrificing space to corner drawers because I hate my current lazy susans. I had the dining room cupboard you describe in a previous home and it was much more useful.

How do you use your compactor? What do you sort out? If the compactor is for compostables, or food packaging, whatever you usually have by the sink, do consider leaving it there. My own rule is do what's useful first and make it look good after. If the compactor is something you empty things into for squishing, rather than use actively while you're working, the laundry room might be a good solution.

If you like the old fashioned curtain idea, but you're not sure you want to be "stuck" with it, you can have both. Get the cabinet as pictured, and go modern on the skirt by attaching it with velcro. You can leave the doors on, or take them off and store them, if you like it open behind the curtain. After a goodly time they'll be a slightly different color than the others if they don't get the same amount of light, but they'll still pretty much match for when you change your mind. :)

I'm not sure how we'll use the compactor yet, we thought for living full time at the cabin it would be useful.

I wonder if a 4 garbage pull out would be useful instead of the two? We have paper, glass, tin cans and garbage. Compost is separate outside. Maybe garbage pull out in the peninsula would be better, it would be close to both the sink and the stove? But would that become the prep area?

I think we'll put the compactor in the laundry room for now and get rid of it later if we don't use it. We've had the appliances one year, not sure about returning them but I would like a DW with a panel. DH will roll his eyes if I ask for a new DW with panel.
I will definitely order the doors for under the sink.

I am curious about your choice of an 18" dishwasher. I had one several years ago. They don't hold very many dishes and the one that I had didn't clean things very well.

They may have gotten a bit better in the cleaning department, but the capacity is really minimal. They are okay for one person, two in a pinch, but if you ever entertain you are likely to find yourself very frustrated with it.

You can buy those basket units here :

http://www.outwatercatalogs.com/2008_Master/lg_display.cfm?page_number=318

Good Luck :)