KPow, you'll get more comments if you imbed the photos in the thread. You can do that with the HTML code in photobucket.

I wasn't crazy about the 16.5 cabinet on the end of the run by the refrigerator. It looks like an afterthought, not it was integrated into the original plan.

What about shifting the refrigerator to the right closer to the hallway and then you can have a larger cabinet run to the refrigerator's left? Also, I'm not wild about the uppers you have flanking the hood. How wide is the hood? If that is a 36" rangetop, remember the hood should be 42" which would go well with my recommendation which is to eliminate those uppers altogether.

I might be missing something, but I can't tell a difference in the photos for the valences. If you integrate the photos, I might be able to compare/contrast.

hope that helps.

Thank you, brianadarnell!! I was trying to figure out how to imbed and gave up.

I would love to move the fridge down, but I can't. What you can't see in the pix is that behind those false panels flanking the right side of the fridge is a chimney that we can't move. So the fridge needs to stay put. Also, electical is in already.

My RT 30" as is my hood, but I am ok with the cabs flanking the hood. They are each 15" wide.

Option 1: 16.5 base & upper with 30 inch pantry

Option 1: Living room view with 18 inch deep base cab on end

Option 1: Living room view with 16.5 base and 24" deep cab

Option 2: 36 inch pantry without 16.5 inch base cab/upper.

Option 2: Living room view pantry only

Valances: Sink / range view

Valances:
DWO and Fridge walls

Valances: Peninsula

What about some kind of hutch concept for that end cabinet? Something that actually sits on the countertop? Just an idea...You could do it with glass in the uppers and it would achieve the look of a china cabinet.

Is the below kind of what you mean? If so, I had this element in the prior design, but I thought since the width was only 16.5 wide that it would look funny without a door. I guess I could go back to a 24 inch wide pantry and then I can do 21 inch wide end piece. Think that would look better, but then I would be giving up much needed pantry space. I had also tried turning the cab on side but I only had 11 inches to play with. Thank you for your help...really, really appreciate it!

Open hutch concept:

I like option 2 - it looks more functional (in my house, that little counter would be a magnet for clutter).

I would try another full height, shallow depth pantry cabinet, rotated 90 degrees to it backed into the other pantry cabinet. Same thing with shallow bookshelves and with angled corner shelves.

Also maybe try two full height, single door pantry cabinets or slightly smaller full height pantry cabinets with wine bottle cubbies between them on one side of the ref.

It's really hard to tell aisle and such from a perspective drawing - they can be really misleading. So take this will a little salt.

It looks like you have about a three foot aisle between the fronts of the pantries and the peninsula. Even if you get a counter depth ref, it will still come out into the aisle about six inches including the doors and the handles. Plus another inch or two will go to adding decorative panels on the end of the peninsula cabinets and the countertop overhang. So you're aisle may turn out to be more like 28" there.

Can the ref be maneuvered into or out of its place without removing the peninsula? Can you open the freezer completely? Are you ok with having to close the freezer door, walk by it and re-open to reach something on the other side?

Thank you, bmorepanic. I tried turning a 21 inch wide cab on side to make a shallow pantry, but I only have 11 inches of depth to play with if I am using the 30 inch pantry. I will try doing a custom sized pantry, say a 28, and then try putting a pantry cab on side. I would then need a false panel on the end, right? Ugh...I was trying to avoid that. But if it is the lesser of the evils...

What angled cab were you referring to?

Thanks for your input on the aisle space. Yes, this rendering is misleading. I have 42 inches between the fronts of the fridge/freezer and peninsula. I have taped it out and practiced how it feels. Traffic can pass behind if the doors are open and I have a convenient landing right there. If I can add a few more inches, I will do it, just to be sure. So thank you for that!

Does anyone have any input or pics on integrated valances?

I changed the subject of this post in hopes that someone can help me with my integrated valances on the bottom of my inset cabinets. I'm not sure which cabinets to place them on. Anyone have any ideas? Any pictures you can share?

Since I don't have my kitchen yet I cannot speak from experience, but the cabinets you chose to put them on look very logical to me. And I think they are a great looking feature in a kitchen. I also like the open shelves down to the counter. It looks balanced and not at all like an afterthought.

Thanks farfromhome...I'm going out of my mind with this last detail. Really appreciate the input.