We are building a house and I am torn on the kitchen. We have a very large family and kitchen is heart of home so want to make it functional and large enough to fit everyone. Our design right now is an L shaped kitchen with an island. We had added a bar separate from island also but Im not sure about it. I keep going back and forward from wanting the extra counter, sink and seating and wanting it to very open space. The bar area is in front of island but separate ( 3' 6" in between) it is is open on both sides too so it doesn't close off kitchen. It is a design I don't see often so I wonder if that is because it is not a very convenient of functional concept. I always see the island and openness. Does anyone have a kitchen like this that works great? opinions or ideas? BTW...Kitchen is large and it is open to living room and dining room so space is not the issue, it is the idea of an island and a bar top that Im considering.

Thank you!