Do you like the "T" shaped or with the table and island going the same direction? What shape table? Do you have any inspiration pictures you could post? I think isle space to account for the chairs would be my main consideration.

I think I remember your kitchen...was your backsplash onyx or mop? Sorry to get sidetracked but I just remember loving your kitchen. Is this going to be made to go in that kitchen?

If you're talking about the "table" going in the same direction, picture it in your head -- people sitting there staring at the raised back of the island, looking like a bunch of kindergartners staring up at the teacher. Obviously, I'm not a fan of the "lower tier" idea LOL

rebunky, good memory. Our last kitchen had the white onyx backsplash. We bought another home a while back. Did you have another name on GW?

sjhockey, I agree, I don't really like the lower tier looking up at the island and the "teacher/judge" vibe it conjures up, but we don't like barstools and we need the functionality of an integrated table. I wanted an island with a clean look uncluttered with a table but after thinking about it for a month, function is probably going to have to trump aesthetics. We need an informal table. This house does not have a dining room. Our whole living space is open and we are planning a large table (74 inch round) that will be used for entertaining and formal events. We need something for breakfast/homework/casual family meals b/c I don't see us eating at a table with 8-10 chairs for our everyday meals. These are some initial ideas for this basic concept that I sort of like (but am not totally sold on):

Sorry I can't move them around. I'm on my phone and it's giving me a hard time posting. Below is the view when sitting at the far end of the table

Same name. I just lurked for a long, long time. I just knew I remembered your backsplash. I just did a search for it...yup that was it. Love it!

So for this time around, are you wanting a more contemporary look?

I found a couple pictures saved in my photos. I have a lot of pictures! I know I'm weird. I look though Google images and save whatever I find interesting for fun. Hey some people play games to kill a few minutes, I look at kitchen and bathroom pictures. Haha!

Here's a couple I found interesting but maybe not the style you are going for? Also did you seating for four or how many?

Debbi, what are the dimensions of the "table"

thanks, Debbi for the pics. Beautiful kitchen. Do you use your island table much?

rebunky, thanks for the inspiration photos. The current house is a mid century modern so the style will be different from our last kitchen. We are still not totally sold on the integrated table in this style home and are considering other ideas, as the island is a very prominent feature in the open living space. It might be better to have a dining table with a leaf that is more useable on a daily basis and expands for entertaining/holidays. Still chewing on this idea and appreciate your photos.

I like all of the pictures in the your post pip dog, and Debbi's. I don't like either of the "inspiration" photos above -- in the first one, the person on the single-chair side looks totally squished with the L part of the island being at shoulder height when seated, and in the lower picture, I just feel like it's such a waste of table space - it's a 6-person table at which only 3 people can sit because of its configuration.

Maybe it would work better to just scootch your dining table up next to the island for daily use and then pull it out away from the island while entertaining?

I really love the inspiration photos you posted, Pip Dog. I think it's a great look for an MCM home but it really depends on your particular floorplan. Could you post a floorplan so people can better advise?

The table part of my island is 4.5' (wide) x 5' (long). We eat at the island table all the time unless it's a big party (like whole extended family dinner). You may notice the high chair strapped to one of the chairs - we permanently eat there even when the kids and grandkids are over. The dining room table is rarely used.

Thanks, Debbi. Very helpful information.

Pip Dog, can't wait to see your plans. Hopefully I'll have an mcm to start working on soon too.

Renovation of 80's contemporary oak kitchen · More Info

Been living with this arrangement for three months and it’s great for two or eight. I like the way it separates the cooking space from the guest space