if you love to bake, do this. it has worked really well for me to have a section that is floury but not spattery. having baking things in a column, separate from dinner prep areas, is a ton of fun.

I too like to have all the baking stuff in one area in my case I have all my ingredients and pans in large drawers and I have a huge wood cutting board I use on my island for cookie, pies cake decorating I use the side of my island with wall ovens for all these things . I have a almost 10’ island that is awesome for entertaining thats where I set up all the drinks and food so I would say just make sure you have enough walk space all around the island as everyone will want to be in the kitchen 42” is a nice space. your DR is a bit narrow so maybe look at a Corbusier table that is a bit narrower than most with ghost chairs to keep the space feeling open

Thanks everyone. That's helpful because I do have a cubby in the pantry that I can use. The dining room actually is opens up to the deck so it feels larger. And, I was considering getting something like the below so that we could scoot the benches under the table.

http://www.westelm.com/products/emmerson-dining-table-g504/?pkey=cdining-tables%7Crectangular-square-tables%7C&cm_src=dining-tables||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-

http://www.cb2.com/blox-35x91dining-table/s310700

http://www.westelm.com/products/geometric-base-dining-table-h654/?pkey=cdining-tables%7Crectangular-square-tables%7C&cm_src=dining-tables||NoFacet-_-NoFacet-_--_-

http://www.kurtzandatkins.com/new-products-1/the-k-street-modern-industrial-farm-table