Sorry, but I did not want to have to sign up to dropbox to see your photo(s) or plans. Can't you just post them in the thread?

I tried to post but it does not appear! It is a PDF file and when I try to add it as a photo it does not seem to appear. I also tried with a JPEG and it did not work. Not sure why.

BTW you don't need to sign up to dropbox to view the file. I think you can just click on the popup to close it and view the file.

thanks

I tried the JPEG version again, and today it works. Weird.

And for those of you, who want to see 3-d mockups of our existing kitchen, I posted them on another thread, but sadly did not get any response :(

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3218516/ideas-for-kitchen-redesign

Can you sketch out the rooms around the kitchen? Is the only possible entrance to the laundry/powder through the kitchen?

I will try to sketch the other rooms once I get back home.

The only internal entrance to the laundry/powder is through the kitchen. However, there is another door which opens to the outside from the laundry.

thanks

Here's a view of your current kitchen--sorry you didn't get any responses on the other thread.

Firstly, I would make the counters deeper than standard, with custom cabinets if possible, and deeper drawers for more storage. If you keep the counter-top appliances out and also keep canisters for baking staples, having 30" deep counters will leave more space for work areas. Deeper upper cabinets on the range side can hold your copper pots and large vessels--maybe with glass doors, so that you can find them easily. If you have high ceilings, taking the cabinets to the ceiling will add storage space, too.

I'd put the DW on the right side of the sink, and use the area to the left of the sink for prep, with secondary prep and baking on the right counter. Put the small appliances in the area where they'll be used. (I gave you a red KA :).

You can have deep drawers to store the cast iron pans and the appliances that aren't used as often, and dishes can be stored in drawers under the baking counter, close to the DR entry. I'd put the trash pull-out under the sink, and have all drawers in base cabinets. I drew open shelves to the right the sink, but that could be an upper cabinet to match the one on the left.

GW discussions--all drawer base cabinets.

Hi

Thanks for some great suggestions.

- I am planning on going with Barker Cabinets for the cabinets. I think they offer depths of up to 30 inches. I love drawers :) If I understand correctly, you are suggesting deep counters for the sink side right? On the range side, I am assuming that the depth of the range will determine the depth of the counters. From Capital's website, it looks like that is around 27".

- Our ceilings are 8ft high. But both my wife and myself are not very tall (5' 6" and 5' 8"). So overhead space does not work very well for us. Especially for heavy things. These copper pots weigh a ton. Currently, we use our overhead storage as a overflow pantry primarily because of this.

- I like the separation of the primary prep area and the secondary prep area. This way I can do all my baking related stuff in the secondary area, and cutting/chopping and other activities in the primary prep area. Also, this will help divide up the appliances between the two areas. We could use the open shelves to store our cups and plates. Being closer to the dishwasher makes it easy to store them after they are clean.

Keep your creative ideas coming. Thanks a ton for your help.

thanks

I sketched up a floor plan of the rooms around the kitchen. It is not to scale but should give you a good idea on how the rooms are laid out with respect to the kitchen. Doors are marked with black and sliding doors are marked with brown.

thanks

You're welcome. I'm sure you'll get a few more good ideas.

I was suggesting deeper counters for the range side, also, since the fridge will be around 30" deep. Pull the range out and have a strip of counter behind it to hold oils and s&p shakers. You can have deep drawers on each side of the range, to hold the heavy copper pots, and still have the uppers at 15" for extra storage.

Is the grinder for idlis a clamp-on type, or does it sit on the counter? With deep counters on the range side, you could keep appliances in the corners and move them out, or to another counter across the aisle, as needed. You can also incorporate pull-out boards on each side of the range, for extra prep space and landing space while you work.

GW discussions--pots and pans in drawers.

GW discussions--all drawer bases.

You probably already have a handle on spice storage, but keeping them in special organizers in drawers seems to be in a popular choice.

GW discussions--spice drawers.

Thanks for your comments.

Thanks for the pointer to spice storage. That is super important :)

The idli grinder sits on the counter. Same goes for the champion juicer. I think I can dedicate one corner of the countertop to these appliances.

Does anybody have have opinions on using a pot rack for storing some of the frequently used pots? Wall mounted? Ceiling mounted? I am concerned about stains on the wall with a wall mounted rack. Does anybody have experiences to share?

Thanks. Keep the great ideas coming.