Your drawing is very difficult to read, although the description
helps a lot. Are those windows on each side of the range, and in the
corners? Have you considered turning the island 90°? I ask because my
island is perpendicular to the large opening between the kitchen and the
DR, and it works well. Sometimes I use the short end to roll out dough,
where I can look into the DR.

I remodeled a small kitchen using
existing and salvaged cabinets, with a few inexpensive new ones (drawer
bases) to fill in where needed, so I know what you're facing. I tried to
rearrange your plan using the cabinets provided. I added countertop
with no cabinet underneath in the corner--you could build a 2x4 frame
and use curtains to cover the storage area, or leave it open and tuck in
an extra stool. Since the cabinets are painted, you might consider
checking out ReStores to find a few extra drawer bases, then paint them
to match, or get quirky and paint them a different color.

If we
can fit one in the layout, how do you feel about a prep sink? There is a
current thread where GW members are listing their reasons for making
that decision. Why don't you want a 2nd sink?

Click to enlarge

Link to mushcreek's wonderful DIY kitchen, with open blind corner.

ETA, I cleaned up my plan a bit, and added a corner prep sink--again you could build your own frame, and use a curtain to hide the plumbing. If you choose the corner prep sink, you could put trash underneath, then you'd have the option of storing dishes to the right of the clean-up sink. You could also switch the pantry, and the shallow storage/open shelves, m/l, and keep dishes across from the DW.

"...We're using (donated, hence slightly odd cabinet sizes) white cabinets..."

So, does that mean you're limited to the cabinets you listed? That will pose major constraints on what can/cannot be done.

Have you had a chance to read the Layout Help FAQ and the Kitchen Design FAQ threads? The Layout Help FAQ describes the information we need from you to help you get the best layout possible given your constraints. The Kitchen Design FAQ threads discuss kitchen design principles, guidelines, etc., and will help you understand comments you receive.

How do I ask for Layout Help and what information should I include?

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2767033/how-do-i-ask-for-layout-help-and-what-information

.

Kitchen Design FAQ Threads:

FAQ -- Kitchen work zones, what are they?

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638270/faq-kitchen-work-zones-what-are-they

FAQ -- Aisle widths, walkways, seating overhangs, work and landing space, and others

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638304/faq-aisle-widths-walkways-seating-overhangs-work-landing-space-etc

FAQ -- How do I plan for storage? Types of Storage? What to Store Where?

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638376/faq-how-do-i-plan-for-storage

Looking for layout help? Memorize this first.

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/2699918/looking-for-layout-help-memorize-this-first

+++++++++++++++++

There is also a "New to Kitchens? Read Me First!" thread that has other useful information.

• http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638784/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first

You have a couple of layout threads from November. Do we need to review those threads for background? Are you starting over "from scratch" today?

I'm just wondering how much background reading I need to do! :-)

The 15.2' on the left, is that 15' 2"? I think it is based on the cabinets you show, but I just want to double-check.

A couple of things to keep in mind...

Filler...You will need filler (or extended stiles) b/w a wall and the cabinet next to it - the amount needed will depend on what type of cabinet it is. If it's all drawers, you'll need less; if it has at least one door with the hinges on the wall side, you'll need more.

Refrigerator...Refrigerators are standardizing on 36" wide x 72" tall, so I would plan for an alcove at least that size (probably more like 37" wide b/c of the need for air clearance around it.) If it's counter-depth, make the alcove around 26" deep. If it's standard depth, 30" deep. (An "alcove" is any space designated for the refrigerator that's constrained by walls/cabinets/other appliances on one or more sides of the refrigerator)

Note that if any side of the alcove is deeper than the refrigerator carcass/box, then you will also need filler b/w the refrigerator and the item next to it. The deeper the item, the more filler needed. In your layout, you will probably only need about 6" b/c the wall is only a few inches deeper. If it were much deeper, you'd need 12". Why? Because the doors need to stick out past the surrounding items (walls, cabinets, counters, other appliances) to allow doors to be opened fully and/or to open doors wide enough to remove bins for cleaning.

Island seating...you need at least 15" of clear knee/leg space/overhang for island seats. I get about the side b/c I think you're trying to add more workspace (which you desperately need if your island is that small and has to double as both the Prep Zone and Cleanup one), but at least put the minimum for the back seats. With dirty dishes, water splashing, etc., your visitors will either have dirty dishes "in their face" or be splashed when someone is working at the island - or both! When you have a cleanup sink in the island, I generally recommend at least 18" b/w the faucet and the edge of the seating overhang behind the sink.

Prep Zones...A key component to a Prep Zone is a water source. Since you do not have water on the perimeter, the counter next to the range will not be particularly useful for prepping. You will end up prepping on the island on the tiny bits of counterspace flanking the sink. You also need at least 36" of clear counter space adjacent to the sink as the bare minimum for a Prep Zone - 42" or more is much, much better. The most you have is 30" - and that's b/c of the extra 6" you've added. So, for a space to work as a barely functionally Prep Zone, you need a sink + 36" of counterspace; for a good Prep Zone, you need a sink + 42" or more of counterspace.

Pulled this from the November 19, 2015, thread:

"We need to keep the stove and the sink in the same place."

But then, from the November 20, 2015, thread:

"...pretty much anything can move..."

Which applies now?

Note: If you have a basement or crawl space, moving plumbing is usually relatively inexpensive, so considering moving a sink or gas line should not be eliminated - at the very least, get an estimate b/f dismissing it out of hand. If you're on a slab, then it will be more costly. Again, get an estimate anyway - you never know!

It also sounds like you've changed your mind about cabinets....from IKEA with Scherr's doors to using only the cabinets you've listed. Correct?

Then there's this from the November 20, 2015, thread:

"Also...decided no island was better suited to style of the house and we'll do a farmhouse type table instead."

I'm just trying to figure out what you really want & what's possible b/f I spend too much time on it.

buehl and co - thank you!! Much has changed since October. We got the cabinet donation - but we are not limited to that - they are a standard type of cabinet (I can't remember the brand offhand) but a decent, mid-range stock cabinet so we can get any other sizes that we need, basically in 3" increments. Obviously I'd like to use the ones they have - but we are not constrained by that. There is also a 27" tall pantry, a 36" with pull out, and a corner cabinet/lz susan.

Re the plumbing - we have an unfinished basement/crawlspace under the kitchen, so yes, we decided that pretty much anything can move. The only thing I would say that I am set on is having the stove (36" bluestar with 42" ventahood) flanked on two sides by 5ft windows, because we bought the windows already and I really want that view out to the yard). But sink can move, it could go in the island or...anywhere else. I like it in the island as I wanted to do a mix of marble/butcher block and don't like the idea of butcherblock around sink.

The bathroom has also moved - we've basically moved it far from the kitchen and are opening up the walls more than we originally planned. But there is a difference in height in ceiling from the kitchen room to the rest of the house, so there needs to be some kind of framed opening/differentiation between the rooms....

Thank you!

and re island - yes, I've come around....now that we're opening up the rooms it seemed silly to have two tables next to each other, we do use the dining room a lot and that will be the main place we have meals, island will be a perch/for kids meals/coffee in the morning etc.

and yes 15'2'' is the width of the room.

Thank you so much! I've read through all the layout guidelines etc - but still need help!

I didn't recognize your name or plan, sorry. Good luck.

also - re the 2nd sink - I don't feel the need for one. I don't mind walking a few steps to wash veggies etc. But I do see buehls' point about splashing in face of folks sitting at the island counter. I actually think primary prep areas (or at least I was thinking) would be the two long counters either side of the stove. Love the idea of standing there chopping my veggies and looking out into the yard...

I'm amazed anyone remember's a post from that long ago - I barely do!

one last comment re fridge: we are keeping our 30'' subzero for now, even though it's 20 years old. We actually bought 2 different fridges and returned them because we prefferred the old subzero. But it could die - so ideally a layout would allow flexibility to get a 36'' when that one dies. So we'd probably put in extra filler.

I like mamagooses layout with the island turned around, although as I say, don't feel like I would need a prep sink. - would just keep that corner as a regular cabinet.

So, here are a few more pictures and iterations

1. A picture of the whole layout of the ground floor

Ignore the bathroom placement - that's moving to the closet opposite the stairs. We are opening up the wall between the kitchen and the rest of the house, but we are leaving the wall between the TV room/dining room (two middle rooms) - just too costly for us to remove at this point with chimney in there, different height floors between rooms. So that's staying.

here is option 1, I know this is a bit hard to read.

Starting at top right - fridge, small cab, DW, sink, Tr, counter space, then around the corner stove and more cabinets. 39"*84" island has more cabinets & MW.

Pantry opposite fridge (either using existing 27'' tall pantry cabinet we have, or a new skinnier one).

I think this 'flow' works better and makes more sense...ice, water, stone, fire (love that!) - and has a lot more storage. And there is a lot more space for adequate clearance/paths.

In this plan we'd do marble perimeter and wood island.

My only worry and I don't know if it is sill is that I feel like I always see islands front on in a room rather than sideways like this. But I think I might be unfounded in that?

I really like this plan better, thanks mamagoose for suggesting!

Option 2: this is my original plan. I think it will look cool but not so functional.

Also...this works if we put a big pantry in (which we were thinking we would do if we moved the other wall) - but now that we're not moving that wall, a big pantry would block the flow (It would have gone where the fridge is). So - I think I am saying goodbye to this one (my husband still prefers it though....need to persuade!)

Would welcome any thoughts!! Thanks as always.

I can't figure out how to edit the original post, but here is a better version of Option 1...realized that I can put the pantry next to the fridge...it's a 27" pantry with pullout shelves. I like having all the food next to each other, and there is space to change out the 30" for a 36" if we have to in the future.

I remember you! I'm so glad you're moving that powder room. You'll be glad you did that. In the drawing above, I'd swap the fridge and the pantry; it's nice to have landing space right next to the fridge. Also, why don't you run the island all the way to where the wall used to be? Don't you have an original doorway between the TV roomand the dining room anyway? I'm struggling to remember. If the floors are different levels you probably don't want counter seating on the end of the island; scooting a stool back could send someone off their seat.

hi wonderful houzzers,

Here's a new version of the plan. We changed the island around so it is more squarish; and we've also added a prep sink to the counters to the left of the stove.

Starting at top left...

Prep area...small (18") prep sink, trash/recycling under, then stove, then another prep area next to stove, around corner to sink with trash on left and dw on right, then fridge and pantry.

Island is now 4'6" by 6'6", back side will be cabinets (36" on one side, 42" on other. That leaves space for a 12" deep shelf for bookshelves opposite the stove. The front side of the island will be a seating area which will have 3 stools around it.

The wall between the kitchen and the rest of the house will be opened up (new Ibeam). The floor is going to be different in the dining room area (bottom left of picture) so we don't want to have the island going any further so we don't run into issues of stools on even floor - and we still want to keep a sense of differentiation between the different spaces. We like the idea of keeping the left hand wall open - either putting a comfy chair there or a china cabinet perhaps.

Would love any thoughts!

Would love any thoughts on this!

Since the prep sink is so much farther than the clean-up sink, with such a small area for actual prep--and no elbow room on the left, if that 21" is the tall cabinet--I think you'll naturally gravitate to the corner between the clean-up sink and the range for your main prep. Small apartments in NYC have that kind of prep space--in a kitchen this size you can have better. Unless you often have a helper that you want to send to the prep sink, out of your work space (and whom you really don't like very much ;), I'd advise saving your money and omitting the prep sink.