Your idea is a good one, go for it.

No concerns over walk way or having the cabinets feel over powering? Toe kick heater ok in 15 inch deep cabinets?

Or keep the radiator and do counter top + uppers?

Thanks we actually have a folding table that is counter height with 24 inch depth. We had a Super Bowl party and it was ok. Still concerning. Any idea on the toe kick?

Even a 15" deep cabinet there would make a difference for the traffic pattern, but it could work. Put a bookcase in front of the radiator for a couple of days to see if it works.
You wouldn't keep liquor over a radiator, I think. And anything in a cabinet over a rad would get a little warm. (A toespace heater in my kitchen makes my casserole dishes warm.) A cabinet built for that space would have to allow for the whole radiator. A 15" counter with table legs or brackets might be just as useful as the little bit of cabinet space you could achieve around the radiator, and you could mount a shallow upper to hold the liquor and cocktail glassware.

Whew! That is a beautiful kitchen! If you really want it more for parties IKEA has (not sure right size) tables that fold down against wall. I like the suggestion of putting a box there to see how it feels. I also like the coffee bar idea.

would 15 inch deep base cabinets with 15 inch deep uppers look silly?

nope.

Hang a piece of art on that wall unless you are desperate for more cabinets.

I like your idea and don't think it will be a big interference. The extra storage and counter top will be a win! As far as a toe kick, maybe skip it and make it look more custom with its own legs...and if you are feeling bold, do a color other then white on the cabinet. Can't wait to see it, your kitchen is beautiful!

@deco we thought about that too. would sure be less expensive. we need the extra storage/counter top

@bethany i assume you like just having the uppers? really need the bottoms too. we live in a small house and extra storage i think will go along way even if only 15 inches deep. thought about doing another color. will get back to everyone when we decide. thanks and appreciate the honsety

I like having both, especially if it gives you some functional storage, every bit helps! From your design, it looks like you have some open shelves or something too, love that, or glass doors on the top will make it feel less "crowded"

We are doing something similar in our kitchen, so I am biased. :).

May I ask what counter tops you have? Ours get installed next week, and I can't decide on a back splash...

Yes! Give us your granite and backsplash choices! They look great!

this is an IKEA kitchen and I need to work with 48 inches so limited options. We like the glass doors and the only option is to put 30 inch cabinet with 2 wine racks. I am hoping they can just leave them open. if not, i still believe it will work out. i forgot the name of the granite, but it is a stock granite from understanding

backsplash: http://www.lowes.com/pd_354394-93840-20-617_0_?productId=3477521#img

i dont recall the name of the granite but i googled and found 'white ice' which looks very similiar

we are thinking of doing glass on the opposite wall? thoughts?