I also thought that a roll-out cart that was 24x24 might be less unwieldy than a 30" cabinet and then I could add 3-6" to that side of the cooktop to allow for a 9-12" pull out for the utensils, something like this:

I can see that being useful to pull out to the end of the peninsula when the kids are helping, while you man the ovens. Just make sure that the weight in each drawer is toward the back--you don't want small kids leaning on open drawers and tipping the cart over. Deedles has something similar, but her message function is not enabled.

I've posted this pic several times--the cart has a fold up section to increase counter area. You could have it span the depth of the counter and overhang on the peninsula:

No idea on the cart, but I do have a suggestion on the utensils: get a second set of spatulas, measuring stuff, whisks, etc. I don't know why it took me so long to figure it out, but I was 60 or so before it dawned on me that my cooking/baking life would be much more efficient if I had more than one set of measuring cups and spoons. It's not like those things are expensive or take up an undue amount of space.

Another efficiency move: along with the epiphany that I could have more than 1 set of measuring spoons, it occurred to me that I didn't need to pick out just the spoons I needed from the drawer for each recipe. I could put the entire set in a container that can be moved from the drawer to the counter, pick out as needed, and put the leftovers in their container away as a group at the end of the recipe.

It's all so obvious, but I didn't think of it until long past when the kids were grown and gone. Hope it helps someone else to mention it sooner.

Great ideas suzanne. I have several sets of the tupperware cups and spoons which were produced in different colors. (I see some spoons in your drawer.) Mine are orange for the baking zone, green for the cooking zone, although they are often mixed up by my crew. :)

I love the cart idea . I made my big Island with casters so I can use it wherever I need it and for various purposes . Everyone that has seen it wants one. So yes definitely .

I have been unboxing everything that was in storage from the flood and washing everything in bleach and dawn . Yesterday I found I had 4 sets of plastic measuring cups and multiple sets of measuring spoons this is not counting the 5 glass measuring cups. None of them were quality and most were extremely old. Today since they are clean I will add most of them to the donation box . It's time for some nice new quality ones for the new kitchen . One set of the old will live in the rv where I currently have none.

We deserve good equipment !

The cart idea is great! I really recommend solutions that provide for extra counter top and/or storage, when you need it.

The two windows you have managed to sneak into you baking alcove-smart move!

The second picture shows a corner where there was a cart that was pulled out and then instead of having a completely blind corner they made it possible to pull forward the portion of the cabinet that would be in the corner. I cannot recall the name of the woman who posted this but it was an excellent kitchen.

Thank you everyone!

Thanks for sharing that pic again, mamagoose. I had forgotten about the lift up in the back to make it bigger, which is a great feature.

I will think about the multiple sets. I am sure there will definitely be some things that will make sense to do that with. And yes, ravencajum, quality makes a huge difference. My mother was an avid baker but her measuring cups were thin and dented with handles that easily bent. When I got married, I registered at Williams Sonoma and got a lot of nice basics, including a heavy duty set of measuring cups. Such a difference! And it means that they are useful for all kinds of tasks like serving soup or making pancakes. Similarly, I still just love my heavy measuring spoons.

Practigal, I think that is Deedle's kitchen that mamagoose referenced above.

That is so clever using the cart to take advantage of the blind corner. I have just such a corner in the baking alcove. Does it make more sense to put the cart there? It feels tight to me when I think about maneuvering it in and out, but 42" is not too terribly tight. Hmmm... Two such carts would be overkill, right? It is just that when I imagine myself in the space, having the cart in the kitchen proper feels more accessible and therefore more useful.

I was thinking of the blind corner cart exactly for the alcove. For the other areas in the kitchen you may still want pullouts for the extra countertop but not need a cart because there is no corner lowers elsewhere.

yes it is deedles kitchen. I really liked so many of the features in her kitchen and I loved her design/taste.