Why would you want to walk around chairs?

I guess I thought it would be more welcoming a space if it we're to open at somewhere to sit rather than into the working area of the kitchen diner. people may be more likely to sit and chat

But you'd have to carry your groceries through your dining area? Where is the plumbing, the windows etc. It's nice to have a window in a kitchen. It looks like people can go direct to the dining room around the island?

from what we can see of the plan, it looks nice. A couple things -- I could build in a banquet on the wall to the right and move the table over closer that direction. I think it would look fabulous. Then it looks like you would have enough room to do some barstools at the counter. That's what I see, but without knowing where windows are, etc., it's hard to tell. Also, where is the sink, cooktop, ovens, etc. It would help to know where you plan to put those.

There will be two large skylights (one centrally located over the left half of the room, and the other centrally located over the right half of the room. There is one wall window on the lefthand side of the plan. logically if we were to go with this plan, I would place the sink under the window. I haven't decided on where other things will be located yet as I haven't decided on if the builder's suggestion is best for the space. I currently have a U-shape kitchen and had thought that the architect/builder would suggest an L-shape to the right. just trying to get my head around the practicalities of a U-shape with an island. Great idea Lori