log home construction - kitchen layout

8 years ago

We are building a hand hewn log home with basement and small loft. I am trying to decide if I want a large island (appx 4'x8-9') in the kitchen or another corner shaped cabinet/counter with a smaller island. One of the reasons for the possible change from the large island is the cost of the larger piece of granite. A local cabinet builder can get granite up to 3' wide, which will be much cheaper. I will try attaching the house plans. The plan shows a large island. The second option would be to have another L/corner shaped counter between the posts (that separate the kitchen and great room) and dining area (with a possible smaller island in the middle). Feel free to comment on any layout concerns. Thanks in advance.

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PRO

Flo Mangan

8 years ago

Lots of concerns with your layouts. Doing a more accurate scale drawing is critical. But in general i would not put french doors in breakfast area. Just do single door at space between great room and breakfast room. But i have another option for you to consider. Eliminate the breakfast area and extend island and back wall cabinets all the way to back outside wall. Do a 3’ deep island and extend a table in front of island that could extend toward living room when needed. You could seat more and utilize space more effectively. Once you get a scale drawing, i can help further.

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Comments (8)

SR G
Original Author
8 years ago

Desocio Home, Forest Virginia · More Info
a "corner" counter similar to this. Not sure I'd even have room for an island or if it would be "too much"
colbran
8 years ago
I agree with the above poster. If you can get those posts to work in your favor and become part of your decor rather than stick out by themselves, I would. I have them in my house and they weren't designed like the above picture, and they are a pain in my rear end! Could you do like the picture above and have the longer part of island stationary on that side, and still have your L shape but make it moveable, so a floating island so-to-speak? You could leave it attached to the long part of the L but doing kitchen prep, etc., move it to the center of the room or closer to your workspace and make it more functional? Just by the looks of your design, the L shape works, but then there's a pretty huge open space in the middle of the kitchen....unless of course you want to bite the bullet and get the best of both worlds....have your L stationary all the way around but make it deeper and better proportioned to the whole room (in which case, you'll need more than 3 feet of granite). If this is your forever home, I wouldn't skimp on that kitchen for one second to get it the way you want!
SR G thanked colbran
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Alan Lnu
8 years ago
where will the TV be in the great room? above the fireplace? if so, you could put a small bar-height table between the posts so that people can eat and watch TV at the same time without eating on the couch. this would be a good excuse to make the kitchen island a more modest 3 feet.
SR G thanked Alan Lnu
homechef59
8 years ago
I suggest putting another window on the wall of the Master Bedroom. You will need light in a log home, so take advantage of the opportunity while you can to get light from two directions.

I like the illustration with the "L" shaped island nestled between the two supports.
SR G thanked homechef59
SR G
Original Author
8 years ago
I wonder if the posts would be that big of a pain being 5 foot behind the island... Never thought of a floating island. Not sure about that although that might be better than another stationary counter between the narrow dining room and the kitchen.

The TV will be to the window side of the fireplace. The fireplace may get shifted over (towards the stairs) due to the overhead rafter placements. I've been looking at MORE pictures and I think the large island leaves the layout more open, but I hadn't really thought of the posts being a nuisance.
PRO
Mark Bischak, Architect
8 years ago
It will beneficial to have your plans drawn to scale to evaluate them. What works with 1/4" thick walls may not work the same with 4 1/2" thick walls.
SR G thanked Mark Bischak, Architect
SR G
Original Author
8 years ago
There is a double window on the other master wall that has been left out. I was trying to decide between a patio door or window. Thanks.