Hi All- We live in a 1922 former sorority house and are planning to remodel the kitchen and remove some walls to open it up to the dining room and breakfast nook. We entertain a lot and have 2 children in elementary school. I really want an island- that is the main reason I want to renovate (and my current kitchen feels too dark) and there is not enough counter space. I would like for the island to have as much seating as possible and I imagine using it to host, laying out food and drinks when we entertain and eat in the dining room.

If possible, I would like to use the custom cabinets we have now for the perimeter, and buy new cabinets in another color for the island. I think I've figured out how to piece them all together, except for the pantry wall- which I believe based on measurements needs to be no deeper than 12 inches.

I had an architect friend sketch a plan- and I would like your feedback. I wonder if it would look strange to make the island longer than like 3 x 6 or 3 x 7, or even all the way to where the wall would be removed between kitchen and dining. I also have narrow walkways on the sides (there is room for 48" between end of island and window/sink wall)- hoping that it's okay because i really want an island :)

I will get new appliances, thinking Cafe collection but open to suggestions for that also. Thinking 36" counter depth fridge, 30" induction range, and 24" dishwasher. I would like a range hood, and to put a microwave drawer in the island.

The plan proposes adding width to the kitchen by moving back the kitchen wall to take over a closet in the guest bedroom behind it (adds 21") and having one of the walls have a narrow pantry (from standard depth to 12"), and removing the wall between the dining room and kitchen, replacing it with beams.

These were her notes along with the drawing:

• visual connection among dining, sun and kitchen- island is 5’ x 3’... circulate around it (to East and south); work zone is between island and perimeter cabinets...there’s 3’-6” around all sides of the island
• full height pantry on south wall; half height bookshelf (cookbooks, etc) to the East, at sun room, for visual connection. Need full height pantry because losing storage and upper cabinets where range currently is.
• Mom’s room gets a little funky in shape but will still be legal bedroom and/or future office...worth the sacrifice of space for infrequent visits versus daily life comfort and connection.
• will need new columns and beams...easy to tie into the rest of the architecture of the house and make feel seamless.

looking into the kitchen from dining room

view of dining room, kitchen to the right. The highlighted purple wall will be removed exposing the dining nook (below).