as per the inspiration and these first 2 similar kitchens ..... I believe you are taking cues from quite traditional /period defined spaces. the question with the 10 foot ceiling height..does that translate??? I think you need to meld the concept of a feature at the cooking zone with your actual architecture....closer to the 3rd pic...but is your designer giving you some assurances about this???

O'Cook Residence-Phoenix Biltmore Area · More Info

European Traditional Kitchen Remodel: Doylestown, PA · More Info

try a hybrid approach due to your ceilings.

Kitchen Cooking Alcove · More Info

Not trendy, definitely traditional. Seems a huge waste of storage and prep space to me, but it's your kitchen, so if you love that, plunge ahead!

What would be a better alternative as this is our forever home and don’t want to make an expensive mistake?

I think the heavy, intricate wood alcoves look dated, but they can be done in an updated way. It is a high-end look in my opinion.

This first image is from a classic Colonial home, and I think it's a nice example of updated traditional so it might be helpful to you. Your inspiration picture is a simple design that I think is pretty timeless (minus the grapevine wreaths!).

The first picture you posted is one of my favourites also I have saved , from Chrislovesjulia.com 🥰

Maybe the first picture with legs ( angled back more) from the 2nd picture combined

the 2nd one I'd hate. when you are tending to things on the burners, where will you lay your spoon? each time you have to bring it around those behemouth supports. I like to chop and prep right next to my burner. (a right burner) those countertop supports just take up space and get in the way.

If I did those legs (only) it would be on a very wide alcove like above 1st picture. I completely agree with your point

A better example of the legs/supports

Since it is your forever home - forget about trendy or timeless or all the other sorts of labels. What you need to find is a design you love and one that will function really well. Keep in mind, a beautiful kitchen is easy - a well functioning one is difficult. Find your concept , then adapt to your cooking habits.

As Beth mentioned, space on the right and the left is important. A certain distance from the cooktop to the legs is required by code - check in your area - that will dictate the size of the opening you will need.

I really like the first picture you have just above here but not those curved back legs. If you want to set the legs back then maybe more like this?

The direction you are going is great so far!!

I like that and the cubbies 😎

Maybe I can put these legs under this hood 🤔

with a design like this, you have room to work/prep

Love this one. you can do the inset shelving

I like thi design too

all of these have space to work

Love all these. Thank you !

Look back at the drawing of the wall from my cabinet builder and let me know if you would also put upper cabinets also with a large alcove

how?

At the beginning of my post. Here I will post it again

Obviously I haven’t decided on how to have him modify yet

I currently have 24" on either side of my cooktop and in my reno am increasing that to 33". 24 is doable, but still sometimes gets cramped, especially if I am using a small appliance on one side or the other (crock pot, steamer, deep fryer . . . ).

Everyone cooks differently, so your needs may be different than mine.

What you can't do is use the same space for the open alcove as for the upper cabinets. The wider the alcove the fewer uppers you can have. I won't have an alcove over my stove because I have a small kitchen and need the upper cabinet space.

What did you end up doing? I’d love to see photos, if you ha

Sorry, if you have any. Thanks!