This is one of the few kitchens where we removed an island in favor of a peninsula. The island was too small for their three young daughters to sit together, and it meant sacrificing some much needed storage space. The ceiling was dropped, wasting more valuable storage along the upper wall cabinets. By raising the ceiling and replacing the tile flooring in the kitchen with wood to match the living room, it married the two spaces together to create a more open feel. The corner fireplace was replaced with a more contemporary gas burning fireplace, and an art niche was added to the high wall to break it up and add some interest. The homeowners enjoyed finding the cherry slab for the island bar, and finishing it themselves with stain supplied by the cabinet company.