[dtlyme]

A focal point range. That is what I wanted and was one of the many reasons we were going with an Ikea kitchen. I really really wanted an Aga Six-Four:
http://www.aga-ranges.com/_store/Pro...ewood-Silo.jpg

Unfortunately as is the usual case with building a house - we won't be able to afford that $6,000 stove. I must have been hallucinating to think it was even a possibilty. waa. Anyway - I found a nice 40" range by Kenmore for only $1,900. Still have to do my research on it, but it looks nice:
http://www.sears.com/sr/javasr/produ...tanding+Ranges

Anyway - attached is a first attempt at a layout. All feedback is appreciated. The long wall with windows - I am not sure if I will attempt cabinets b/c of the wood beams that you can see in the photo at the top of my post. I might do open shelving there. Not sure!

[dtlyme]

And one more view of the design.

[dtlyme]

Does a range absolutely need to have a hood? If I have the stove on the island I really really do not want a hood.

Also - not sure the table and chairs I put in will be those, I was just playing with the planner.

[dtlyme]

And an off topic post of a cute photo of my twins so that you all know I am only working with half a brain on this!!

[chabuchie]

If you don't use a hood, downdraft ventilation is necessary (probably for code, not just practicality). I've heard that downdraft isn't as efficient, but my mother has it and I like it a lot more than the microhoods or vent hoods I've had. I always feel like when you turn a hood on you always get a facefull of steam, but the downdraft really clears your face of all of that.

[dafogle]

I haven't taken the time to look at your plans.... saw your twins and just HAD to post. Your twins look darling!!! They are soooo cute! I'm sure they are a joy ...

Doreen

[GardenOfDarwin]

Aww! They're so cute! People often think that ours are twins (they don't look a bit alike to me, but they're only 14 months apart, so the size is similar), but I think I'd have lost my mind if they had been. Kudos to you for having even half a brain left!

Susan

P.S. You know I'm just kidding, right? Clearly you have an entire mind. It's probably just busy most of the time!

[dtlyme]

Susan - yes - I know you are kidding I think it would be harder to have them 14 months apart! So kudos to you. Twins are easier than some people think!

We went down to Ikea on Saturday with the kids and picked up the sink. We had lunch grabbed the sink - which is HUGE and heavy and just fit in the back of our car - and left. It was a zoo!

Our builder is on vacation this week so no building progress. And all this rain in the extended forecast is depressing. sigh.

Since doing the above kitchen design I think I am going to go with a double wall oven and gas cooktop. I might even buy the Ikea Mumsig double wall oven. It's a good price, has a convection oven, and looks nice!

[DesignDiva]

I have twins too! They just turned 11 (and they don't look...or act...anything alike at all!)

On to your design. Overall I like it, it seems functional.

1. Not a big fan of the peninsula cooktop, partially for the venting issues but also for the spatter issues. You'll have small ones on those stools while you're cooking, and that is not a good situation. At the very least, raise the seating side to bar height to provide a bit of a shield, but bar height stools are scary for kids.

2. Where you have your dishwasher located seems to be more complicated than needed. First, it opens into the aisle, and second, you'll have to route the plumbing around the cabinet between it and the sink. I would swap them.

3. The desk area looks like it may crowd the dining area a bit.

4. The fridge cabinets you are using for your bench seating look a bit too high, you should use the 15 inch or at most the 18 inch with a small cushion. Normal dining chairs have a seat height of 18 inches. If you have a counter height table then just ignore what I said LOL

5. I'd like to see a bit more drawer units instead of door/shelf units in the base. I am not a big fan of base cabinets with shelves, it's hard to get stuff and hard to find stuff. Drawers work much better. A door cabinet for larger items is useful, but you won't need a lot of that kind of space.

Anyway, my two cents!

[Liz H]

Great house and nice kitchen! I can't add anything new, except to say I would think long and hard about not getting a good ventilation system. I've lived without outside kitchen venting for a long time and I really miss it. The fan we have has a charcoal filter that helps a little bit, but only a little.

Your kids are adorable.