Thanks so much for all of your replies! DH didn't have an opinion on which layout and I was leaning towards the second layout but wasn't sure, so I'm glad everyone confirmed that the second layout is the way to go. blfenton - good point about having more countertop room for wine bottles and glasses (& even other bar items) with the second layout. I wasn't even thinking of more countertop room! natschultz - and I agree the second layout will make it less claustrophobic, which is what I was afraid of with the first layout. For the 42" glass front upper, the dealer is actually ordering the cabinet "pieces" in the peppercorn color and then a local cabinetmaker will be putting the 42" cabinet together (Kraftmaid does not make a 42" wide by 42" tall cabinet) with reinforcement for stability. I hadn't thought about doing wine cubbies - that's an idea b/c I think the 9" pullouts are what's really driving up the price for this second layout. I do also like breezgirl's suggestion of replacing the 2 9" pullouts w/ 18" cab & drawer. breezygirl - I think with the second layout the dealer is trying to get the symmetry with the uc fridge centered between the 2 9" pullouts. I have no idea why I didn't think/ask about an 18" cab - I'm definitely not opposed to asymmetry as I have that in the first layout! And I definitely like that the 18" cab can fit more liquor than the pullouts;-) ellaf - no, I don't think the symmetry will come into play esp b/c we will be replacing the table, chairs and lighting but with what yet I don't know! I'm not opposed to the asymmetry in the bar area like breezygirl suggested with replacing the pullouts with 18" cab. I think an 18" cab would give us more storage space than the pullouts (& I'm not totally sold on functionality/practicality of the pull-outs). The dealer will be out at our house tomorrow afternoon, so I will ask him about replacing the 2 9" pullouts with the the 18" cab and the difference in price. And I will also ask him about wine cubbies, although I'm leaning more towards the 18" cab since I think the wine cubbies would provide less liquor storage than the pullouts. Many thanks for your help in this decision!!!

I have several corner cabinets (dictated by the narrowness of a row home): super susan, Magic corner pull out and 1/2 round lazy susan. I have two tall, narrow tray cabs and the above fridge cab. But other than that I tried to maximize drawers...which was new to me. (I assume we're talking only base cabs). In the past few months as I've sorted through stuff and tried to find permanent living spaces for everything, I've gotta say that I'm a total drawer convert. I wish I had more. I ended up putting my baking pans...pie pans, cake pans, tart tins, cupcake pans, etc. above my fridge in vertical dividers which I really like, but a lot of space behind them in the deep cabinet is wasted. If I had more drawer space, they'd go in vertically divided deep drawers. So would any platters that weren't too large to fit vertically. I have found only a few things (other than food items) so far which work better in pullouts or regular cabinets. 1) cookie sheets, trays and the like, which can be stored vertically. 2) Small appliances, which are great in the supersusan or on roll outs. 3) Giant pots...12 quart or larger. And maybe platters, depending on how big they are. If they could fit vertically in drawer base, set up with dividers, I do that in a heart beat too. I ended up putting my baking pans...pie pans, cake pans, tart tins, cupcake pans, etc. above my fridge in vertical dividers which I really like, but a lot of space behind them in the deep cabinet is wasted. If I had more drawer space, they'd go in vertically divided deep drawers too. I have found that everything else, I love in drawers. I happen to have ended up with a fair number of shallowish drawers (6" or so) and turns out they're the best place I've ever had to store serving dishes, loaf pans, lasagna pans and so on. Also in drawers: Mixing bowls. Small pans. Large pots. Colanders and strainers. Skillets and saute pans. Plus, mini-chopper, knife sharpener, measuring cups, including the large 4 cup measure, plastic storage containers, large plastic jugs and pitchers, and more.

Mama goose, There is actually a door going into that area in the location you drew and enough space to put the DO where you indicated if I expand the window leftward. I'll just have to rearrange my pantry storage ideas to put the freezer where my appliance storage is drawn. If I move the DO there, I'll have landing space to the left, which I like. I currently have narrow spice storage at the end of the island in my city house that I LOVE. It has double doors and 4 inches deep. He surprised me with it on install so I'd like to keep that in my farm house. What I have is similar to this: http://www.belladomicile.com/sites/default/files/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/Islandspice-storage.jpg I do like your idea of adding a trash bin next to sink. I'd probably still have another cabinet next to the fridge. Thanks!

I would not do tile on that wall at all it will be too much going on on that small wallIMO penny tiles do not belong in contempoary spaces and I think stainless shelves would be nice