@ worthy Thanks for your insights. We discussed the possibility of adding transoms above the bedroom doorways to bring more light into the hallway. The concern was the expense of adding more height to the second floor. A solar tube (not visible from the street) might be a cheaper option, although I always worry about roof leaks. I have mixed feelings regarding a basement laundry. I like the separation from the living spaces to minimize noise and potential water damage. However, I agree that bringing laundry up and down flights of stairs can be annoying (this is our current situation). At our next meeting with the architect we will reopen the discussion of laundry room placement with the options of: 1) keeping it in the basement; 2) moving the guest bedroom to the basement to make space for a laundry room on the second floor; and 3) using the suggestion of @MrsPete to install a dumbwaiter. Regarding the house footprint, we have tried to be as efficient as possible with the space available. With a narrow city lot (80') in the historic district (zoning requires two story) the house footprint is constrained. We also really enjoy the backyard for gardening and kids play and do not want the house to swallow the entire lot. Overall, I think we have achieved a good balance of a nice size home (3,000 sq. ft.) with most of the features we desire, that also blends into the existing historic neighborhood (the newest house on the block is 100+ years old).

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Perhaps I should start over with a new post. Maybe I will. But to answer your question Rhome - Here is my existing kitchen and the surrounding rooms. I'll work on drawing a more clear layout on graph paper with all dimensions and dark lines. Basically, the remodel must include a keeping room, island, breakfast room, cubbies (like you'd see in a mudroom), a desk and all the regular appliances. So, what would you do to make this work? Janet, Rhome, Blfenton - I don't bake much but currently this is where I already bake. For the most part, I get everything I need from the fridge before I start. Baking will probably also happen on the island but the cabinets in the corner would "store" the baking stuff. Blfenton - "BK" is supposed to be "Bookcase" but apparently I was tired last night when I added it. I would thinking about doing storage on the back side of the island but am not going to do it. In all honesty, I probably just need to make the addition another foot or two but then it is even longer and puts more distance from the fridge and the existing part of the kitchen. The fridge is where it is so it doesn't block traffic flow and it close to the island, cook area, prep area, k.table and still accessible to "outsiders" not working in the kitchen - but yes, it is VERY far from the other side of the kitchen, dbl ovens especially. But does that matter? Believe it or not, I have thought through a lot of different options (like having the desk in the keeping room but then I can't have cubbies, and it's far from the kitchen table - which I need b/c of little ones) but it is a tricky space - long and narrow. I appreciate all your comments though and certainly need "fresh eyes" to make it the best it can be. Off to prep dinner. I will check back in later tonight after the kids are in bed!

I worked this up on and off today and b/f I saw your most recent reply. I did turn the island...but I'm not sure there's an issue. I think I see the stairs in the first picture after the layout. Which wall in your layout do they line up with...the left wall or the right wall that defines the alcove on the right (where I put the Refrigerator in my layout below)? Here it is anyway... It has two spacious Prep Zones...the island and the perimeter counter b/w the cleanup sink and the range. The MW drawer is to the left of the range. A Tea/Coffee/Beverage Center could be on the other side of the cleanup sink - there's 51" of counter space (24" DW + 27" cab). [Or, it could be an alternate location for a countertop MW or one hanging from the upper cab. Personally, I like the MW drawer better as well as it's location - near the refrigerator and a water source.] The island has room for 2 seats, and possibly a third. There are 54 inches b/w the island and the DR table. The 35" you have in your design is far too narrow. You can get away with that narrow a space if there's no other traffic in the area, but that's not the case in this situation. I also moved the DR table a bit out to give you 33". 32" is considered the bare minimum when there's no traffic behind the seats. For pantry space, there are 42 inches x 30" deep to put whatever configuration of pantry pullouts you'd like. There is also a 12" utility pullout for a broom, mop, Swifter, etc. That 12" is needed to allow the refrigerator doors to open fully.