Is the range/fridge wall an interior wall? Depending on what's on the other side of that wall, I've seen several posts here where GWers recess the fridge into the wall. Allows a standard depth (SD) fridge to fit some spaces better. I think SD fridges are 36" w/handles, so you do look a bit tight to maneuver for maintenance. HTH, tmy

Thanks everyone (especially Pal for the feedback on this unit and Bee for the idea). Unfortunately, my cabinets are semi-custom, so I cannot get a 27" wide 12" high wall upper that would symmetrically fit about the fridge. But, two great things I found out are that the company sells a 3" wide upper and a 3" wide lower that have pullouts with shelves for spices. So I'm going to use those with the "new" space between the refrigerator panel and range with some filler on either side to make it 4" wide, then I'll have another filler or refrigerator panel on the wall side, taking full advantage of the 32" opening I have to work with, and giving me some great storage for spices, etc. (I cook a lot). The upper above the refrigerator is still going to be a little complicated as I mentioned above. I love Bee's idea, and it could be done with a 30"+ wide refrigerator, but not this 27" wide one (with my cabinet company). There aren't even open shelf options. So I have one option that's actually pretty good. I can mount a 27" wide x 18" high x 12" deep two-door upper abutting the soffit and run the crown along the ceiling. That way, the fridge stack will run all the way to the ceiling and be perfectly symmetrical, and I will still get my 3" wide spice pull out. What do you think? And, good news today, my homeowners is going to cover the cracked granite (some of you may recall my granite cracking during my holiday party when I left a hot mac and cheese casserole dish on it). So I can replace that granite and the 4" backsplash and be subbed out with my leftover 4" square calacatta gold tiles, and get my new 4" strip for next to the range for my deductible. I haven't decided whether I will do leathered absolute black or honed antique brown (marron cohiba). I'm leaning towards the antique brown, which I have in the bathroom paired with calacatta gold but in a leathered finish). What do you think?

plan 1 with changes; the 42 in walkway on the sink side of island should increase to 48 in minimum... Lengthen the entire island section. the 5ft between bar stools and pantry area can accomodate some island real estate-move the end into that space a little more-possibly curve that end section-semi circle or the like.Then as you move back toward the dining room part of your space I would decrease the depth a bit and go with one level-counter height-and elongate the look and extend the island into that space near the dining area.Seems to be a corridor kitchen-the bar stool end is island-like-but your core area is not really an island-able space. I would play up the corridor aspect by creating this more galley approach -keep the walkway open and not put the frig over on the left as in plan 2. could be a great open look with a contemporary vibe.

A round table large enough to seat even 8 people would make it almost impossible to get additional seating in the room. Plus, a 72" round means that people across the table from each other cannot converse because they are simply out of range. (a la banquet tables that usually seat 8). I have included a seating guide go give you an idea. Your idea of two 72"x36" tables has the same liabilities and more if you choose a table with 4 legs at the corners because someone would have to staddle a leg at each "end". https://www.countrysideamishfurniture.com/blog/entry/the-complete-guide-to-dining-table-seating-capacity I heartily agree with suezbell who suggests trying all this out for yourself with graph paper and furniture cut outs that are done to scale.