Thanks for all the responses. Our remodel is expected to take anywhere from 5-10 weeks, depending on who we ask (LOL) and we are hiring people to do the work. We live in Central PA, and have narrowed it down to either a late May start (kids in school for first 3 weeks, then out for the rest of the reno) or an August start (kids home first 2 weeks and then in school for the rest). Either way I believe we will be able to take advantage of the grill and eating outdoors....We would never consider doing it in the winter--I think our realistic window is April-October. One thing I am concerned about with the first option is that the remodel will run long and we will not be able to take advantage of my husband's week off to go to the annual family reunion. I think I am leaning more and more towards the late summer start--could make for a crazy beginning to the school year, but we will know we can make plans for the summer without worrying we will have to cancel at the last minute.

Wow - such great input - thank you all! You're making me think of things in ways I hadn't, which makes me panic this close to start date, but I know is a good thing in the long run. I'm 47 (DH is 56) and we hope to age-in-place as long as we can :) We have considered an elevator and given the layout (and the expense) dismissed the idea; we are making sure the plans can accommodate adding a stair-lift down the road instead. We're very resistant to changing windows - unless it's adding more of them ;) Our home is built up into a ridge on the edge between woods and prairie and the land is abounding with wildlife. The views are a big part of why we chose this house. I wanted to add a big triangular window above the appliance wall, but structurally we cannot :( I have loved appliance walls for many years so that was a feature I really wanted in this kitchen. I'm thinking maybe either the pull out, (or my baking cart-love this idea!) pulling out of the north end of the island would make a good landing spot when I am working out in the kitchen if as I age find it difficult to pivot. Yes, it would block the walkway if I pull it all the way out, but is an option. The island is all one level. We purposely went with a large island with a table-like end to get away from a dining table. We've talked about moving the island a little further towards the living room to allow space for a very narrow table to be pulled in front of the bench seating for little ones that are too big for high chairs but too small to get up & down from the island themselves. Thoughts on this? I HAVE struggled with putting a big vent hanging down from the ceiling over the rangetop - but I know it must have a vent. The point that really hit home (thank you mama goose!) was asking where I wanted to face while prepping; the answer is my family & friends! My architect will hate me. So - if we move the rangetop to the only wall space outside of the appliance wall I loose my one and only upper cupboard :( It would force me to totally embrace the euro-kitchens I've drooled over - lol! While I like the idea of the dishwasher being out of the prep area so others can help but stay out of the way ... I'd like to keep the dishes stored near the eating area at the end of the island. Does the dishwasher work if placed in the wall opposite the sink? Left of the window seat is a bar area with a wine fridge, a beverage fridge, a Grohe Blue tap and barware storage. The drawers under the window seat will be for overflow beverage storage: The style I'm going for is modern with a mid-century undertone (hence the shape of the shelves over the bar.) Cabinets will be walnut. Counters will be thick, honed marble. Yes, I know, this choice is VERY controversial! We've lived with honed marble in our current bar area for over a year now and abused the dickens out of it on purpose - and still love it.

Now that changes things a little :). Yes if you can remove that post, you should definitely do it, as that will open up the space a ton and give the open space feel. That will also give you room to do a standard island but long enough to where you would be able to sit 5 people, although as mentioned above, given that you have the table in the adjacent room and it will be open. Center the range on the same wall, add a hood and backsplash instead of those cabinets above. It also seems you have a lot of doorways. From the picture it seems you have a laundry room or mud room to the right with a door leading outside; if that is the case, I would cancel that door to the left of the range making and continuing the cabinet and countertop to the sink wall.

Mama Goose, Thank you very much for your input. I agree with you about the seating on the island. It has always been difficult. We were thinking of re-working the island making it deeper and converting it to a square shape instead of a L shape.. Seating opposite side of L is a walkway. By altering the island we would likely need to remove the beam/sliver of a wall :) in front of dinette The hood does seem dated to us and we had similar thoughts.. Salex...thanks for the link.. the Ice-Water-Stone-Fire is something I had never heard of it before and makes sense to me