We are at the end of our planning stage and were thinking of doing the same thing, for baking purposes. However, our architect suggested including a large pull-out wooden board on one side of the island instead, which I think (I hope!) sounds like a good idea. I haven't contacted a cabinet maker yet, so we'll see where we stand when I've put it to him.

I have my island at 34" finished height b/c of rhome410's good advice 2 years ago. My husband is 5'6" and my 2 dd's and I are a smidge on either side of 5'. The island height difference is not visually apparent; no one notices it unless I mention it. It is one of the best things about my kitchen remodel. When I spend a whole day in the kitchen I switch prep areas & change shoes part way through. I no longer end up with a lower backache. We have a prep sink in the island and that too has been fabulous for my family. By lowering the island height rather then a perimeter run it takes the "What to do with the wall cabinets" question out of the mix. We used regular base cabinets and lowered the toekick. No one has ever noticed that or felt a shortage of foot space.

We have 3 stools at the island. I have two thoughts for you based on my experience. My carpenter added an apron piece across the granite to connect the two legs I wanted in the design. It is 3" wide, I would suggest 2" wide if your plan calls for such an apron to provide more thigh space. Also, we found 24" tall stools but as we searched we found many stools we loved at 25.5" tall. Actually, the 24" height is more comfortable for our short legs too. Adjustable height stools are available too but didn't work in our design.

Mine is between 30 and 31, or table height. It works well for using certain appliances, mixing and serving.

I'm thinking of doing the same! Here's a thread I started on same subject.

Here is a link that might be useful: lowering island