Where is the oven? If I'm figuring right, it seems the 'baking end' might be farthest away from the oven?

WOndering about things other than what you've asked, so feel free to ignore:
Why is there a cabinet between the sink and dw? Might there be a way to move the sink down and get more space between stove and sink?

No, it won't require upgrading at all. Just use vanity height cabinets for the baking center instead of the custom height upgraded ones.

A bit more to add..

I have never had part of an island lower than the rest, but this is my 2nd kitchen in which we had the whole island at 33" for better height for baking projects and prep tasks. I love it. In fact, in this kitchen, which we built from scratch, we have lowered counter height in 3 areas... I am just under 5'4" and my avid cooking/baking daughters are about the same. But the lowered heights aren't a problem for dh or our sons, ranging from 5'7" to 5'11", all of whom cook and bake on occasion.

Re 12" deep shelf for cokbooks: If space is tight, you don't have to make it quite that deep. Measure your cookbooks, you'll likely find that 9" will be ample.

HTH,

L.

Is the Merrilat Classic line the one with those metal runners on the SIDES of the drawers and without full-extension drawers? If that is the case, I would consider upgrading or changing for that factor alone.

I'm not clear as to the position of baking center.

Is the refrig in a good spot? Or should it go to the left-hand wall in your plan? Think about people leaving stools to walk through your cooking area while you work.

Agree that you can make book storage shallower. Go look hard at your cookbook collection. I'm planning one and I already know that although there are a few big books, most aren't and I shouldn't plan for a lip that catches all kinds of extra clutter along it.

I envy your pet feeding area on the peninsula. Clever! On our peninsula the dog dish would have put Drake the Lab right in the walkpath and all his slobbered mess right underfoot.

Consider moving your large sink toward the top of the picture. This gives you more usable space to left of the range.

We insulated the dishwasher niche to cut down the noise and vibration. You might want to do same--otherwise stool sitters might find dishwasher irritating. Look into E-Dead dense rubber adhesive accoustic insulation from a company in Iowa.

As for the wine storage just wanted to say that our cab maker makes wine storage for a liquor store. We had the little cubby hole style ones in our plans and he said that upright dividers are all that's necessary so skip horizontal ones. We can store two bottles high and 5 bottles across in our little area. (More wine is stored elsewhere under better conditions.) Above our wine are two shallow shelves.

By the way, be sure that wine is not stored in direct sun or over a heat vent.

I like the lower counter idea. I am about 5'4" but my husband is 6', so I'm glad to hear that a lower height is not a problem for taller people.

I believe the basic cabinet has the side runners, but we were going to upgrade to the deluxe Classic line that has dovetail drawers and full extension gliders. Thanks for mentioning that, though.

As for the space for pet dishes, that is thanks to the book by Susan Lang on designing your house. It's basically a book of checklists and I have found it hopeful.

Thanks everyone!