[masraum]

Originally Posted by look 171

What's going on with that left wall on the drawing? No cabinets or small table, just an open area?

I don't have any furniture in the drawing. I think that's supposed to be the dining room. The current owner's got it set up as a seating area with a sectional couch.
The missus was thinking that I might do some built-in shelves or something over there. I assume we'll have some sort of table in there or at least have the ability to have a table in there.

Dont know how much you want to remove, but the stove area looks to be a little narrow with little counter for pots and pans when real cooking is in progress. Again, I don't know how to cook, just know how to eat. My suggestion it to remove the pantry and stuff the ref. in there, extend both upper and lower cabinets to create more counter space around the cooktop. Where the ref is now, an wall oven can go there. Its only 30" and you will gain 6' of counter because the ref. is 36". Two 3' wide floor to ceiling pantry can go to the opposite wall with counter running toward the window along with lower cabinets, no upper for a clear and open feel unless there's a table there.

I'm not sure that I understand where you're saying to put the 2 pantries, but if the missus likes it, I do like moving the fridge over to where the pantry is to give more space (9" for the wall and 6" since the wall oven will be more narrow than the fridge). The seller is supposed to leave the fridge, but I don't think the missus like's the fridge, so it may get moved to the garage. We've then discussed if that happens, then we can get a slightly smaller more narrow fridge (since there would be a second for overflow).
Is this what you mean?

Granite is a beautiful material and it works if the right one is selected and blend in with cabinets or design very well. Most people go to home centers and buy the very common cheap granite pieces so they all look the same. Stay away from those color or spices. Quartz is a great countertop material. Color is very and quality is very consistent. Inexpensive compare to other higher end granite pieces. Some of the Chinese imports are damn good stuff. I have tested them against the big US and Canadian mfg. I have granite in my own house, but if I were to do it again, I use these quality Chinese import quartz without thinking about it. they are that good, 20-30% cheaper. with the new tariff going on, I am not sure anymore but will call and fine out for you come next week. I have to call them for a client anyway.

Good to know!

Interesting. Our current apt has quartz, and I've heard good stuff about it. What we have seems pretty good, but the 90* edges can chip. I assume if rounded edges were done, that would help that a lot.

Originally Posted by look 171

I like to see a wider island (maybe longer?)so it makes a more powerful statement and user friendly, a place to hang out and snack.

The missus will probably want an island, maybe fixed (I think mobile would be better)

Originally Posted by dad911

Is that a pantry right of the range? Willing to lose it?

Ceiling height?

yes
pantry, fridge, range.
I'm pretty sure they are 8' standard ceilings.

This is the view out of the back as it currently sits with the current owner's stuff.