Go Buy Some Graph Paper!- This goes for ALL of you!

Today I will interject in olive green :)

Hi Christine!

I'm ready to tackle the biggest design challenge in my house --my kitchen. I need some serious help!! My kitchen area is 12X14 and has no island. Does 12 x 14 include the eating area? Did you start measuring from the wall or the cabinet? A note to all- I can give the best advice when a floorplan is attached :) I thought about adding an island but that would mean changing our dining table to give us the space we need. I am not sure an island in this kitchen would be a viable option so I am looking for your help. Draw yourself a floorplan. Get some graph paper- draw in your cabinets. Make a little cardstock island and some cardstock furniture. Have everything to scale. Include your windows and your doors. We plan on staying in this house for at least 5 years so I want to think about this from a selling perspective as well. I don't want to customize the kitchen just for us and then be stuck with a house hard to sell. If you do a good job- it will only help. If you take the time to plan it out on paper- it will be great- you will know it will be fantastic before you purchase anything. Would you add an island and change the dining table option? You need at least 3' on all sides of an island. I can't answer this so well without your actual footprint. You need a minimum of 2 1/2 (very minimum) around your table to get chairs in and out. I was thinking of a rectangular table with a bench style to provide more room in the kitchen. You will still need 2 1/2 feet with a bench. My concern is that it would literally be shoved in the corner of the kitchen and perhaps be uninviting. If it requires shoving in the corner- I would say that it is not worth it. Our current table is round and softens the corner of my kitchen. Here is the style of the rectangular table: I like it a lot- beautiful look!This is the kind of island I would want:What are your thoughts about how I should move forward? Leave things alone or get a new dining table so I can get an island? I will send you pics of the kitchen so you can get a sense of the style... Buy some graph paper before you buy anything :) My gut tells me that the island is not going to fit. :( But I still think you should get the Ballard Designs table. ;)

Thanks!

Rose