Most of our meeting on October 1 was spent on the kitchen - while in the kitchen. We started out comparing the pros and cons of two overall schemes. The one at the bottom is similar to the existing conditions, except for the addition for a seating height counter at the bar and a built-in bench. The scheme at the top is the one we preferred. It extends the counter space along the long wall, and adds a island in the center of the kitchen as a central focal and social element. The built-in bench becomes more a necessity than a choice in this scheme due to the more contrained space at the dining area. We agree that the new layout will transform what currently feels like a utilitarian kitchen with awkward flow into a more unified, open and welcoming space.
