I need help... I'm in the midst of building a home .

[Ecumenist]

The kitchen is where I'm stuck. It's going to be a formal kitchen which is has a strong mediterranean overtone. It's a very large eat in kitchen. I've chosen maple cabinets in a medium glaze that is sort of a cognac tone. All of the appliances are stainless steel.

Flooring will be a complimentary lovely laminate. I love the look of hardwood flooring but not the upkeep and the wear and tear on my feet. The countertops will black galaxy granite and absolute black granite. So, you might ask, what is my problem?

Well, here goes: The cooktop I've chosen is a 42 inch downdraft Jennair and I want to install it into a kitchen island along with a small prep sink BUT... I cannot find a island large enough. I've found them long enough BUT not wide enough. The ones I've found that are long enough but again, they aren't wide enough and they seem to be two spartan appearing, (picture Shaker or Arts and Crafts).

I was speaking to a representative who suggested that they could me a custom look by using their stock cabinets, trim, panels, corbels, appliques and feet of my choice, of course to get a island that I can then have finished as I prefer and topped off with the granite that could accommodate my oversize cooktop.

The question I have is if anyone has ever heard of this solution or if anyone has another suggestion. I'm guess I'm just overwhelmed a this point and absolutely refuse to pay top dollar for something that I'm not happy with. I would like to have the island finished in a dark finish with a coordinating granite top. I suppose the thing I'm trying to say is---HELP!!!

:shrug:

[Kingshakabobo]

1. That's the solution that came to mind as I read your post.

It doesn't make any sense to spend a brazillion dollars on a custom cabinet when you can use stock cabinets - placed back to back - ......along with the appliques, side panels and legs/feet etc.

I love the look of different finishes on the island.

It sounds like you have a handle on the situation.

Btw, Pictures!.......We demand pictures!!!!!!!!!

[Stinky The Clown]

2. Your notion is spot on .... make the island out of stock compnents

No way you need to have an island custom made. If your cooktop is bigger than the base cabinet, you just cut the adjacent cabinets to accommodate.

Any competent kitchen guy can do this and, in fact, does it every day.

[Warpy]

3. That's certainly what I thought about when I read the post

Stock cabinets with add ons to increase the depth. I've also seen stock cabinets used back to back in a trophy kitchen, with doors and storage on each side.

It all depends whether you want a bar or maximum storage.

[Longhorn]

4. My husband, who has 30-plus years of cabinet-building experience,

says that you should get a custom piece built -- it will probably cost about the same as the stock cabinet solution but you will get exactly what you want. He said go to a reputable cabinet shop and at least get a price before you decide.

[NMDemDist2]

5. my home in Galt that we built had cabinets put together front

to back, I got great extra storage and I had them hang a longer top over the back edge to allow barstools on the opposite side of the cooktop. it worked great, people would be hanging out on the back of the island out of my work 'triangle' but still keeping me company.

i did have the cabinet shop do it, so I can't really say if they were 'stock' or not but it was sure worth it....

[Longhorn]

6. My husband said even custom cabinets are often built that way.

The bottom line is that it was exactly what you wanted! :)