Transitional Island Kitchen

The project

The original island sat 52 inches from the range — too far to pivot, close enough to crowd. We shifted it to a 42-inch aisle, put the trash pull-out and prep sink on the cook's side, and moved the microwave and coffee setup to a back-wall beverage station so morning traffic never enters the work zone.

Three-layer lighting — recessed ambient, under-cabinet task, and island pendants on separate dimmers — because a kitchen that only has can lights is a kitchen you cook in your own shadow.

Scope highlights

• —Island relocated for a 42" working aisle
• —Beverage station with pocket doors, out of the work triangle
• —Quartz counters, ceramic-glazed backsplash to ceiling
• —Three-layer lighting on separate dimmers