Here's ours, which still is not used as a desk, although we're getting closer now that the construction tools aren't here as much. I never thought it should be desk height, but DH did and he won. We have the swiveling t.v. over it so if HE wanted to, he could look at it from chair I think. We still have to decide on an appropriate chair. Currently we have a wastebasket and dog bowls under it. Cute, yes? Items jump from that lower surface to the upper one constantly. I had hoped that it would be a barrier, but it's not. In my thinking, we might as well have had entire surface flat. Cork board between cabinet and desk is now used less decoratively. It's a working message center. That's where calendar hangs, thank-you notes and such are posted and oddball coupons get put. Although there's a "pencil drawer" we keep a pencil mug on the desk. Cabinet above desk is 16 inches deep--allows notebooks for financial statements, phone books, etc. Top shelf is unrelated storage of party gear. A permanently mounted power strip at front of bottom shelf of this cab allows DH to put chargers in here and let cord dangle down so that the device is seen and not forgotten once it is charged. He can turn off power to all chargers with one switch. Lobby is to left of desk. I'm trying to put "things going elsewhere" into the shelves in the closet in lobby instead of on desk--lib. books, stuff for Mom's sr. residence, things going to friends, etc. Otherwise, they accumulate on desk. But that's fine with me--better there than in the rest of the kitchen where they used to cluster, esp on top of refrig. because that was by front door. Because the peninsula is right there next to the desk, I would rather spread out on that to do any work with pencil and paper, but then, I'm a person who needs special glasses to focus on arm's length stuff, so I suppose that little desk just looks like too much work--easier to stand and write at peninsula with my multifocus lenses and squint. I clear pencils and paper and calendar and address book off the peninsula at least twice a day and plunk them back on HIS desk. Computer will never be used at desk, I'm sure. (It moves between peninsula and dining table all the time.) Telephone holder lives on desk, at least for now. I'm hoping to get it wired into a place on wall closer to dining room, but until then, it's here. This cordless phone is another thing that hides throughout the kitchen and has to be put away on desk when I spy it. One benefit of this space: For parties, we can clean off the desk and bulletin board, put up a sign or something decorative like this framed piece, then put beverages here. Keeps traffic out of kitchen. Remember--this is Formica, so it's not going to mind.

nellie820 Thanks! I am still working on my kitchen so I haven't posted yet. We still need to paint (any suggestions on colors is very welcome--I have 10 different swatches hanging in my kitchen right now!), change outlets (they are almond now so need to change to white), counter stools, accessories, new kitchen table and chairs and a banquette. I have posted a few pics lately asking for help with paint... but I still have a few months left before I post the finished project. If there area any other areas or angles you want to see just let me know:o). honey333-- I measured from the cabinet bases. From the cab base to the end of the drawer is just shy of 7/8". From the end of the cab base to the end of the drawer pull is: 1 5/8". It really doesn't seem like it is too much of an overhang I think because of the cab pulls. The only thing I may have done differently--but I am really nitpicking here--is on the island. On the cab side as I told you the overhang is 2". On the counter stool side, there is only a 1 1/4" overhang from the end of the apron. I don't notice it at all when in the kitchen but when I look at pics I notice the difference. I might have done a 2" OH on the counter stool side too just for symmetry sake (now my geeky science and math side is coming out:o)). Hope this helps and let me know if you have any other questions.

Hiyall - I'm a little trigger shy about posting pictures; I did some as quickly as I'm about to post these a week ago or so and, um, it didn't go over well. We're still moving in. And constructing, too. This is not intended for show-off purposes! I actually took down a plastic calendar thingy I had magneted to the side of the fridge. Definitely inelegant but life is very chaotic, and, well, I have kids and - whatever ... please don't complain about the messiness or that we're still in construction, etc. It makes me feel really badly that I'm not a neater person! I'm OK living with it myself, but I hate how it isn't the way others are... So here's an overview: You can see that it's a deep 30" to match the fridge. The the counter to its right goes back to 24" because I wanted a corner lazy susan and that turns the corner into a deep bay window so pulling it all out to, say, 27" was going to make for a cleaning-problem (maybe; I'm not so sure in retrospect but that was the reasonsing). Also, I balanced the jog visually by placing another at the other end of this cleanup area by pulling the right-angled range-run back out to 27" after the sink. If you click on my photo you'll go to my photobucket where the plans are nestled way back in the beginning somewhere. I imagine the last of the plans posted is pretty close to what wound up happening (haven't looked back there in a while!) And here's a closeup in better light; not sure it adds much beyond the above pic though -- except notice that the KD added a 1" spacer between low and tall cabs so the countertop could die into something. I sure wouldn't have thought of that! She earned her commission right there I think): That bread's about to be turned into french toast, another long-missed family fav that I'm going to have to cut this short to attend to. BTW, it's really yummy, IMO, bread from costco -organic sliced -- I love this stuff but haven't french-toastified it ever. Back to the subject: re step-up boards. Personally, I'd be a little worried about the extra weight that would be brought to bear from, say, kneading on one of those things. I'd say the clllog route might be cheaper, safer, wiser. I have a large drawer with a lot of weight that really isn't faring too well even with the heavy-duty slides. It's possible there are more heavy-duty slides available still. But how are you going to lock the drawer so it doesn't slide with you if applying pressure? Also, remember it's expensive to put in another drawer; maybe OK with you but given the other concerns, well, I'd think twice. I agree it's totally groovy, but I'd worry about the safety - kids concern me too. Also, we're kinda messy around here (didja get that part?) and I'd worry it would be sticking out and someone would trip. Dunno, the worrier in me would find too many concerns. Plus, again, balanced against how wonderful it's turned out to be having the lower counter, and perhaps its location is part of the utility, with all that, I'd go for the lowered counter. =0.02 I'm getting yelled-at to hurry up big-time! BTW, it's a really nice height for just plopping your butt during unexpected I-know-you're-busy-which-is-why-I'm-taking-this-exact-moment-to-spill-the-beans-and-I'll-never-forgive-you-if-you-don't-drop-everything-to-pay-attention-to-me-teenager-moments.

Thanks for all the information! calumin -- I don't have a lot of space behind the seating (42" aisle) so would prefer the saddle seat stools (no back) to allow for more room. I think my kids will be the only ones using the seating anyway. The stools I picked have nice padding. Ben1980 - thanks -- I originally wanted a 12" overhang, but didn't account for the doors on the pantry taking up space, so decided to go with an 11" overhang to maintain my planned 42" aisle. Although they're not needed, I do have corbels for decorative purposes (and will offer support as well).