We just moved into our new home and are in the process of designing an espresso/computer etc. work area, with the assistance of my handyman extraordinaire, and hopefully your input.

First let me state that I looked at every picture on the "Post a pic" thread on this board but didn't find anything that even faintly resembled what we'd like to do.

The photos below show the area that I'm going to locate everything and what my current setup looks like:





What we're thinking of doing is putting in two pieces. The first one would match the layout of the end of the kitchen countertop, the first two bays to the left and be very close to being flush to the wall/windows. The front of that table would be straight and completely open underneath; so I can scoot from one side of that area to the other while comfortably ensconced in my chair.

The second piece would be close to being flush to the bay/sliding window to the right but have 2 shelves and a 30" wide drawer to the far right. I'm thinking of putting in 2 rows of the smaller sections in that drawer, as illustrated on the right hand side of the photo below, and 3 rows of the larger storage sections, on the left hand side of the photo. The balance of the drawer would be completely open.



We're going to have our kitchen countertops, backsplash, sink etc. remodeled, as illustrated in the two photos below:





We're thinking of doing the tops of both of the new tables in the same material as our new kitchen countertops and having an ~ 4" backsplash added, in the same material as our new kitchen backsplash.

However, before committing to this project I'm looking for your feedback and suggestions.

Thanks in advance,

Keith

If you are re-doing the cabinets, it's a good time to get a dedicated line for your espresso machine and grinders. If you can also swing a plumbing job, a plumbed in system could be used in the future. I'm so happy with my auto-water fill and drain.

Design wise, it's hard to say from pix and words as the spaces are hard to correctly imagine. Download Google's sketchup, and draw up a floor plan and see try different layouts. I used Ikea's CAD program since I was going with their cabinets. Once you have something you like, put blue tape on the floor and imagine walking the space and seeing if you like it.

Mark

Mark, your input and suggestions are really appreciated.

I have a couple of 20 amp lines in the kitchen and I'm going to dedicate one solely for my espresso machine. My grinders are on a dedicated line but they don't need anything over 10 amps.

Due to my being semi-handicapped I'd really like a plumbed in system but my machine is the Mini II, which is non-plumbed. However, if I ever replace that machine it's going to be with a direct plumbed machine; which in retrospect I should have ordered in the first place. Hindsight is always 20x20 eh

Thanks for the tip regarding Google Sketchup! I'm playing around with it but needless to say it's a vast improvement over MS paint. Once I get a couple of plans laid out I'll post them on this thread for a better illustration of what I'm thinking of doing and hopefully I'll be able to refine my layout in the process.

Thanks again,

Keith

The Mini II was a machine was looking at for a while (before I rebuilt my Elektra T1). It's a big benefit having a pour-over machine first. You will really appreciate plumbed in when you get it.

If you are building new cabinets, use standard sizes so that custom parts do not have to be built. It will save you time and $$.

Mark