Schweigen put out 2 designs that are flush to the ceiling. They run about $7,000+. The 4 panel one is 2M wide and other other one is 1300. I like the fact that it would leave the space entirely open and you could create the WOW with something else that would be seen from the entrance.

Different strokes for different folks, as they say. We have a butlers pantry, smallish, with a sink in it. The pantry has become effectively a walk-in pantry, with storage, a wine fridge and the toaster and microwave. It's very useful, but we almost never use the sink because there isn't enough practical counterspace and because, well, who wants to do dishes in a closet? We also have an island, with a single basin sink in it, and of course the dishwasher. That's where we do prep, and it works just fine for us. We can watch TV while pealing spuds or washing those dishes that don't go into the dishwasher. Even with the sink, there's still plenty of prep space, and we have a good work triangle between sink, oven on the wall directly behind it, and fridge, oven and pantry on the end wall. In practical terms, the arrangement works for us. When we entertain, we clean up and load the dishwasher as we go, dump the pots and pans in the butler's pantry, wipe off the bench, and we're good to go. And since it's only a single basin undermount sink, the look is clean enough for us.

Hi Lil, I believe your original plan works much better than the revised version. While the notion of ideal working widths is great, the larger problem here is the post. I worked on a project very similar to this last year where a post could either be connect to, or separate from the island. What we found was that by separating the island the space between island and post became very awkward. It's not enough of a space to comfortably walk through or be seated at the island in front of. Instead of your room feeling open and generous in proportion, it is going to start to feel cramped and awkward. We have a kitchen in our showroom (Kitchen Studio Tauranga NZ) with a 6ft gap between bench and back wall and it works wonderfully. It allows someone to work at the sink and a second at the island with ease. Stick with the original plan. It will feel a lot more spacious, without compromising work flows.

Marking up the pic is beyond my ability on the phone but you can use the downlight near the sink in the Butlers as a guide. Where it finishes on the edge of the bench means the light will be between you and the task in front of you. One good thing about downlights is they give you a good clear light for tasks. Essential for when you may be using a sharp knife or lifting something hot. And my vote for the island sink is down one end. If the budget allows pop a powerpoint in your broom cupboard for dustbuster etc., and consider one also in the powder room, and make sure there is one in reach to cover vacuuming the hall.