On further reflection ...

It looks like the wall-oven concept may not work after all, because all three available 30" gas wall ovens say that they can't be installed under counters (not enough clearance, I guess).

Maybe layout # 1 isn't so bad. Here's a variation: I could put one of those single-drawer dishwashers underneath the sink, and have an extra set of drawers (where the dishwasher is now) for silverware. I was resisting a drawer dishwasher because they're so expensive and you can't fit much in them - but then again apartment-sized 18" dishwashers aren't spacious or cheap either (why do smaller things cost more?) , and I don't mind giving up my undersink cabinet space. If any of you have either an 18" dishwasher or a drawer dishwasher, please chime in on how you like it.

The side panel of the refrigerator, facing the sink, can be faced with wood, maybe tiled. I can put one of those metal bar and hook systems (which I was planning for the backsplash too) on the side of the fridge and hang all kinds of useful things - cutting boards, frying pans, strainers, a paper towel dispenser, etc.

And now for my secret weapon: pop-up counters! I'm not putting cabinets on the left-hand wall of the kitchen, because I don't want to feel like a stewardess when I cook. But there are times when I'll need or want a little more counter space, for staging and cooling cookies and resting hot pots.

I saw this idea in a French design magazine online (which I can't find again, alas) and then I found suitable brackets at Rockler. (I know they're suitable because one of the product reviewers on the Rockler site used them exactly as I want to.)

Imagine two or three panels - about 14" wide and long - sitting almost-flat against the wall opposite the stove and sink. The top edge of the panels would be countertop height. The surface would be granite or ceramic tile, mounted on wood. (Not just plain wood, because I want to be able to use them as hot plates.) When you need a bit of extra counter space, you just slip your fingers under the bottom edge of the panel (they'd be routered, like cabinet doors without handles) and pull up. The panel comes out horizontally like a narrow counter. The brackets lock into place - and can hold 750 lbs, or so the ad copy says. The shelf stays up - to hold whatever you need - until you squeeze the catch on the brackets and fold it back down.

Does that make sense? And the beauty of it is that the extra countertop goes away again. There's no temptation to accumulate clutter on it - the kitchen gets wide again when you're done.

I'll probably put wainscoting below them, to match the cabinets and tie things together visually.