Getting the Most From a Kitchen Island

 Internationally acclaimed kitchen designer Johnny Grey is known for his inspired approaches to configuring timeless kitchens that defy stylistic labels. But they're not just pretty to look at. Every one of them combines the practical layout of an efficient workshop with materials that are suited to their tasks. And the centerpiece in just about every one of these kitchens is an island. This article describes the functional underpinnings of a Johnny Grey island, along with three case histories that present islands of different sizes and functions. A sidebar on where islands go wrong offers another kind of sage advice.