It's for the separation of clean-up activities from food preparation. Why would you want to rinse your lettuce or any other fresh food in a sink full of dirty pots? It's the result of zoning the kitchen into areas for specific tasks. Rinsing plates and pots, clean-up, the dishwasher, garbage, and recycling can go into one zone, with a sink for that purpose and preparation such as washing vegetables, peeling, chopping and compost collection can be in another area, with a sink for that purpose and the conflicts between the two are reduced.

[houzz=] Here is another that uses the corner well. This also will help offset the lack of symmetry on the range wall as well. Your cabinet maker would need to work out all the measurements. The base drawers to the right of the range may need to be reduced in size to be the same as the ones on the left, which will also help balance the wall. This tall unit to the left of the range will help to balance the large pantry on the right. Where the below picture does not show it, you would have room to place a small matching wall cabinet to the left of the corner tower to balance and to balance out the space between the window. Then you can still have some type of unit to the left of the sink with the appliance garage, but it would not need to be quite as wide and would give some space next to the sink. Look at this more and see what you think. There are some very unique features to your plan. A very high level of customization and much thought has gone into it. It is going to be beautiful. Would love to see the final plan and pictures of the final product. Let me know if you want us to look further.

Catherine the panel blinds could be your solution. They are available in sheers, patterned, mixed etc and operate on a track system. It's an update of the verticals that a lot of homes have. If you have Ikea in NZ you could sus them out there.

I am planning to change the island to a two-tiered one - something like this maybe? https://www.houzz.co.nz/photos/highgate-kitchen-phvw-vp~16177662 and reducing the space between island and cabinets to 1200mm (therefore increasing the depth of the island). Any ideas on how to make make the best of this space? FYI - we have a great view out the ocean on the right, so have designed a breakfast bar by the window. Thanks!