Sounds like a dream combo! Make sure the kitchen side has a stainless‑steel or food‑grade surface that’s easy to wipe down—no splintery wood where tiny crumbs could hide. Keep the woodwork area a few feet away, maybe on a raised shelf so you’re never walking in the same space you’re chopping. Add a pull‑out cutting board that slides under the counter, so you can keep knives out of the way but still have a ready‑to‑use surface. A small splash pad or drip tray near the sink will keep everything neat. And hey, once you’ve got that station set, how about whipping up a quick veggie puree on the spot—think roasted sweet potato with a splash of lemon and a pinch of cumin? That way the bench proves handy both for carving a board and for feeding little explorers. Happy building!