Getting ready for kitchen remodel and would like your opinions

11 years ago

OK, We got the draft from contractor. I have a lot of faith in him but also would like your opinions just in case we or he are missing something. There are pictures of my kitchen as t looks now on other posts if you want to compare to these renderings. It's a once in a lifetime remodel and just want to make it right. Thanks to you all.

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charleee

11 years ago

I think it's very well thought out, you have counter space on both sides of the stove which I find invaluable. My only critique would be the choppy line of the upper cabinets, windows and stove hood. Maybe I'm boring but I would like an uninterupted line all the way across the top, which would mean either reducing the size of the upper cabinets or increasing the height of the windows. Another way would be to add your window treatments at the same height as the upper cabinets. Maybe add a bench seat under the window next to the dishwasher? It does look very nice, tho, congratulations!

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Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you Bobbi. I agree with you and he didn't put in on the picture but we are going with a would hood that will have a slight arch. We will bring that design over above the window to join the two cabinets. There will also be crown molding on top of cabinets and bottom molding on the upper cabinets to hide the under counter lights.
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Boy, it sure looks like the refrigerator doors open on the wrong side--can you get the developer to swap it out or change the door swing?--must be a mistake. I would find that really annoying, especially in such a small workspace. I really see a movable island parallel to the cabinets in this space with storage underneath and maybe a hanging pot rack with lights and maybe some shelving above, possibly with some stools for casual dining. Do you have room for something like that? A freestanding stainless metal full- or counter-height shelf on casters adjacent to the sink could be really helpful. You could put some simple white dishpans or bins on it as a temporary holding place for dirty dishes while you are cooking, and use the rest for overflow for big pots or pantry items. The L counter with the curved sink might be a little awkward, but sure beats not having some usable counter space. If that is all you are adding, then perhaps a cart with a shelf that flips up for extra prep or dining space would work for you. I would pay the money to get decent lighting. I think I see a thin range hood over the cooktop. If this is European, there should be wiring and a plug for the range hood, so I wouldn't think it would be too expensive to run some wire for lights Doesn't the range hood already have lights. BTW?
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charleee
11 years ago
Excellent! Beautiful cabinets, I have to admit I'm a bit jealous!
Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
Also, the hood won't be this slanted one. More straight like this http://houzz.com/photos/109676
charleee
11 years ago
Wow! I like that one much better, it looks more custom instead of just stock!
Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, I like it too! Also putting paneling on front of dishwasher.

I bet you have a beautiful home. You have such great ideas. :-)
charleee
11 years ago
Thanks for the compliment, all I can say is I'm working on it! Yes! Paneling on the dishwasher front is perfect to keep the cabinet flow consistant. And you have great natural light, which is a premium. Lots of people would love to have half as much. My only kitchen window looks out onto my elderly neighbor's trash cans so I ended up putting up a decorative window film, now the "view" is much better!
michigammemom
11 years ago
I would suggest that you rethink the location of the microwave. I find the placement too low; requiring you to stoop or kneel to retrieve food or clean the interior.
feeny
11 years ago
I don't suppose you could afford (space-wise) to get rid of the two solo upper cabinets flanking the sink? It would be so aesthetically pleasing to have that whole wall focused on one flat plane emphasizing your beautiful windows, uninterrupted by cabinets sticking out. But I suspect that just isn't practical.
Agree with Michigammemom that the low microwave placement is awkward, unless you are planning a microwave drawer. I suspect this may be the case, and the computer-generated plan just isn't showing it.
Teresa Fell
11 years ago
Seems very narrow by the door. Where does it lead to and does it open in or out? Would you be willing to give up some windows for more upper cabinets close to the dishwasher for things like dishes and glassware for ease putting things away?
PRO
Brickwood Builders, Inc.
11 years ago
I would be a tad concerned about the measurements up to the doors, it is pretty tight. I would also remove the wall cabinet flanking the sink - they detract from the look of the room. If you keep them, narrow them a bit and put glass in the doors. On the island just across from the sink, you might want to make that a bank of oversized drawers for dishes to replace the space you would lose in the wall cabinets that I suggest to be removed.
Angela Kull
11 years ago
I totally agree with Deborah about the upper cabinets.
lesliemahler
11 years ago
Ditto with Deborah and Angela. I am currently building a new home that has a kitchen with no uppers. I'm relying on the island and a nearby pantry to make up the difference. Good luck with your beautiful kitchen.
PRO
Linda
11 years ago
I'm with the crowd on nixing those two uppers by the sink. Perhaps a display shelf or some art on the wall would look nice. I can understand the microwave location, as it looks much nicer than sitting on the countertop. Especially if you have kids, better to have it below counter than overhead. If you drop or spill something getting it out, much better to do it onto the floor than to drop it all over yourself or someone standing next to you
PRO
Granite Transformations
11 years ago
Hi Mary,

Would you be able to get rid of the window in the corner, above the microwave? I think removing that window and installing two modest sized wall cabinets would be the best decision, aesthetically, for this kitchen. I'm with the crowd who'd like to see the wall cabinets by the sink removed. I also think the wall cabinets near the range hood are unappealing too.

I really like the rest of the layout though. I didn't see it posted above, but are you going with a country white, distressed white or off white for the cabinets? Plain white might be a bit much with all the great natural lighting that you have in your kitchen.

I'd also suggest considering a dark wood finish for the island. I think the contrast between floor and wall cabinets to the island works to give kitchens a rich and dramatic finish. That's preference though.

Good luck with your remodel, I think it's going to turn out fantastic. Just curious, what color granite are you going with? I think a tan brown or nero galaxy would be really nice. You can see some of our colors here if you'd like- http://www.granitetransformations.com/southjersey/products/granite-countertops/

Thanks for sharing, and good luck!
Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
Hi All, The door leads into the garage so unfortunately it is something we can't move. There's another door on the other side of the refrigerator that lead into formal dining area and again needs to stay as I use this as my office and need to be able to get to kitchen quickly. :-) The original suggestion from our contractor was to close in the corner windows. My DH nixed that. However, I have just covered up the window on the stove side and will see what he thinks about doing away with that one, adding cabinets and removing the upper cabinets from the other wall where sink is and putting windows across. Not sure he will go for that.

We will be picking out the granite counter top tomorrow as we will get a sample of the cabinets today to match. It will be earthy tones that I know. Browns. I will look up nero galaxy. Thank you for the link. We also will be picking out the tile for the floor. I'm over the paver thing by 10 years now.

Still thinking what we want to put on the island top. Matching Granite or Butcher Block...

Again, Thanks to all of you!!
charleee
11 years ago
Have fun with it!
trelbob
11 years ago
The garage door banging against those cupboards when people come in, is a little concerning. Can't those cupboards be moved to the blank wall shown in the picture with the island? Just seems too congested coming in the door.
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Granite Transformations
11 years ago
Butcher Block for the island would be beautiful!
charleee
11 years ago
Mary, you've got a lot of good advice here, but please remember YOU are the one who has to cook in the kitchen and probably live with it for a long time to come! Whatever you decide, make sure it makes you happy!
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Kiyohara Moffitt
11 years ago
The sink is a bit of a ways from the stove. You might want to have a pot filler over the stove.
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Laurie E. Friedman, AIA Architect, LEED AP
11 years ago
I think that you may later regret having the two corner windows instead of the extra storage that upper cabinets would provide. A continuous line of upper cabinets will also look a lot better. If you truly love the corner windows (and they may look very good on the exterior if your house tends toward the modern, I would consider placing the sink in the corner, then adding the dishwasher somewhere near where the proposed sink in located. I would then replace the window above the currently proposed sink with additional upper cabinets. Good luck!
PRO
Laurie E. Friedman, AIA Architect, LEED AP
11 years ago
Oh, and one more thing: you may want to consider placing the microwave oven in the island, perhaps even facing the refrigerator. I have that arrangement in my kitchen and it functions extremely well!
Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
Yes, your right trelbob. The garage door banging into the cabinets is not fun. We have got used to it and I'm always careful when I open the one door just in case someone walks in. Without doing a major remodel and knocking out a few walls we are pretty much stuck with it. I'm planning on putting things I don't use on a regular basis in that cabinet.

The microwave will be a microwave drawer which I find a great invention. Being short it was always a pain to lift out a bowl to stir and put back, etc. We only use if for warming up small things so it should work perfectly. We originally looked at putting it exactly where you suggested Laurie but then decided that is kind of a main walk thru because of the darn garage door so it made more sense to put it near the oven.

I hear you on the corner windows but since DH is "doing this for me" He is perfectly happy with chipped cabinets and broken hinges.. and since he loves the corner windows I want him to love the kitchen too. Also, we actually use the one on the side where the sink/dishwasher is as a pass thru as our BBQ is right out that window. So I or he can prep and pass thru. It works great!
Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
Granite transformations we are going with a creamy white with a light chocolate glaze.
Sarah
11 years ago
last modified: 11 years ago
All your windows must add a nice amount of natural light- it'd be a shame to close any up. But removing the cabinets all together or at the very least narrowing and changing their doors to glass front could be nice. Perhaps if you don't need the extra cabinet space as you come in through the garage you could remove those cabinets and put some coat hooks- a mini mudroom.
PRO
Paradise Restored Landscaping & Exterior Design
11 years ago
Do agree with KM - the sink is pretty far from refrigerator and island in way of quick trip when forget to grab something - - - 2nd faucet/sink a thought?
Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
Granite Transformations, We are looking at a granite for counter tops called Golden Sand and then for the floor looking to do a travertine with a Versailles pattern. The flooring will pretty much go thru all of our house with the exceptions of bedrooms. Not sure what we are going to go with on the backsplash.
Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
So question, if we decide not to go with the two upper cabinets flanking the sink, would you suggest keeping the same spacing in-between the windows or going bigger with the window above the sink. Since this is the only window we are adding it is the only one we can change if needed. Thanks! Construction started today. Demo of kitchen almost done. We decided on sierra bordeaux for the counter tops and island top. Leaning towards a brown stain on the island and cream colored cabinets with a chocolate glaze. I'm attaching a picture of the granite we picked out. Also floor will be tumbled travertine in a versailles pattern.
charleee
11 years ago
I would be hesitant to keep the walls next to the window blank, so I would say either extend the window or add narrow shelves there. Remember, whatever you decide, you're going to have to climb on the kitchen counter to clean the windows. Or hire someone else to do it!
Mary Grant Justin
Original Author
11 years ago
LOL, Olldbob. You are right about the cleaning windows. We have A LOT of windows. I'm attaching more photos. This is just on the other side of the kitchen. Luckily right now my husband cleans the windows but I'm sure there will come a time that it will become too much.
charleee
11 years ago
Wow! I love your floor tile, your ceiling and your entertainment center. Also your backyard! My "grass" is all dead (my fault!) so hopefully in the spring we'll do sod or something.

I'm almost done with my dining room, everything is where I want it to be so after Thanksgiving I will take it all apart to paint it. Living room is just about done, still have to sew the curtain panels and polish the hardwoods which are in really bad shape thanks to the previous owner and her SIX HUGE DOGS!

Ah, time and money, time and money.....
Jennifer Elliott
9 years ago
Lovely, but I'd get rid of the individual upper cabinets altogether if possible. You've already got a lot going on up top with windows and exhaust hood.
Julie McCuiston
9 years ago
I am probably wayyyyy toooooo late but I just renovated my latest kitchen this past year. I love how it turned out but I curse the lower microwave drawer. It is a giant PITA to clean!

Getting ready for kitchen remodel and would like your opinions

charleee

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Mary Grant Justin
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