Kitchen redo
Comments (24)
orec3
6 years ago
PROBeth H. :
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agowhat a nice kitchen area! If you want that white on white look, will you be replacing the floors and splash, in addition to the countertop?
what about the shutters? although beautiful, they seem a bit large and 'in the way' over the kitchen sink. If you remove those and let in some light, would that help?
I like the idea of painting the cabs and leaving the island wood. (or vice versa)
to get these painted by a cabinet pro, you're looking in the 5K or more range. Is that doable?
Have you considered adding hardware to your cabs? if you will be painting, these will be a must to keep the painted surface clear from your fingers.
here is a layout similar to yours.
If you did everything white, perhaps doing a walnut topped island would bring in some depth amidst the all white.
all white:
and example of leaving the island in wood:
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Total kitchen renovation
Comments (15)Bud and Rhoda, the renovation took a total of 14 months, especially because of some technical difficulties. The house is in a conservation area and, trust me, the Brits are so bloody strict when it comes to their rules, it's scary. You need all sorts of permits or permissions for almost everything to do with the exterior. Access to the back of the house is through a narrow lane; they couldn't bring heavy machinery or even a little excavator because after putting up scaffolding it would simply not fit. We wanted a second basement room and it had to be done manually - lots of guys with spades and wheelbarrows; it looked rather 18th century in execution. We took down and rebuilt the garden stone wall for the glass crane. Even delivering the metal beams for the extension was a challenge, as well as pouring the screed (cement) in the kitchen and basement (it had to be done through a 12 meter hose through the front door). I am somehow ashamed and proud to say we didn't have an architect or a designer, we only had the contractor (an experienced builder who had lots of contacts). Ashamed, because I value the competency, skill and experience that comes with a professional; proud - because I know we've done a great job anyway. We took a great risk considering the price of the renovation (some 6 times an average annual salary in Britain). We actually wanted an architect when we started, it's just that from the few we've seen, we didn't seem to click and decided to go ahead without one. I would never do it again without an architect - if someone would ask me at what height I want the plugs in the guest bedroom once more, I would maim them! I think that out of all, there are only two things that I'm sure would've been better placed if we'd have had an architect (the main electrical switch and the underfloor heating access valves - both ended up in my office room). We were lucky that all the companies we approached had their own architect, engineer or designer and we made good use of them! To conclude, I don't know how different the standards are in the US comparing to the UK; this was a complete house renovation project, subject to lots of restrictions and technical challenges; I'm sure they do it differently when they build a new neighbourhood (!?!). When I'd get a bit of free time, I'm going to do another before and after -of the main bathroom this time, with some construction photos too. Also see this ideabook: http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/5800709/thumbs/finished-house...See Morere-doing the living room
Comments (1)Hi Aisha. Do you have a floor plan with measurements and doors etc? It's quite difficult to tell from the photos how the room could be laid out...See MorePlacement of kitchen/dining TV
Comments (2)Hi. You could try a bracket like this from Richer Sounds which will give you a good degree of flexibility. I can't see how pos 1 would work. 2 looks good but may be a bit of an odd place to put a TV if the lounge area is the main place you watch TV. 3 would be fine; everyone expects a TV to be somewhere and a bracket like the one above may allow you to see the TV from the kitchen without it getting in the way. Good luck....See MoreRelationship with Architect
Comments (7)Thank you all for taking the time to provide the comments. I wanted to take the time to read and consider before responding further. And all very valid points. 1. When we met with our now architects and others we considered, our brief strongly emphasised the need to meet the budget and solutions/plans/layout to meet our current lifestyle as a family. 2. Interior design was a bonus as the now architects differentiated themselves as a firm that offered both services and the fee/package reflected and included for both. 3. In terms of 3D rendering, it is indeed our lack of experience resulting us believing all firms provide the same output -ie drawings, models etc etc etc, which we now understand is not the case, but OK. 4. Taking matters in our own hands - there were many attempts at stage 1 and 2 when we flagged to them about the costs/budget not being met from what has been proposed. We were told, wait for the cost analysis. We did. The cost analysis came back at double the budget. We were told, wait, they would strip out the furnishes from the cost analysis and a separate FFE schedule would show the breakdown between the build and the fixtures and furnishings. We did. The FFE schedule came back even higher after the architects provided the details of the furnishes they proposed. Again, we flagged not just from a cost perspective but also the colour palette/scheme was not to the initial mood imagery they had provided and the materials were not practical for us as a family. Another example - we went to the supplier for the carpet they had proposed to have a look in person. The supplier said to us straight away he would not have recommended that carpet to anyone who has a pet and/or kids. And immediately said the product is popular from an aesthetic point but for us, it would not be practical at all and we would regret it. We have also flagged this to the architects, ie the proposed items require some level of functionality and practicality to suit this particular client ie us, a young family. 5. Changing the kitchen layout - we did everything we could to avoid changing the layout therefore we spoke to the gas engineers at the recommendation of the architects. In fact we feel that now having changed the layout, we ourselves have compromised on what we really wanted ie the first design we had selected. We were effectively told by the gas engineers that the layout was never going to work unless we did not have a boiler in the kitchen OR we end up with a floor boiler, which was pointless, as it was more expensive and wouldn't give us a better flow rate as it was the mains rather than the boiler that would affect in our case. And people who go the floor boiler mainly do us to achieve better flow rate or capacity. Whereas if we ended up with a floor boiler, it would purely be to force the layout to achieve. Plus, it defeats us moving the washing machine out of the kitchen to another room in the first place if we end up with a floor boiler. And finally, not only ending up with a floor boiler in order to make the original layout work, we would also have ended up with a stove at the kitchen island (initial design was a sink), which was also all along we told the architects, not something we would at all consider due to a young child. So therefore, the proposed solutions in order to keep to the original layout would not suit us. 6. Maybe we are asking for too much but we gave an itemised brief to the now and all the architects we initially met with as to what we wanted to cover for each and every part of the space. We have constantly referred back to the brief to ask what about this? has this been factored in? what about that? 7. In all our correspondences, we have taken care to explain where we are coming from and use a collaborative tone. The only one time when we really pushed back was on the kitchen layout and expressing our disappointment that we had to end up changing the kitchen layout because the boiler placement was not given due consideration prior to coming up with the layout. 8. Finally, of course we have lost some faith in the architects but we are all about moving forward and wanting to maintain their engagement and commitment to the project to the end which we are finding tricky. For instance, the hard part in getting them to see that us proposing alternatives or not wanting to go with the proposed furnishes for e.g. is not dissing their taste but is us thinking the big picture of getting the project done aligned to the budget and scope (again, suitable for a family). In ANY type of project management, budgeting is an integral aspect we would have thought? We were told "we don't project manage" by the architects which is also why we are now spending our time to do this ourselves and having paid for services which we feel have not been met (like selling meat to a vegan)....See More
PROThe Proposed Plan
6 years agoReplacing the countertop and backsplash in lighter color would help. How about painting/replacing the island cabinets in cream tone?
User
6 years ago- PRO
Beth H. :
6 years agodo you HAVE to have something on the windows or can you leave bare?
if not, you could do minimal type of blinds
don't worry about backsplash until the counters are in. are you leaving the flooring?
User
6 years ago
mnmamax3
6 years agoI don't know what your budget is, but if you like the overall wood color (I think the cabinets are really pretty) then I would start with the simple things others have already mentioned: the lighting, a lighter backsplash, painting the trim around the shutters (and/or remove the shutters), and try a light complimentary granite on the island top only. Something like Alaska White could bring in the creamy/white but avoid the expense/hassle of painting those pretty cabinets.
Kim
6 years agoUser
6 years ago
Janie Gibbs-BRING SOPHIE BACK
6 years ago
PROScorziell Development, Inc.
6 years agoWhite would go with your inspiration photo and Simply White would be a safe choice. If you are keeping your floor, I would not use a white marble or quartz. A light quartz with a little movement would be nice. I think that Quartz Rondi found at Arizona Tile would be light but have a little warmth to allow you to keep your floor and even the backsplash, if you can get out your granite and save it. Here is a photo of one of my kitchens with Rondi and off white.
jhmarie
6 years ago- PRO
Beth H. :
6 years ago 
PROMilano Doors
6 years ago
PROGlideRite Hardware
6 years agoBri Bosh
6 years agoUpdating the counters and backsplash and adding undercab lights will go a long way. Don't paint the wood yet. If it helps her is our before and after.
PROPassionate Home
6 years ago
Sandy Lynn
6 years ago
PROMichelle Yorke Interior Design LLC
6 years agoWe actually love your kitchen and think you could update it nicely but getting new lighting, a lighter backsplash, and countertops. That is, if you didn't want to update the entire kitchen.
PROSusan Jablon Mosaics
6 years agoMatt Man
6 years ago
PROKitchen Ideas, LLC
6 years agoIf you are set on painting your existing cabinets white, I would suggest doing the island a different color. You could leave it as is, or do a darker stain to them to better contrast the updated white perimeter cabinets.
We did something similar to our clients kitchen below.
I also like the idea of removing the shutters from the window and hanging some blinds similar to these.
Additionally, an update to a lighter countertop throughout would be a good idea.
acm
6 years agolast modified: 6 years agoI'd consider painting the cabinets and keeping the stone and backsplash, which work well with the stone. You could do the reverse, but you might end up still wanting lighter cabinets, and then you're really paying for everything. If you paint first, you can always catch your breath and do stone later.
Doug Walter Architect