Kitchen updates- two tier angular island
laurenkth
4 years ago
Would welcome your advice! I am in the process of updating our kitchen and here are the plans so far:
- cut bar tier step up to counter height so one flat surface
- put invisible steel support and remove corbels
- replace all counters with Taj Mahal quartzite
- replace backsplash with subway tiles hand made and hand glazed with variations in the color pearl ash
- repaint cabinets and island Benjamin Moore Ballet White. Possibly dark charcoal island.
- swap hardware (top knob Lilly pulls on drawers and egg knobs on cabinets)
The floors are not finished/stained under the island so we are trying to minimize costs by keeping current footprint. (I tore off end panel to confirm) The wall for the step up exceeds the base cabinets in length so the counter is going to be extra long over base cabinets to accommodate. May be 2 1/2” so we’re planning to put a raised end panel to minimize that depth mismatch (one side of island has a end panel but one doesn’t). A massive challenge in this exploit has been finding a slab I like and big enough to have the best match in flow on the island since there will have to be a seam. I’ve gotten varied advice from fabricators on where to put the seam. Today I was told just one seam on left “wing” over the base cabinets. Others had advised over sink. We’re planning to demo granite, have cabinetry person cut the step up and relocate electrical to end, install quartzite countertop, paint, switch hardware. I don’t love the giant hole of space in the middle of the kitchen but it does allow people to all stand in the middle at parties since that’s what people do! Also it gives easy access to walk from fridge to wall oven to sink. A rectangle would require to go around. Should we cut the step up or leave it though?? Seems dated. We’re not planning to put legs or corbels but should we? It’s pretty close to the refrigerator so my designer thought it would feel visually like an obstacle. Also I hate how this was built. The left side is actually in the doorway to garage so you have to walk from that doorway around to get to patio. We haven’t furnished the keeping room yet but this takes precious feet away. I wondered if we could remove the wall altogether and regain 3-4 inches but the wood flooring isn’t stained. Is that a big deal to try to match?
We have recessed lighting above (9 cans). My husband thinks this room is dark. What is your favorite floodlight to buy- lumens, color temp? The keeping room ceiling soars above the left side of the island so we can symmetrically add pendant lighting either. Any ideas?
Thanks for you help!
- cut bar tier step up to counter height so one flat surface
- put invisible steel support and remove corbels
- replace all counters with Taj Mahal quartzite
- replace backsplash with subway tiles hand made and hand glazed with variations in the color pearl ash
- repaint cabinets and island Benjamin Moore Ballet White. Possibly dark charcoal island.
- swap hardware (top knob Lilly pulls on drawers and egg knobs on cabinets)
The floors are not finished/stained under the island so we are trying to minimize costs by keeping current footprint. (I tore off end panel to confirm) The wall for the step up exceeds the base cabinets in length so the counter is going to be extra long over base cabinets to accommodate. May be 2 1/2” so we’re planning to put a raised end panel to minimize that depth mismatch (one side of island has a end panel but one doesn’t). A massive challenge in this exploit has been finding a slab I like and big enough to have the best match in flow on the island since there will have to be a seam. I’ve gotten varied advice from fabricators on where to put the seam. Today I was told just one seam on left “wing” over the base cabinets. Others had advised over sink. We’re planning to demo granite, have cabinetry person cut the step up and relocate electrical to end, install quartzite countertop, paint, switch hardware. I don’t love the giant hole of space in the middle of the kitchen but it does allow people to all stand in the middle at parties since that’s what people do! Also it gives easy access to walk from fridge to wall oven to sink. A rectangle would require to go around. Should we cut the step up or leave it though?? Seems dated. We’re not planning to put legs or corbels but should we? It’s pretty close to the refrigerator so my designer thought it would feel visually like an obstacle. Also I hate how this was built. The left side is actually in the doorway to garage so you have to walk from that doorway around to get to patio. We haven’t furnished the keeping room yet but this takes precious feet away. I wondered if we could remove the wall altogether and regain 3-4 inches but the wood flooring isn’t stained. Is that a big deal to try to match?
We have recessed lighting above (9 cans). My husband thinks this room is dark. What is your favorite floodlight to buy- lumens, color temp? The keeping room ceiling soars above the left side of the island so we can symmetrically add pendant lighting either. Any ideas?
Thanks for you help!
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mama goose_gw zn6OH
4 years agolast modified: 4 years ago
jpp221
4 years agoRelated Discussions
Two-tiered peninsula with vertical shelves on end
Comments (9)For our peninsula, I wanted something more decorative on the dining room side than a row of cabinet doors, but I couldn't find much inspiration. I ended up looking at photos of islands and used some of those ideas to make our peninsula. Jbrodie's island is gorgeous. I like how just the corner is tiered to hide clutter. Also, she made use of the raised part of the tier by putting a tall cabinet there. I bet it stores wine glasses. You could just put a panel that matches your door style on the raised part and have the lower counter-height part be bookshelf. Somehow you have to transition to the higher part of the tier. Here's a neat way of using the end of an island or peninsula. It shows a cubby over a decorative panel....See Moretwo-tiered island--show me the pics!!
Comments (5)mommyto4boys- We entertain often, love how my new kitchen flows..I used to have one VERY large island.. and it didn't work in my old kitchen.. here most people sit/stand behind the 2nd island, or in the nearby seating area.. which gives me room to cook/clean/set up, without others in my way, but close enough to chat. For buffets, we usually use area in butlers pantry for setup. Kids grown, so didn't need/want large seating area at island. Don't want to hijack op tread- here is a link to my finished kitchen blog. Dishwashers are next to main sink on perimeter. Here is a link that might be useful: my finished kitchen blog...See MorePlease critique my unusual two-tiered hillside house plan
Comments (28)One of the problems you'll have to figure out is how to hold up the houses on the hill. Generally, this is done with a foundation / retaining wall. Without knowing the soil type, it would be difficult to figure out how the retaining wall would have to be constructed. Generally, you can think of a retaining wall as being an "L" shape with the horizontal leg of the "L" being on the uphill side so that the weight of the soil holds the vertical portion upright against the soil pushing against the vertical wall section. There can be a 1:1 (or greater) relationship between the vertical and horizontal legs depending upon the soil type, This means that a 12-foot high vertical wall would need at least a 12-foot horizontal section to retain the wall. You have to excavate the hill back, pour the horizontal and vertical wall sections - and then backfill the soil against the vertical wall. You'd really need a structural engineer to do this type of design, as if it is not calculated correctly and then built to match the structural plans, you'll have the entire building sliding down the hill. An alternative might be caisson (drilled) foundations - but that requires a caisson drill and access to the site where the foundations would be placed. You could also cantilever the houses off of the hill side - but, that's some real involved structural work. One other thought - while you're planning on a composting toilet - have you thought about how to dispose of the grey water (shower, sinks)? This post was edited by buckhorn_cortez on Wed, Dec 31, 14 at 22:49...See MoreInput on kitchen L-layout w/two islands: first pass
Comments (13)"-if you increase the landing space on the right side of the cooktop, I'd suggest doing the same on the left side for balance, and omitting the pull-out beside the hutch" Mama Goose, do you think it'll still look off balance considering the corner base cabinet has 12" on that run (super susan) + the 18" cabinet (30" total) which is the same number of inches as what lharpie suggested adding to the right of the cooktop? Oh, wait, I think maybe what you adjusted next to the cooktop was the uppers and the size of the appliance garage. That's totally do-able. If I did glass cabs to the left and right of the range hood I could put serving dishes in them seeing as the oils and spices have places in the base cabinets. Then the hutch can house stemware, barware, and decorative pretties. I like that. It brings the serving dishes closer to where they'll be needed. I agree with not adding seating at the prep island. If they want, and I expect they will, friends can pull a stool over to that space and hang out. Or better yet, they can set their wine glass down and pick up a knife. ;) If I put seating there I'll end up with iPads and whatnot on my prep island. Must give my best attempt at thwarting the hoard of children! LOL I think I can do without the pullout pantry....See Morelaurenkth
4 years agoUser
4 years ago
PROSina Sadeddin Architectural Design
4 years agolaurenkth
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Sina Sadeddin Architectural Design
4 years ago laurenkth
4 years agojpp221
4 years agolaurenkth
4 years agoIs this even possible: the island is made up of three sections. Can I salvage the current base cabinets but have them constructed in a new rectangle shape? Turn left end outward facing wall oven. Then the sink section and dishwasher section would be across from stove. By my measurement maybe a 9x5 rectangle. Is that even possible? I’m asking because if we got a new island altogether, we’d still have to match the cabinet fronts. Also save money?
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laurenkthOriginal Author