We've been planning this for a few years, but I'm so glad we've had the extra time, to try different ideas! Last summer we got a great deal of the house cleaned out and will finish that this summer and may be able to start demolition, too. Getting everything cleaned out, removing the old/damaged sheetrock and cleaning out the partial basement is going to be the focus this summer. Next spring, if finances are in better shape, I'm hoping we can start construction. The farmhouse was full (still stuff to go through) of family antiques, treasures and lots of junk! It's been a slow process, but getting a better idea of what spaces we want/need has made this a much more enjoyable process. If I know we won't need a formal dining table, I can easily offer it to a SIL, without thinking...oh, I knew we should have kept that! Since we live on the farm (next to the farmhouse) we have the great advantage of being able to live near (but not in) the remodel. We'll probably do a lot of things in stages and I'd love to do some of the projects, myself. Don't get me wrong, I'm not a carpenter, but I'm a fairly good painter, I like to help with some small carpentry detail work, and I want to learn how to lay ceramic tile, for the main kitchen countertops and backsplash. I may still have to hire someone to do it, but it would be fun to try a few small projects and see if I can do it myself :)

I needed more cooktop space. The 30 inch Kenmore/GE range that I had was effectively only a two burner because once two large pots were on, there wasn't space for anything but a dinky little pot on the other two burners. And, since I do canning, it was a bit of a nightmare. That & I tend to be more of a rangetop cook. All that and I wanted either a grill (live in Wisconsin) or griddle so the size was determined--at least a 36''. Decided to go rangetop because I didn't want or esp. need a humongous oven. And, I wanted an open burner because I didn't trust a closed burner to deliver (after owning the Kenmore/ GE). Within those parameters, I went shopping to find the best deal and ended up with great deal on a new Wolf 4 burner w/ griddle rangetop. Bought it four years ago and finally got it installed just three weeks ago and so far, I'm loving it. The griddle is working out great as a 'warming drawer' for things like fish frys and french fries. DSII loves it for making grilled cheese. It's not getting much of a workout yet since we're DIYing the kitchen & cooking is hugely inconvenient given the current state of affairs. I bought a set of 30'' double ovens off Craigslist. Now, IF I had it to do over, I think I would go with the NXR range & a much smaller...24 or 27'' single wall oven. That way, I'd have the huge oven for holiday cooking & cookies and the smaller oven for everyday...cakes, mac/ cheese, lasagna, etc.

Wow, what a surprise to see this thread at the top of the page. Very bittersweet, because my last post mentions my husband's plans for the tops. He unexpectedly passed away just a couple of months later--how I wish he was still here. My brother graciously volunteered to help me with the tops. He cut them after I templated, then I finished the sanding, buffing, installation, runnels and seams. Coincidentally, I just finished cleaning the tops in anticipation of a family celebration planned for this Sunday. I polish with a cloth saturated with mineral oil, then buff off the excess. Makes them shine like new! They are holding up well--I don't notice any damage or wear, and I sometimes put (semi-)hot pots down beside the stove, although I wouldn't put a large, really hot baking dish from the oven. One casualty though--my DD dropped the lid to a china tea pot. The lid shattered, but no damage to the counter. I'm linking my kitchen album, starting with the pics of the counter top, and also the album that has info on the runnels. If you click on my user-name you can find all my albums, as well as my kitchen threads. houstoncrafter, best of luck!! I haven't been on GW much lately, as I've had some other projects to do, but feel free to email me if you need some hand-holding. :) Kitchen/lab top pics DIY Runnels

Hi Everyone and thank you so much!! When I get back from an errand I'll address your individual responses! I love the ideas you've shared (e.g. simple shaker - and to make the trim width match those of the uppers')! For now though, I feel the need to clarify: I realize that because I bombarded you w/ so many questions, it appears I'm freaking out or too indecisive...but if I'd asked only one question, then waited a while then asked another and so on, you'd probably think I was fine - haha! ;) Meanwhile - with the exception of the cabinetry issues - there is NO real rush on most of this. Yes we don't have a counter/sink but he was going to re-use the old, non-original doors until yesterday when I decided I'm willing to pay more to have them be flush-mounted like the upper ones. He'll figure out the final dimensions e.g. degree of angle of bump-out on Tuesday, and everything else necessary is already waiting to go besides the counter which can be ordered on Tuesday - and will take a week. So anyway, I'm actually not anxiety-ridden, just excited. And I ask you people not because I can't figure it out (I have ideas and lots of magazines) but because I've found more GREAT and unexpected advice on this forum than anywhere else. Everyone here is very experienced (at least in their research after having seen so much!), and focused here, and sometimes it's more fun and easier to give others advice, you know? I know I love to! I disagree that the options are all over the place by the way. I don't think one decision leads to another and can throw things off because most of the kitchen's original already and I'm making this a relatively period kitchen and there are only so many choices, most of which won't clash with others. E.g. a schoolhouse or other period light will go w/ wood floors of any color, will go with cafe curtains or pull-down shades, will go w/ the original cabinets. I just want to know if you have specific favorites or a quick "vision pop" like "flush light in center and pendant at window" or "...with bright-colored shades" or "angle the bump-out instead of square" or "don't put a microwave there." If I just *HAVE* to narrow down my questions ;) the most necessary ones are w/ regard to the lower cabinets (how not to compete w/ the uppers and still have something appropriate) and then the general idea of what the bump-out should look like (angled or straight edges, with or without those decorative side pillars)...maybe whether I should add feet? I feel like the cut-off upper cabinet above the stove will just work itself out by default but advice would still be nice. The rest are all just fun details that can be added at the end and are simply fun to get advice on. Wow - I sure know how to rant & ramble! Off I go...will get back to you soon, thanks again!