Suggestions needed for small peninsula in small kitchen

16 years ago

Hi all. We were planning an extensive kitchen/DR addition and renovation until we got the construction quotes. ( I am still reading the kitchen forum because I am TKO and want to see what you all are doing since I can't do anything myself!) We are now house hunting and getting this house ready to sell.

We have a 9' x 10' kitchen with off-white painted cabinets (brushed nickel knobs) and light gray mottled corian counters. We are planning on replacing the green vinyl floor with cork since that is what I was planning for the addition and I really want to see how I like it for future reference. I am planning on matching the shade of the cork to the medium stained oak hardwood in the rest of the house.

Here's my question. We are removing one wall in the kitchen to open it up visually. That wall currently has a narrow counter that sits between the wall and the side of the fridge. Without the wall, I could double the size of the counter and put two stools at it. What material should I use for this counter? It does not touch any of the other counters. I have been thinking of trying to get a granite remnant in honed virginia mist or some other gray color, but then I wonder about mixing stone and solid surface counters in one room. Another way to go might be to have our builder friend/woodworker make a counter out of wood (mahogany perhaps) to tie in the floor color.

What do you suggest? TIA. - Stephanie

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Comments (5)

fnzzy
16 years ago
do you have a picture or a drawing? I'm having a hard time visualizing...

But my own 2 cents is that I would not try to do anything close in color to the existing counters. I'd go for something that doesn't make you think you purposely tried to match.
rosie
16 years ago
The wood sounds good and much less risky than mixing even qulaity artificial with the real thing. I really want to recommend trying to resist decorating for yourself if your purpose is to sell. Specifically, unless cork is "hot" in your neighborhood, don't put it down (it's a great material but in most areas just not that popular). Try to choose something the real estate agents say people are looking for in a version that looks great in your space.
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What dates a kitchen, IMHO? Last year's "latest & greatest" that was put in b/c it was "the thing" BUT detracts from the functionality of the kitchen. Peninsulas are not "outdated", they're just not the current fad. Yes, fad. Fad - a temporary fashion, notion, manner of conduct, etc., esp. one followed enthusiastically by a group. [emphasis mine] ÂSynonyms craze, vogue, rage OK, maybe islands aren't a "temporary" fashion...but right now everyone is trying to jam one into their kitchen whether or not their kitchen can support it...in size or configuration. Yes, islands can be a nice addition to a kitchen as long as they don't detract from the functionality of the kitchen and as long as the kitchen is big enough for one, especially if you want seating at the island (which the OP is not going for, btw). However, when they become barriers b/w zones & appliances, cause people to run around in circles to work, or cause traffic issues b/c of too narrow aisles, they then become detriments to the kitchen. The same, btw, can be said for peninsulas...they can be great additions to a kitchen...particularly when it comes to protecting the Cooking Zone and range/cooktop (an ideal situation)...but if they become major obstacles in/out of the kitchen, then they can be a detriment (unless you want to restrict entry into the kitchen). However, it takes a really long peninsula for this to become a true issue. In the case of your kitchen, ideally, I'd switch the sink & range/cooktop and move the MW + Oven to the top right corner. I might consider making the island longer and putting a prep sink in it to try to mitigate the "barrier island" effect b/w the refrigerator & sink. But, the window on the top/north wall eliminates that as a possibility. Another possibility is to move the refrigerator to the upper right corner...but it would have to be changed to a 36" built-in....unless that room off to the right can be opened up into the kitchen. Take down that wall and you gain approx 4.5"...all you need is another 2 or 3 inches for a 42" refrigerator. Then, you could have a full pantry where the current refrigerator is or you could put in a 24" pantry cabinet and have 30" to 33" of counterspace next to the pantry for a Snack Center, Message Center, or other. ...Wait...if your refrigerator is a true "built-in", I'm not sure you need those side panels b/c the refrigerator will have panels added to it?? I don't know much about built-ins so maybe someone w/a built-in refrigerator will chime in about how they work and the dimensions needed for the space (is the space needed for the panels already incorporated into the dimensions?, etc.)
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It's fun to read these suggestions! Some are very creative. I've wondered about a peninsula instead of an island. I've also toyed with re-configuring the pantry and powder room areas. Never thought about moving that living room door. I'm guessing budget and spouse will both constrain the extent of this project, but we can definitely look into moving or eliminating the prep sink, adding seating to the end of the island, and considering a range. For those who asked, the aisle between island and sink side is about 40 inches and between island and pantry/oven side it's more like 48 inches. The island itself is 44 inches wide. I think my sketch is a bit "off." Thanks, all!
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raehelen
16 years ago
I actually think experimenting with the cork in your smaller present kitchen is an inspired idea- and your real estate agent can use it as a selling point- no one is NOT going to buy your house because of a cork floor.

Definitely, though, do NOT try and match up the new counter with your other counter in a different material. Having one granite with the rest corian would not work. Though, I wonder how soapstone would be... I think the wood counter sounds intriguing. But maybe doing it in corian would be easiest (if that colour is still available). Maybe, even tile..., or could you use a free-standing piece that could be negotiated in as a bartering chip when selling. ie, you may intend to leave it, but let sellers ask for it to let them feel they're getting something extra.
auchmedden
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks for the feedback. I need to read the FAQ challenge to figure out how to post a photo.

I am not hoping to match the corian, just coordinate with it. I imagine that the virginia mist would be darker than the grey of the corian. I could also go with one of the more solid looking blacks and have it honed. I had also thought of soapstone because I was seriously considering it in our addition, but I think I would have to find a small charcoal (not green) slab with little movement. I am not sure whether this color corian is still available or not. I will have to look.

Cork is not hot here (eastern Massachusetts). I mainly see tile floors. I would put more hardwood in to match what surrounds the kitchen, but my real estate agent (who is also a decorator) thought it would be tough to find new hardwood that didn't make the rest of the wood look like it needed to be refinished. (We refinished the whole house several years ago and I do not want to go through that again just to match a kitchen floor.) Besides liking the idea of cork (renewable, insulating, cushioning, etc.) I thought I could put it next to the hardwood to continue the color and hopefully make the space seem bigger!!

Should I be safe and put in tile?

I can't do a freestanding piece because under the current counter is a cabinet. Also, I am not sure that tile would be the best option because my kids are already wanting to do their homework on the "new" peninsula that doesn't yet exist! It seems like it would be hard to write on tile.

Keep the ideas coming and I will try to post a photo later. Thanks!
auchmedden
Original Author
16 years ago
Photo of wall to be taken out

Photo of opposite corner

Closeup of grey corian counter

We are also replacing the white fridge with a stainless bottom mount that is not as deep. The builder came over today to look at the wall and discuss options. He thinks there is a good chance that the floor under the vinyl is wood, given the age of the house (63 years). If this is the case, we will probably just refinish the floors.

Any more thoughts on counter options?

Suggestions needed for small peninsula in small kitchen

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fnzzy

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Suggestions needed for small peninsula in small kitchen

Comments (5)

fnzzy

rosie

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