Need help with this weird corner in my kitchen.. PICS inside.

14 years ago

I had posted this question in the Home Decor forum about a month ago and was advised to post it on the Kitchens board, but never got to doing that.. So here I am again :)

So here is my kitchen..

And here is the view of the "weird corner" that I need help with:

A closer view of the window casings:

The story goes (as we are told by our neighbors) that the original entrance to the house was from this place, and you would have walked directly into the kitchen. Some owners before us (the house is about 50 yrs old, which is typical age in my area) changed that to make the entrance from outside of the kitchen, and of course never fixed up the cabinets in this area. It is an open floor plan and now there are two kitchen entrances - one from the foyer side (where I am taking the first photo from) and the other from the living room / dining room great room area.

I have some old barstools hanging out in that area just to fill that space up. I do also have a trash can in that area which I can easily move to under the sink or somewhere else.

There are a few projects that I am hoping to take on in the kitchen in the near future (read: summer) just to give you an idea of the vision for the kitchen:

1- I will be staining my wood paneled ceiling and painting the beams that run cross wise just like in my inspiration pic here:

2- I will be painting the perimeter cabinets a creamy white, including the crown molding and the trim of the windows / window casings

3 - I will be painting the island cabinets an espresso-ish color

4- Will then install a backsplash - thinking a light brown or dark brown shiny glass mosaic like:

with some stainless steel pieces splashed in between.

QUESTION that I have for you lovely Kitchen forum people :

What ideas might you have for this weird corner in my kitchen? I'd love to hear any and all options.

Comments (9)

live_wire_oak
14 years ago
Lose the drawer under your toaster and put a lower counter height with some cabinets under it across the window area. It'll be a perfect desk/baking area at around 32" high. The open area for the desk can go next to that toaster area so you can still access the doors below for storage and have room for a seat. The rest can be cabinets that maybe have mixer pullout or pullouts that store your cannisters of flour/sugar etc.
sonaliagrawal
Original Author
14 years ago
live_wire_oak: thanks for your input. Would you do this new counter in the same granite or something totally different like maybe even butcher block?
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bmorepanic
14 years ago
There's nothing wrong with it if you just leave it blank with the aprons.

It would bug me visually cause the window doesn't make sense with the ceiling beams and the cabinets are crammed up against it. So I would do the big bucks if you got 'em and take it out. Replace it with a smaller, but slightly taller window centered between the two beams. If you have a view, replace with a really tall window.

I would try to resist the temptation to fill it up with stuff. Maybe one of those iron cookware stands? Maybe a small table or chest. To me, the trash can and stools help your kitchen look junque-ie.

On the other hand, I don't get what's going on beside the ref with the dimmer on the wall ?in a corner?
sonaliagrawal
Original Author
14 years ago
On the other hand, I don't get what's going on beside the ref with the dimmer on the wall ?in a corner?

Totally agree with you about the wall area on the right of the referigerator. We dont know if it is a foundation wall or not. If not, we will at some future point,get rid of that protrusion to get a wider fridge. At that point we will also be cutting the wall perpendicular to that narrow-wall-with-dimmer into half height to install some sort of a countertop and open that area up more towards the dining room (which is right behind that wall).
sonaliagrawal
Original Author
14 years ago
I tried to model this up using Google Sketchup. This is how it would look roughly. I went with a bookshelf under the counter top for now, but it gives the general idea.

Still confused about how the countertop will be installed right where it meets the drawer. Thoughts on that or on how it looks in general?
swspitfire
14 years ago
I agree with bmorepanic. I think it looks fine empty.

If you have small children this might be an area where temporary toys could be while you are working in the kitchen. Daughters little kitchen set. Or babies' high chair. Or if you have grand children- toys so they can have fun while you are busy in the kitchen keeping an eye on them.
An area that can be changed as the kids get older......

If you have pets, maybe that could be their feeding area, etc...

Just a thought! Good luck!
bmorepanic
14 years ago
I think the suggestion was to do the counter instead of the drawer. The drawer front would be permanently attached. You could - altho it would be a bit hard - get into the bottom of the cabinet.

You could model this by putting a flat object like a shelf on top of a stool where the end of bookcase would be. Take the drawer out completely and rest the other end of the shelf on the edge of the drawer opening. Try to use the storage area of the cabinet and see what you think...
palimpsest
14 years ago
I also agree with leaving it empty but changing the window configuration, or at least considering it:

Price out what it would cost to change the window and get a new piece of granite side splash vs a new cabinet and countertop.

There is a certain balance to the cabinetry on that back wall that will be lost if you alter it, and I think that may make the window area look even more odd.
nancyjn
14 years ago
You know what you would probably love? A pull-out garbage and recycle cabinet. There are some free-standing ones that would fit or you could make one that matches your other cabinets.

Need help with this weird corner in my kitchen.. PICS inside.

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live_wire_oak

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Need help with this weird corner in my kitchen.. PICS inside.

Comments (9)

live_wire_oak

sonaliagrawalOriginal Author

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bmorepanic

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sonaliagrawal
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