Banquette, cabinet height, Imperial Danby questions

13 years ago

We're about to gut and rebuild the kitchen in our 1920 Colonial Revival home. A few questions for today:

(1) we're planning an L-shaped banquette. Architect is doing cabinetry design and asked whether we wanted upholstered banquette or separate cushion. I told him cushion as we have young dog who gnaws and it would be less expensive to replace cushion than to reupholster. But I'd love thoughts and/or photos of both options. Also, if you have banquette,, how high is back? I think ours is 30 in from floor to top of banquette back (with wall of windows above)--hubby thinks that hits a bit too low on his back.

(2) Vermont Imperial Danby--saw gorgeous slab today. Believe retail was $112(!), including everything through install. Thoughts? We may do

marble on perimeter (24 sq ft) and wood on island (16 sq ft) depending on cost.

(3) Cabinet height from ceiling--believe our ceilings are 9'6" and preliminary cabinet design is 8'3"--wasted space,no? But saving money due to not having cabinetry to ceiling, correct? I had always envisioned cabinetry to ceiling but am willing to forego if significant cost savings (not worried about sufficient storage).

Thanks in advance for your input!

(3)

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Comments (8)

adel97
13 years ago
(2) "Vermont Imperial Danby--saw gorgeous slab today. Believe retail was $112(!)"

That sounds reasonable. It's close to what I paid per square foot, installed, for honed Imperial Danby. I believe the polished would have been a hair under $100.

(3) I think with such high ceilings, cabinets to the ceiling can look a bit "much" and are difficult to reach at top anyway. I like your plan!
sweetandrew
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you! Anyone with thoughts/pics of upholstered banquette vs. cushion?
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sherriz
13 years ago
I just moved back into my newly remodeled house and an upholstered banquette was part of my inspiration. Our banquette measures 9' x 6'9" and I LOVE IT!! It measures 48" high with a slight slope and there are nail heads under the knees. I got a sturdy fabric and scotchguarded it 3x. I'm now in the process of getting a "racetrack" oval table made with a pedestal base.

From Cavendish house
beaglesdoitbetter1
13 years ago
As the owner of a dog who I thought would outgrow his need to chew things 4 years ago (he hasn't no matter what I try!) we are having the cushions for the window seats (not banquets- we don't have one) - separate so they can be replaced or repaired if the worst happens.

I am also having the cushion "set down" more into the seat (in other words, a wood lip sort of in front of it) so the dog can't easily pull it off of the seat or see how fluffy it is. So, it is sort of going to look flat from the top but there will be a comfy cushion set down inside( does that make sense) I am hoping that will minimize his need to grab the whole thing in his mouth for a good chew like he does w/ pillows.

Sort of like this (although this isn't my house and it is a little hard to tell in this picture what is going on- but general idea)
sweetandrew
Original Author
13 years ago
Thank you again! Great suggestion about the "lip" to hold the cushion in place.

Our L-shaped banquette is going to be pretty huge, something like 10 ft. on back wall x 7 ft. on side wall (with windows above each wall). The idea is to create a "hang out" area on one end of our kitchen, with built-in cabinetry to hold tv on the wall opposite the 7 ft. side.

Our architect has suggested using 2 pedestal tables that are 36" x 30" each. The idea is that with such a long expanse of banquette on the back wall, there would be a "pass-through" in the middle. Kind of like in a restaurant with a banquette wall and a row of 2-top tables in front. Also if my two kids invariably leave their homework mess on one table, we can just use the other table for dinner for our family of 4. Or push both tables together for a larger crowd. I assume I'll have to have those tables made and had thought of a white painted wooden base to match cabinetry and a wood top to match wooden island top (if we go with wood on island vs. marble). Thoughts? Likely cost?? My husband keeps saying we can just use our existing pine table that seats 6, but it has corner legs and isn't the right size, anyway.

I feel like I've fallen into the rabbit hole...so much great info. here!
beaglesdoitbetter1
13 years ago
Cost of a totally custom table is going to depend on where you live and who you get to make it. I'm planning on having a table and bench made so I can get exactly what I want for my nook and get barstools to match. I expect it to be cheaper than getting something from, say, ethan allen but that is b/c our house is very close to Lancaster PA and I'm planning on getting an amish made table made by the amish :)

Depending on where you live, you may be able to look into a company called Bermex. They let you do "custom" stuff basically- you can pick the legs, wood finishes (8 pages of finihses), etc. Not especially cheap - my dad just paid $2200 for a relatively small round table and 4 chairs- but less than some "high end" brands and real, solid good wood and a high level of customization! Many nice furniture stores will sell Bermex
adel97
13 years ago
Wow, your idea for a split banquette sounds wonderful. I wish I had the space for that kind of flexibility with homework and kitchen dining space.

If you want a recommendation for custom tables, these guys make beautiful stuff. It's American made and sustainable. My mom had a custom table made for a particular weird space in her condo (not quite a 45 degree corner), and it's gorgeous.

http://www.erikorganic.com/solid-wood/custom-furniture.shtml

Here is a link that might be useful: erikrganic furniture
kamkar2006
11 years ago
I just got a quote for about $95 sq ft installed for 3 cm honed imperial danby.