follow-up: Nervous About Seeing it Come to Fruition

13 years ago

About a month ago I had started a thread about how I was second-guessing all of my choices as the many elements of my kitchen were beginning to finally come together. A month later, and the kitchen is almost done. DH ordered some under cabinet lighting that hasn't come in yet, and I need to think about accessorizing; but we're moved in and have been cooking for almost a week!

We're still figuring out the best way to function in this new space. The good news is that we love it! Our kitchen space is small by the standards of many on this forum, but the changes we made make it feel bigger and brighter. Thanks to everyone who helped as I struggled through all of the details. Even though it's not yet "officially" done, here are some before and after shots.

Here is a link that might be useful: Before and After

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Comments (20)

cat_mom
13 years ago
Oh--so nice!!! The wood/cabs look so warm, richly grained, and so "friendly" (only way I can describe them!). Very nicely done!
jstehl
13 years ago
The kitchen looks great. What is the cabinet brand and appliance brands? How wide is your sink base cabinet as it looks like you have a pretty good size sink installed.

Beautiful!!
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Thanks, everyone, for sharing your similar stories. Baligirl, I agree that it feels somehow "wrong" to be worried about all of these silly details. A friend of mine just returned from a mission trip to Haiti. Her pictures certainly put all of these ultimately meaningless little decisions into perspective. Nontheless, we started down this road, we're in the middle of the project and so we must continue. Here's an update. The cabinets arrived yesterday and are all in place, although the trim and a few tweaks and adjustments need to be completed. They're coming back Thursday to finish because they need to remake a beadboard section that they had measured incorrectly. Yes, the cabinets are darker and redder than I would have selected, but they really are beautiful. They are SUCH an upgrade over our previous cabinets. The drawers don't make an awful creaking sound when you pull them out! The doors and drawers close softly; there's more storage; the wood finish is beautiful; the magic corner (which I think we're going to refer to as "the contraption") looks wonderful. I love how the glass inserts above the hutch area look. I guess you could say I'm feeling more optimistic about this whole thing. Jillsee, how is your install going? Did I see on another post that you're in PA? We are too. My kitchen floor isn't hardwood like yours, but it sounds like our cabinet choices are similar. There is hardwood adjacent to our kitchen--that's what you see in the photo. Our kitchen floor is currently plywood subfloor. I still haven't selected the flooring for the kitchen. I had a whole other thread about that subject. At this point, we're leaning toward Duraceramic Tile or Marmoleum Click. Since we were so close to getting the cabinets I decided to wait and see the samples with the cabinets before making the final choice. Either choice doesn't need to go under the cabinets anyway.
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dianalo
13 years ago
Very, very, pretty! I love your counters ;)
wallycat
13 years ago
Wonderful!! Inviting, homey, cozy yet very upscale!
ironcook
13 years ago
very nice! i really like how you did your layout. it's as though it's part of the whole space now. seems like a smart use of a corner sink, too... you can see everywhere while you're standing there. it looks terrific, nice colors and warm tones. so glad you're happy, too! :)
jtkaybean
13 years ago
I was hoping you'd post some pics, it looks wonderful!
Can you please let me know what subway tile that is? I like it!
Love the granite, cabinets and everything!
breezygirl
13 years ago
That looks like such a warm, inviting space. I'll sit in the chair next to the cat if it is friendly. ;) Smart layout in the new space. Must be so happy to see it all come together so well.

AND..you coordinated everything so well that you even matched the blue lights on the coffee pot, range, and DW. It looks like they're talking to each other!
yellowdog2
13 years ago
You did a great job. It's beautiful. Don't second guess a thing! Of course, every time I see a beautiful finished kitchen I think... I wonder if I should change this or that. You've got me thinking... ooh, wood stained cabinets are lovely and warm...
elba1
13 years ago
Your wood cabinets look really nice - I'm going with stained wood now too - it's always reasuring to see another kitchen with such great looking stained cabs!
kbmboston
13 years ago
I love your cabinets. They are so beautiful. That stove looks really cool as well. A very beautiful kitchen. Congrats!
formerlyflorantha
13 years ago
Wow, you moved right along, didn't you? You were supposed to drag this out for years. Congrats!

Very attractive glass cab doors, Dreamweaver!
sas95
13 years ago
Lovely transformation!

I like those stools. Would you mind sharing where you got them?
maryann_m
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks everyone! I'll post all of the details along with "final" pictures after we can say that we're "done," but to answer your questions...

jstehl, the cabinets are custom from Paradise Custom Kitchens in PA. The appliances are by Samsung(fridge), Electrolux (range), KitchenAid (dishwasher), and GE (microwave). I chose each by features and reviews, so I ended up with a mixed bag of brands.

Jillsee, the tile is MSI crema marfil in 3x6. Our granites and cabinet colors are very similar. I saw your post about choosing backsplash tile. I'll add a comment there, too.

Breezygirl, the cat is friendly, so come on over. I must admit that the matching blue displays on the appliances were a happy accident. The microwave display is green, so that kind of messes up what I have going on with the blue lights.

Florantha, our design process actually did take us quite a while. And the deconstruction/construction process took about six weeks. We began exploring ideas in early 2010, but I didn't find this forum until we were well along in the process. If I had found it sooner, I probably would have overanalyzed a lot more of the layout decisions that were made pre-forum.

sas95, we've had the stools for perhaps ten years. They were purchased at Sam's Club. When I get home, I'll check underneath them and see if there's any identifying info. The exact style may not be available, but maybe something similar is still made.

Thanks again for the kind comments. This forum is a wonderful community of TKO people. I'm glad I found it!
jgs7691
13 years ago
This post made my day -- I just put in the cabinet order, and am fully engaged in the "nervous about seeing it all come to fruition" stage. Glad to see your beautiful kitchen, and your satisfaction after all the planning!! Congrats!!
chrismo4
13 years ago
Really enjoyed seeing your kitchen. Love the backsplash.
Your kitchen has the same tone as mine. It looks great...and I know what you mean about second guessing....but you did a great job!
boxerpups
13 years ago
Elegant kitchen.
Amazing transformation. I love your countertops. A gorgeous
choice with the rich wood cabinetry. And like Ironcook
said, I think the use of space is a perfect with the corner
sink. I love all the beautiful details pulled together.
~boxerpups
debrak_2008
13 years ago
Very nice, seems to say "welcome home". Much better layout. Didn't see that cat, had to go back and look again. Noticed the beautiful dog. Aussie or border collie?
beachpea3
13 years ago
What a wonderfully light and bright work space you have now! Love all your choices! It is indeed as Boxer said an "Elegant Kitchen ".... Thank you for sharing!
lavender_lass
13 years ago
Beautiful kitchen! The warm wood and shiny stainless steel are so wonderful together...and the countertop and backsplash are lovely! Very nice and I love the way you opened up the kitchen...much nicer view, from the new corner sink :)
maryann_m
Original Author
13 years ago
Thanks again to everyone.

Sas95, I looked to see if there were any clues on the bar stools that might help you find them. There is plenty of information, but I wasn't able to find anything about them on the web. I believe the company that made them is Cheyenne. The item number is BS-22-30-01.

Debrak, you're right, the dog is a mini aussie.

Jstehl, I forgot to mention the answer to your question about the corner sink cabinet. We were concerned about fitting the sink we wanted into the corner. It's a 42" corner cabinet.

follow-up: Nervous About Seeing it Come to Fruition

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follow-up: Nervous About Seeing it Come to Fruition

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