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What would you do with this 'new found' space???

11 years ago

Need in put for my customer: In this 1930's home, after the plaster and lath gutting, we found the chimney was smaller originally...and built out bigger back in the 60s. We've decided to use this space, but after her cabinets were already in production.

If this was your kitchen, what would you do with it?

The space is about 11.25" wide and 24" deep and 60" tall.

Some ideas so far:

1. Frameless wine cubbies w/ stemware glass holder beneath.

2. Match 13" deep bookcase to right and pull flush w/ pantry (opening would only be 8" wide though....so not practical...and would lose storage at back)

3. Pull out spice unit.

4. Built in shelves (no box or framework)

Please vote or suggest something else?

Kompy

Comments (53)

kompy
Original Author
11 years ago
My customer says wine cubbies, I say pull out. No ideas so far really make us say, 'Yes, that's it!'
kompy
Original Author
11 years ago
My customer already has places for her mixer, blender...mini-appliances. And at the bottom of the bookcase, there are already 4 cubbies for wine....which is why I think it might be wine overkill. Wishing now, we had just made it a plain bookcase. Then, wine cubbies would make sense. However, these folks do drink a lot of wine....so maybe it'd be ok for more cubbies.
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@Aglitter Thank you for all your thoughtful comments and discussion. I know that some people like to upgrade just based on a whim. (I have an ex-MIL that was like that... folks on her street called it the "Bob & Lil" show, because the uproar within the family for her drop-of-the-hat choices was like a sit-com. I'm very aware that every modification or upgrade I make needs to make sense. There are things that I'd "like" to do or have done - but since they are not necessary, they aren't getting done. I'd love to get this old paneling, which was painted over, off the walls... it's in the kitchen, and part of the entry area, and part of the living room, and in part of two bedrooms. And in some cases, which walls have paneling doesn't make any sense I can see. Four walls in the living room, and one has brick, another has painted paneling, and the other two are regular drywall. Kitchen has two walls of paneling. Dining room, none. It's annoying... but something I'm not going to bother changing, not unless I hit the lottery (fat chance, since I don't play), or unless it's part of a hopefully-far-in-the-future sale agreement, because it's merely annoying. It's not dangerous, not a hazard, not necessary. Fence? Yep, I have dogs, both of whom would (and have) happily try to hunt down deer. Luckily, before the fence went up, I had a firm grip on their leashes whenever we went out. Prior to the fence going up, deer sometimes slept on our patio, right outside the kitchen. I've seen them sleeping even by the front door too. Shed? Yep, needed a place for yard equipment. Bathrooms? When both started leaking into the room below, damaging the subfloor, etc., and every contractor said they couldn't fix/find the leaks without destroying the ceramic tile and walls around the tub in the one bathroom, and the 30"x30" stall shower in the other bathroom - it was time to bite the bullet. Everything was going to be ripped apart anyhow and need to be re-tiled, so that was the right time to redesign those bathrooms. I didn't have access to a HELOC for that; I found three credit cards offering long-term 0% interest on purchases, and kicked off the project that way. And paid off every card before interest would have kicked in. For the oil-to-gas conversion - it was time. Heating with oil is usually about 2.5x more expensive than gas, at least around here. We'd had to have the oil furnace repaired for various problems each year during the past few years. Annual cleaning/maintenance is more expensive for oil furnaces to. And my central AC unit's stated efficiency was so low that it's not even legal anymore to sell AC units with that low of a SEER....and I'm sure that over a couple of decades, the actual efficiency wasn't getting any better than the SEER advertised in the sales literature. But honestly, what kicked my butt into gear was one particular morning... I always have the oil company notify me before coming to my house, because the oil fill valve is in my backyard, behind the fence line. Meaning they are supposed to call me to ensure that I don't have my dogs in the yard - that's to protect both the oil guy (since my dogs are both rescues, territorial, and not fond of strange men wandering around on their turf) as well as my dogs, because I can guarantee you that if they are in the yard and the oil guy were to come in - he's not going to bother trying to shut the fence gate while running back to his truck. Anyhow, one early morning I woke up, was going to let my dogs out in the yard, but instead decided to heat up some tea first. So I go into my kitchen, wearing a thin set of PJs... and find a strange guy staring at me through the window of the kitchen door from my backyard. Turns out the oil company didn't have enough people to get oil out, hired some sub-contractors, didn't give them the instructions about where the oil fill valves are nor about contacting customers before wandering around their houses and getting the early morning thin-PJ peep shows.... and frankly, I was furious. I very easily could have decided to let the dogs out before making that cup of tea, and that would have been a disaster. Everyone thinks the pit bull I have is the big danger; she's so old, her teeth are pretty worn down and she takes 7 pills a day to combat congestive heart failure. If she latched on to an intruder, her teeth would barely break the skin, it would likely be just bruises. It's the little guy people have to worry about - he's older, but he has all his teeth, they are still sharp, and the little bugger is fast and agile - a mix of Chihuahua, Jack Russell, and Miniature Pinscher. He's nimble, can jump, does agility, and can climb ladders. 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Rather than wait for the grass to completely destroy the driveway over the next few years, I had it widened back to the original width, dug down, and then resurfaced. I'd been using a driveway crack filler for the past few years to try to slow the damage down, but it was time. My point is - there are some people who will renovate just for the sake of renovating. I won't commit to any kitchen work until the HVAC conversion is paid off, that's for certain. Doing research to make the most of the possible budget (the HELOC is for $50k, but I want to keep my limit at $45k to allow for unexpected issues) is part of how I operate on big-ticket purchases. Even the best-laid plans can go wrong - but if there's no plan at all, it's asking for disaster. I met with a GC last night - the one who did my bathrooms. He confirmed which walls are load bearing and which aren't. I showed him possible plans - one for expanding the kitchen, the other keeping the kitchen in the same footprint. 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Keep using a table, and be prepared to move it around to figure out the best traffic flow around it in the kitchen. If it is the type with leaves, try living with it both ways - shrunk without the leaves, and expanded, with the leaf or leaves. Stage 3: Add in either the island I want, or keep the table. He doesn't particularly like islands; and once they are in... they are "in" - not easy to move or change out. He doesn't think I'll need the storage space that under-island cabinetry would provide either. His point is that if I opt in the future for the island, it won't matter if there's a slight difference between the granite for that vs. the perimeter cabinetry - and I might even want a contrasting surface at that point. And likewise, if there's a subtle shading difference in the cabinet paint/stain for island cabinets - it won't really be noticeable since it's separate from the perimeter cabinetry. 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For example, it might be cheaper to subway tile a backsplash, vs. running the granite up the wall as a full backsplash. He agreed the plumbing costs would be relatively minimal, but electrical work might be a bit more. So we're going to work on pulling together project sub-budgets, like x-amount for flooring, etc. as part of the planning phase.
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blfenton
11 years ago
How much heat is going to be generated in that little space and check the sun and how it flows in the kitchen. Wine doesn't like heat or sun.
remodelfla
11 years ago
HOw about a pullout for cleaning supplies? I hate when they are crunched under the sink...always falling over and getting out of order.
jerzeegirl
11 years ago
Could you turn the new space into cookbook shelves and re-purpose the current cookbook cabinet by putting a door on it and using it for something else.
babushka_cat
11 years ago
wine cubbie. if thats what the customer wants think that is what should be done.

personally i would go for the bookshelf option myself.
auroraborelis
11 years ago
I'm a little wine obessesed and I'd be worried about sun and heat in that location.

Though, unless you buy your wine and drink it within a couple weeks it should never be stored in a kitchen that way! :)
chiefy
11 years ago
I was going to say wine cubby, but agree with jerzeegirl. If you can move the cookbooks to the "new" space and repurpose the bookcase, that's probably the best use of space.
marcolo
11 years ago
Not feeling the wine cubbies. That is a very busy visual element to introduce in an oddly shaped corner space with no grounding to the floor down below or visual rest around it. I'd do a pullout. If you wanted to get cute, you could have a matching "faux" bookshelf up top with the same trim deep enough for a plate rack. Or just match the others.

Actually, if it were me, I'd remake that cabinet for wider, useful storage, but I can understand not wanting to spend the dough.
desertsteph
11 years ago
could be used for slide out for the cleaning supplies - i do like that idea.

and / or high up - holiday special items - tins to pack goodies in, cookie cutters, specific cake pans, candles...

a pegboard for pots / pans and long tools for grilling

it also looks like storage for some extra paper towels would work there and be close at hand when needed; it could share storage space w/boxes of trash bags standing on end, also tin foil, baggies, freezer bags etc

a lower section could be trimmed out to match cabs, left open w/ a dish towel slide out bar - it wouldn't be the same as a towel pig but would allow air flow and have it out of the way until needed

any of these could have a false back on them behind which your client could hide the diamonds, rubies, pearls, tiaras, etc! or just a BD or Christmas gift(s)
flwrs_n_co
11 years ago
I don't think it is a practical space for a pullout because it would slide out across the counter. Being a die-hard vesselarian, I would install shelves and display some of my favorite bowls.

Here is a link that might be useful: Original vesselarian thread
herbflavor
11 years ago
the pegboard system on the top part of the opening...it gets pulled straight out,the pegboard faces the user, and has hooks for colanders/larger and/or odd kitchen utensils,etc....the bottom part of the opening can be fitted with little slideout boxes,or shelves....and make or get deep boxes[bamboo?]-the user can lift the box right out and/or just reach into the front part to get little items...immensely useful.
kawcjp
11 years ago
I vote for continuing the counter into the new space and leaving the bottom open as a cubby of sorts with a built in shelf. Above that you could add a pullout unit (or combination of units).

I agree with Laura12 that wine shouldn't be stored out in the kitchen unless the supply turns over frequently...the temperature fluctuations can ruin the wine (according to wine makers and my own failed wine storage "experiment").
Cloud Swift
11 years ago
If you have someone who could do the construction of something custom, a pull out unit with an open set of shelves/cubbies something like 8-12" deep on the end. There could be cook books, and/or decorative items on the open shelves and a discreet pull that brings the whole unit out to get at pull out storage behind - probably not for things used every day but for the back up pantry or cleaning supplies.
pawa
11 years ago
I would put a door (or doors) on it.
Lee valley has some (ie, lots) of really nice, good-quality, wire pull outs you could put in there.

http://www.leevalley.com/en/hardware/page.aspx?cat=3,43722&p=43723

In fact, this incredible pantry unit would fit, I think!
caminnc
11 years ago
I like pawa's idea. That's some awesome storage.
smiling
11 years ago
Two more ideas to throw in the mix.
1. Paint the cubby white to match the cabinets, install a down light behind the crown (or led lights along the left cubby wall if that works), match the arch of the bookcase, install GLASS shelves that transmit light all the way to counter top, and fill the shelves with either cut crystal if that's their style, or milk glass/white pottery if that's more fitting.

2. Make it into a coffee station. Fabricate 11x24 countertop material piece, install on slides that allow coffeemaker to be pulled out onto that counter area left of sink (near water, good thing). Intall shelves above for mugs, coffee canisters, accessories.

I'm not a designer, but if it were me, I'd go for the glass dislay shelves to lighten up that corner. What's the countertop going to be?
marcolo
11 years ago
If the top is a pullout, the bottom could be an appliance garage.
smiling
11 years ago
Is that beadboard on the sink cabinet doors? If so, you could add a tall piece of matching beadboard on the back wall of the cubby area. It might tie the two areas together as if you planned it that way all along.
pawa
11 years ago
That pantry that I posted is niftier than you think: the door shelves are attached to the back shelves. As you open the door, the door shelves pull the back shelves forward, so that everything is within easy reach.

How awesome is that anyway?
ellendi
11 years ago
I agree with bot marcolo and pawa. I don't like the idea of shelves as they are too close to the cabinet with the shelves. It would look like an after thought.
jerzeegirl
11 years ago
Since the homeowner doesn't seem to need the extra storage, perhaps the best thing to do is just close it up with a white panel and not use it.
Gracie
11 years ago
I would avoid putting another door there because it's not quite as wide as its neighbor and will look like a mistake.

How about two or three stacked plate racks in the center of the opening with a lighted open shelf on top? Make the depth 12 inches with a false back, possibly beadboard as was suggested. She could fill it with Depression glass, which is appropriate to the age of the house and the lighting. The plates on most patterns are flat and she could probably put at least four in each rack. We use the Madrid pattern luncheon plates for our everyday dishes because they're cheap, sturdy, and readily available. Lots of accessories too.
kompy
Original Author
11 years ago
Great ideas, guys. You have inspired me. I think I will suggest using 1/2" or 3/4" beadboard to "line" the nook and then have 3 fixed shelves. The countertop will go all the way back 2ft. The wine rack stemware will go back 2ft. But possibly the shelves will only be 12"-15" deep with the back pulled forward.

What do you think?
cam349
11 years ago
I'd mirror the cabinet to the right - a couple shelves, a bit of wine storage with a door underneath for spices etc.
kompy
Original Author
11 years ago
With the space being so narrow...only 11.25", I don't think an appliance garage would be that functional. We definitely want to keep an open nook there at counter level. The spice thingy that pawa suggested probably would not fit...as these are inset doors. Door would only be 8" wide or so.

I love the idea of lining it with beadboard. Brilliant!
pawa
11 years ago
kompy -= That drawing looks really nice! You've got some skillz!
I like how the nook is kind of unexpected.
lascatx
11 years ago
What you have drawn is good, but I'd probably put the books there and use the wider space for other things. One problem with that is the depth of the space -- you'd almost need a book pullout -- something you would have to customize, but could be really cool and then use that wider space for things that need the width. A pullout could be slightly short or have rollers on the bottom so you make sure you don't scratch the counters.

The beadboard does make it seem more intentional and finished.

If you have wine glasses below (good for the wine drinking customers), what will the shelves above be used for? I'm a wine drinker, but really dislike wine cubbie storage in the kitchen, visually and because it's not the best wine storage. We have a cooler/cellar for our wine.
Fori
11 years ago
Doesn't it need a little arch over the top like the neighboring shelf?

The upper shelves with the backs pulled forward--you DO need to make those false, openable backs for the homewoner to hide chocolate and stuff.
Annie Deighnaugh
11 years ago
I would do something with the cabinetry. I don't know what's in that tall cabinet currently, but I would replace it with uppers and lower and counter top to do it the way it would've been done if the space wasn't found later but was there from the beginning.

If the customer wants to keep that tall storage, then I would fix that upper so that it fills the entire space with the door opening the other way.

In either case, it is not a lot of cabinetry but worth fixing it right.
chicagoans
11 years ago
It looks like it's wired back there, is that right? It would be great to have a tucked-away charging area if you can put an outlet or two back there. Then I'd like pullouts above. Also really like your drawing.

Now would you please come to my house and find some hidden space? (Not between my ears, either.)
smiling
11 years ago
Is that electric peeking through the hole near the bottom of the cubby? If it is, and if you decide to do the beadboard, would that open the option to run electric to the top of the cubby (behind the beadboard, safely), and so make it possible to add a small schoolhouse style wall sconce that matches the lighting presently installed? In your photo at the top of this thread, the top of the cubby appears just a bit dark (could be an artifact of the image). I think the combination of the beadboard and a wall sconce, with shelves below, would be nicely in keeping with the 1930's house and the lovely kitchen you have done for it.

Another option for the shelves is to add baskets/wood containers for clean towels, napkins, and to add as handles the same cup pulls that match those existing.
jerzeegirl
11 years ago
I still think putting the cookbooks there are the answer. That would free up a nice size cabinet above the sink for dishes. That cabinet could even have glass doors - that would be pretty. Form follows function - always. That cabinet is bookcase shaped - it cries out for books!
mamadadapaige
11 years ago
i like your drawing kompy!

i like the beadboard but also not feeling the wine storage.

what about dry pantry storage - you could kill some of the depth and suggest nice glass jars to store flour, sugar, rice, spices, oils, etc. Maybe 9-10" of depth?
davidro1
11 years ago
beadboard on the back wall is enough. Leave the width alone.

Whatever they want or think they want is the right thing to let them have. It's a little nook. Let it be cute.
kompy
Original Author
11 years ago
I think I like this the best so far.
A wall cabinet 11" wide by 24" deep by approx. 30" high
3 Beaded openings
Painted white interior
Flush finished bottom
Stemware holder attched to bottom
Beadboard back
And beadboard panel on back wall below cabinet

Order 3 custom sized baskets.

I found this website of an artisan that makes custom sized baskets and it's not too far from where I am.

Check it out! Beautiful baskets!
Click link below.
http://www.bevsbaskets.com/

What do you all think????

Here is a link that might be useful: Handwoven Baskets from SE Ohio
auroraborelis
11 years ago
That looks fantastic! Great solution!
jerzeegirl
11 years ago
I love that solution. Looks beautiful!
smiling
11 years ago
That looks best of anything yet. The scale and proportions are great for that space, it looks so integrated into your original design that no one would guess it is a later addition based on new-found space. I especially like your sizing of the baskets to fill the shelf openings, and the beaded openings are an inspired detail that will look fabulous in the window light.
desertsteph
11 years ago
"you DO need to make those false, openable backs for the homewoner to hide chocolate and stuff. "

sometimes more valuable than jewels! it would be to me.

I'm not a basket person - they collect dust. Also, you'd have to be real tall to reach up there. (I'm 5')- that'd also be a good place to stash one of those small 'folds flat' step stools.

I do like the cookbook idea - slide 'em out when you want one, then slide 'em back in! They're there, but you don't need to see them. If you do want to see/have handier, a few could be across the front w/ the rest of them hidden behind to be pulled out when needed. you could also have a recipe box on the front (open) w/cookbooks behind it (hidden).
Gracie
11 years ago
I still like my plate rack idea. ;)

[Modern Kitchen design[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/modern-kitchen-ideas-phbr1-bp~t_709~s_2105) by San Francisco Architect Schwartz and Architecture
williamsem
11 years ago
Maybe one of those wine bottle decorker machine gadgets on the bottom? They are not wide, but a little tall, and would tie in the stemware and bottle storage on the adjacent wall making a little wine corner.
lascatx
11 years ago
The look is fine, but I don't think I'd like the function, especially of the higher baskets. Most folks would only be able to reach the lowest one. Also, baskets seem awkward to me when up so high. I like them down lower, but not overhead.
corgimum
11 years ago
Kompy- I like the general direction you are going but it bugs me that the bottom of the shelving doesn't relate to the cabinets on either side of it. How about something like this? (Backsplash idea is optional but I think it ties everything together).
Michael
11 years ago
I do like the basket idea...but also as an idea, maybe make the new space for the cookbook storage and add stemware holders to the existing cabinet above the wine cubbies to make a dedicated station there? Possibly placing the stemware hanging from the shelf and above put a couple of glass decanters with a light hidden under the arch top frame of the cabinet.
Circus Peanut
11 years ago
We made open pull-out drawers in a similarly narrow 9" space next to our fridge. I really like the idea of open space below, 2 shorter pullout drawers, then open shelves.

I'd discourage widening the cabinet, unless your client really needs the storage space. It's these little quirks that can turn a kitchen from bland into something special.
ci_lantro
11 years ago
I would cut away the right side of the existing tall cab & install shelving across the entire width. Frame the opening to reflect the arched open storage on the adjacent wall OR frame the opening and put a full width door on it.

Otherwise, it looks like a band-aid on a 'I goofed' situation.
lascatx
11 years ago
I think that corner is the chimney they were working around and cannot be opened. That's what led to the quirky space. I like quirky spaces and the challenge of using them to create a unique function and personality. If you match the function to the space, it wouldn't look like a band-aid.
kompy
Original Author
11 years ago
Corgimum, I like what you've done! I will have to check and see if the opening is wide enough to have two rows of wine glasses. The space with cabinet frame dwindles down to 8" wide. I think that would be enough. We kept it up higher because she thought she might want to keep a coffee pot or some other mini-appliance hidden back there. She didn't want it too closed in. But I agree, I like it down lower like you've done. I will show her your drawing. THANKS!!!

Mayflowers, I love plate racks and that was one of my first thoughts. But the space is only 11" wide...factor in the framework and it's only an 8" wide opening... so would probably only hold a few plates.

Being that it is an old home...unexpected, quirky places like this add charm. She's going for a cottage look, so something cute here will actually look pretty cool.

Thanks all for your help. I'll let you know what she ends up with!

KOMPY
kompy
Original Author
11 years ago
Circuspeanut! Exactly...I agree! The quirks make the space special.

Williamsem, I like your idea of the wine de-corker thingy!

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Have you found a treasure, large or small, when remodeling your house? We want to see it!

REMODELING GUIDES You Won't Believe What These Homeowners Found in Their Walls

By Mitchell Parker

From the banal to the downright bizarre, these uncovered artifacts may get you wondering what may be hidden in your own home

RUSTIC STYLE Kitchen of the Week: Found Objects and Old Italian Farmhouse Charm

By Becky Harris

A homeowner and her cabinetmaker create a personal version of European-inspired comfort and simplicity

LIGHTING 12 Fun Light Fixtures Made From Found Objects

By Becky Harris

Trash became treasure in these one-of-a-kind lights. See if they inspire your own DIY pendant project

COLOR Black and White and Found All Over: Zebra Print

Don't Forget, Zebra Pattern is Made With Neutrals — Add it Anywhere!

Tossed and Found

By The Lettered Cottage

FRONT YARD IDEAS 12 Surprising Features Found in Front Yards

By Becky Harris

Fire, water, edibles and wildlife habitats are just a few of the elements you can consider adding to your entryway landscape

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