We moved in last August to our new home that my husband built himself. I thought that we might have a backsplash before now, but we had many more pressing things to get done in our new home. I wouldn't say the backsplash is at the bottom of the list of to-do items, but it isn't near the top, either. So I decided that I would post the mostly finished kitchen and then I can add backsplash photos later.
As far as kitchens go, it is perfect for us. We designed it ourselves, after reworking the layout many, many, times. I am still really pleased at how well it works for our family of four and a dog. Our kids are little (4 and 6), so we needed to build a kitchen that could take some wear and tear for many years to come. My favorites in the kitchen are the cabinets, induction stove, farm sink and the Marmoleum (althought the Marmoleum is actually one of my favorite things in the house, since we have it in several rooms). The only thing I would do differently if I had to was maybe add a little more lighting in the center of the kitchen. My challenge with this is that my husband did not want cans, so I really struggled with figuring out a good lighting plan. It actually works great at night, but mid-day it could use different lighting. Here are the details of the kitchen:
Stove: Kenmore Elite Induction (which I believe they are no longer selling). I love this stove, really, really, love it. Like more than my husband some days :) Induction is awesome, especially for the messy cook, like me. And the oven has lots of great features that I didn't have before, either.
Cabinets: Custom made by a local Amish cabinetmaker. Quartersawn, white oak with Natural Genimni Finish. Soft close drawers and doors, but no other inserts or other add-ons.
Hardware-Amerock, Highland Ridge, Oil Rubbed Bronze
Diswasher: Used from my MIL house. It works great for the time being, but is 7 years old.
Farm sink: Kohler Dickenson. The cast iron on this sink is great. No chipping, so scratching, so marks. I am not gentle to this sink, but it looks brand new. It weighs 300+ lbs, so the cabinetmaker needed to plan for that.
Faucet: Danze D422057RB Opulence Two Handle Kitchen Faucet with Matching Side Spray, Oil Rubbed Bronze: Great faucet. I prefer the side spray, especially for the look since I wanted a bridge faucet. The bronze looks great on it. We do have well water, so I need to take the screen out of the faucet periodically when it gets some sand residue in it.
Range hood: Cavaliere Stainless Steel 30" x 20" Wall Mount Range Hood with 900 CFM: For our use, and for the money, this works perfectly. The higher levels are a little nosy but I rarely run those for an extended time except when I am cleaning the oven. We need to still get a custom top made for the extention since we have a slope in the celling. We have a metal worker that will do this for us at some point.
Lighting: Center light: Landmark 66138-1 Chadwick 1-Light 14-Inch Pendant, Oiled Bronze
Light over side pantries: ProTrack
Classic Pewter 32 3/8" Wide 4-Light Ceiling Light Fixture
Lights over bar top: Machias. Replica Schoolhouse Pendant Light made by Etsy seller Lamp Goods. She was an absolute dream to work with. They are great lights and she let me do some customization to them. http://www.etsy.com/shop/LampGoods
Refrigerator: So my husband and I may be the only people on the planet who actually still prefer top freezer configurations, which didn't make for a lot of options. We ended up with a GE, which has worked well. My only complaint is that it doesn't have a freezer light, but that seems to be the standard for almost all the top freezers.
Microwave: Panasonic Prestige NN-SD688S. Perfect size for our family. Great microwave that re-heats much more evenly than others we have had. Perfect size for a shelf, too.
Barstools: I took monthes after we moved in (6 to be exact) to figure out the stools I wanted in this space. I wanted ones that were good for small kids (backs, no swival), and comfortable for adults (curved) and look nice. I finally found these and we are very happy with them:http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Willet-Curved-Backrest-Leather-Barstool/4365379/product.html
Flooring: Marmoleum sheet in Caribbean. I love this floor, I would marry this floor. Best thing since sliced bread. Seriously, I am so happy we picked this floor for the kitchen, three baths, foyers and laundry room. So easy to maintain and it looks great and feels even better underfoot.
Countertops: Yes, Virginia, they are laminate. I went through many trials of soapstone before I realize that it would not work for me or my family, but I do still swoon over them in other people's kitchens (so keep those pictures coming). I was about to get honed granite, but I really didn't love it more than the laminate. A year later, I can honestly say I haven't missed not having granite, quartz or soapstone, other than what they look like. Mine were built by my husband out of two sheets of plywood (not MDF) for the substrate, and then laminated with Arborite in Black Grit. I think they look great and since I have never had the option of putting hot pans on counters (I had Corian, butcher block and Formica before), I don't miss anything.
So I think that covers everything. Whew. Let me know if you have any questions that I didn't answer!
From Gardenweb photos
Closeup when the cabinets where being made
From Kitchen cabinets
From Gardenweb photos
From Gardenweb photos
From Gardenweb photos
Flooring after it was installed: From Gardenweb photos
Cubbie spaces above the pantry where I like to keep some of my vintage items:
From Gardenweb photos
And the view from my kitchen:
{{gwi:1915310}}From 2012-06-11
{{gwi:1915311}}From 2012-06-11
grlwprls
suzanne_sl
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