Help!!! need advice for cottage kitchen!
kfagan113
12 years ago
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dianalo
12 years agotraceee
12 years agoRelated Discussions
Need advice on a backyard cottage garden
Comments (4)These are just my thoughts if it was mine...so its my preferences...keep that in mind... If she is a co-worker..and wants maintaince to keep low, there is prolly a reason, like a job maybe that keeps much time? I would personally steer clear of roses...prunning, black spots, and ect are not low maintaince..tho I know rose lovers will argue that... but my feelings are if I want low maintaince..I dont want roses, not matter how much I love them....I like the arbor deal...what about a Autum clemitis? Or Some other larger variety? I find them virtually maintaince free other than a seasonal prunning. They Seem to find their own way once started. She has great bones ...a gorgeous patio...could she benefit from a covering for that patio of some kind? I find a patio in full sun with no shade is often not used...I can see LARGE containers of color on the patio...for impact..the patio looks quite large..keep proportion in mind and clutter down to showcase the beautiful brickwork...if she wants low maintaince again..and blasts of color..consider day lillys of varies colors and bloom times..practically no maintaince..lots of impact...what about lavendar? I like its low maintaince...hostas a bit for "fake bushes". I like to use hosta where bushes with falling leaves or triming causes maintaince..hosta's do not..other than dividing them occasionally..and cutting dead leaves off and the end of the season...some of the bigger varieties can mimic bushes...pampas grass? Or some of the other grasses? They have a bit of a messy look..and have season maintance..but not weekly really....Black Eyed susans are a fav of mine for mid/to late season maintaince free color...live for ever? Great fall color..no maintaince..Coral bells? I can see her keeping much of what she has for privacy and just trimming it up and building the beds out..lots of curves and bumps that mimic the curve of her patio? Using the curves and bumps to create a grass courtyard through the middle that forms little roundish rooms kind of...a bench and fountain maybe in one of those little grass rooms? A place to admire from the back side..the patio and the artwork that new beds created? Enough to soften..but not to create much work....she has great bones to start with.....it could be quite warm and inviting and a escape from the busy world. Does she want to go headlong into it..or does she want to do it in stages? That could also impact what she wants...Everything you plant creates maintaince..but by choosing carefully you can really "limit" maintaince.....See MoreHelp needed for my cottage kitchen (pics)
Comments (8)What a great kitchen! Loads of space and it really isn't that bad as far as 80's oak kitchens go. That island is very cottagey and really lovely (pretty useful too, I'd bet). I think what is making it seem less cottagey are the black appliances and there is probably not much you can do about those at the moment. I think I would take down the 2 upper cabs that you have taken the doors off and put in open shelves there. Make it into a baking centre with a few old rolling pins hanging on the wall under the shelves, flour canisters in an old fashioned style, etc. If you don't have the energy to paint the whole thing, how about just painting the uppers white? I think that would lighten the look and if you are getting rid of the cabs in a few years, it would have to be the best paint job in the world (painting is easy, but if you want it to last, it's the prep that takes forever). You could also do a quick cottagey backsplash. Something easy and removeable like white painted beadboard or tin ceiling tiles. If you do a full kitchen remodel later, I would seriously look into keeping those cabs. From the pics, they look in good shape and painting them would make them look very cottagey. Add some molding details (top and bottom)and I think it could be great. And keep that island! (or at least call me if you're getting rid of it :-)....See MoreNeed Help with Kitchen Layout in Cottage Remodel
Comments (4)"...want it to look nice and be functional" (emphasis mine) Why does the range have to stay where it is? As Practigal mentioned, you could really use another 12" to 18" b/w the sink and range - even if you don't cook that much, you still need workspace b/w the two for when you do - even if it's just burgers or sandwiches. FYI...Pantry cabinets can be very expensive, especially the 24" deep ones. Could we see more of the space - does the refrigerator wall end at a wall or is it open to a doorway? (I assume it's a wall b/c of the line drawn, but I'm not positive.) Are you on a slab? Or, do you have a basement or crawl space? If a basement or crawl space, moving plumbing and gas is not that expensive. If you're on a slab, however, it can be costly to move plumbing more than a few inches. Gas can often be moved more, even when on a slab....See MoreMy Beach cottage kitchen needs some color...& dining area help!
Comments (7)Your house is beautiful, and because it is neutral, you can have fun with the color accents! Select one or two "accent" colors, and use them in accessories, such as placemats, tablecloths, throw rugs or runners, window treatments (although I think your treatments are great as is), sea glass. You really could go with any colors for accents, as your space is neutral. Since it is a beach house, and it appears that the walls are grayish, I'd select something from shades of blues, aquas, or sea green colors for accent colors. This is the fun part of decorating! Enjoy!...See Moreherbflavor
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