Anyone do cabinets in two phases? I would love to know how it went.

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Kind of an odd question..there have been plenty of GW's who've mixed cabinet finishes such as you're describing, but have done it all during one remodel. How long do you plan to wait between phases?

As far as it "working" I don't see why not...it's just a pain to see 1/2 a kitchen done and the other half not done. It means being distrupted and having a messy kitchen twice. For me, I'd eventually get around to phase two, probably taking longer to get to phase two than I had initially planned, but moreso I think by the time I get to phase two I would have tired of phase one's results and probably redo the whole kitchen as styles change..and my tastes seem to change!

I can't speak to the phase concept, but I did something similar in that I bought used stained cherry cabs for the bulk of my kitchen and have been constructing most of the rest as custom painted pieces. It's turning out splendidly.

And here's the deal - even if you have to do some additional stained cabs later, it is fully possible to have them prepped and stained to match the older ones within a hair. It's trickier with cherry, but it can be done. If I can do it DIY, any skilled cabinetmaker can do it. :)
Ferinstance, here is an end panel -- on the left -- we made from new cherry to match the old cabinets: (forgive the terrible mid-construction photos with unfinished floors)

And here's a painted shelf cabinet we attached to the back of my peninsula cabinet run:

I think your phased approach seems well thought out. You'll get to enjoy the function of your work center sooner rather than waiting to have the entire budget and living with your old kitchen. I did leave spaces in my kitchen that look intentional but are really placeholders for additional appliances, i.e., doggie feeding area could be an undercounter wine fridge or oven, area with my antique hutch could be more cabinets/refrigerator/freezer, even the end of my island where I have open shelves, could be converted to seating if needed.

circuspeanut: I've been admiring your style and DIY skills. I would enjoy such beautiful copper countertops! The stain/color and style match of the cabinets is spectacularly seamless. Mid-construction mess and unfinished floors are part of the process, there is nothing to forgive :)

slc, I don't think it is an odd question at all. The hallmark of a successfully completed project is a plan that encompasses the whole project rather than planning it in parts with the hope that it holds together when the project is finished. The scope can be as small as one room, in this case my kitchen, or it can be a house or shopping center or college campus. Many folks build with the intent to upgrade countertops or plan for new refrigerators or cooktops, and live with the first phase until we/they save for the new appliance.

I agree there are many well-done mixed finishes GWers kitchens. The ones I've followed seem to be planned as one project, albeit sometimes a many-months/years project. What I am asking is has anyone actually planned phases in which the kitchen is essentially in a 'finished' style and construction state at the end of a phase? In our case I expect phase 2 will be in 3-5 years when we've saved enough to pay cash. My question was trying to discover, if anyone has done this...Is the space functional? Is cooking workable? What was used to stand-in for the missing pieces of cabinetry? Were the missing pieces more style or function pieces? Did the kitchen plan change in phase 2?

Our philosophy is to buy once by investing our budget in the highest quality we can afford. For example, when we were married, we had some money saved knowing that when we graduated from college we would have less net worth, but owned money to no one. We put off anything that was not essential. At the end of a year we literally had no living room furniture-we sat on the floor and watched a used $19 TV. That's just us, and everyone has their own philosophy and priorities. That is just to say we want a kitchen that doesn't need a do over in 10-20 years. Something classic and excellent construction. I think a phased project is our hope of achieving the kitchen we want.

I'm sorry to post this and run. I'm going to visit my dad for the day.

I did a phased cabinet install, but not planned and we certainly don't have a functional kitchen yet. It's funny we don't even have a functioning kitchen yet, but when people come over we still congregate around the island. I had my stained oak island made last year and we are using it for storage and for work space for larger projects even though it is outside of our old "functioning" kitchen. I also use my butcher block for chopping too. I love it even if it is a pain to wash the veggies in the old kitchen and carry them to the butcher block to chop. I love the space and it's easier for the kids to help at the island and butcher block than in our old (tiny) kitchen. A lot less pushing and shoving :).

Hopefully in a few weeks we will have the wall finished between our new kitchen and dining room so that I can get our cabinet builder to start on the painted wall cabinets. I need final dimensions to get that started. In my opinion they don't need to match perfectly to the island because they are supposed to look different with the difference in finish and the upper cabinets will have glass panels.

I can't see why your phased cabinet install wouldn't work. Even if whomever manufactures the cabinets is no longer available, assuming the style of your cabinets are simple enough, lots of other cabinet makers could match them. As far as what to put in place of cabinetry couldn't you just reuse the cabinets you have for now? And then put shelving in the pantry (I think you said that).

Moving onto phase 2 is more a function of how much you want to move onto phase 2 and what means you have to make that happen. Also, budget overruns may push phase 2 out a bit further than planned.

I think it makes a lot of sense. I would personally MUCH rather have the things I really want (nicer materials) and would be willing to wait for a second stage to have it all completed. You will have all of your kitchen "needs" after stage one. Stage two will be more in the "nice to have" category. Maybe you can even get the painted cabinets used (Craig's list?) or barter something for a custom cabinet maker. The biggest disadvantage to me is having the dust/mess twice, but it doesn't sound so bad if it is just cabinets.

We are working in phases. Slow phases. It has been 2 years now, and we have finally got the cabinets and counter installed in the main work area.

Next phase (in the next year or so) is to build another unit (possibly a hutch type thingy) and install a hood over our vintage stove. And do the tile backsplash. And paint the rest of the kitchen (I'm painting half of the cabinets right now). Possibly do some redesigning of our breakfast room so that we could fit a refrigerator in there (it is currently in the garage).

This is our only possibility because 1. we are just working with disposable income and there are always other ways to dispose of it, and 2. we do a lot of DIY and have limited time available, 3. I'm picky and I refuse to settle. So, e.g I needed to wait 2 years for soapstone counters rather than settle for something else. Also, TheHusband strongly resists my more expensive purchases (like the hood that I want). So I have to wait him out. Sometimes for years, until he finally gives in and lets me get what I want!

This type of phasing isn't a problem from a functional perspective. But it is really hard from a mental perspective. It has been 2.5 years, and my kitchen is far from done. It aint pretty. I have nothing to proudly show when the inlaws arrive to visit. It is a bit wearing on my soul... But then, I have a really wimpy soul!

Sounds like your division will be more between rooms (kitchen and breakfast room), so you might have a nicer space to live in once phase one is done.

I do strongly believe in doing what it takes to get what you want. I think settling is worse. I could have installed a different counter 2 years ago, and boy would I have regretted it now.

:-)

francy

Cotehele, I don't think it's terribly odd either. As you point out, a phased construction plans relies on a cheaper stand-in that gets used for the function until the budget can afford the desired (more expensive) option.

I think what often happens is that folks prioritize differently as time goes by, and an element which was originally stopgap becomes such a part of the overall look that it doesn't ultimately get replaced. My copper counters, for instance, were really just conceived as a cheap way to bridge the years until I can afford soapstone ... but I'm loving them so much that they may never get ousted. (And if I can seduce you over to the dark side, they cost only $1400 total for the whole dadburned kitchen...)

Alternately, most materials do cost something, and I suspect many folks say to themselves: "heck, either I can pay $600 for a stopgap, or $1000 for the real thing" and so they go into debt to achieve that. If you have enough stand-in pieces lying around already, or know where they can be had cheaply, that's a different story.

The key is clearly a really good plan, which it sounds like you're constructing.

~~> Bayareafrancy, hush your mouth - your kitchen is already gorgeous. (And you are after all the only other member using a vintage OKM stove. We need to chat about that soon!) I'd die for your counters and amazing cabinetry. And I have you beat on the watermark issue... at least yours won't turn green. ;-)

cp: thank you for your kind words! I am careful to only post pictures of the presentable parts of my kitchen! (And I did notice your stove peeking out in a photo!!!!)

:-)

Sorry that I don't have any personal experience w/ phasing, but I've thought about the same thing.

My issue is that you might not have that additional funds later, because other things will come up.
For instance, do you have children yet (you mentioned college/just married, etc)?

My own thoughts is that after I finish renovating the kitchen, we'll wait and save up some money. But instead of applying that toward the kitchen, we now have to
- install geothermal heating (since oil is breaking our bank)
- finish the basement (since kids will be pre-teen and will need a place to hang out).
- add a masterbath/walk-in closet and "fix" the kids' bathroom
- paying for college
- finish the room above the garage
- etc.
My example is that something will always come up, so for the kitchen, I will have to scrimp on many things to afford the stuff I want to splurge on.

Amanda

I guess it really depends on where you are at in life.
At this point in ours, I want things DONE. I feel like I
have been working on our home for 25 years while
raising the kids. Our kids are grown and we still need
a kitchen and master bath done. I will make a beautiful,
functional kitchen (ok if its maple instead of cherry or oak)
and be done with it. We don't want this house to be our
focus anymore...we want to enjoy our time together more.
Like I said...upgrading in phases really is a personal choice.
Best of luck...I remember your layouts and can understand
where you're at!

Mom: using the things you love despite the inconvenience says you chose the right pieces. I still think of you and your girls making pie on your new oak island. Making memories obviously can happen in any stage of your kitchen remodel. I think I am going to reuse the current kitchen cabinets in the laundry room. The new cabinets in the laundry will have a longer wait than the second round of kitchen cabinets. Looking at phase 3-haha!

Francy- I have more patience with the unfinished state of our kitchen than DH has. Waiting and ingenuity are my mantra these days. First I envied your soapstone (still do) and now those yummy yellow cabinets. You give me hope! It can be done!

circuspeanut-I donÂt know, the dark side is also the DIY side. I doubt we can achieve the tight tolerances you have on those beautiful copper countertops. I agree on ÂÂit is just a little more for It is easy to do and not realize how the Âlittle turns into Âwhoa too much!ÂÂ

astridh-I am secretly (oh, not anymore) hoping I can learn to make some of the cabinetry myself. I made a piece for a college project and it turned out really nicely. Since phase 2 is a long way off, no one will be chomping at the bit to get it finished.

Amanda-Future funds are always a gamble. We have only one child-a senior in college this fall-who is going to graduate school. Tuition etc. for a few more years then DH is hoping to retire. Fortunately, I get a little each month for my projects like gardening, music, remodeling, decorating, clothesÂI am saving as much as possible. It will take awhile to save enough for the final pieces of the kitchen. I just have to stifle my other wants.

vicnsb-I hope you are able to get your house finished and enjoy life. It is frustrating to want to move on and feel prisoner of unfinished projects. I love changing things in the house and garden and may never be ÂdoneÂ. ThatÂs just me (DH likes an end to projects.) After 34 years of married life, we compromise: his projects get done-mine donÂt, LOL.

cotehele, thanks, we just celebrated 35 yrs. and its funny our compromises
are similar! He bought another old car a year ago while I was busy planning
away on my kitchen and he has done sooooo much to the car and I am still
busy planning my kitchen! Oh well, we do enjoy the old cars together so I
can't complain too much...I just need to get this kitchen done! I commend
you for wanting to take on some of the cabinetry! Best of luck!