I love my new kitchen because...

15 years ago

there are SO MANY reasons and I want to share just a few. Maybe it will help motivate someone who is stuck in the drywall dust stage. Trust me -- this is worth it! My kitchen is not ready for the FKB yet because I have no lights yet (still haven't picked them, darnit) but I'll get it up as soon as I can.

But for now, some of the reasons I am so enjoying my new kitchen:

1) when I cook, the smells no longer linger for 3 days. I made bacon this morning, and when DH came home from work at noon, he didn't know. The joy of a functioning vent

2) good flow. The layout just works better. I grab the cereal from the small pantry, the milk from the fridge right next door, pivot and put them on the island. The bowls and spoons are in the drawers in the island. Two steps and I have everything I need for kids at breakfast! You can move easily behind a person working at the sink or cooktop, you can move easily behind seated diners, and it is easy as pie to put away dishes as the dish drawers are just across from the DW in the island.

3) It is lovely to look at :) I love my ming green marble backsplash more with each passing day. My soapstone is really pretty and so fitting for us. it has more veins that I'd prepared for (I prefer quiet stones) so it is taking some getting used to, but there is no denying its beauty. Even my 11 year old fridge and oven look pretty darn good in the new kitchen!

4) I LOVE HAVING SEATING AT THE ISLAND!!! Having island seating was my major motivation for redoing the kitchen and it is as nice as I hoped. My kids love it.

5) this giant bathtub of a sink rocks! I have the Blanco Silgranite 33" single and wow, is this thing cool. I could have two meals worth of dirty dishes in the sink and you'd never know it from across the room.

6) Without soffits and with fewer cabinets, my kitchen looks twice as big. it feels less confining, and it IS less confining.

I was without a real kitchen for just under 6 weeks and we had no major problems. I had a very high quality GC and cabinet maker, good subs, and generally a great remodel experience. I have no desire to do it again soon, but I am so very happy we did it!

I feel like I've posted pics until people are sick of it, but just for the heck of it, here is the kitchen I'm loving :)

Anita

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Comments (38)

jennabanenna
15 years ago
Thanks for the post. I have never ending drywall mud dust.
Your kitchen looks fantastic, even without your lighting!
acountryfarm
15 years ago
Beautiful !!!! I love your backsplash, love the dark wood. You must enjoy now. Have a great Thanksgiving, I hope its at your house so you can show off your new beauty.

BTW - never too many pics :)
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jules1906
15 years ago
Your kitchen is sooo pretty! I love the backsplash, cabinets, and the island. Do you have a closeup of the soapstone? Congratulations on being finished!
choux
15 years ago
Your kitchen is fantastic! Congratulations and enjoy!
beccamj
15 years ago
Really beautiful, Anita. I also love the backsplash... what is it?
pbrisjar
15 years ago
As I'm vacuuming the wood dust from my hair, I'm enjoying your posts. Glad you're enjoying your new kitchen.
rhome410
15 years ago
Wonderful! The cabinets are so rich and I love the wall color with the backsplash. Did I miss whether you ever decided on a color for the pendants? I don't see them yet...
alice462
15 years ago
Anita - thank you for the encouragement! As others have mentioned, dry wall dust is still everywhere, my hardwood has been "acclimating" for 2 weeks in the new kitchen waiting to be laid, tile not grouted in bathrooms and oh yeah, the mason "ran out" of brick to complete the exterior entrance.......feels like two steps forward, one step back and at this pace we will be lucky to celebrate New Year's in our new space, much less Christmas. (they projected Thanksgiving)!

I have always really loved your color scheme - the cabinet/backsplash combo still takes my breath away. Thank you for commenting on both your island seating and your giant sink -- they are two elemnts in my kitchen that I am looking forward to and it is good to hear how much you are enjoying them. I particularly love the little flower on the counter....just the right touch! Thanks again for the encouragement and keep posting pics, they are great!
minette99
15 years ago
It's beautiful, Anita! And there can never be too many pics. They are always fun to look at. Your backsplash is so pretty against all of your other lovely choices. You did a wonderful job!
jessie21
15 years ago
Don't remember if I have told you yet how great I think your kitchen turned out. I love it! Your cabinets and splash are particularly gorgeous. congratulations and thanks so much for sharing your process.
busybme
15 years ago
It really looks great, Anita! You have done such a fantastic job!

Sandy
debsan
15 years ago
That is truly a lovely kitchen. The backsplash gives the darker wood a very contemporary sophistication. It's easy to see why you are happy with it.
rnest44
15 years ago
I thought how mean those comments about your dog were then chuckled over your sister's prank, I watched your remodel through pics, and now you have a beautiful new kitchen! I've gone from lurker to poster and soon from planner to demo to reno. You did it with such grace as you kept posting even through frustration. Thanks and keep enjoying your new kitchen. Keep us posted on the pendants. I do love your island!
nauset
15 years ago
What a beautiful out come! Could you share the make and where you got your stools? How high is the seat and the back? THANKS!
victoriajane
15 years ago
Anita,
Thanks for the inspiration. We are at the drywall/dust/ drilling through 110 year old plaster wall phase and have been without a kitchen and down to one (basement) bathroom for the 6 of us since June. I *need* to hear the stories of how it's all worth it! Like you, I will enjoy good ventilation, a larger sink and better flow in and out of the kitchen (if it ever gets done.) Congratulations - I love your stained wood cabinets against the soapstone - really beautiful.
sarahnc
15 years ago
It is beautiful! Congrats!
smilingjudy
15 years ago
Looking good, Anita! I think this is the first time you've shown this angle....my favorite so far. Drink coffee much? ;-) Enjoy your beautiful creation.
katiekitchen
15 years ago
How long is the island? How much overhang? Is it comfy seating?
janefan
15 years ago
I hadn't seen a picture from that angle yet, and it's a great one! Your kitchen is so rich and warm!
nomorebluekitchen
Original Author
15 years ago
Katie, the island is 67 inches long. At the widest point it is 42" and at the narrowest 35". (This is so funny...my island was designed to be 36" at the widest. I'm not sure how the 42" happened, and until I measured just now I thought it was 36"! Luckily my walking path is still plenty wide enough. What a lucky accident!).

Smilingjudy, one of my favorite magnets shows a 1950s lady demurely sipping coffee with the quote "if I could, I would inject it". I love my coffee. Roasterie in brookside. Do you ever go there? Best lattes on the planet.

Nauset, the stools are Baba counter stools from Design Within Reach. The seat is at 26 1/2 from the floor, and the top of the back is 35 1/2. They also have a bar height stool. I really like these both for looks and comfort.

Owls4me, what is the story on your user name? I ask because until our construction we had owls living in our yard which we loved. I hope now that the construction is done they'll return. What do you think?

Alice (and others slogging through a long remodel), I just past my one year mark. My original demo to my garage for my addition took place Nov 1, 2007. It has been a long haul but worth it, so worth it. Good luck!

beccamj, my backsplash is 2x12 ming green marble. It is also sometimes known as Jade, and Tile Shop calls it Biltmore. Mine is not very green at all, more grey and blue and cream with touches of green. If you check out the Ann Sacks ming green, it is very green.

pbrisjar, I'm laughing out loud at the vacuuming wood dust from your hair. It got so bad that I was sweeping the craft paper on the floor and thinking the house was clean :)

Anita
pbrisjar
15 years ago
LOL. I gave up on "clean" about 8 months ago. There's just no way unless I want to make it a full-time job. For now I just go with livable.

I'm still drooling over your backsplash. Intrigued by your stools, too. They're a bit modern-looking for my tastes and kitchen but they look quite comfortable.

But yeah - shop vacs make rather good hair stylers if you're into the untamed look.
elizpiz
15 years ago
Anita, yours have been the most enjoyable posts on GW! Just when I think we're never coming to an end, the photos of your amazing kitchen , whether they're shots in progress, with pendants photoshopped in or from this new and beautiful angle - continue to inspire. And reading the story as it has unfolded along the way has been so much fun (especially when your sister got in on the action!).

We're in a temporary apt, and every time someone asks us when we're moving back I say "in two weeks". The last time was three weeks ago.... :-( Thanks for helping us all keep the faith! Can't wait to see the final selects on those lights.

Eliz
lovetocook9
15 years ago
Anita,

I love your backsplash! You've done a terriffic job. I've enjoyed watching your progress and like the others have said you can never have to many pictures! Beautiful!!

We started in Feb and still have so much to go - its inspiring to see yourself and others to continue on and know there is a light at the end of the tunnel - it gives meaning to all the frustration. We still have knobs and pulls, lighting, paint, backsplash and some wiring. Hoping the island will be put in this week...I thought for sure we'd be done before fall :(
This post has put a smile on my face again - what has been done so far matches up with all the things you love about your kitchen, almost to the tee! The large single sink, others and lattes at the island, no more lingering smells, good flow, growing love for my granite...We have a similar setup, everything is in the same place with the exception of the fridge which is on the other leg of my u shape.
THANKS AGAIN FOR THE ATTITUDE ADJUSTMENT - WAS MUCH NEEDED!
neesie
15 years ago
No wonder you're so happy, the kitchen looks fantastic! I could linger over coffee for hours there. Great job, enjoy!
pluckymama
15 years ago
Anita,
I just love your kitchen! I have so enjoyed your threads (especially with your sisters) and watching your remodel progress. Can't wait to see the 100% finished kit. with your lighting pics. It is so beautiful and comfortable at the same time. Everything about it is perfect.
gbsim1
15 years ago
Anita,
The kitchen is lovely and I'm glad that you're loving it!

Could you keep us posted about the soapstone as it ages? I've been thinking that this is what I'll go with, but the posts about water rings etc have me a little worried.
ellen917
15 years ago
Anita -- Of all the kitchen remodels I've read about, I've connected with yours the most. Maybe its because we have similar tastes, maybe it's your sense of humor, and maybe its because I have a gang of crazy sisters like you. I took my first demo photo on Sept. 20 (me putting a sledge hammer through the wall), and the photo I take on Nov. 20 will be a dang-near-complete kitchen. I will attempt to post pics, as the feedback on this site has been phenomenal. (I just laughed to see the number of responses to your lighting post. Too bad nobody cares! :-P) -- Fabulous space. I see a lot to love. Ellen
southern_2008
15 years ago
Please post more pics of the soapstone counters up close and in different lights! Which soapstone is it you have? I am looking at the golden green soapstone and a green leathered soapstone (they are also calling it a granite??!) which is dark green with a hint of blue in it. Thanks for posting pics
raehelen
15 years ago
I love your new kitchen too! I really love your backsplash- I have similar colourings in my kitchen, but with tan walls, so looking at how nicely your BS blends into your walls, reconfirms for me that I should probably go with a tan BS. I am not tired of the pics- I love the pics, I'm a real visual person, and it helps so much. Bring em on!!!

OK
susanlynn2012
15 years ago
Anita, I love the transformation remembering your blue kitchen. I love your new kitchen that is functional, very pretty and stylish. Also what species is your kitchen floor that has that pretty color I like?

Thanks for sharing. Enjoy your kitchen for many more years to come.
rnest44
15 years ago
Slightly OT but yes, we enjoy a pair of great horned owls and one off spring born @ March of this year. They took up residence in the abandon red tail hawk's nest in the 9 acres of wetlands next to our home 'in the woods'. I listened to them call to each other as I registered for GW so my user name was created.
I don't know if yours will return. Do you know what kind they were?
cotehele
15 years ago
Anita, congrats on your kitchen. It's so different from the blue one! I still love the cabinet style and stain color. What is it?

Judy
bmorepanic
15 years ago
Yeah, baby! But where's the pendants? I luvs da shiney things.
tsherman
15 years ago
Anita - Wow! What's not to love?!? Your kitchen is beautiful and it is great to see how all your selections have come together so perfectly. I am just beginning my remodel journey and realized that although my space is a little smaller, your layout is similar to mine. I don't want to hijack your post so if you get a chance I'd really appreciate it if you could check out my post (see below) and add your perspective. I'd appreciate any advice you might have.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1115321231594.html?3

Two issue come to mind when I see your kitchen. 1. I don't have room to put the fridge and pantry together - one will have to be where your fridge used to be (I'm leaning towards the pantry, what do you think?) 2. I'm considering moving my range to where your cooktop is. Is there enough counterspace to either side?

Thanks - and again, congratulation on an amazing space!

Tara
Buehl
15 years ago
That's one very loveable kitchen! And, with the exception of that little blue dinosaur (??) I see on the counter, not a speck of blue in sight!

You've done very well!! (I do like blue, but not your old cabinets so much!)

Good luck on your pendant search!
janran
15 years ago
That's what it's all about--form and function. Looks like you've got them both. Enjoy!
katmandu_2008
15 years ago
nomore, it is really beautiful! I am so happy for you. I recall we were starting (just the kitchen for us that is) at the same time. Good to be done, huh? Again, really happy for you. Hope the rest comes together so nicely!
tsherman
15 years ago
Anita, I just realized that part of what I love about your kitchen is how uncluttered it is. So where is everything? I'm looking around my current setup (the before state) and I can't see where the coffee maker, mixer, toaster oven, and bread will all go. Will I have that much more cabinet space?!? Where do you tuck all your "facts of life"?

I love my new kitchen because...

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