Final Kitchen Plans -- any input appreciated

8 years ago

last modified: 8 years ago

We aren't thrilled with the refrigerator, but it is what it is. We got a killer deal on a 48 inch sxs Kitchenaid, so that is what is going in the space across the walk way from the range wall. That is a done deal. If it doesn't work out, we are building the space to also accommodate SZ columns, a 30 frig and a 18 freezer that will both have left hinges. (for 7K more than we are paying now...) We don't want the frig in range or sink walls as the area is dark in the middle of the house. Dish drawers are in the island across from the DW. There will also be a beverage frig in island. The range is a 48 inch Wolf. We were originally going for a BS, but got the Wolf for 7K, so didn't want to pass that up. Look is simple, but furniture quality, inset shaker cabinets as it is a part of the main living area. Dove White perimeter cabinets, weathered wood island of some sort. Honed black perimeter counter, marble island with an inset cutting board. Comfortable, but well made is the look we are going for.

This is the current kitchen. Horrible bottleneck in the cook/prep/clean up area. Cooktop is awful. Hood is a fake we have to correct (we were lied to about that, among other things...) Cabinets on the unseen side are chewed by animals...

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bpath

8 years ago

The refrigerator is to the left of the range, on the other side of the door to the hall and pantry? My friend's is like that, I asked her about it, and she likes it just fine. Like you, it was the only place to put it, and it works out well for them. And think how easy it will be to grab a cold water as you head out the door.

Comments (6)

funkycamper
8 years ago
I think it looks great. Just a couple suggestions:

I would switch the microwave to the upper on the left of the range. That way someone could heat up a snack without having to directly cross behind the cook.

Most people here state that they don't like sinks centered on the island. An off-centered sink gives you a nice, long stretch of counter. I would switch the sink with the trash pull-out. This also puts the trash a tad closer to the cook if they find they need to toss something in there.

No rail trim? No under-cabinet lighting? Why not? Most who have them love them. I don't now how old you are but as we age, we need more light. If you don't need it now, you may regret not having it later.

It looks like you've put a lot of thought into draw depths and such. Have you measured what you intend to store in them so you are sure things will fit properly?

Nicely done, imho.
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I think I wasn't clear. In a 30" corner cabinet, the max thing that can fit is normally a bit over 8" wide if frameless, - but it will be less because of the range, something like 6-6 1/2". In a 36" corner cabinet, the max size item is around 16 1/2", but because of the range, it will be more like 12-13". You'll have to add the depth of the range bump out and oven handles to consider on how you kinda have to weave in there beside the range and potentially hot ovens to move stuff into or out of the corner cabinet. And also consider the added reach you'll need because you can't be right in front of the corner cabinet door - not enough room for a body to fit there. The same reason is why you won't be able to prep in that corner (altho you can store some prepped stuff there) and why you won't be able to reach the back of the upper cabinets in that corner.
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You're welcome. Can you put a lower counter below the one window on the left wall? If it's the right height for a baking counter, say 33", that would make a nice baking center for you. If that's possible, here's another idea. Move the DO to the lower end of the left wall with a pantry cab between it and the wall. Then add a lower counter below the window, spanning the distance between DO cabs and cabs on upper side of the left wall. Then turn the island perpendicular to its present position and shift it over to give you enough aisle space between perimeter cabs and island. Rhome has only 36" between prep area and cooktop and it works for her but most prefer 42". This eliminates the butt to butt problem of sink, DW and cooktop. On the backside of the island, go with a raised curved counter with seating facing the baking center. This eliminates the in-a-row seating that makes conversation harder and also provids a buffer between seaters and cooktop activity (a pop-up downdraft helps with that, too). These changes mean that fridge traffic no longer crosses the work zones so you can eliminate the undercabinet fridge. You can increase to a 36" fridge if you need more room. Oh, one thing just popped out at me. You wrote that you're doing standard depth fridge but your plan shows a fridge with CD dimensions. A standard depth fridge will stick out several inches more than you show. You could take the money you would have spent on a fridge and undercab fridge and get a CD fridge instead and gain more aisle space. I'm talking stand alone, not built-in. If the window doesn't allow for a 33" or 34" counter, you could still put one in front of it, just do a "floating" counter. A GWer did such a thing for her sink in an old house. Wish I could remember who it was.... It was clever and allowed her to put counter where one wouldn't think counter could go. Until I remember who it is, here's my recollection of how it works. She has cabinets up to the window sill, then open space in front of the window between lower cabs and counter. You could leave this clear or put baskets there for storage. The unfitted look would be appropriate for your old home's age. Heck, if this look works for you, you can go with standard height counters and have a really nice long counter run, perfect for baking prep.
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Original Author
8 years ago
Thanks for telling about the friend with the frig. I really don't like french ones.. it seems both doors have to be opened most of the time, which takes 2 hands. We thought about an only frig with a left hing, a pull out pantry to it's left, and freezer drawers right of the clean up sink -- but that solution is 8 K more than this one ....

Funky -- there will be a compost trash under the stages 45, then a trash/recycle right of that. There will be a pull out trash under the clean up sink, too. Great idea about MW change. Something to think about. The thought process was - the cadywampus cabinets would be hidden by the range hood. And, the dish drawers and silverware will be that side of the island. But, on the other hand, left of the range is closer to the pantry and frig.

Rail trim. I don't want separate trim. Blow up the photos. The rail is 1.5 inches. I hope to put in light tapes, so it won't show. In a prior kitchen I had plug mold up there. This kitchen, will use subway tile with horizontal outlets that I have seen others use here. So, I don't think I need much room up there? Is that a bad idea -- many photos show it that way.

As for pots and pans, I think so. I don't have a set up like this, so it is hard to know for sure until D-Day. Then, if I have to thin the herd, I will. All my canning things stay in the basement/garage/laundry room most of the time.

Hum..................
funkycamper
8 years ago
Sounds good. I would measure pots/pans and other items planned for those drawers and try to get them made to the size you really need.

You didn't address moving the sink farther down the island. Are you saying that's not possible with the cabinets you want? I think the trash should be on the left of the sink; sink and trash should trade places. As I said, this gives you a very nice, long stretch of counter. Always a plus.
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Original Author
8 years ago
trash and sink. Thinking. We eat mostly fresh food from the frig, so we want a good size staging area to go from frig to counter. That would be right of the sink. The stages will have the ledge towards the frig, so that is where the cutting board will be. The trash will be directly under the cutting board. And, the recycle too, so someone with a bottle or can won't have to walk through the cooking/cleaning area to throw something out. There will also be a trash under the clean up sink. So, left to right, you are suggesting the 24 inch wide by 12 inch deep open area, (which will have a butcher block top over it) then the trash, then the 36 inch sink base, then the trash, then the cutting board 10 inch open area, then the drawers?
funkycamper
8 years ago
Ya know, when I was thinking of sink, trash, and general island layout for these things, I wasn't taking into consideration how different a Stages sink works vs. a regular sink. So, really, I dunno. I've never had one and I haven't paid much attention to the conversations here about them as I don't anticipate ever getting one. What you're saying makes sense but I just don't really know.

I suggest you search for past discussions here about the Stages sinks and see if you can clean any advice from them that answers your questions. Hopefully, someone more familiar with the Stages will pop in here. If nobody does, it may be worth starting another discussion specifically asking about Stages placement in an island and make sure you mention the sink name in the thread title. This will be sure to catch the eye of Stages owners and enthusiasts.

Final Kitchen Plans -- any input appreciated

bpath

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Final Kitchen Plans -- any input appreciated

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