Need advice on a kitchen remodel for a fairly new house
Bonnie Wakefield
8 years ago
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cpartist
8 years agoKarenseb
8 years agoRelated Discussions
Smaller home needs kitchen remodel/new layout
Comments (1)Welcome! A few things. First, you've asked for followups to be emailed to you by checking the box when you started this thread. However, you're probably not receiving emails b/c you don't have the email option turned on in your profile. See the "Read Me" thread for more information. Scroll down to the post with the subject "Getting Emails Sent To You...3-step Process". Next, and more important, you will get more responses if you do two things: (1) Post these questions on the "Discussions" side of Kitchens. This is the "Gallery" side that's more for finished kitchens and the like. The Discussions side of Kitchens is for on-topic discussions concerning kitchen remodels. You will most likely get many more responses over there. (2) A measured, 2D layout is the best thing to provide when asking for detailed help, especially if you want advice on layout and you have a difficult or small space. See the "Layout Help" topic in the "Read Me" thread for more information. This layout (and any pictures) should be inside your message so they can be seen immediately w/o having to wander around on the web to see them. Again, see the "Read Me" thread, this time look for the "Posting Pictures" topic! Here is a link that might be useful: New To Kitchens? Posting Pics? Read Me!...See MoreNew to Home Remodel - Advice?
Comments (13)Before talking with an architect or Design/Build firm you need to sit down and do some thinking about what you want, and your budget. The budget is critical, and should be a number that is somewhat less than the maximum you can swing. Remodel projects ALWAYS go over budget, so be careful. Next, think about the things you want to achieve. You've said family room and master suite, 1,000 sq. ft. -- but what else? These can be fairly general, but you need to give the architect something to work with. Some examples might be: Do you want built-in bookshelves or entertainment centers? Do you want a quiet nook somewhere for reading or studying? Fireplaces? Views to the garden? A seamless addition that looks like it was always there, or do you want to depart from the style of the rest of the house? What type of master bath? Those sorts of things. Then think about things or features that you definitely don't want. Make a list of all of them and have them in hand when you meet with a prospective architect. You can also go through some design magazines and mark or tear out photos of things (like plumbing and light fixtures, hardware, etc.) you like or would want, and things you don't like. Showing your architect examples of your likes and dislikes will aid him or her in specifying details. The more you can specify yourself, though, the less time your architect will have to spend on this time consuming process -- so get on the internet and download the spec sheets for the things you've chosen like plumbing and electrical fixtures. Architects typically bill by the hour, so anything you can do to speed the design process along will save you money. Selecting an architect can be a daunting task. You definitely want one that you feel at ease with. Designing a home or an addition is a partnership between the architect and the homeowner, but ultimately, you're going to live there, so it has to feel right to you. You'll be far more likely to get something that really pleases you if the architect you work with is simpatico with you and your lifestyle. If you have friends who have worked with an architect, ask if they would recommend him or her, and get a name. You can also consult the membership listing for your local chapter of the AIA. Many of the architects listed will have a website with photos -- which might help you in finding an architect who designs projects similar to what you have in mind. Once you have detailed plans, then it's time to talk with contractors. Your architect will probably be able to assit you in lining up prospective contractors to bid or estimate your project. Good luck. With the right people, building or remodeling a house can be a very enjoyable endeavor. James...See MoreHELP! Need design advice on kitchen/house layout remodel!
Comments (15)Good question...That space is actually not that big in real life. We'll likely put the 2 chairs with a table in between that we have in the sunroom now. We may end up with a moveable island in the "butler's pantry" -- agree, it's more of an extended kitchen space. But we can reuse the same cabinets so it will be low cost and extra storage since we'll have less in the main kitchen area. Moving the bathroom was deemed to be more than $10k, and creates a lot more complexity in the project. I am intrigued by that idea, but I think that will actually make the house feel smaller since that will create more of a closed off hallway from our utility room....See MoreAdvice needed: Kitchen in new house is ugly, has an awkward layout
Comments (27)Nice kitchen, Not ugly at all ... but a bit dark. On a budget, would not add tile now; instead rip off the old but repair/smooth the wall and paint all but the 4"-6" above the countertop as backsplash, which you could tile to coordinate with the countertop. Another exception to the painted wall might be the stove niche -- you could add a stainless steel panel the width of the stove, beginning just below stove top level and covering all the visible wall above the stove top. You could always add a hood to that later. Like the stove niche suggestion of Hannah Wolfson except would want a stainless steel panel above the stove and would want the electrical wiring for the lights to stay to connect a stove hood later ... so keep lights for now even if you don't add the hood now. Would create at least a countertop level with the top of the stove on each side of the stove. What you put beneath that would depend upon what that white unit left of the stove might be; however, if that white unit is something movable, create a pair of free standing base cabinets with countertops the same height as the stove top. Your kitchen windows do not have brown trim so ... if you want white trim around all your windows and doors and doorway openings, consider scrubbing all the brown trim throughout the house really well before painting them white....See Morebonnie_wakfield
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