How to work out style for kitchen?

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

We're starting to plan a renovation, the main focus will be improving floor plan of kitchen/laundry/living room, and we know a large part of the budget will be structural (moving walls, knocking out walls, new flooring, replacing 4 aluminum windows to match wood windows in rest of house). I'm someone that's more concerned about function and budget - I want a kitchen where someone can open fridge and someone can open dishwasher at same time, lots of counter space and storage, but I don't care so much about how it looks. I don't want to go crazy on the kitchen (trust me, I could if I won the lottery), but solving the stupid floor plan has to be the priority. I do want it to look nice, but I can't narrow "nice" down. Anything is better than what we have. We're going to start interviewing designers to work out what we want and I know they'll ask questions about the style of the kitchen.

I like white cabinetry and I like stained wood. I want frameless cabinets to capitalize on space, all lower drawers with full extension and a pull out for the trash, but I don't care so much for other bells and whistles, or I'll add later (e.g. drawer dividers)

I love the feel of marble and soapstone counters, but any etching or nicks would be too much for me. I want easy to care and not crazy expensive. My MIL's Venetian Gold granite would be fine as it's much much much better than my chipped white tile counters, where I have to scrub grout lines to keep it looking somewhat decent. I just want lots more counter space. I bought a kitchen design magazine, and all the kitchens look amazing, but I would hate them as there's not enough counter space. I'm not spending a tonne of money to end up with nicer looking kitchen but same amount of counters as I have now.

We replaced our appliances 2 years ago - SS french door fridge, dishwasher, 30" LG double oven electric range, good hood. I plan to reuse these. I figure I'll upgrade the range at same point as I don't like the dials on the back, but I would still want a double oven range. I do like to have gas burners, so maybe I'll replace with gas double oven, but I like electric ovens and the electric top has been fine, so I don't see point of changing it out now. We will need to replace microwave, and I could see eventually having a convection microwave, if I end up going back to 1 oven in the range. But for now, a regular microwave is fine as I just use it for reheating things (and could make sure location can be big enough for convection microwave later)

My mother is an amazing cook (everything from scratch), and she only upgraded recently to a pro stove (2 ovens, 1 broiler, 1 warming drawer). The rest of her kitchen is very basic and 25 years old - 1 sink, Formica counters with wood edging, basic dishwasher, but lots of counter space, and large walk-in pantry with 1 fridge and 1 upright freezer - but both are white. I *know* I don't need pro appliances or fancy everything to cook good food. I do cook, not as much as my mother though, but in my group of friends, I'm considered the cook. E.g. for Thanksgiving we go to a friend's house as she has more room for guests at dining table, but I make majority of meal and transport it there. I figure she has to clean up to entertain, so it's an even swap. She has an amazing looking kitchen with pro appliances and recycled glass counters, but I hate cooking there as there's little counter space, not enough walking space around appliances, and I'm paranoid I'll stain the counters.

Any advice on narrowing down the "look" of the kitchen? Should we work out cabinets first and then go from there to figure out counters, back splash etc. Or should I first figure out flooring - we're hoping under the marmoleum we have same original floor as rest of house, so we can refinish it all. If we have to replace flooring, that could change things too. Where do I start?

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Scott Grayson
Original Author

7 years ago

last modified: 7 years ago

Thanks everyone for all your advice. I have been looking at Houzz and saving ideas. Our house is 1940 California Bungalow. We have lots of white trim around white doors and white wood windows. Original windows and oak floor. DH and I talked and we agreed on several ideas. Turns out, I do have a preference for style.

I've always loved this kitchen from Crown Point http://www.crown-point.com/gallery/Collection%201/Gallery%206/index.html#6-02.jpg I saved it about 8 years ago when first thought about redoing the kitchen. I still love it. I like the white cabinets and wood island. LOVE the costa esmeralda but that is out due to cost.

I do like white cabinets and wood, DH wants some wood as he doesn't like all white kitchens, but agrees all wood could make the kitchen darker. We could do white counter tops (love marble) on wood cabinets, but I don't want to deal with stains or etches. I need counter tops that are easy care We also like soapstone, but prefer the dark look and I know I won't be oiling it and the patina/scratches would probably drive me crazy. We do like the Via Laceta granite as a soapstone alternative (thanks!). DH doesn't like polished granite, so would look at honed or leathered finish.

So we're thinking white perimeter cabinets (simple lines, maybe shaker, not sure on color of the white), wood island (not sure type of wood or stain), Via Laceta honed or leathered. Looking at IKEA today, DH like the uppers with glass shelves and frosted glass, so you don't see what is in the cabinets. He does not want mullions. We're hoping our hardwood floor goes into kitchen under the marmoleum, so it can be refinished. We plan to open the kitchen up the family room (currently carpeted) and want wood throughout. DH wants a 2 bowl sink (like we currently have), I want one bowl to be bigger, which is the current set up. We're hoping to have an island and if decide on a prep sink, then I want one big clean up sink - sinks to be stainless, undermount and probably Ticor. DH liked the pull down facets we saw at IKEA, so we can look for one like that. I think the island will be the focus if it works with out layout. We will want some color in there, not sure where or how, but there's lots more decisions to make.

Some kitchens we like on Houzz are
[https://www.houzz.com/photos/warmington-north-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~98745[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/warmington-north-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~98745)

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/laurelhurst-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~242080[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/laurelhurst-kitchen-traditional-kitchen-seattle-phvw-vp~242080)

[https://www.houzz.com/photos/life-love-and-food-traditional-kitchen-boston-phvw-vp~2361248[(https://www.houzz.com/photos/life-love-and-food-traditional-kitchen-boston-phvw-vp~2361248)

We're going to explore IKEA base cabinets as I want all drawers and I want the blum hardware and drawer boxes. We will talk to Scherrs about doing the doors, trim, all large panels etc and using their RTA line for some cabinets if we need it. I know it won't be the same as custom or semi-custom cabinets that I've been saving on Houzz, and I will compare costs with other cabinet lines/makers. This will be part of a larger renovation, so costs will have to be kept in check. While I like the furniture look of some cabinets, I know the turned feet etc will be a pain when I'm vacuuming up the dog and cat hair dust bunnies.

I need to get a copy of existing floor plan up and the ideas we have for changing things. I've been playing with layouts on homestyler.com but my measurements aren't right. I need to remeasure and draw it on graph paper. I wouldn't dream of ordering cabinets before posting the layout for advice. We do plan to talk to some designers as trying to improve floor plan and flow throughout the house, so we need guidance on how best to make that all work together. DH's uncle is an architect and his wife is an interior designer and now a real estate agent. They live out of state, but have agreed to look over things and give advice.

So excited...we're making some decisions. Though I know there's millions more decisions to make!

Crl - yes, I'm on Baby Bargains. I know there's a few of us from there that are here too.

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Comments (8)

Lavender Lass
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Kudos on choosing function first!

For the rest....first, deep breath. This can be overwhelming : )

Close your eyes and relax. Think about homes that you've enjoyed being in over the years....and movies, TV shows, books, etc. that have had rooms you thought were wonderful. What makes you happy?

Do you like vintage? Do you like a more classic style? Do you crave a few European/old world elements? Do you prefer a modern/sleek look? Do you fantasize about living in the country?

Many people will say....match the style of your home. Well, yes, you can. And I'm sure it would be very nice, but not everyone wants to live in the Dick Van Dyke show home, just because their house was built in the early 1960s. (Although I love the show, I still can't take those lamps! LOL)

So....what do you like? White cabinetry....warm or cool white? Just on the warm side will compliment your stained wood. How dark a stain? Dark, medium, in between....or light?

And do you want some color? I like green with woods, and neutrals....with a bit of lavender, purple, and even a little blue. And some gold tones. But I live on a farm and look out at grass and wheat (and some garden flowers) out the front....with a creek and big hill covered with grass and pine trees out the back. I like European accents (inside and in the garden) for a bit of old world charm. I could have played up the 'farm vibe' but that's not really me.

I'm better at finding garden pictures, than interior shots I like....and I really like this picture. It's not exactly the look in our home (we have more wood) but it's close.
pippiep
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi niccig! Nice to "see" you here.

We also were verrrry close to getting soapstone, but balked. We picked leathered Via Lactea, and it was partially installed today. I still have my soapstone samples, and they are very similar.

It looks SO good. Incredibly amazing. Like, I-want-to-live-in-my-kitchen good.

I'm waiting to do a reveal on here, but I'll send you a pic through the other forum! (I'm more familiar with messaging there...) (ETA: Oops, I just realized I have a different username here.)
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Scott Grayson
Original Author
7 years ago
last modified: 7 years ago
Hi!! I did wonder if I would "see" anyone I knew over here. I'll look at the leathered Via Lactea. It looks amazing in your kitchen. What was the pricing difference on the granite with the soapstone? We're just starting out discussing ideas to fix our house's layout. The kitchen is a major part, but we just can't do all that I would want due to fixing the layout issues. And honestly, as long as I have more counter space, I'm willing to compromise on the material we use. The kitchen is so dysfunctional as it is, so ANYTHING will be better, as long as the layout is fixed!
junco East Georgia zone 8a
7 years ago
To get you started, here is a link to lots of good information:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/discussions/3638784/new-to-kitchens-read-me-first?n=182

It's weird that there was no option to include a link, hope you can connect to the thread.

Next, begin saving the photos of kitchens you like, whether the layout is good or not. You can begin to identify looks that you might be able to use.

Then, spend lots of time reading on this forum. Notice how the layout experts address problems in other people's kitchens. You will then be better prepared to work with the professionals you hire.

When you have a plan, post it here for suggestions on how to make it better. Or, better yet, post a measured plan of what you have now for ideas to get you started.

Good luck!
Nothing Left to Say
7 years ago
Welcome. Function first is awesome!

I think it is generally best to make choices that work with the house. I think it makes for a more cohesive feeling home. So I would start with the style of the house and make choices that you like that also fit the house. Especially since you don't have a strong style preference already, it's easier to narrow choices down that way.

I agree that I would start with collecting pictures of kitchens you like, ideabooks here on houzz are an easy way to do that. I suspect you will find commonalities in most of the images you save. (For example, for me, a high percentage of kitchens I "love" have white cabinets.)

(And I think I know you from somewhere on line. . . . Baby bargains?)
Kim Ladin
7 years ago
I think continuity with the rest of your house is important. Take cues from the architecture and your decorating style, and then look for pictures you like on Houzz that would be consistent with that.

I picked out a bunch of pictures from Houzz, and I kept looking through and sorting them. One of the pictures made me smile every time I saw it, and that became my inspiration photo. That photo has made it a lot easier to make all the myriad decisions about finishes - cabinet color and style, countertops, backsplash, floor, and so on.
practigal
7 years ago
Right up there with function is maintenance. One of the things you have to consider is how difficult (or not) it will be to clean all of the surfaces. I happily left tile and grout behind and I did not do a backsplash (they are nearly always tile and grout! But you could put in something else). I'm not sure what your time schedule is or how much money you have to put into this but you may want to give consideration to finding a used high-end kitchen. Many wealthy people seem to put in fabulous kitchens, then sell their homes and the next owner rips that new kitchen right back out and starts over... That's how I ended up with cherry shaker cabinets I absolutely adore them. I never in a 100 million years would've picked them. Up to the point that I found them I had only seen that cheap reddish stuff they call cherry, real cherrywood is beautiful. From a design perspective you should start with whatever you want people to notice. For some people that's a big dramatic island. In your case it might be a long runs of countertop, once you make that first choice you need to take the time to make sure that the cabinets, the floors and the countertops all look nice enough next to each other before you really commit to buying any of them. The fact that you were changing out windows in the kitchen area means that you have to take into account the new trim around them when ordering your cabinet so you may want to make decisions about those first.

How to work out style for kitchen?

Scott Grayson
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junco East Georgia zone 8a

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How to work out style for kitchen?

Scott GraysonOriginal Author

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Lavender Lass

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Scott GraysonOriginal Author

junco East Georgia zone 8a

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Scott Grayson
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