Let's help my friend with her kitchen
Hi, I've been reading these forums for years planning for when I can remodel my kitchen. In that time I've seen so many difficult kitchen become improved with the help of people in this group.
Now I have a friend that is getting ready to remodel her kitchen and she's agreed to let me post her kitchen here to see if anyone has suggestions to make her kitchen more functional. She's lived with this kitchen for more than 10 years and other than a small island and it being to close to the oven she doesn’t mind the kitchen.
The kitchen is in a two adult house, there is usually only one person cooking and only one person in a kitchen at a time. My friend loves cooking and spends a lot of time cooking from scratch. She also likes to entertain but it's informal. On the whole house plan you can see a dining room/ living room but that is currently used as a quilting studio and that is the plan for the space in the future. She is doing a main floor remodel which will include all new floors, painting, the kitchen, and possibly raising the sunken floors.
Needs:
- The island needs to stay as that's where all the prep work is done. She would like it increased to 3’ x 5’.
- She would like a wider aisle between the stove and island.
- She would like to make the fridge wall be more functional, she’s willing to rip it all out and start over.
- A pantry and a broom closet are important
- Seating in the kitchen is important preferably at a table.
- She would like the cabinets to go all the way to the ceiling.
Wants
- She would like to get rid of the microwave over the stove.
- She'd like a range hood.
- She'd like to keep the same appliance sizes, there is an electric range and that can stay the same. I'm hoping to talk her into induction.
- She is function over form.
Thanks for your time.
Comments (16)
topazjewel
7 years agoRelated Discussions
My Friend gets beat by her husband..how can i help?
Comments (17)SHE MUST GET OUT. Period. This person could kill her - I am not exaggerating. The sooner and faster the better. Physical abuse is a deal breaker. Having said that, I realize that she won't leave him on her own volition...right now. But here are some suggestions: 1) Do some research for her - find a women's shelter that puts women in protective care and keeps their whereabouts confidential...the kind that basically helps them "disappear," and offers counseling on a daily basis. Have it ready if/when she's ready to consider it. 2) Unless she is convinced that she must leave, she will almost certainly return, even if she were to leave for awhile. Find a counselor in your area who specializes in women's issues and abuse issues, and encourage (STRONGLY and CONTINUALLY encourage) her to visit. 3) Call the cops. Ask them what you can/should do as someone who knows what's going on. They can advise you on what - if anything - you may be able to do if the situation you described happens again. 4) Keep her trust and be her friend so that you can be her confidante. You may be the only person she's telling and she needs to be telling someone. Even if you "push" a bit to get her out of her home, always let her know how much you care about her, and that you're there for her. Get her talking about the abuse (ask her how she feels when it's happening, ask her if she thinks it's okay for a husband to beat his wife, etc.). Also talk to her about how she sees herself - chances are she has a very low view of herself and you can help "re-frame" her views by telling her how valuable you think she is. Sometimes an "a-ha" moment is possible for a person when they begin to hear themselves talk. And keep telling her - with as much urgency as you can - that she should never be treated this way by anyone and that she needs to get out ASAP. 5) Find out if she's talking to anyone else about this. If she has family that are reliable and who know what's going on, consider putting together an "intervention," wherein everyone sits her down for a "come to Jesus" talk about the danger she's in. It's good that you want to be her friend. She's lucky to have you....See MoreShould I let her know my dissatisfaction or let it go.
Comments (38)Service was good with the sectional manufacturer, got delivered on time and is great quality. The poor service I am complaining about is from the furniture store owner only. Anyway I am working with another local store on a different ottoman, golly gee, I got a price within an hour of my email today, that is what you call service! I went in and brought home 3 red fabric samples. None are exactly the red I am looking for but I think I may have to comprise some....See MoreI'm helping my friend unclutter her home. She is a widow.
Comments (23)No, it did not sound as if your friend was one of those who was threatened to be killed by her hoarding. Not all are like that. I have seen people who just resort to shopping as a crutch when life happens. As a person who is devoted to an uncluttered lifestyle, I struggle with my daughters house. I have to almost tie my hands when I go there. Her life is so full with commuting, career and family that I cannot help but see, that if her home was less cluttered it would be so much easier to manage. They are not really hoarders. They are clutterers. Even just putting anything away is twice the chore it ought to be because so much has to be juggled. Most of that juggling is so totally unnecessary if they would only cull out the useless from the useful. Everything is a balancing and juggling act. Why? Meanwhile, it grieves me to see her so strung out and stressed so much of the time when I know how true it is that clearing the clutter and having a more organized environment makes the chores of life and family flow so much smoother. They really need some calm and order in their lives....See MoreMy friend lost her spouse very suddenly & I don't know how to help her
Comments (9)My husband passed and I immediately called my friends and asked for help. They picked me up the next day and went with me to make all arrangements having done the same themselves a few months before. I don't know how close you are. Does she have friends & family around who can help her get through the next week, going to the funeral home with her, making arrangements? Did she call you or did somebody else tell you about it? A friend lost an adult child last year. She called me so I knew that it was OK to step up to the plate. I immediately went to her house and made all the phone calls, checking prices and talking with her about it. She couldn't handle it alone. Is there somebody to do that for your friend? If she has somebody helping her with those things you can either ask that person, or just wait until after the service and visit and talk to her and her children. Next thing, buy her some healthy frozen dishes, preferably home made, for her freezer. Some Shepherd's pies or quiches for example. No matter what you do, I think the worst time is the months afterwards. When you offer to help make a suggestion -- drive the kids to their grandmother? Bring a dinner? I'm really tired myself tonight. I'll think about it....See Moretopazjewel
7 years ago
Sfe Sfedm
7 years ago
sheloveslayouts
7 years agoSfe Sfedm
7 years ago
mama goose_gw zn6OH
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoSfe Sfedm
7 years ago
eam44
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoSfe Sfedm
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agomama goose_gw zn6OH
7 years agomama goose_gw zn6OH
7 years agolast modified: 7 years agoWithout replacing the bay window, here's a layout that doesn't shake things up too much. It puts the CD fridge closer to the sink, so that the island is less of a barrier. You still have a pantry and a broom closet, but they've switched sides. The MW can be located on a shelf beside the fridge, or in a drawer beside it. If on a deep shelf, you could make the upper beside it the same depth.
I also have a 3x5 island, and often work on the 36" side, across from my sink. The short side is sufficient for kneading bread dough, rolling pastry crust, draining large pots on a microfiber mat, etc. I don't think you have space for a 3x5 island (solid white rectangle) and a table and chairs, but 3x4 will fit with a 36" aisle (red outline.) That's narrower than NKBA recommends, but it can work. 24" is recommended for each seat, so you could have two seats. I have a shallower than standard cabinet on one long side of my island, which leaves about 16" for the seating knee space.
I'm not sure the window over the sink is in the right place--the sink can be smaller by 6" to help center it if necessary. If it needs to be a little off-center, the faucet can be centered on the window to help disguise the asymmetry.
If anyone else wants to copy the grid and rearrange, feel free.
Sfe Sfedm
7 years ago
jhmarie