New kitchen and appliance layout, what's your opinion?
mrv2006
4 years ago
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Do you let your cleaning person near your new kitchen appliances?
Comments (53)Agree with eleena. In my bathroom, I can't get the cleaner for the tile on the mirror, or the faucet cleaner on the floor, or the floor cleaner on the faucet. You can't clean the whole thing without a damn spreadsheet. Teasing aside, having a simple cleaning service is not an upper class thing, at least not for two-job households. However, the reality is, having an intelligent, reliable cleaning person is an upper-class luxury, unless you happen to be lucky. I would love to have a touchup every week or two. However, I remember what the cleaning people did at my mom's place when she got sick and couldn't do it all herself. Each week, something new was broken, scratched, stained or missing. She couldn't afford to supplement the housekeeper's income by running out and buying new carpets or collectibles or lamps on a weekly basis--which is precisely what you are doing if you allow someone to break something in your house without paying for it. She lucked out for a while with an old Italian lady who cleaned like she did, but for the most part they were more trouble and money than they were worth. Now, if you can afford real staff, then you can get into human resources techniques. But if you can't, then you're not the employer, just a customer, and you take what you get....See MoreMy new kitchen layout - Please give me your opinion!
Comments (22)I have a few thoughts I'm wondering if you and your team have discussed... Did you consider adding a wall between the present formal living room and the present dining room? It seems particularly odd to me to have this whole first floor totally open with two seating areas open to each other. If you added that wall perhaps you could turn the front room into a music and sitting room. The locations of the windows and doors across the back wall don't seem to related to the different spaces. I was thinking you could put a swing door between the dining room and the living room and another between the kitchen and the dining with windows centered on each of the three spaces aross the back; living room, dining room, kitchen windows. Did you discuss putting your clean up sink on the exterior wall and a prep sink in the island? I thought maybe instead of reach in pantries you could frame in a walk in pantry behind the fridge. The areas in teal are a reach in pantry on the left and a walk in on the right. Just food for thought......See MoreNew Kitchen Remodel Layout Opinions
Comments (22)Thanks again for the helpful comments. I guess my main goal was to initially come up with some way to open the wall and add a counter for 2 stools, and then "figure out" the rest of the kitchen (exact cabinets and materials, etc) once the wall issue was resolved. I see now that the the "pros" are ahead of me figuring out the full function and comfort of the entire kitchen from the beginning. I'm sure that is the best way to do this. I guess the angled peninsula is not approved. We first wanted to do something simple like this: We thought we were all set, until we tried a mock up and found stools would be in the stairway traffic - walks right past this spot. Tried different ways to address it, and eventually came up with the angled peninsula. In searching for examples of the idea, I found a few write ups that stated angled peninsulas are often used to move the seating out of traffic areas, especially on small floor plans and small kitchens. But I also read that some people hate them. I still believe there are times when they are necessary and possibly the only option to accomplish the goal. At this point, we're a little confused and apprehensive now. As far as the refrigerator and the range next to each other. Right now our cooktop is between 2 cabinet walls with about a 3" counter on either side (pantry on one side, and wall oven on the other). Even though it's not by todays standards, it never bothered much (although we would have liked a counter on one side of the range). Actually my mothers home (1958) has the a very similar setup (cooktop between 2 walls, one side the refrigerator, the other side is the wall oven). She said it wasn't much of a problem. I've seen it in other older homes as well. I understand if people have the space, change it to current standards. Having a counter on 1 side of the range is an improvement for us! Moving these items creates new challenges, so we really have to consider whether it's necessary for us. Finally the last challenge is the large window, that means we lose more cabinet space (as well as the cabinets on the partial wall we're removing). Cabinet space is important to us. So with all of these considerations, we have a real problem coming up with something that will function at least as well as we have now, and aesthetically appealing. No easy task! We'll consider everything I've learned here and come up with a final plan soon. With all of this in mind, opinions and suggestions are welcome! Again, can't thank you enough for comments....See MoreKitchen Appliance Layout - New Build - Help me pick!
Comments (64)Certainly the front could have overhang added and windows changed I would think - it isn't set in stone. And the windows are going to heat the house up some anyway. Doesn't matter what is in those rooms, the same amount of a/c is going to be used to cool the house. Truly, with modern windows and a/c, it isn't like rooms with south facing windows are going to bake. West facing windows are more challenging. But yes, large south facing windows without overhang are going to cause an a/c load. But a properly designed a/c system can handle it pretty easily. West becomes more of problem because it is really bad for several hours as opposed to a moderate load throughout the day. Even East can be an issue because it heats up the house early before the rest of the house needs a/c. OP, I commend you on your stamina and open mindedness. I hinted at the gender issue with this before and most architects are men. At some point, with large windows and high ceilings, someone who isn't well versed and in tune with sun will feel like a room is bright even with north facing windows. And it won't be terrible of course. As I look at the elevation, the architects are trying to bring light to the public areas. But you would do better with lower ceilings, less windows, if the rooms were just on the south. Looking back on the elevations, it looks like the dining room will be 2 stories? That would bring light into the kitchen if it was more open. But it also is going to be a bit of a challenge temperature wise (and I am contradicting myself a bit ... but 2 stories). Easy enough to a/c but I am thinking about warm during shoulder seasons - while the public areas are somewhat cool. When we have warm Feb days like this entire month, that south glass will get a lot of heat. So a/c will run and your north facing rooms may be a bit cold. Not as much of an issue in the summer when the sun is higher. Elevator? At some point with some of the money in this design, you should consider it. It would be expected with a 3 story house of this caliper in my area. 11 ft ceilings mean a lot of steps to your bedroom with an injury....See Moreiamtiramisu
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