My brother needs help with his kitchen
My brother recently lost his wife and he took his frustrations out by gutting his kitchen. I know everyone grieves differently but this is the first. He asked me to help him plan his kitchen. I’m stuck! He lives on the lake in an older house. He wants an open kitchen facing the lake. He’s a contractor and will need to put a beam in between the DR and LR. When you come in from the garage kitchen door on the left is a half bath and the right will be his pantry. He will make the 2 back walls align up. How can he put his appliances and should he be concerned having to walk around the island when entering the back door. Any suggestions will definitely help.
Comments (21)
Robi J
last yearHere are a few more pictures. The picture with the glass is looking out from the sunroom and LR. The sunroom windows are on back order.
Robi J
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Comments (18)nhbabs, good idea about the clematis! That would like nice there if there is enough sun. Can I ask how big your cimicifuga gets? I was just going to plant one yesterday and hesitated because I wasn't sure of the size, and haven't looked it up yet. I always like to get first-hand experiences, though, in addition to "official" info. Funny what you say about the lobelia. I just read here on the forums somewhere on a thread about invasives that some people regret planting lobelia. Not so for me. I wish mine would spread more! And the wood poppies spread nicely, IMO - maybe three new plants per year for me. Mine are in dry shade, so perhaps that makes a difference. I'm glad you mentioned the viburnum. I suggested it above because I have one in almost full shade (gets a bit of afternoon sun) and it is doing very well there. I didn't know when I planted it that they were supposed to be in full sun, and I guess it didn't know either, lol! :) Dee...See MoreMy brother from another mother and his wedding...
Comments (34)"Should I say something to my brother the groom? Or just keep quiet as to not cause any drama?" Nope...don't say anything. Keep quiet. Let it go. Your poor brother is caught in the middle between his bit** of a mother and siblings that he probably wants to include. Let him enjoy this time without any added stress from a family fight. You and the other siblings should go out to a nice dinner and toast your brothers happiness....See MoreNeed your prayers again.....this time for my Brother
Comments (29)Sending my best for your brother Laurel! It sounds so frightening and I know how awful not being able to catch your breath is! I hope they get this figured out and fixed ASAP!...See MoreNeed help with parents and brother (long)
Comments (2)I sympathize with you. I remember feeling some of the same feelings at your age. I am the mom of kids in their twenties and I know they've had times when they've been frustrated with one another. It sounds like your issues are: You want to go out with your friends and not have to take your brother along. 2) You feel stuck in a box. 3) You want to be able to ride/have a motorcycle (although it doesn't sound like this is your main issue) 4) You are tired of doing your brother's chores 5) You want your brother to move out. First of all, in my opinion a busy 18-year-old is a happy, or at least happier, 18-year-old. If you were busy getting some type of college degree or doing some type of job training course and working part time at the same time, or if you were working full time, I think you would be happier. I think your parents would be less in your business and you would have a lot less time to even notice what your brother is doing. If a full time job or a degree isn't possible for you right now, then how about volunteering, which sometimes leads to job opportunities? Intense fitness program? Your issue#1, wanting to go out with friends and not have to take your brother along - the only thing I can think of is to talk to your parents about this. You shouldn't have to take your brother along. Sorry, I don't know what kind of advice to give as I don't understand why your parents would expect this. Issue #2, stuck in a box. If you are spending a lot of time at home, doing a few chores and working a part time job, then you are going to feel stuck in a box. See above - go to school, work longer hours if you can, volunteer, learn a skill like sewing or carpentry and market things on etsy, repaint your parents' house (you can learn to do it on their dime, i.e. learn a useful skill), learn to decorate cakes or repair small engines. Do stuff. It is very normal for an 18-year-old young woman to feel stuck in a box if she's not busy doing useful, productive things. Your feelings are normal, I think those feelings are healthy. My kids would be climbing the walls and unhappy with every little thing in their lives if they weren't busy. Your body and your brain are telling you that you are 18 years old and need to be busy learning and doing. If you are stuck in a part time job and college/technical school isn't an option for you, then job hunt, job hunt, job hunt. You need to be moving toward becoming self supporting if you can, so work 2 jobs, work 3 jobs, better yet, go get some type of additional education and job training if you can. Issue #4, doing your brother's chores. Don't. If you don't want to do it, don't do it. Either do it or don't do it, but don't get angry about it if you do it. If you are too busy with school/work/volunteering/exercise/etc, then this won't even be an issue. You'll be too busy to do his chores. Issue #5, you want your brother to move out. It's your parents' house and it's up to them whether or not they let your brother live there. I wouldn't bring this up with my parents if I were you. I would bring it up if my brother was bringing illegal drugs into the house, if he was bringing friends home who threatened me, things like that. But you never know what might happen to you later in life and you might need to come back and live with your parents. I wouldn't pressure them to kick him out over the things you've mentioned. Again, if you are busy with school/work/volunteering/exercise/etc., then you'll be too busy to care where your brother lives. Re your brother not respecting your wishes about your gaming system, get some type of lockable box and lock your stuff up when you're not using it. Ooops, I forgot that one of your issues was that you want to go out with your friends, period, and your parents won't let you. I sympathize with that because my parents gave me some unfair difficulties over that issue. It's been over 35 years and I still don't understand why they were like that. Again, this would probably be fixed if you were busy with a job, school, etc. For example, if you were getting a college degree, then you could have all sorts of school related reasons to be out and about on campus at night. Study groups, art presentations at the university theater, campus volunteering, etc. After awhile the problem of not being able to go out with your friends would probably work itself out as your parents got used to you being gone places at night. I understand why it's tempting to compare yourself to your brother, but regardless of whether or not your parents are being fair, comparing yourselves like that isn't going to make you happier. You cannot control other people, but you can control yourself. What can YOU do to enrich your life? I am not telling you this to smack your hand, but to empower you. I hope you find something wonderful to do with your life!...See More
mama goose_gw zn6OH
last yearIs he planning to use the area on both sides of the garage entry for appliances? How far can the kitchen extend to the right of the sink? How much space can be allocated to the island? Without more information this is guesswork and from your pics it doesn't seem that much of the lake view will be visible from the kitchen. After rinsing items at the sink, prep can move to the island, but I wouldn't put it square in the traffic path from the back door.
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My condolences to you and your brother. I hope he can find healing and solace in work and in the beautiful view.
housegal200
last yearlast modified: last yearSince it's a small work space, he should consider a peninsula that faces the view rather than an island. He shouldn't block pathway into the other living areas. He'll get a more open feel by having this setup, with overhang on both sides so he can take in the view.
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Whatever the design, do encourage him to paint all walls in the open spaces one color, probably white, to give a sense of flow and harmony to the space. That gray sunroom should be a bright white since it's sucking all the light from the windows. Use same flooring in kitchen and dining room. Add white, airy curtains. Help him find soothing art work that connects to his beautiful lake setting. This brings the outdoors indoors.
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I'm sorry he's going through this. I hope his new space will give him comfort. Looking at nature and art can be very healing. No wonder he wants to reorient his space to look outdoors. You're a good sister to help him do that.Robi J
last yearmama goose_gw zn6OH
last yearDo I have the location of the half bath correct? Since your brother's a contractor and is moving walls, can he change the size of the half bath to move the garage entry to the left? (as we face it in the first pic) Then, either move the kitchen window, or make it wider to provide more prep space between the sink and range, and put the fridge to the right of the door:
housegal200
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last yearHere is a drawing that I submitted to the cabinet shop. Since my brother is single and in time will entertain… according to him not! LOL! What do you think of the functionality of this layout?
Robi J
last yearHe was going to add on to his master bedroom and LR. Luckily, he decided to just change out the doors/windows in the LR. His fireplace needs an update and was hoping I could get some suggestions. A HOUZZ pro posted this picture on a different forum. This is what it is and like the look, except the different colors of the other one. Thank you for any suggestions?
Robi JOriginal Author