Design questions for kitchen remodel - tile choice, lighting advice

savesthejade

last year

Updating/remodeling part of our kitchen.

Lots of wood textures in our space, lots of natural light (not appreciated in this photo), somewhat modern approach.

New countertops will be, Rocky White Granite, glossy

Reclaimed wood cabinets are medium stained pine, these are staying (unless I maybe decide to get some shiny white doors for the uppers). New hardware, maybe black. Same appliances.

Reclaimed wood floors are staying.

Lowering the bar to counter height. Using the wood to make some shelves between the windows.

Going with 18" backsplash, getting rid of all these small blue glass tiles on the wall.

I want something a little unique but perhaps subdued, with texture or geometry.

(Pratt and Larson, Inline)

(BV Tile, Magnolia)

Questions to the internet people:

1. waterfall, or no? (my contractor thinks no)

2. lighting above bar area? (was thinking flush mount, rather than pendant, so it's not dangling in front of the cabinets to the right, like https://cedarandmoss.com/collections/sconces/products/lexi-5)

3. was thinking of raising cabinets up 3 or 6" - good or bad idea?

4. backsplash thoughts? I know contrast tile would look nice with the white countertops, but I also want to keep the kitchen generally vanilla (except for the wood cabinets)

I have spent way too many hours scrolling houzz and dwell and google....just need some good ol' human advice or thoughts.

Here's my really horrible mockup :P

Thanks!!

Comments (4)

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
last year
It looks like you have a single can light, and a skylight? is there any properly situated task lighting for the counters?

Installing retrofit LED disc or wafer lights (I would choose 3000 - 3500k) into a ceiling is an easy job, unless there is ductwork in the way. I would want discs spaced about 48-50 inches apart center-center (depends on the brand/size of the lights you buy) with the light centered over the edge of the counter. I would want them along the edges of all of the work surfaces, unless you have good lighting that doesn't show in the photo - but definitely over the bar.

I agree with your contractor - no waterfall.

Do you mean raise the base cabs or the uppers? I am assuming the uppers. Why are you thinking of doing so - are they too low to the countertops, which is a good reason? Are your cabinets site built, which would make moving them tricky (especially the one around that duct)? Also consider that you will likely have to do some wall repair, even if you plan to tile over the newly-exposed wall. Will raising them put the top shelves out of reach?

Tile choice - your cabinets are a busy wood, so just be careful to keep any pattern in the tile subdued and minimal.
savesthejade thanked raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio
kandrewspa
last year
The floor, backsplash and countertop all look too cool for the warm toned cabinets and floor. However, since colors can be deceptive in pictures, think about this when looking at samples of the materials next to the cabinets and floors and consider whether warmer colors would look better. I love the cabinets and floor - they are unique and I wouldn't change them at all.
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Thanks for the posts and opinions and feedback! I appreciate every one! Oh, before I forget: caryscott: I first saw the drawer thing in a magazine and really liked it! Just done for fun and to add a little interest. Our KD actually really liked it, too, and said she has sold three more kitchens since ours done similarly. Now, back to the floor... here's something I forgot to mention. I have looked at hundreds (if not thousands) of floors in every store and showroom in my area, and I have dragged home dozens. And probably 95% of the floor samples that *look like* nice/neutral colors, when held next to the granite, go PINK, or GREEN, or PEACH, or ORANGE, or GRAY. It is crazy! My DH thought I was kidding until I dragged home a huge pile of samples on Friday and he saw it for himself. It's just the DANGDEST thing! ;o) So this particular floor (the Tarkett FF) is one of probably only FIVE that I have found in my relentless search that truly blends with the granite. I love color, but I think I like the idea of a medium value, neutral, but beautiful floor. I want the kitchen to feel open, light, inviting, warm and soft. Nothing stark or dramatic for this space. Does that make sense? Jennibg, I would certainly consider some cottage style stone look flooring (as long as the color[s] blended with my granite, of course!)... do you have any links? Thanks all! And please keep those opinions coming!
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The backsplash and floor look great, but when I look back at your original photos and compare them to the new ones I'm struck by how different the tones look on my monitor; which leads me to be very reluctant to make any advice about color based on what it looks like on a computer. If there's a Benjamin Moore store near you, you can take advantage of a free sample coupon valid through June 30. (Thank you, GW'er kathec!) It's a good size sample (they gave me a 15.75 oz can) and they'll mix it in any color. That would give you a chance to try one of your leading contenders for free and see how it looks on your wall in your lighting. Here is a link that might be useful: Benjamin Moore Coupon
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So it is unrealistic to know what you are paying before you basically agree to buy with someone? I have an estimate right now for my exact layout from one place, but he doesn't seem to want to give me a quote for another line, other than it would be 20% more. Which is fine, I can do the math myself (about $8,600 for Medallion Gold), just as long as it really is close to 20%. The thing is, I know I don't want to keep things exactly as they are. I need mostly drawers rather than regular cabinet bases, which I know is more expensive. The current oven and microwave are also currently smaller than anything on the market, so I would need to make space for regular sized ones, either by extending the cooktop peninsula next to them or moving the refrigerator on the other side of them to the other wall. Either way, this is adding expenses that probably have not been accounted for in this bid. Sometimes he seems super easygoing and other times I feel like I am bothering him when I ask questions (which may be just different communication styles as well). I do understand his time is valuable, and I don't want to waste it, but he never asked for any kind of fee or retainer for work and I can't just sign on the dotted line when I don't know if there are thousands of dollars of changes needing to be made. I did call another place because they have Diamond Cabinetry, which I have also heard is a good midlevel brand, and since I was feeling a bit uncomfortable with how the interaction was going with the guy at the other place. They have been so friendly and patient every time I have had any interaction with them. They also came out and measured and are even going to do a couple different designs and go over them with me. When they gave me a ballpark though, it was 10-15k, which I don't think is unreasonable, just after hearing under 9k, 15k is tough, especially considering this reno was not planned and we have a lot of other expenses right now, so 6k does make a difference. That 9k might be a big illusion though, since I think he was basing it on what is in place currently, but I'm not sure because I have gotten to the point where I am worried I am asking him too many questions. For a big budget, a 2-5k difference might not really matter, but for us right now it does.
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Susanne Woolley
last year
Oh, the granite is beautiful! I love the pigmentation. I think because it has that detail, I’m not sure I would like it in a waterfall application. Very smart move bringing the raised bar down to all one level. We did that when we remodeled our kitchen last summer and dripping the raised bar down to one level has been a game-changer not only from a functional standpoint, but also in how it’s opened the space up so beautifully. I love the tiles you posted, they echo the geometric vibe you mentioned. I’m excited to watch for your updates!
savesthejade
Original Author
last year
Wow that was a fast set of responses, thanks ya'll!

There are 3 recessed lights. 2 will be swapped into the LED discs. The 3rd recessed light I am planning to center over the little bar area, and likely will choose a flush mount, for a little bit of texture, but keep it out of the way (it's a little townhouse and this main level is all open, with the dining area and the living area not too far away)

No waterfall, thanks!! It's laquered MDF wood now, we may instead try to match the stained pine on the sides instead of a waterfall.

We will have to demo the existing walls and tiles, so the cabinets are coming down. I thought raising them up a bit might make the space feel a little bigger? But there's nothing wrong with where they are.

I wish I was bolder in considering some fun colourful tiles - warm modern tones. But my brain says to pick a bright white. Love these pratt & larsons (these photos make the colours look a lot darker than their website)

I didn't realize picking tile might be the hardest part!

Design questions for kitchen remodel - tile choice, lighting advice

Comments (4)

raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio

kandrewspa

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Susanne Woolley

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Design questions for kitchen remodel - tile choice, lighting advice

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raee_gw zone 5b-6a Ohio

kandrewspa

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Susanne Woolley

savesthejadeOriginal Author

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