I know, I know more kitchen. I’m sorry folks it’s consuming me right now. So the sooner I get this out and over, the sooner I can move on to other things. What can I say, I have a one tract mind!
First, THANK YOU to Sarah, Mary, Mom, Sabina and Brigette for chipping in your two cents on my last post. Your feedback was so helpful. Keep it coming!
I’ve got some more questions for anyone who reads this post. And I mean anyone. I don’t usually demand comments, but I’m begging for them this time. I want this kitchen to be universally liked- if such a thing is possible. My goal is to end up with a kitchen where the majority of people will see it and say: “Um… YES!” or even better: “YESSS!” I realize the space is small, it’s the old school galley style (Which might I add, I have loved.) However, I also see the perks to the newer more open model. Either way this is what I’m working with:
Here you see the old green on the bottom cupboards. Based on your comments it seems like everyone agrees that going cream is the most universal. I personally prefer the two tones kitchens, but I’ve come to terms with the fact that this isn’t my kitchen anymore. I’ve got to think of it as an investment. In this picture I moved out the microwave. (You can see where it normally sits below.)
What sort of light fixture would you put in?
Is it worth spending some greens on a pendant light over the sink? (Which would require an electrician to put a wire up there.)
I saw this one on Craigslist for $40.00. It matches the age of our home, and has an elegant simplicity that I like.
Or I could go industrial chic and get one like Anne Turner Carroll’s (last post) though it would be more like $180. Worth it?
What’s your feeling about the over-the-stove microwave? Should we try to find someplace else for the micro?
Any ideas about curtains?
What do you think about the open shelving? What if I painted the back wall of the shelves the color of the wall?
I placed our skillet on the counter so I could try to visualize a black countertop. What do you think? Too much contrast? Remember the appliances will be stainless and the range has a black top. The sink will be undermount.
I love this rug. Do you? Is it just better without (for show days?)
Here’s another view- from the kitchen nook. What do you think about curtains? Do I need some? There are blinds, that I took off to paint. While I love my sink window, it is regrettable that it faces my neighbor’s backyard.
Here’s the other side of the kitchen. Obviously the doors are missing on the lower cabinets- awaiting a second coat. But here you get a very yellowed idea of what all cream cabinets will look like. (Sorry I’m horrible about getting the correct white balance indoors.) Though the counters will be black, and the backsplash will be beadboard. (Mary, I’m planning on doing several coats of Polyurethane so hopefully it will clean up nicely!)
What do you think about the wall color?
Should I switch the the light khaki of my living room?
Here’s the mudroom. (Don’t mind the Crate and Barrel box- Shhh! It’s for Christmas.)
Would you prefer it as a breakfast nook?
The garbage can is bad, I guess. Is it worth getting a stainless steel one (those things are expensive) or just tucking a small one under the sink?
I’ve considered taking that counter and swinging it around all along that wall to create a bar. With granite it would be quite pricey? Is it worth it? I would loose our mudroom hooks, which we have loved.
Any ideas for ways to spruce up the glass block window? A wreath perhaps?
What are your feelings about the mudroom?
Would it be cozier with a rug?
So this is the view from the back door. This nook for the fridge doesn’t come close to fitting today’s monstrosities. So the fridge juts out about 10 inches from the wall. Our new fridge is beautiful, so at least it is more aesthetically pleasing. I’m planning to rebuild the cabinets above so they come down snug on the fridge. Would you fill in the spaces on either side? This picture got me sort of nervous. Is there getting to be too much cream? Or do you like that? There are a lot of doors in our kitchen. Though, I guess the fridge won’t be white so that will help. Again notice the light fixture- any ideas? This fan is horrid- it blinds you when you look at it. Would a chandelier give off enough light? Should I just stick with a flush mount like the rest of the house, and simply not call attention to it?
There is this one on Craiglist for $40.00. Again age appropriate, if I spray painted it rubbed bronze? (I saw one just like this at Lowes a few days ago.)
What do you think about the decorative florishes that come down from each side of the upper cabinet on the right?
Would it be worth it to get a runner?
So obviously we’re talking ideals here. The reality is another thing, I can’t afford to make all these changes. Which ones would be most effective? Please, spill your beans!
8 responses to “Here's what I'm working with. . . Can you help me?”
(1) Curtains: I wouldn’t worry about them. I think they’re very personal, and tiny decor touches like that can make — or break — a sale. I would invest your time and money elsewhere.
(2) My kitchen sink has a window over it, but no light. At night or on gray Cleveland days, it DESPERATELY needs a light. I would definitely put something above your sink.
(3) My personal preference on lighting would be something more like the living room — flush to the ceiling and non-descript. I just did a quick Google image search of “pendant light in kitchen” and lots of the results that came up (like this: http://go4kitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/Kitchen-Pendant-Lighting2.jpg) have recessed lighting in addition to the hanging pendants. I think a chandelier in the kitchen would be awkward and distracting.
(4) Do you read Young House Love? They’re renovating their kitchen right now, and just had to close a gap where their new oven slides in between cabinets. You should go look through their last few weeks’ worth of posts.
(5) Tuck the trash under the sink. Don’t fork out $100 for a stainless steel one.
(6) I’m not generally a big fan of all white (or cream) kitchens. I think they’re too sterile and I enjoy the look of wood. But, I also know they’re popular and versatile, and it’s probably a good bet as far as resale goes. I think a black countertop would be too harsh a contrast, though. I would go with something softer.
(7) I don’t really “get” the value of a breakfast nook. To me, it’s wasted space. Why have a dining room table AND a breakfast table? I’d rather have the counter and/or storage space. I may be in the minority on that, though.
Well, since you asked:
Light fixtures – definitely a task light over the sink. I actually like the one you found on craigslist more than the inspiration kitchen light. I would go with recessed lights in the kitchen. Chandeliers are meant to hang low (over tables) or high where there is a vaulted ceiling. It would be in the way physically and visually in the middle of the kitchen. Under counter lights are a great investment too!!
Microwave – It looks like it was built to have a microwave over the sink so that’s where I would put it.
Curtains – simple if any, maybe a roman shade – or just clean blinds’
Open shelving – I think it’s not so good. I would put doors on them — glass if you wanted to keep the open feel.
Colors: I would be careful of too much cream/white with the floor and the cupboards and the back splash. Black counter tops would definitely break that all white feel, but I worry with yellow walls black counter tops and white everything else that it might start to feel a bit bumble bee. Candice Olsen says that she tries to make vertical lines (like walls and cabinets) one color and the horizontal lines (walls and countertops) another. I would just make sure that you pull all your samples together in one place so you can see how the colors are going to go together.
“Decorative Flourishes” – have got to go. They look dated, block sight lines and get in the way of work space. Just my opinion. 😉
Mudroom – Needs to be re-purposed. In some ways it is practically, but because it’s not closed off to the kitchen I don’t think buyers are going to be thrilled to have a “mudroom” in their kitchen. Plus it is the only space for other people to be in the kitchen with you and you wouldn’t want them to sit in a “mudroom.” It would be better as a breakfast nook, office, craft space, or something of the like.
Must go . . . more later.
Sorry. 🙁 You asked!
I LOVE breakfast nooks. We call it the breakfast room in the good ol’ Oklahoma. I grew up not using the dining room except for special occassions.
As for everything else, I got nothing. I do think black black will be too harsh what about a black/brown/grey granite option?
Hi Kjirsti,
I’m Megan’s sister and she often reads your blog on my computer which means I come across it from time to time. I know that we don’t really know each other, but I thought I’d throw in my 2 cents if you’re the least bit interested. My husband and I just bought a house and our contractor begins renovations on Monday, so I have spent a lot of time considering some of the same issues you’re debating! We spent 6 months looking at houses on the internet and 2 months actually viewing houses in person so I’m pretty familiar with the real estate market. Of course, we are in Dallas which is a different world from Cleveland, but I think there is some carry-over, too. I should also mention, I guess, that Jeff and I really go for a pretty modern aesthetic with clean, simple lines. There’s actually not a whole lot of that in Dallas (which you will know if you ever catch HGTV’s Donna Decorates Dallas — ugh!).
In truth, the reason I actually decided to respond to your post is because you mention using black ubatuba. We have it in our apartment right now and I LOVE it. I think it is lovely. We have dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances and it all works perfectly together. This should link to a pic of it (lighting’s not great, sorry): http://oliveandforrest.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/img_0097.jpg
I know you already have plans for your backsplash area, but here is what they used at our apartment. It works beautifully with the granite and we love it so much we are going to try to find it to put in our new house: http://oliveandforrest.files.wordpress.com/2011/12/img_1607.jpg
What sort of light fixture would you put in?
— I really like the one you found on craigslist. It is perfect. I actually like it better than the industrial one in the Anne Turner Carroll kitchen.
What’s your feeling about the over-the-stove microwave? Should we try to find someplace else for the micro?
— I guess I don’t understand your hesitation for putting it there. From the pics of the existing layout, it looks like the perfect place. And putting it up there means it’s not taking up valuable real estate on your counter.
Any ideas about curtains?
— No ideas. I’m a blinds girl, myself. I really like the ones in the sample kitchen from your previous post. And, they add a darker wood dimension that isn’t present elsewhere in your kitchen (or so far as I can see from your pics).
What do you think about the open shelving? What if I painted the back wall of the shelves the color of the wall?
— Are you going to paint the walls another color? If you switch to the light khaki, which would be simple and quite nice, I think the back wall of the cabinets would look great painted khaki. The cabinets will be cream, right? But, if you wanted a more finished look, I think cabinet doors with glass inserts would be really nice. They would still give it that open feel, too. Of course, they would cost more money . . .
What do you think about the wall color?
— Yes! Switch to the light khaki!
Would you prefer it as a breakfast nook?
— You could keep an eye out for a bistro type table to put in the space. For staging purposes, at least.
I’ve considered taking that counter and swinging it around all along that wall to create a bar. With granite it would be quite pricey? Is it worth it?
— No.
The garbage can is bad, I guess. Is it worth getting a stainless steel one (those things are expensive) or just tucking a small one under the sink?
— If you’re not going to tuck a small one under the sink (which we would have to empty 3 times a day in my house), I should think that something more stylish would be a nice upgrade. We have a stainless steel Simple Human trash can and, while I was horrified at it’s original cost, we have had it for 5 years and it looks just as good as it did the day we bought it. I actually enjoy seeing it in my kitchen. And, we’ll probably have it for another 20 or so years. You can always take it with you, unlike your other stainless steel investments. Btw, they didn’t have the fingerprint free stainless materials when we bought ours and if I were buying another, I would definitely consider it. As I’m sure you know, even the tiniest fingers make lots of prints . . .
I’m planning to rebuild the cabinets above so they come down snug on the fridge. Would you fill in the spaces on either side?
— Yes.
Is there getting to be too much cream? Or do you like that?
— If there’s still too much cream after you change the countertops and appliances, you could go back in a paint your walls a darker tone than the khaki. That would add some contrast and keep everything from looking washed out.
What do you think about the decorative florishes that come down from each side of the upper cabinet on the right?
— As I said, I prefer clean and simple lines. I would take them off in a heartbeat. I noticed your sample kitchen doesn’t have anything like them. It’s pretty simple, too. Then again, they seem to be age appropriate for the house. If you’re going to keep a few historical touches, they might work.
Again age appropriate, if I spray painted it rubbed bronze? (I saw one just like this at Lowes a few days ago.)
— Would the rubbed bronze coordinate with all of the stainless steel that will be in your kitchen?
Well, I just happened across your blog on the rare night that both of my kiddos are asleep and my husband is gone hunting. Reading your blog and responding to your queries has been a bit of an indulgence for me, so thank you! Good luck with your remodeling. From what I’ve seen of your work thus far, you have excellent taste, so in the end just go with what you feel. I think it will turn out beautifully!
I was thinking more about your questions this morning, and remembered something else I wanted to mention. If you guys are brave enough, you can run the wiring for a light over the sink yourselves — you just have to have an electrician connect it to the box. We’ve done that with bathroom outlets and a new kitchen outlet, and had the bishop come and check things out for us and make sure everything was good.
You guys are amazing! Thank you so much for all your feedback!
Hey Kjirsti,
A few thoughts…
First, do you have a realtor at all? It might be worth it to have someone who sells homes give you their opinion (if ultimately, the goal of this renovation is to sell your house). Especially concerning the mudroom/kitchen nook area and the lighting. I know there are definite lighting “dos” and “don’ts” so it might be worth asking a professional.
As far as too much white…what if you painted the cupboards that nice gray/brown color that you liked on the two-tone kitchen? Might be enough contrast (but not too much) and add some warmth. I say NO to the black countertops.
I think a good garbage can is a good investment. I didn’t think they were that expensive? ($40? and maybe with a BB&B coupon?) We have had one since we got married and it has held up well. I don’t care for garbage cans under the sink. If your hands are dirty then you dirty the cupboards opening it, and it always seems full because you can’t fit a very big garbage can under there.
I know I am in the minority here, but I don’t really like kitchen rugs either, primarily because they always seem to be dirty (but maybe I make them dirty?).
It will be great! Can’t wait to see what you do.
Kjirsti,
Below are my votes:
What sort of light fixture would you put in?
–I would solely put in recessed can lighting on the ceiling. This may help the space feel more open and would match your living room lighting. I think under-the-counter lights would look nice with your granite counter tops and stainless steel appliances.
Is it worth spending some greens on a pendant light over the sink?
What sort of light fixture would you put in?
–A light under the sink makes sense to me. The Craig’s list light looks good as long as it is adjusted to not hang down too low.
What’s your feeling about the over-the-stove microwave? Should we try to find someplace else for the micro?
– I would put it over-the-stove. It seems to fit well there and make practical sense (i.e., it would align with the other heating devices).
Any ideas about curtains?
– I would just go with blinds that can be pulled up so as not to block any light.
What do you think about the open shelving? What if I painted the back wall of the shelves the color of the wall?
– I would go back to the closed shelving, I don’t think many people would want to have to worry about keeping their cabinets orderly and attractive all the time.
What do you think about the wall color?
– I think the light khaki wall color would provide a nice contrast.
Would you prefer it as a breakfast nook?
– I like the breakfast nook idea.
I’ve considered taking that counter and swinging it around all along that wall to create a bar. With granite it would be quite pricey? Is it worth it?
–You may also want to consider placing a bar under the window so you have something to look at while you eat breakfast.
The garbage can is bad, I guess. Is it worth getting a stainless steel one (those things are expensive) or just tucking a small one under the sink?
–I’m not sure that you need to have a nice garbage can on display when you show your house. You could possibly just put away your plastic one on the days you are showing. Not having a garbage can there would also make the kitchen feel a little more open. I’m not sure if people would ask were your garbage can is as it is not a permanent fixture and they will be providing their own anyway.
I’m planning to rebuild the cabinets above so they come down snug on the fridge. Would you fill in the spaces on either side?
– Yes.
Is there getting to be too much cream? Or do you like that?
–I think once you add your black counter tops and your 4 stainless steel appliances (which are spread out throughout most of your kitchen) there will be sufficient contrast, especially if you go with the khaki for the walls/backsplash. This would already give you four different primary colors in your kitchen, not to mention any accent you may throw in. I think going with black counter tops with the stainless steel is wise. This seems to be a winning combination that is pretty universally accepted. Similar with cream cabinets.
What do you think about the decorative florishes that come down from each side of the upper cabinet on the right?
–I would remove them to modernize. I think their style might clash with the modern looking stainless steel and granite.
Again age appropriate, if I spray painted it rubbed bronze? (I saw one just like this at Lowes a few days ago.)
–Again, I would go with the recessed lighting making this a mute point.
Just some thoughts. I’m excited to see the process unfold.