Introducing: My New Kitchen!

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Get your cup of coffee and a comfy place to sit - this is a picture and word heavy post!

First of all before I introduce you to my new kitchen, which is just about ready for move in, I want to say that I consider myself extremely lucky to have a kitchen that is pretty much exactly what I always wanted.  Yes, there are a few glitches that I'm a little disappointed in, but it is a gorgeous kitchen with beautiful cabinets, the most fun barn lights, and is the absolute center of the home.  I do not want to come across like I am bragging - there are far more amazing kitchens out there, but this one is mine and I couldn't be happier.  Let me show you around!


To help orient you to the layout, the above picture was taken standing in the living room.   I absolutely love the center island (Eldon calls it my Command Center!), but it was a great source of stress for me at first.  I had a lot of anxiety over the size of it.  (Just ask my family.) 
That might be due to the fact that when my cabinets were delivered the island was plopped down in part of the living room and made everything around it seem to shrink.  I am not exaggerating when I say that I had to go out of the room and take some very deep breaths to keep from having an all out anxiety attack!


Since the island is sort of front and center I will tell you about it first.  In our house plans the back side of the island was to be a very large raised bar area with stools.  The problem I had with that was that the living room is actually already quite small so I didn't want bar stools taking up any of the space.  Also, the dining room is open right into the kitchen so there is seating right there - it just didn't seem that a bar was necessary.  I came up with the idea to make the back side of the island enclosed cabinets instead of eating bar. 


Because of that decision, I actually ended up with four very large double-door cabinets with the most amazing amount of space. Enough room to buy more dishes!

Also by eliminating the raised bar area, it made the counter top huge.  I'm thinking this will be very fun for large buffet style meals when we have a house full of company!
For a long time I've wanted an apron front farmhouse sink.  I finally got one!  I'm so amazed at how beautiful it is.  We did a lot of debating on whether we wanted it to be an under mount where the butcher block counter tops actually come over the lip of the sink.  I liked it better with the sink about an inch above the counter tops.  As it turned out it was a perfect fit like this so it was an easy decision.

We chose to have a refrigerator cabinet built so that our refrigerator will slide into the space.  The cabinet above the refrigerator is huge and has a very nice shelf, so there will be great storage for the big bulk items and things I don't use too frequently.  On the side of the refrigerator is a can pantry - made just the right size for canned goods.


I love this can pantry.  I've got a good start on filling it with my canned goods from my own garden produce. 
 

Next to the refrigerator all my upper cabinets are glass front doors.  They also have bead board backs stained in a walnut color.  Originally they were going to be bead board painted white to match everything else.  Following the recommendation from a very good friend, I decided to have them stained a dark walnut to match the floor.  I decided that would be a good way to bring the walnut floor up a level and tie it in with the kitchen.  It also brings about a whole different element to the cabinets.
 
 
Below my glass doored cabinets there is a corner door with a lazy susan. 
 
Continuing down that wall there is my little window.  It was not in the original plans and the only way to make it fit without robbing cabinet space was to make it little.  It is the perfect size for seeing out when standing at the stove and it has that nice ledge that Eldon built.  I really love it.   
 

My lovely new Maytag range.  I'm not one to want fancy appliances, but I did research very carefully and took my time making my choices.  In each of the appliances, I had a list of things I wanted and so I focused on making sure I covered those things - anything they had beyond that was just a bonus! I chose all Maytag appliances because I've owned them before and been impressed and because I love that they are made in the United States.  I'll let you know, down the road, how I feel about the choices I made.  Above the stove is my range hood I told you about recently.  I chose to go with white for my appliances - I have a real aversion to stainless steel.  Eldon wanted me to buy stainless steel in the worst way and I just couldn't bring myself to do it.   I will say that I love how stainless looks in other people's kitchens - but I just can't seem to see myself as a stainless steel sort of person! 
 
 
To the right of the stove I had the cabinet shop make this shorter cabinet.  Because I am short I have a hard time rolling out dough on standard height counter tops.  So I wanted a little cabinet with a lower counter top and large drawers for all my baking supplies.  My Bosch mixer will fit perfectly in one of the large drawers.  Those shelves and corbels you see on the counter top?  Those are open shelving that will go on the wall right above this little cabinet.  It will hold all my colorful vintage pyrex, my cookbooks, and numerous other fun things! 
 
 
The view from the dining room. 
(Remember the barn lights with the kinky cords?  We finally removed the plastic sleeves we had put on them and they are relatively straight now!  I love these lights.  Do you notice the bulbs in them?  They are awesome.)
 
 
Looking into the dining room.  Because the dining room is rather small, I gave my daughter my large dining room table and went on the look for a round pedastal table.  I found this antique one in excellent condition with six chairs and two leaves so it will pull out nicely when necessary.  The table will be centered there eventually - right now it is pushed out of the way of the construction zone!  See my Fresh Eggs sign I made?  I have the perfect spot for it - it will be going up soon! 
 
 
So, a few details that I chose for my kitchen. 
 
 I love the Shaker style, which is a very simple design without any frills.  All doors and drawers are inset; which means they sit inside the cabinets making the outside flush.  I requested the bead board inserts.  In my search for a cabinet maker I discovered that not all cabinet shops will make the inset doors and drawers as they require a lot more work for them to fit perfectly.   There are lots of changes that occur in the cabinets during delivery, installation and the weight of the counter top so after we completed all that, the cabinet guys came back to adjust all the doors and install the hardware. 

 
My hardware choice was old fashioned latches on the doors and simple drawer pulls on the drawers.   I've always loved the look of latches in old farmhouse kitchens and my heart was really set on having them - that was partly why I wanted the inset doors as latches will not work on any others.  I have to admit that I did get a little worried about the decision of going with latches and (of course) started second guessing my decision.  I follow two blogs that have lovely kitchen cabinets with latches and so I sent an email to both of those women with my questions!  They both wrote me back right away and told me what I wanted to hear:  yes, get latches.  They loved theirs, they had held up beautifully to opening and closing, and they both actually said they never regretted their decision once!  I will tell you that I love them.  Obviously, my cupboards are empty right now, but I love to open and close them over and over!  I chose the color Oil Rubbed Bronze because I wanted to tie in the color of the walnut floors and backs of the cabinets.
 
I also chose all soft close hinges on the cabinet doors (no slamming doors - yay!) and they are so amazing!  The drawers have a soft glide so when you close the drawer it stops about inch from closing and then slowly closes on its on!  They are so awesome.
 
 
We chose all butcher block for the counter tops.  Honestly this was a very big dilema for me.  I did a lot of reading and research and nothing jumped out at me like butcher block.  My daughter has butcher block counter tops in her kitchen so I've had a couple years to observe them and I love how forgiving they are.  I felt that in my farmhouse kitchen where there is a lot of wood in the ceiling and so much white in the kitchen that the butcher block would really add a warmth and would also tie things in with the ceiling.  I could not be happier.  We learned a few tricks when we were installing and I plan to do a post soon strictly about our counter tops; the purchase of them, installation and finishing.

 
 I chose a Porcher apron front farmhouse sink and a Pfister faucet.  I will tell you more details on the sink and faucet when I do the post on my counter tops.  You will find all about why I made the choice I did and how to install them in butcher block!

 
And there you have it.  The view from upstairs!

 
Last, but certainly not least, a big thank you to Phil and Nancy at H&S Cabinets for listening to me, letting me come every few days during construction to watch my cabinets being built and thanks especially to Nancy because she helped me design my kitchen and could "see" what I "saw"! 
 
 
 
Whew.  Long sigh.  That was a long post and I'm sorry - no way to tell you about it in any shorter version!  Thanks for reading.

44 comments:

  1. Oh wow, your kitchen is to died for. That is beautiful..I love everything
    about it. breathe taking!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Beautiful kitchen, Dori! Very well planned out! Nothing more beautiful (in my book) then a "farmhouse" style kitchen! I did a posting on your kitchen tonight on my FB page called, "Love of a Country Farmhouse"! Please stop by and take a peek! Hopefully, you'll gain some new "farmhouse" friends from it! https://www.facebook.com/CountryFarmhouseLove

    ReplyDelete
  3. THIS KITCHEN IS GOING TO MAKE PEOPLE SO JEALOUS. YOU CAN'T EVEN BEGIN TO IMAGINE HOW MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE ARE GOING TO SHOW THEIR "TABLET" TO THEIR CONSTRUCTION FOREMAN WHEN BUILDING OR RENOVATING A HOUSE AND SAY................I WANT A KITCHEN JUST LIKE THIS!!!
    RIGHT DOWN TO THE GREAT HARDWARE. HOW CAN ANYONE PICK THEIR FAVORITE.....THE SINK,
    THE CANNED GOODS CUPBOARD,THE CUTE LITTLE WINDOW....IT IS OBVIOUS A LOT OF THOUGHT WENT INTO THIS DESIGN. WISHING YOU MANY HAPPY MOMENTS IN THAT GREAT LOOKING ROOM.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Looks absolutely beautiful! I'll be curious to know how you like the Maytag stove - it's one I've looked at as well. And I totally agree about the stainless steel appliances - they get SO many fingerprints and they're a real pain! Congrats on a stunning kitchen!

    ReplyDelete
  5. It is clear you are in love with your gorgeous kitchen and deserve to be - it is just perfect! I love every detail about it and delight in reading how you made your decisions. And years from now when you part with some piece of it - the sink or range or something - a little part of your heart will break because of the love you put into the beginning. Enjoy - those feelings of pride and joy will last for many years!

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dori, Your Kitchen is beautiful.. and by how you described it put me right there, seeing your family and friends gathered in line around that island... The farmhouse sink is amazing, love the red lights.. and your Fresh Eggs sign.. I can imagine how much laughter, love and memories will be made in your beautiful kitchen... and my heart pounded when I saw your floors... Have a great day.. thanks for sharing...

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beautifully planned and executed Dori. So clean and bright and warm. It's obviously a cook's kitchen - big, plenty of room to move around, a kitchen friends and family can all be in at the same time. Well done! I love it and I know you will love working in it!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Oh happy days to you! Love all of it. You will share many memories in this farmhouse kitchen with your family. Your granddaughters will love baking in this with grandma! I am a little house on the prairie fan and read that Laura had her cupboards lower also because of her height. Only wish I had read that before we built our house! Love the latches! I have one old cupboard with latches and love opening that. You have done a great job on all of it! Love all your choices you have made. Wishing you a very happy day!

    ReplyDelete
  9. Oh my gosh Dori...I really don't have words to say how much I love this. All of your choices were made with care and it is so obvious with the final result. My favorite thing is your little low counter baking station. That is just brilliant. I'm so happy for you and even though much of it was stressful it was worth it! I'm looking forward to your post about the butcher block. ~Ann

    ReplyDelete
  10. Your kitchen is perfect....every last detail. I am in love with it. In LOVE, I tell you!! Your kitchen is my dream kitchen! I am so glad for you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! P.S. I'm a white kitchen kind of girl. I do not care for stainless steel appliances. The Chief loves them. Guess what I got for my b-day? A stainless steel dishwasher. I repeat...your kitchen is beautiful and perfect. LOVE YOU!

    ReplyDelete
  11. Soooo beautiful! What a wonderful job your cabinet makers, hubby and you have done! I love latches too and want them for my dream kitchen. I have one on my bathroom medicine cabinet, which gets opened frequently and it's held up just fine (and it's a cheapie one). The only downside I foresee is not being able to open the cabinet with the edge of a hand if your fingers are dirty! :) Love the dark walnut behind the glass cabs and think the little window was a great afterthought-- plus, it gives the kitchen a real farmhouse look with it's funky little size. Great job!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Oh my GOODNESS, Dori!!!! I love it. Love the butcher block counter top and the pantry especially (I'm very jealous of your canned garden goodies). And I am so with ya on the white appliances!!!!! I don't like stainless steel either, but Steve does. Lol, It's funny that husbands to prefer it. You, Eldon, Phil and Nancy did an amazing job!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  13. I love, love, love it!!! You did great! I'm not even going to list all I like because I would just name everything there. It's a bright happy place and I could just see a food spread on that command center. Happy days :)

    ReplyDelete
  14. Absolutely stunning. I want your sink so bad. So beautiful. You must be so happy Dori. May God bless your home and new kitchen.
    xoxo
    Lisa
    leeshideaway

    ReplyDelete
  15. Hi Dori~~~Absolutely beautiful! Can't wait to see it all decorated with your homey touches. What wonderful times you will have~~~the holidays will be especially cozy.

    XoXo,
    Linda from AZ.

    ReplyDelete
  16. I've been waiting for the first glimpse of your new kitchen and it's lovely! Wonderful job designing and pulling it all together... Thanks for sharing! :)

    ReplyDelete
  17. Clean lines..cozy..warm..inviting..beautiful! You will love having it so open to the living and dining areas as it makes everyone feel like they are in the same room! I'm so excited for you to get to move in! Xo

    ReplyDelete
  18. The pantry for canned goods is brilliant! I am happy to hear that you didn't easily make all the decisions. And when it's all done do you want to trade house? Please? I LOVE your house!! Can't wait to see the kitchen with all your lovely collections. My bathroom is done but I've hardly had a moment to blog or read blogs because our son got engaged on July 20 and the wedding is in our backyard on Sept. 7. Heading outside to clean the deck now!

    ReplyDelete
  19. I love it!! It is so fresh and bright!!! I love the white cabinets coupled with the warm wood. Love your decision to stain the back of the cabinets and your can pantry! And the lights, cabinet hardware....I could go on and on! I can't wait to see your open shelves up!! Thanks for sharing with us.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Yay!! A kitchen update! I was so excited when I saw the title of your post this morning. I had already had my cup of coffee for the morning (I was up extra early this morning) and it's VERY rare that I have a second cup, but when I saw your post and the first line told me to get my coffee and get comfy I thought, "Well ok then, I'll take you up on that offer," LOL! I went and made myself a 2nd cup, got comfy in the recliner, and immensely enjoyed reading every detail!

    I LOVE the inset cabinets. It's something I would never even have known about, much less given a thought to, but I adore them. And those old fashioned latches absolutely stole my heart! They are now on my list for my dream kitchen, right along with those walnut floors. AH-mazing!! Loving that canning pantry too, just perfect tucked in there right on the side of the fridge. Great use of that space.

    Ok, I'll shut up now, but I just wanted you to know I absolutely love your kitchen and will be pinning a few of your ideas to my dream kitchen board. Can't wait to see it with all your beautiful decor!

    ReplyDelete
  21. ....I am in love with your kitchen.....just beautiful!!!!!!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  22. Absolutely beyond awesome!!! I love it and know you will enjoy it!

    ReplyDelete
  23. Wow beautiful!! I know you will have fun cooking and spending time with your family in your new kitchen. Enjoy it!!

    ReplyDelete
  24. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

    ReplyDelete
  25. Your kitchen is perfectly gorgeous, I know you will enjoy creating many meals in there. I love the white cabinets and the sink. The counter tops are beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Fabulous...fabulous...fabulous!!! Every detail!

    ReplyDelete
  27. I read this post on my phone but it is a little hard to comment from it, so I had to come back over, and tell you that you kitchen is absolutely, truly beautiful!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  28. Beautiful kitchen! Wonderful progress on your house since I've last visited. I know you must be so anxious to have it finished & be able to LIVE in it!

    ReplyDelete
  29. Dori ~ I enjoyed working with you on your dream kitchen. I will miss seeing you...we must do lunch one day. ~Nancy

    ReplyDelete
  30. please don't laugh.. with all these details so wonderfully described.... I'd like to see a close up of your" Fresh Eggs" sign. you really made it? awesome!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I did really make the sign! :-) You can read my post about it here: http://theredfeedsack.blogspot.com/2013/02/fresh-eggs.html

      I love it - it is one of my favorite things I've ever made.

      Delete
  31. What a wonderfully large and gorgeous room:-) I love that you chose USA appliances too. Love your can pantry...my mom would be in heaven with that right in the kitchen as she has to go downstairs for hers. I'm sure you will love being in this kitchen!!

    ReplyDelete
  32. We absolutely love your kitchen, it looks amazing. You can tell a lot of love and effort went into making each element. We're thrilled we could help provide a faucet for such a beautiful room.

    ReplyDelete
  33. that kitchen is just perfect!!! I really like it & can just picture you there :)
    thanks for sharing!!

    ReplyDelete
  34. Wow. Wow wow wow! I loooove that kitchen! It's so charming and clean and neat, plus the layout is ideal. That looks like a kitchen I could spend forever in.

    ReplyDelete
  35. Loving the can pantry too! It was such a good way to use that extra space that was taken up by the ref cabinet. Also, that long island countertop will indeed come in handy when serving guests near the kitchen. It is also be quite useful as supposed to a smaller one, because you can now bring out all the ingredients you need rather than having to look for them the moment you actually need them. Have fun with your new kitchen! – Sheila

    ReplyDelete
  36. Wow! That is a very lovely kitchen right there. Well, no matter how much stress it has caused you, we can safely say that it is worth all the effort. I love the way all the details and design just come together to form a very exquisite look. Personally, I am afraid to spill anything on that kitchen as I feel like the cleanup is scary. Haha! Yet, I have to say you made a really nice decorative choice. Kudos!
    Dwight Franklin

    ReplyDelete
  37. Where did you get your latches?? I love them!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Gina, I'm actually not sure as the cabinet shop ordered them. I requested heavy duty, quality latches and they factored that into the quote. But one thing I do know is that you do NOT want to purchase "cheap" latches. Mine are very heavy duty and I would guess they probably cost about $10 per latch.

      Delete
  38. I love the result, how long did it take you to complete renovating your kitchen? I'm planning to do a makeover for mine, as it looks very outdated. Thank god there's http://thehomeexpert.uk/ to help me with it.

    ReplyDelete
  39. Absolutely stunning! Perfectly white!! I love white appliances! My husband thinks I'm crazy and keeps saying " but, that's what EVERYONE else is using" ugh I'M not everyone else haha! Retro appliances would be even better for me, ya know, to complete the farmhouse feel ;) pinning your makeover for my future kitchen remodel !!!!

    ReplyDelete
  40. I love the lamps, so funky, yet still very stylish. I'm planning a quick home refurbishment next month, so I'd love to use your blog as my inspiration, if you don't mind. Cheers!

    ReplyDelete
  41. I love your choice of latches. I am redoing my kitchen cabinets and wanted to know if the daily use of them is at all tiresome. It would seem to me that I might get annoyed at having to use two hands to open a cabinet. Is that how it works? Or do you just turn and pull with one hand? I realize this may sound like a dumb questions but I would rather ask a dumb question than regret the latches later.
    Is there anyway you can email me your advice and response? Than you in avance

    ReplyDelete