I swear to you I have no idea how this happened, this kitchen renovation of mine.
One day I was simply laying a new floor and the next I was all hopped up on new sink and fridge choices, frothing at the mouth over the possibility of a new tap.
Picking out the things I like, I can do. I can pick out things I like while blindfolded with earplugs in and mittens on. What I cannot do is plan a kitchen.
And this kitchen of mine needed a new plan. This is how my current kitchen is laid out ...
The fridge is directly beside the stove, there isn't enough storage and I'm pretty sure Idris Elba, whom I brushed off just a few months ago, wouldn't enjoy cooking for me when he has to go all the way into the basement to get the Kitchen Aid out. I've totally un-shunned Idris by the way. We're back on, so feel free to let him know.
Left in my own hands my kitchen would become a disaster. There would be be a monster walk in refrigerator, a fireplace, but not necessarily any room for a stove. Definitely no sink.
Because I get confused. My brain just can't handle the thought of rearranging the things in the kitchen and making them better than they are.
So as soon as I came to terms with the fact that I was indeed going to do my kitchen over, I did the first thing anyone planning a kitchen renovation should do;
I worked a kitchen designer into my budget. And then I hired a kitchen designer.
Carol Reed is someone who I know only through Twitter and the Internet. I've been following her design career through the miracle of Twitpics, Instagram and her blog.
Plus she designed my Chicken Coop gates for me so I knew she had the grit needed to tackle my kitchen which holds 4 doorways and 2 windows within it's walls.
It all started with a few emails sending Carol some inspiration pictures, my kitchen measurements and what my wish list was. I knew I wanted to keep the kitchen authentically old feeling and I wanted a kitchen table. I did not want an island. To me an island is just a space sucking trend that doesn't have a real purpose. So, no island. But I definitely wanted an antique butcher block in the kitchen. Either the relatively small one I already own, or a great big one.
After several and I mean SEVERAL back and forths between us, we whittled it down to these plans.
What I like about this plan is the fact there there's a kitchen table. I LOVE having a real kitchen table.
What I don't like about this plan is the layout is not much different than my current kitchen and has less storage.
What I like about this plan is there's a fair amount of counter space.
What I don't like about it, is the fridge being so far away from the main work area. Plus there's still less storage than I'm used to.
What's labelled as a kitchen island here is actually a great, big antique butcher block. Which I LOVE.
I really like this plan. There's a HUGE pantry, but I'm not so sure about looking in at the fridge from the dining room. I really don't know if it'll bother me or not. If you're wondering why the sink isn't centred on the kitchen window in these plans, it's because it's because having as much counter space as possible was more important to me than a centred window. Moving the sink off to the side allows me to have a continuous run of counter as opposed to a little bit on either side of the sink.
What I like about this plan, is everything.
It has a lot of storage, a nice view from the dining room (a big pantry), all kinds of counter space
and a place to sit, even if it isn't a real table.
So that's the plan I went with. The final plan. Which, you may have noticed, has no butcher block but DOES have an island in the middle. See? I'm totally screwed up and can't be trusted when it comes to kitchen ideas.
It took me months to decide on this plan partly because I knew I was doing things that were unconventional and quite honestly, wrong, according to most kitchen designers, but right for me. Carol was nice enough ... and wise enough, to indulge me. She convinced me when my ludicrous ideas truly were ludicrous. And reminded me of things I would never have thought of. Like the fact that even though I've always dreamt of having a 6 burner stove, it didn't make sense to have one if it meant I wouldn't be able to have a corner cupboard.
And partly because a kitchen renovation, even when you aren't paying for the cabinets is an expensive thing. There's electrical and plumbing, and installation and lighting and appliances and clown costumes .... uch. There's a lotta stuff. So, you don't want to get it wrong. And the layout of the kitchen is the one thing you can't change your mind on.
If you decide you want a new sink or lamp, those are things you can change down the road, but the layout is here to stay until your next kitchen renovation. Which will hopefully happen exactly once every NEVER.
You wanna know the most interesting part of this story? Carol Reed and I ... have never met.
Along with her regular design business she runs an e-design business. You just send her your measurements and inspiration photos and she does the rest of the work. IT'S AN INTERNET DESIGN MIRACLE.
I cannot think of a better way to work. It was genius. AND less expensive than having her work here with me in person. Plus there was the added bonus of me not being able to see Carol roll her eyes when I suggested things like a trapeze so I could swing from one end of the kitchen to the next with a stylish flourish.
And she couldn't see me scowl when she suggested something ridiculous like paying attention to where my toaster, coffee maker, etc. would go so I could have electrical outlets installed at those spots.
So that's it. The kitchen is planned. Somebody tell Idris.
Scouty
love, love the final design! I liked seeing the progression to the final decision. Carol and you have done a fine job, so far!
Maria Ripol
Ok - silly question... Why can't you move the island to the short wall labeled "large frame blackboard or gallery wall"? Then it won't be an "island" any more - you said you LOVED it against the wall on the second and third plans. There was a 72" pantry on that wall before, so the 63" butcher block should fit.
Karen
Maria - Because I have other plans or that wall, and now that I've lived with the "island" I like it where it is. :) ~ karen
TC
An internet design miracle lol! It really is a genius concept. Of course you need storage, or what's the point? Great choice! Plus, we've seen pics of your basement, I'm not sure Idris would survive more than one trip down to your basement. Can't wait for your kitchen's big reveal post!
annie
When I got to the plan you chose, I actually uttered, "Oooooh, yeah..." so there's one vote of confidence for your choice. When I win the lottery, contacting Carol Reed may be one of the first 5 things I do...
Penny
I think you have chosen the best design.
Have you considered rehanging the door to the mudroom so it opens from right to left? And putting shaker pegs behind the door for coats and stuff, leaving room for a bench with storage underneath on the right hand wall? Or perhaps something built in ?
Just a thought.
Brenda
I am one of those kitchen island freaks..I like your choice, love the big chalkboard wall and the storage......I also think I need Carol Reed ...
Ann
I love the last plan also. I think you will learn to love the island and to think of that as your "table". Or.....Could you not make the island multi-level? At one end, lower the top and have it table height and 2 chairs or stools that slide all the way under when not in use. Otherwise, I think the plan is genius. I wish I had just a tad more room in mine so I could have it redesigned. I love every other inch of my house, but the kitchen. Oh well. The land the house sits on was so more important to us than the house. To get 80% of a dream house and 100% of your dream land is better than the other way around.
Erin Hall {i can craft that}
looks like its going to be a great layout. cant wait to see what finishes you pick.
amyfaith
As a veteran of many (!) kitchen renovations, I can attest that there are an infinity of details to attend to when designing a new one. I tend to be rather iconoclastic and not necessarily hew to conventional "wisdom". For instance, I will often put the sink facing a wall and the main prep space along the window (like in your current 'old' kitchen) because these days, we don't spend long hours at the sink hand washing -- which is why sinks were placed by the window in the first place -- we just toss dishes into the dishwasher. We spend most of our time prepping/chopping/mixing at the counter, so why not make THAT space the most pleasant.
I do have one suggestion for you to mull over if you want. I don't know the layout or dimensions of your bathroom, so this may or may not be feasible, but I'm guessing that the sink is directly ahead and against the left wall as you walk in the bathroom door. If you were to create a doorway immediately to the left and infront of the bathroom sink, you could pivot the washer/dryer stack so it was accessed from the bathroom. I'd use a slider door that pulls from the right, as you're facing that new opening. Here's the potential big benefit: there might just be enough space to the LEFT of the repositioned w/d to add a wall and have a floor to ceiling pantry closet accessed from the old w/d doorway. It wouldn't be terribly deep (12 -14" maybe?), and there would be a dead space to the (new) right of the w/d (because it would be inaccessible if it were jammed to the left of the sink), but it just might work and would double your pantry space.
Anyway, free advice is worth exactly what you paid for it ;-)
Good luck with the reno; it's hell going through it, but the results are worth it.
Andrea
I thought the same thing... seems like a waste of space to have the WD open into the kitchen like that... but there may be a perfectly good reason why she doesn't want it to open into the bathroom.....
Because it's hard to tell on the plan, the fridge might be able to be tucked into the same alcove, though the traffic pattern might not allow. I love tweaking plans.... especially to include a narrow pantry. Truly, we had a one foot deep cabinet that we kept an obscene amount of stuff in. From canned goods and dry goods to phone books and take out menus. It held a bunch of stuff that no one ever suspected could fit in such a narrow space!
Maryanne
Thank you very much for sharing your design evolution experience. The end result is beautiful!!!
A quick question: Undoubtedly your mudroom is stylish and immaculate, but are you planning to put a pocket door there? If not, consider whether you're going to need a threshold (in the traditional sense) there. I mention this because I know that if there isn't some sort of barrier all the dirt, leaves and sand from the floor of your mudroom will migrate into the kitchen, floor mat notwithstanding, that others may track in when they come to swoon over your new kitchen.
Great blog! Have a good day :)
Johan
My vote goes with the final plan as well. The island is cool and you will never (ever, ever) regret more cupboard space. Butcher block is nice and I like the look too but how often are you quartering a beef in your kitchen?
Linda J Howes
None of these would be my choice but good luck with it. I hope you don't bump into that island every time you go from the fridge to the sink or vice versa or we'll be seeing pics of food flying and how to's on bruise remedies.
Amie Mason
Good choice! I love that the fridge is hidden and you have loads more bench space. I'm a big lover of a floating kitchen island too! Only thing I can't stand is corner shelving. Are you having open or enclosed shelving? I would love a 6 burner too... not sure if I would compromise on that - but space seems to be at a premium...
Can't wait to see the big reveal!
Su
just wondering - since you have that island/butcher block table (which I just LOVE LOVE LOVE) - can't you put shelves under it for some more storage? maybe even raise it up to pub table height???
Jody
Love the layout. Love the plan for an antique island. My question is--What happens with the flooring you just laid?
Karen
Nothing happens with it Jody. It stays as is. Any areas that need to be patched, will be patched. It's very easy to do with VCT. ~ karen!
KarenJ
Love kitchen renovations!
We did ours a couple of years ago (mostly cosmetic changes).
http://mosaicworksca.blogspot.ca/2011/08/our-kitchen-makeover-is-finished.html
I'm thinking that, in the end, your space 'sucking trend island' just might be your most favourite thing. Speaking of which the design possibilities with an island can be endless. But I'm sure you have that one covered too:)
Sally
My first thought was, no don't say you hate islands. Your kitchen is much more workable in the final design. I love your layout. You have counter space next you you fridge, stove and sink, all crucial. I think your going to be very happy with your decision.
Tigersmom
You are going to adore having that many flat surfaces, especially that expanse of counter next to the fridge and in front of a window. I predict that will end up being the setting for many a blog pic and how-to video.
Can't wait for the full reveal, especially since you do so love to tease us with glimpses of possibilities (you know, like marble counters.)
I will say there is not a more timeless and classic choice to go with than white marble counters. It's what I chose and I got them honed, not polished, so they look like they were always here. Helps to keep things from getting too dark with my low ceilings, too. Christopher Peacock does a beautiful classic white scullery kitchen that I totally copied. I also want to redo my kitchen in exactly never.
I think you made a great choice with you kitchen plan. Functionality is what will make the whole reno process worthwhile.
Genia Gojsich
What’s happening to your beautiful corner cabinet you were so proud of??? Huh? Huh? Even tho the L-shaped counter will give you so much more counter space...... At the expense of that cabinet?????? I'm so disappointed.....
Karen
Cabinet is GONE. It was cute, yes but didn't work into the plan and I didn't love it to the degree that I was going to make sure it worked into the plan. It has found a new home with my friend who plans to put it in her new hair salon. So I can visit it. ~ karen!
Denise Leavens
So glad that question was asked and to know the corner cupboard has gone to a good home. I loved the corner cupboard in the childhood home of my best friend. Seeing yours always made me feel happy - especially when decorated with lighted up salt snow at Christmas time!
Karen
I *already* have a place in mind in the new kitchen for those Denise! LOL. I actually thought of it as my corner cupboard was being carried out the back door. :) ~ karen!
Ev
How exciting! How much of this are you doing yourself? We can't wait to come over for the first dinner! Hope it goes well.