Peter and I have talked about renovating our kitchen from the day we moved in. The very first thing we wanted was a WHITE KITCHEN and ours is not. We asked numerous painters if they would be willing to paint our current cabinets white, we received 3 no’s. After that, we got discouraged and decided to wait until it was time to fully renovate.
We moved in September 2011, 6 1/2 years ago. Peter, shockingly, pushed our master bedroom/bath/closet renovation more than me (you can see it here). The bedroom was very small for a master and the closet was just not big by anyone’s estimates. So, that pushed the kitchen renovation back a bit as we have one that works just fine 😉
We (I ;-)) have pretty much had the same ideas, thoughts and taste since Day 1. White, bright and CLEAN lines. Today I will focus on my general idea of what I want and then move into specific details like hardware, floors, backsplash/countertops, cabinets, cabinet organization and so on.
This one image gave me so much inspiration. Obviously the white and bright cabinets and natural light, but the gold hardware and the butcher block island top really spoke to me. The layout is very similar to our layout which got me excited because it gave me an actual image/vision of what our kitchen will look like. Before this picture, I don’t think I would have considered a butcher block island top. It adds warmth and I adore it.
This picture also inspired me to add 2 large windows beside our (to be) French doors out to the deck. Any and all natural light is welcomed!!
This picture inspired me because of the farmhouse sink, countertops, backsplash and gold hardware. We are going to use a duller gold (technically light bronze) throughout the kitchen on the cabinets and drawers (the same ones from our bathroom – Top Knobs Aspen – can be purchased here and seen here and here in our bathroom) but a brighter gold for the faucet at the sink.
I adore the solid backsplash. Peter really likes and wanted subway tile for the backsplash. I LOVE subway tile as well but we have used it in both bathrooms for the kids and will use it again for the guest bathroom downstairs when we eventually get to that. So, I want something different in the kitchen. It’s a lot of white, but with the gold hardware and natural elements from cutting boards and wooden bowls, it will warm things up.
And the farmhouse sink is a definite!!
THIS WINDOW!!! So, imagine Image 1’s layout, with the window above the sink. But I don’t want just 3 window panes, I WANT THIS WINDOW!!! I showed Kate and our contractor this picture and it’s happening!!
The hood is what spoke to me in this kitchen. The range is very similar to what we are getting and we are doing a tapered hood as well. I personally like the stainless steel of the range but do not want it on the hood. So ours will be covered like this one.
We are truly in the midst of planning it all. In the next couple weeks I’ll keep you updated on our journey. I’ll focus blog posts on hardware, backsplash, cabinet organization, floors and anything else we are making decisions about.
I would LOVE to hear your ideas, suggestions and experience involved with renovating and/or designing a kitchen. Peter made a comment at a meeting yesterday “why do you ladies make these decisions seem like life and death?!?!” I said “because I don’t wnat to look back and say ‘why didn’t we think of that’ or ‘what the heck were we thinking with that cabinet placement?!?!'” Men 😉
Love your inspiration! We have to have the outside of our house redone (it’s stucco) and now you have me thinking that when we replace the slider in the kitchen, we should do windows on either side! Definitely post your “before” pics too!
Hi Megan!
I think adding windows anywhere is such a great idea!! Any natural light is a blessing!! And, too funny, I was JUST telling my husband, we need to take pictures now of the current kitchen/dining area so we can compare. I will do that shortly!! Thanks for the comment and following along 🙂
Tiffani
These are wonderful! We renovated our kitchen with the help of a designer and I am so thankful we did. We would not have envisioned the layout on our own. We went with Shiloh Cabinets (love them), Quartzite countertops (white natural stone), and marble backsplash (mini subway style layout). Oh we got our tile and granite in Fairfax. Must have special tile grout from Mosaic tile. I highly recommend our Franke farmhouse sink. It is big, deep and a great look. I think the biggest thing to consider is the utility of the cabinets and countertop space, maximizing all of this in the design while maintaining the look you are going for. I also recommend if getting custom cabinets make sure you hire someone to install them that is familiar with that brand. They all function differently in terms of install and it can’t make the install process more challenging. We learned that the hard way. And don’t forget lighting! We left that for the end and I’m still not sure we have the best pendants but they work. Otherwise plan for the time to be without your kitchen! That could be a whole post in itself. Happy to send pics if interested. Good luck!
We are doing white cabinets along the wall and dark espresso cabinets for the island. I love the contrast it will give. Haven’t decided on the countertops yet – heading up to pick those out this weekend!! Our Island is so big the granite will be a whole slab so its a lot of pressure! The floors are a darkish brown with gray tones. Walls are “Dove White” and we haven’t picked a backsplash.
We are in the process of finding a designer for our kitchen remodel! I love our inspiration and I will definitely come back to this post for notes! It is seriously my style and it is so functional!
xo Debbie | http://www.tothineownstylebetrue.com
Having worked for many years at a kitchen design firm, I have a lot of experience. It’s so exciting to do and many decisions to be made. First of all know these 3 premises, and you and Peter then won’t be surprised:
1. It will be messier than you thought.
2. It often ends up taking longer than you planned.
3. It will cost more than you thought.
Your inspirational pictures look great. Be sure you understand how to care for the “gold” finishes of the faucets, as the upkeep may not be as simple as you want it to be. I’m unsure if that wood is truly butcher block. Tim and I have a teak island and love it! Love to see your before & after shots. Have fun with it!
laura,
Thank you for these tips!! I am DREADING the process of not having a kitchen and being inconvenienced as much as we will but I keep telling myself “it is SO worth it!!” Would you mind send me a picture of you teak island?? I love the butcher block look as it will really be the only warmth we will have, but I am starting to worry from people saying it collects so much bacteria. I plan on sealing it and not using it as a cutting board…truly just as a countertop. I don’t mind the maintenance of sealing it often. Thanks Laura!! I know and trust your advice is from experience 🙂 Miss kitchen of the year!!!
xoxo