Kitchen Plans

I'm  a planner. I love to plan. The house, the house doesn't care. The house has ideas of it's own. We open up the walls, look inside, and the house tells us things have to change. So change they do. 

The basic design, look and feel can remain the same. Some structural changes, in the form of electrical chase walls and header supports, necessitate we move a few cabinets around and lose a breakfast bar. Even though it is a bit disappointing, in the end, it will be the kitchen best suited for the space. 

Thankfully we won't be spending more money as the cabinet boxes are from Ikea and I can return the unbuilt cabinets and exchange them for the two new ones that will fit. One unused cabinets will find a new home into our basement bar. I'd already purchased and painted the drawer fronts, which we sourced from SemiHandmade, so they'll get a new coat. I'm thinking pink, but that's for another post. 

One of the problem areas crept up when we removed the old cabinets and we discovered all the measurements were taken from the masonry party walls covered directly in plaster.  This is fine except in a modern kitchen, we require power. Oh so much power. The electric cables need a place to run, thus a 2x4 chase wall was built. In the corner of the kitchen by the window, we can use the 2x4s on the flat, minimizing the space loss. Also making it possible to keep the 15" deep upper cabinets next to the window without blocking it. (That extra few inches in Ikea uppers is a blessing and a curse). 

Looking into the kitchen from outside the back window

Unfortunately the chase wall where the stove is needs more depth. The gas line originally run up the air shaft next to the kitchen, turns out, isn't to code. $Cha-ching$ Thus we got to spend more and got less floor space. Funny how that happens. So, now where we had 40" work space between the range and island, we were down to 35". Not so hot. Or rather, particularly hot for the person doing the dishes as the oven door whacks them in the back of the knee branding them for life. So to avoid any actual trauma, the kitchen island/peninsula gets scooched into the living room space, back flush with the living room side of the chase wall. We loose our island bar seating, but gain back the kitchen. It was a little tight to begin with so the house just forced my hand into playing it more practical and keeping it simple. Not a bad plan. 

Looking into the kitchen from the living room

So with all the planning blah, blah out of the way, I now introduce you to the pretties! Hard surfaces will incorporate period appropriate materials, soapstone counter top for one. I'm painting the cabinet doors which are shaker. The back splash was a combination of tiles left over from my parent's kitchen renovation of a gorgeous 1900s brick home in St. Louis. I bought the remaining square footage to cover up the old chimney flue. We'll put open shelves there as well. The crackle finish on the tile looks nearly identical to some tiles we unearthed in the kitchen. Happy coincidence. The butcher block, likewise is a remnant from my parent's remodel. It will find a new home as a top for the built in bookcase under the window. 

From left to right, top to bottom: 1. soapstone counter top  2. painted white shaker cabinet doors semihandmade  3. painted charcoal cabinets semihandmade   4. crackle white subway tile   5. white oak flooring  6. salvaged butcher block across bookcase under window

The jewelry items I've picked up for the kitchen are all pretty while still being utilitarian and suitable for the space. I am excited to see the schoolhouse light in place. It will be a major improvement over the circular neon tube light that we currently are sporting.

From top to bottom left to right:1. Bistro Pulls Restoration Hardware  2. Bistro Knobs Restoration Hardware  3. Light Silver Sage paint Restoration Hardware  4. Union Pendant 6" School House Electric  5. School House Shade School House Electric

The appliances are a bit of a mixed bag and we honestly only purchased the kitchen sink and faucet. The awesome kitchen range was a hand me down from my parent's remodel. I'm super lucky that neither of them is up to speed on swanky appliances. So out with the old for them, and in with the new for us. The same thing goes for the dishwasher and fridge, however we are holding our breath that the dishwasher works and we are currently dreaming of a new fridge. We've already had a few mishaps with door shelves tipping out, glass jars of random condiments hitting the deck and exploding. Sophie dog was not displeased with this reoccurring incident. We even had a weird moment, when after sneaking a spoonful of ice cream, the freezer door decided it didn't want to close anymore. It was just done. A contractor who just happened to be working on our trim install, a screwdriver, and a few pieces that are no longer part of the door later - it closes. Yup, never a dull moment.

1. GE Cafe Range  2. Kohler Artifacts Faucet  3. Krause 30" stainless sink

The electricians are here roughing in the 1st floor and we are awaiting a door delivery for the 2nd floor. Hopefully we can wrap that puppy up here soon. Here's to another productive week!