Baldy and I, and our girls, moved into the house we live in about 15 years ago and the kitchen definitely needed a remodel. It was about 5 years before we were able to get that done and we went back and forth about whether to make it bigger or just redo in the existing space. We decided to just redo in the existing space and now we’re regretting that decision. Our family has grown and for some reason, everyone seems to gather in the kitchen…
Every time we host anything now, we look at each other and say “we need a bigger kitchen”! We want a space that’s more of a family area where we can all be comfortably and more casual. A formal dining room is great for an adult event, but we don’t have a great casual space where the grandchildren can be comfortable. I guess what I’m wanting is a great room…big enough for a huge table, seating area with the kitchen adjoining. Hopefully, this will happen soon.
The first time we remodeled the kitchen, I decided that I wanted black cabinets, but as so often happens, over the years, my taste has changed. I also decided on pre-made cabinets thinking that because of the finish, they would hold up better…I was wrong, and they can’t be painted!
Right now, light filled rooms are so appealing to me…I don’t know if styles have changed, or if it’s me! Anyway, we’re ready to at least start the planning!
I’ve been pinning away and gathering ideas…here are a few designs that I’m loving!
The big island and open storage are so appealing. This kitchen would be ideal for making videos although the glam factor may be a little too high…we’ll see!
While I don’t love the dark countertops, I do love the idea of a huge island with a sink!
Probably my favorite…this kitchen belongs to Nate Berkus. Love the backsplash and the fabulous windows as well as the hood on the stove. The only thing I don’t love are the light fixtures!
Now that we have Amos, the idea of having a designated space for his bowls is very appealing!
I have wanted a La Cornue Range for as long as I can remember! They are beautifully designed and, as far as I’m concerned…a functional piece of art! One more below…
This has a very European feel, but some design elements that I could get used to! I love the vaulted celiing!
Any advice for a kitchen remodel would be much appreciated! It’s not a fun thing to live through and this time it needs to be right!
Good morning!
You know I love to renovate kitchens and the classic white kitchen will withstand the test of time.
Do you homework on appliances before you invest money in them.
Reviews and talking to people who own La Cornue Range will be your best sources.
The parts are flown in from France which is a big negative and most appliance people don’t know how to repair them. Gorgeous appliance but do your homework.
I am just a phone call away!
Robin
Hi Robin
Thanks for that advice! My neighbor has a Cornue Fe (spelling?) and loves it…I’m not sure yet though. I have a Wolf now, but had a Viking in our other house and liked it better. I know this will be a process and we need an architect to design the space!
Thank you so much for the offer of help, I’m going to need it!
I love talking about kitchens! When we built our current house, I opted for a very dramatic (72") LaCanche unit in a taupe and brass combination to match my taupe and white kitchen. It is gorgeous, very functional with a wide variety of cooking options (reg. burners, french top, griddle etc. and has both an electric and gas oven in addition to smaller warming ovens. One reason I went with this brand is that they have a showroom in my city and therefore, good service although in the 3 years since installation, I have never needed it. My stove gives me so many possibilities that I rarely use my microwave or steam oven! Performance wise, it is a fabulous piece of machinery.
Hi Dagmar
I have not looked into LaCanche but it sounds fabulous. Really everything I’m looking for. I will definitely check this out…thank you so much for the recommendation!
Hi Suzanne,
It’s so much fun planning for anything new, but a kitchen gives so us many possibilities for getting things really right! I love my kitchen which we remodeled 18 years ago! It’s been repainted and I do minor updates every once in a while (light fixtures etc.) Because we went with classic finishes it continues to look good. And it functions beautifully for our family. We have Dacor ovens and cooktop, SubZero fridge, 2 sinks, (1 is a big Shaws farmhouse sink). My triangle work space is just the right size and I’d advise that you don’t want to make that too big. Since I’m the only cook I didn’t need a huge space and prefer it to be manageable. For people who want to visit while I cook, there is room on one side of the island, and our outdoor patio dining/gathering areas are right on the either side of the kitchen so there is plenty of space for family and friends (when will we ever have people over again, I wonder?) I can see everyone through large windows and glass French doors which are always open during the warm months.
The only thing I would do differently is not invest in a warming drawer. We rarely use ours and it has become just another drawer for pans ( an expensive drawer!). I have double ovens, on either side of the kitchen, a long marble baking counter which sits lower for rolling pastry (and does double duty as a space for buffets at the holidays), the cook top is in the island with a down draft vent so the view is not obscured. White cabinets, uppers with reeded glass door fronts, a few open shelves/wine rack, Carrera marble counters, maple butcher block top on the island which I use as a cutting board. But the thing I love most about my kitchen is all the windows with views to the trees and my deck and flowers!
This is exciting! Good luck with your plans, I look forward to seeing what you decide on.
XO Heidi
Hi Heidi
Your space sounds so lovely. Carrera marble counters are definitely in the plans as is a butcher block. I had one at the house we lived in before this one, and loved it so much! One thing I know for sure is that I want the space to feel light and airy and not closed in, which is how my kitchen feels to me now.
We don’t use our warming drawer except for Christmas and Thanksgiving, but it does come in handy for that! I will keep everyone posted!
Gosh! My favorite is the last pic with the pink flowers in the blue vase. We just completed a kitchen remodel. My suggestions which I incorporated into our new kitchen space and now love – Get the biggest refrigerator you can and get freezer drawer(s) (one with an ice maker) for frozen items. If you have room and the garage is close to the kitchen, have the big freezer out there. You don’t want freezer space taking up valuable kitchen space. Definitely get a prep sink for the kitchen island. Remember the kitchen triangle rule where the sink, stove and fridge and prep area need to be laid out to make it convenient and comfortable for the chef. Mark out the spaces beforehand and imagine yourself working in the space. High end appliances are wonderful. Just be sure and do your research on the brands that you’re interested in as some high end brands don’t fare well for the long haul. We went with mostly "Wolf" appliances and I couldn’t be happier performance wise. Lastly, design the hardscape of the kitchen – tile, counter tops, cabinets and floors more on the "light" side as opposed to dark. You can always dim down a room with paint color, rugs, furniture, curtains and other decor. Much harder to lighten. Also the kitchen should be light and happy! It’s where so many memories/good meals are made! "The Kitchen is the heart of the Home!" and, as Julia Child once said, "People who love to eat are always the best people!" Take your time getting the right layout, materials and contractor and then I say, Go for it and Good luck! 🙂
Barbara I wish you lived close by because I would just hire you to help me. It does seem a little daunting at the beginning, but we will take our time and this time it will be just right! BTW, I agree with Julia Child!
P.S. No "subway tile"! Already dated! That look has come and gone! So many more interesting and fresh ideas out there! 🙂
Agree! I want something timeless, so many choices…
P.S.S. My apologies – going on and on here! Just read other comments –
Yes – Subzero fridge and big farmhouse sink
And I LOVE my warming drawer! Use it all the time – even in summer!
La Cornue Range – I’m with Robin – maybe, not the best idea – as finding American installation, service and parts may be frustrating. Like a good looking European boyfriend who turns out to be a total pain. Ugh!
Lastly, Viking was taken over by a Hedge Fund quite awhile ago (10 years?) Anyway, poor management ran the quality of their products into the ground. Not one dealer had anything positive to say about the products. So sad.
Do your homework and you will make the right choices! At the end of the day, what matters is not only how it looks but how it functions and how happy you and your family will be in the new space! Much love and best wishes!
Hi Barbara! Had no idea about Viking…very sad because I loved my range. Anyway, I do have a sub zero refrigerator now (glass front) and love it even though everyone told me not to get the glass front. I know I have a lot of planning to do! Thank you so much for your advice. It is much appreciated!
Some final thoughts- Have a garbage disposal installed in the main (farmhouse) kitchen sink and also the prep sink (whatever style you go with) on the kitchen island. Go with two slide out garbage cans (one for garbage, one for recycling) as opposed to a trash compactor. We installed a dedicated special faucet that dispenses purified very cold water and from the other handle dispenses non purified but very hot (like scalding) water. To my surprise I use both of those options daily. I also like the idea of having a dedicated space for Amos to eat, sit or be washed – Eat – being the most important. If not in the kitchen then possibly redoing an adjacent mud room like area for him. Keep in mind space for the pantry – bigger is better. For our remodel, because of our kitchen space, my actual pantry size stayed the same – it’s on the small side- but I gained significant space in the kitchen and we added a new mud room. We pushed the new kitchen out into the dining room space (moved walls), shifted the dining room so it’s still big enough for family dinners but now a rectangular room as opposed to old square shape. We also enlarged arch going into living room so dining and living rooms are more married to each other (nice for cocktails in living room then easily move to dining room for meal) We didn’t have the space but if you can fit in a Butlers pantry/Bar space that would be nice. Hubby (or guests) can fix and refresh drinks right outside of the kitchen- be close to you but not invading precious kitchen/cooking space. Oh! And I was initially going to have a little desk area in the kitchen but thankful now that I took advice and went with more cabinet space and a dedicated charging station and charging drawer for phones, iPads, small laptops, etc. Lastly, you know how you cook and live – how you want it to all work – what you like and don’t like – so go with that. Don’t let me or anyone lead you into something that you’re really not feeling good about or know you won’t use or really like. It’s a stressful process but when it’s done, it’ll be a dream come true! Wishing you a wonderful new kitchen to have many happy times with your family and friends!