Overwhelmed

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

We are finally going to gut our kitchen to remodel it. Have been wanting to do it for a long time. I keep making changes adding stuff when I think of it.

I need some input on refrigerators & stoves. We want gas so plumber coming out to give us price to run gas line to kitchen next week. If it's too expensive we will pass.

Also some input on type of sink. Farm sink or something else? We do want one large open sink so we can wash larger pots, pan, Nesco easier.

We have a galley kitchen. The cabinets will be Oak but not sure of color yet. We will have a 6 1/2' quartz counter to left of sink with 3' of counter on right with 36" fridge next to that. On other side we will have 3' counter left of stove & right of stove another 6 1/2' counter. Right now that counter has lower & higher bar top area so making it all one height so more like long island. There will be large drawers under both 6 1/2' counters with smaller drawers above them.

We are putting pull out drawer for trash next to sink, pull out drawer with dividers that can be removed for cleaning for cookies sheet, muffin tin, cooling racks, cutting boards etc, 20" deep pull out spice racks on each side of vent hood. Cabinet with pop up gadget for KitchenAid mixer, cabinet for reverse osmosis system & filters. Since I want more storage space we are also having pantry style cabinets floor to ceiling & wall to wall made to fit matcing kitchen cabinets. It will be 12' x 8' with 18" depth.

No more getting on the floor looking for something.

Can't wait. He's busy 7 wks out so it won't be done until May but will take us that long to do things we need to do.

Will be back when I have time to see if anyone has input on stoves, refrigerators & sinks. Or any other input for anything I have forgotten.

AuntG · ‎03-09-2010

What I wouldn't give for a floor to ceiling pantry. Even a narrow one would hold a great deal more than a standard cupboard.

Love my grandkids · ‎11-24-2013

@Nightowlz Wow that's quite a project you have ahead and lots of decisions. No advice but I love farmhouse sinks and wish I had one.

I hope you post updates on what you choose. I love to hear about remodels and wish you all the best.

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

@AuntG wrote:
What I wouldn't give for a floor to ceiling pantry. Even a narrow one would hold a great deal more than a standard cupboard.

@AuntG

He recommended 15"-18" depth since he said you really can't reach back farther. We don't want it taking over our dining room either. I have a countertop oven in the dining room too. It comes in handy when it's hot.

I don't want a microwave but DH does so trying to figure out where to put it.

Nightowlz · ‎03-11-2010

@Love my grandkids

Thanks. We will be busy that's for sure.

I also like the farm sinks just don't know what kind. We have stainless steel sink now.

Guess we need to take some before pics before we get started. DH will be removing higher bar top area, cabinet above it & soffit/bulkhead soon. We were going to remove the rest of the wall but they will have to run gas line down if not too expensive or tear up our floor which is not happening. So half the wall stays. I think I will probably like it better that way.

FancyPhillyshopper · ‎05-02-2017

My only input is given the scope, you should subcontract with an expert kitchen designer who could review all the options in your price range and discuss with you your preferences. Also, experts may have access to other materials and components not sold in the big box stores to regular people. I am sure the price of the expert will be worth it in the long run.

By the way, I only cook with gas, although both my DM and grandmother used electric stoves. So the gas option will always be a must for me, no matter the cost!

Love my grandkids · ‎11-24-2013

@Nightowlz From watching The People's Court and Judge Judy for eons, I have learned how important it is to take photos of **everything**!! before and after and during the remodel.

PS: I love your avatar, am a big fan of owlz!!

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

@Nightowlz

Congrats on your kitchen remodel.

I did my galley style kitchen 3 years ago. Best thing I ever did was go with "pot drawers" on all bottom cabinets. (we only have 6) Just so nice vs. bending over. I know cabinets also have the slide out shelves available. (I had them in my kitchen up north).

I made the mistake of not adding the shelf on top of my granite near sink area and not removing soffit (fake) and going with taller cabinets-- next time😉

I originally designed on paper the layout but worked with kitchen designer. She was "priceless" with getting the best deals and great ideas working w/smaller footprint. I was able to add extra cabinet for glassware, etc.

Lucky you...pantry in kitchen🙂. I have walk-in pantry in my hallway but converted utility room area off kitchen into storage/pantry area.

We needed every inch of space so our fridge is a 32" vs. 35" and kept our same stove (gas not available here or I would have switched).

My final thought as I'm sure you know -- get every detail, including what contractor provides, materials you chose, plumbing, electrical, etc. that is included in contracted price BEFORE they start.

I learned the hard way my kitchen contractor was just that nothing more than demo, cabinet install...big mistake on my part "assuming" they handled it ALL. Cost me another $2000 for new plumbing, new electrical and lighting choices. Of course, I will only use licensed, bonded and insured contractors.

I'm in the process of bathroom remodel -- gut job I wonder who puts step down shower in "over 55" houses 🤷‍♀️ anyway, it's a 6" step down and converting to walk-in, moving walls for linen closet,etc. -- I'm looking forward to it ...it's long overdue!!

Cant wait to see the finished kitchen.

Nonametoday · ‎03-09-2010

@Nightowlz wrote:
@AuntG wrote:
What I wouldn't give for a floor to ceiling pantry. Even a narrow one would hold a great deal more than a standard cupboard.
@AuntG

He recommended 15"-18" depth since he said you really can't reach back farther. We don't want it taking over our dining room either. I have a countertop oven in the dining room too. It comes in handy when it's hot.
I don't want a microwave but DH does so trying to figure out where to put it.

@Nightowlz

I know microwave ovens over the stove are considered taboo but I love mine there. My kids have newer kitchens and theirs are a part of the lower cabinetry system on the kitchen side of the island next to the small sink. They have those big hoods over their stoves that are more decorative than anything else. One son has the Tuscan kitchen and all that is out of style now, so they are going to redo their kitchen after 9 years and it is going to cost them a fortune and that hood is a large part of the cost.

I refused to pay the price to have my driveway dug up and the expense of a gas line but if I had it to do over, I would. I do not like my glass-top electric range (NOT AT ALL). Two of my kids have split system (gas top and electric oven) and they love that. I think I would also.

I have floor-to-ceiling cabinetry system and I am short and never use those high cabinets. However, many people do enjoy them and use them. I am too short and I get dizzy on a stepladder because I have MS and heights now make me dizzy and afraid.

I say get the fridge that strikes your fancy when you shop for them. That's what I did and I am okay with what I got several years later. I do have stainless and I got the LG because the stainless looks like spun silver in color and everything else works just like any other fridge.

loriqvc · ‎11-06-2011

Congratulations, @Nightowlz! Kitchen remodels can certainly be stressful, and they're typically not quick, but hopefully the results will be well worth it. DEFINITELY take pics throughout the process—it is not only helpful if something goes wrong or doesn't turn out as it should have, but it is also really nice to fully appreciate the before and after (and even the "during," if you choose to document that).

One little note, for whatever it's worth: I have two friends who installed the specialty pop-up shelf for their KitchenAid mixers, and both said after a month or so, the novelty wore off and they realized they'd rather just keep the mixer on the counter and reclaim their cabinet space. Apparently, as helpful as it seems, it can make a big mess, and it's more difficult to manuever ingredients/utensils/bowls/etc. into and around it. And you're also having to keep the cabinet door open while the shelf is in use, which can be cumbersome. Ultimately, one friend ended up adding an "appliance garage" to her kitchen so she can just pull the mixer onto the main part of the counter, use it, and tuck it away afterward. The other friend went back to using a cart in her pantry for storing the mixer and just wheels it into the kitchen and moves the mixer onto her island when she needs to use it.

I wish you the best of luck with your project!