I’m totally jazzed, brimming with a new found sense of hope and purpose, so I’ve been cleaning and rearranging furniture like a crazy lady and — oh, talented readers — I find that I need your help once again. Yes, you did such an AMAZING job commenting on my dining room woes that I thought I’d enlist your help with an even more dangerous mission, one fraught with peril and certain death at every twist and turn. Ok, just kidding about the death thing. But seriously, I have been putting off redoing the kitchen for nearly a year and a half because I want to make sure I get it right. Do you think you can help me? Great! Let’s get to work!
Here’s a panorama of the dining/kitchen area. If you click on the link, you can look at it in a more useful size:
Hopefully it’s pretty apparent how this wonky house is put together, but basically, the two red window walls face each other. There are lots of beams everwhere, and 500,000 cabinets. Yes, that many.
Note the gigantic pantry with hideous dental molding. And there are even more drawers behind the refrigerator… So, anyway, the problem is that there might be too many cabinets. At eye level. Which would be swell if they were on a wall, but they’re not. They’re floating over the bar like a levitating forest.
This is the view to the living room if I duck my head down six inches, and I’m only five foot one. Poor Karly and Hunny Bunny practically have to get onto their knees if they want to see into the living room.
Here I am with my chin on the counter, calling over the Great Divide. I feel like I’m at a peep show.
So, I don’t really like all those cabinets getting up in my face, calling me short and telling me what a messy cook I am. Oh, and wait until you see what they look like on the other side.
That’s as good as they’re ever going to look. I got sick of looking at the acres of wood grain, so I hung some Ikea fabric over the built in shelves (read: crap repository) and lined the glass shelves with the same fabric. Half that junk is getting sold in our upcoming garage sale extravaganza, and I am truly loathe to buy stuff just to fill a dead space. Speaking of dead spaces, how about the end of the bar? This is the first time that side of the formica sea has seen the light of day in quite a while. Usually it’s just a landing pad for junk mail and keys. Also, what good is a GINORMOUS bar if you can’t sit at it? If you tried to sit here and eat, your nose would touch glass. So, if I rip the cabinets out, we can take the undermounted shelves out (which go back a ways) and carve out space for an eat in bar. Easy huh?
No. There’s another problem. The Beam:
The one that goes all the way down to the bar (carefully crapoflaged by wine bottles) is load bearing, so it has to stay. Yep. The janky one at the end of the bar that goes to the ceiling is just to keep the cabinets from collapsing under their own fat ass wood weight. I’ve really got to stop feeding them so much! Anyway, if I rip the cabinets out, will The Beam look weird, just floating there?
And what do I do about the wall space?
This is the window wall with potentially salvageable cabinets. The ugly corner could be fixed by using some surplus doors… but do I really want to do that?
Because I can’t save the cabinets over the stove (and Santa better be bringing me a new stove because this one is a health hazard). They don’t end at the wall, so there’s really no graceful way to keep any cabinets but the pair that flank either side of the window.
I was thinking I’d rip out all the uppers anyway, and do some kind of shelving. My plan was to keep the lower cabinets oak, re-oil them and get some new hardware, buy matching oak shelving for the wall space, and maybe throw in a few stainless rails here and there for spices and whatnot. But I have to have something to mount my hood underneath (no, I cannot afford a freestanding hood).
Down to the brass tacks: My budget is $1000. I know many of you will think it can’t be done, but it has to be. I’m keeping the formica for now. (Even though I want soapstone, I have 75 square feet of countertops, so it’s gonna be formica for a while.) I’m not buying new cabinets, but I could paint them if everyone thinks they’re truly hideous. I’m getting a new range and dishwasher in stainless, and they won’t be included in the budget. But I need a new faucet, shelves, hood and labor, which will be provided by Hunny Bunny and Karly’s hubby (for a fee).
So, what do you think? Should I rip everything out? Should I paint, or leave the cabinets natural? What kind of hardware would you recommend? What kind of shelving and where should it go? Am I crazy for even thinking about this because it’s going to destroy the resale value?
Here are some kitchen images for inspiration (and also just for pornographic purposes):
Fellow Austinite Alyson Fox’s newly renovated kitchen featured at Design Sponge is a definite source of inspiration. She even has some similar Beam issues:
Habitually Chic did a post on open shelving and featured these kitchens:
Here’s a lovely open bar and no upper cabinets seen at If The Lampshade Fits (in another drool worthy kitchen post!)
Some lovely and simple pictures via Domino:
I found this one at Door Sixteen, in a great post on unfussy kitchens (and you can also see Anna’s own kitchen renovation over there):
So that’s it for the roundup. I hope each any every one of you is formulating a master plan to save my kitchen from its hulking wooditude!
Whew! I’m tired from all this what iffing. But tune in next week for an interview with my Benjamin Moore paint buddy, Sanders, and all his colorful wisdom. Won’t it be nice to have someone give information — instead of me taking it — for a change?
But I really appreciate all your commenting love, so thanks in advance!
Related posts:
I love your foyer ceiling!
I also love your first inspiration photo. That could be amazing but with the window, do you have enough space for shelving? Raina?
If you painted all the beams white, they would blend into the background and then the cabinets would truly look like they were hovering.
It’s a tough one for me because I would add molding to the cabinet doors, paint the cabinets white and add new hardware but you don’t like molding, so…
I’m sure whatever you do will look great.
Sweetie, the structural element is a column, not a beam. But I’m not trying to nitpick. It is horrible, but you have a lot of space. I’ll be back later with some suggestions, but the first one is to demo the cabinets top and bottom (leaving the column of course). The 1970′s sort of threw up in there, didn’t they? But you are going to have a wonderful room once those obstacles to all decent design are gone.
Hello Gorgeous, thanks for the compliment on the foyer ceiling!
And Decorina, I see what you’re saying about the column. I think the square shape might have thrown me off
Sadly, I think whoever put those cabinets in did so in the 90′s. Tragic, I know.
I look forward to your suggestions!
what is the floor material? I can’t quite tell. Can you post some detail pics?
It’s beige ceramic tile with cool brown grout. Exciting, I know! It looks a lot like this:
http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10051&langId=-1&catalogId=10053&productId=100627398&N=10000003+90042+502595
Does that help? If not I can take some pictures.
First of all, if you do this under $1000 I’m coming over to pow-wow. Not to say it’s not possible, because I very much think it is. I just need some help on figuring out how to do it in my own kitchen. We seem to have a similar design, um, crisis so to speak. Painting the cabinets will probably really open up the room. I don’t care for molding either. Once you open up that space around the column I think it will make a big difference. I love the way that shelving in lieu of cabinets looks in kitchens, but it seems a little impractical. I didn’t have cabinet doors for a while and it made the cabinets and the dishes (all of which would never fit on a little ole shelf) so yucky and dusty.
Jesse! Good to hear from you! I am worried about the dust… anyone have open shelves and care to comment on that?
I think it could be done for very little, if I’m willing to live with certain less than perfect things. Just depends on my threshold for pain, I guess.
Anna at Door Sixteen did an awesome remodel of her kitchen for $1000. My biggest problem is that my kitchen is huge, and whatever I plan to do is gonna cost some cash due to size issues.
ps: I’d love to come see your house! Just make sure to whip up some yummy treats, ok???
Jesse’s house is VERY CUTE, she treated herself to butcher block countertops a couple of years ago and they made a huge difference. I also am a fan of her open cabinets.
For you, miss Erin, I think you should take them all down and put up the shelves like we talked about before, I like your idea to take the shelves over the window
don’t let Ben’s nay-saying trap you into analysis paralysis
Jesse, do you like your countertops? Are they sanitaryish? If I painted my cabinets white, I would do wood counters, just to keep some texture in there. They’re not too expensive, are they???
There’s sooooo much wood in my house, it would be weird to have a wood free zone.
And seriously, Karly, Ben made me post this!
Thanks Karly! Did you see I got cabinet doors though? I have glass in top cabinet doors so you can see in, which I like, but it keeps things from getting mucky. Is this just me – do I kick up a lot of flour when I work?
Erin – I LOVE my countertops. They’re the IKEA ones, very very affordable. I didn’t seal them with anything more than mineral oil. They’re really utilitarian for me, so I wanted them to look like a butcher block since they take a beating from me. Someone, though, just told me how to make a seal for them with a foodgrade oil and beeswax that I think keeps them looking a little more polished, but still unfinished. As far as sanitary… definitely. If you keep them oiled then you can always wash them down. You can finish them too – some of my friends did that to theirs. They love it! And I will be sure to whip up yummy treats whenever you come over – one of these days we’ll have a dinner party… I keep saying it, must make it happen.
I like that Ben made you post this… Mark would absolutely do the same to me if I had a design blog. He loves to second guess my remodeling ideas.
Jesse, you house sounds adorable! Pictures! House tour!
And Hello Gorgeous, I also forgot to say that I don’t hate molding. It looks great in a traditional kitchen. I just want to keep mine clean because I can’t stop myself from cluttering the rest of my house up.
I have some serious storage envy. In my current kitchen the only thing that is good about it is the dishwasher – the rest – eh! I have TWO storage cupboards – thats it! One for food and one for plates. I have glasses on shelves and its ew. They just get so dusty and ew.
As for yours – you would still have oodles of storage once the top cabinets were gone so get em out! It will open that space right up too and make the rooms all become one… I would paint them though – probably just white. and keep the big cabinet beside the fridge -that will balance out the fridge hugeness.
I dont think the column would look stupid enough to make you NOT do it. If you do open shelves (for display pretties rather than functional stuff though) -I like the idea of them starting over the stove and then wrapping that end wall – and over the window would be cute – but not to many levels -maybe one shelve continues over the window & the rest stop & then start again on the other side. Good place to grow a herb or two! oh and just make the shelves a good chunky thickness.
so thats what I think – rip, paint & pretty!
Camilla, I love it!
“Rip, paint and pretty!”
That’s my new mantra.
You all have gotten me thinking about painting the cabinets cream… I guess I was thinking maybe once the upper cabinets were gone, the lowers would look all Elle Decor rustic and stuff. But maybe not so much.
Ben made you post this? How did that conversation go? “I think you need to get your online buddies (that have never actually been in our home) to give us some insight before we rip this out and maybe, please god maybe, they will love our cabinets and tell you that you’re crazy to want to get rid of them.”
Ben’s a funny one.
He’s going to kick himself when he finds out that they want a complete overhaul. I’m thinking you should shorten the bar. Yep, as in, cut it off all the way to the pillar.
Take that, Ben!
I would be more tempted to cut the portion between the stove and pillar.
Probably, I will cut neither.
Of course everyone wants a complete overhaul! If I were looking at the average person’s house, I’d feel the same way.
Still, I get lots of ideas and different perspectives from everyone’s comments. Now to balance the dream world with the real one…
Oh, and I think Ben was just excited about all the comments I got on the dining room. I’ve pretty much convinced him that we’re ripping the uppers out, but his hesitation has made my confidence waver.
When you have a space that’s 80% ok, it’s hard to take the plunge and do something that could *possibly* make it 100% shitty.
OK, here goes:
Remove the upper cabinets everywhere. Keep the large cabinet next to the refrigerator as a pantry. Consider putting the pantry on the left side of the refrigerator so there is a “landing space” on the right side countertop. Paint all the cabinets white and get new hardware. It is really hard to tell how far the column is from the end row of cabinets next to the stove (a floor plan would be really helpful here, so if I’m mixed up it is due to age confusion…). But anyway, if you eliminate all the upper cabinets take the pots and pans out of the lower cabinets and hang them from a pot rack, possibly over a new island that might wrap around the side of the column. Use some wood tops and another section of marble – you said you like it didn’t you? Over at Decorno? I think a combination of materials looks more organic and less like a builder ran amok with a catalog. Tile the backsplash all the way to the ceiling and put shelves in front. This is where your personal taste comes in. On shelves above my lower cabinets I plan to display the majolica collection (all fruits and/or veggies and all larger than life size – mostly cookie jars from 1930′s to 1950′s). They hold various things, but not all of them because if used all the time I fear they will break. I put all my dishes and glasses in the pantry cupboard with a door because I don’t want to clean them all the time.
Since moving in here the kitchen has been under construction – and it still is, but just whacking the cabinets made a huge difference and we love the open space.
OK, so this is sort of a fantasy that is probably too ambitious, but here goes:
1. New floors. Though I don’t know enough about either your specific scenario, or flooring installation in general, to know what you can and can’t do without more of a headache than you’re looking for, I WANT to say you ought to be able to lay linoleum down over top of that tile. Actual linoleum, not VCT. You could do a fun checkerboard pattern, or something–I LOVE the floor in that turquoise kitchen from Domino–and I think the slightly retro vibe of it suits where you’re going with the rest of the house. If you can’t take the tile out or cover over it, I wonder if it might be possible to apply a new layer of grout overtop of the existing? If you had a neutral grout it would make the floor look better.
2. Take out all the upper cabinets and the levitating column. If you’re nervous about the dust factor of open shelves (also potentially the resale factor), maybe think about adding some sleek, mod little IKEA uppers. Those could go on the window wall, and then what about doing the open shelving between the wall and the column? That way the column still looks related to something else, you get some upper storage back, but if you raise the level of the shelves from where the cabinets currently sit, you don’t block the view. And then the area from the column down to the end of the bar can just be open. That way the space in the middle becomes a sort of transition zone.
3. Do you really need the hood? In all the inspiration photos on D16 and Domino I see a lot of kitchens without them. If you had a vented hood that would be exciting, but it looks like you’re dealing with a standard recirculating, in which case I don’t think it really accomplishes a whole hell of a lot. Might be worth asking somebody who legitimately Knows Stuff About Kitchens (i.e. not me).
4. Paint the lower cabinets (and patch and sand the old hardware holes so you can add new pull-style hardware instead of those knobs). If you can’t cover or replace the flooring, I’d try to find a paint that can tie the white counters to the beige tile, maybe a neutral pearl gray. I don’t see you with big Euro bar handles, I’m thinking something like these (fourth row down, second and third ones in):
http://www.colonialbronze.com/product_pulls.asp
but in a sassy chrome finish.
That’s about all I got for now, but I’ll keep thinking… I can’t wait to see the finished results!
Decorina and NerF, thanks for showering me with your awesomeness and expertise!
Karly’s over here right now and I’m making her go over all this. I think I may rip out the tiles and do a brownish black concrete. Rip out the uppers and paint the lowers cream (although pearl gray sounds fabulous!), get butcherblock counters, add new hardware (LOVE your suggestions, NerF, and I am so NOT into the euro handles!), install a wrap around shelf that goes over the window and over the stove. Maybe I’ll mount a microwave hood underneath it? I could do Ikea cabinets or open shelving… not sure.
We will probably hang a pot rack over the bar on the stove side of the column, and maybe pendant lights on the other side. Don’t know… still thinking. I think you both suggested that something go over the bar in that area, right?
Decorina, I LOVE marble, but it’s out of my price range
NerF, I suggested the black and white checkerboard marmoleum floors to Karly and she said it’ll pop out too much. I REALLY WISH YOU WERE HERE! Then you could play in 3D.
Ok, what does everyone think? I have to go watch Hunny Bunny and Karly drink beer now…
ps: where is Raina??? I need her!
I can only wish you luck on this one. My head hurts trying to figure it out.
Can you raise the cabinets and maybe add some of those cute stem holders somewhere to put martini glasses in??
I only ask because I just added a shelf with these to my dining room Read here- Bar area.
Poured concrete is dy-no-mite but I have the vague suspicion it may be a little expensivo… at least I know the counters are, not sure about it as flooring. Checkerboard lino wouldn’t necessarily have to be black and white (though I adore that look)–it could be cream and brown, cream and navy, anything; it comes in a ton of colors.
What about cork flooring?
I’m so tired I can’t see straight, but I want to mention a couple of things…
1. You don’t need a vent hood. You think you do, but you don’t.
2. Get rid of all the uppers. Embrace the beams.
3. Look at this:
http://gallery.apartmenttherapy.com/photos/050908cindyseichler/images/DSC_0087_small.jpg
Here I am. I was rooting around in my pharmacy goodies for some Xanax to send Hunny Bunny and Karly.
I was also looking for my Formica sample that looks just like soapstone, but I can’t find it. Go Lowe’s or Home Depot and see if it’s still on their chip wall. You’ll know it when you see it.
My two cents (and I’m expecting a check in the mail for $.02):
1. Take all of the upper cabinets down and put up open shelves. When and if you decide to move, drive over to Ikea and pick up some uppers.
2. Strip and stain those lower cabinets dark, dark, dark (see third photo in my kitchen spectacular that you linked to).
3. It would be a beautiful thing if you could give the pantry the heave-ho and replace it with a HUGE-O industrial cabinet… ‘scuse me I have to go lie down just thinking about it….
And I’m back.
4. Is the pendant over the sink your only light source? Can’t be, but I don’t see anything else. Does that need addressing?
I spent a couple of years as a showroom sales consultant in a high-end stone and tile showroom. I would only suggest marble if you bake and need it to roll pastry out on. I don’t see you as a marble counter gal anyway.
Hi, hi, I’m back! Special thanks to the tired folks who took time to comment!
Anna, that is a super cute kitchen, and not too fussy. I’m glad to hear I don’t need a hood, because I really don’t want one! Also, thanks for the vote to demo the uppers. I need all the momentum I can get.
Mari, I will definitely need something for stemware, because I love to break it.
NerF, Karly’s hubby could do a skim coat that looks like concrete. Blackish brown, do you think? Or checkerboard lino? And I hear what you’re saying about the color combos. Maybe brown and cream? I love how cork looks, but is it water tight? It seems like it would be so soft and squishy underfoot…
Raina, where’s my Xanax? hahaaa. So, we have an overhead fan on the vaulted ceiling as another light source. We def need pendant lights over the bar. The industrial cabinet idea is AWESOME. That would probably cost my entire kitchen budget, but it would be soooo worth it! Also, that super dark woodgrain is gorgeous, but maybe I need to cut down on the high wood content of my home… not sure. Marble schmarble, I can’t afford it so no matter. I might do stainless counters by the sink area…
Do you guys love how my $1000 budget is multiplying by the minute? Ok, maybe it needed to. It’s a big kitchen.
THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH for all your help and support! I’m getting so many good ideas!
Oh sweet Jeebus, I do love me some cork flooring.
FAQs (scroll down for moisture question):
http://www.corkfloor.com/faqs.html
I love it, too. How do you think it would look butted up next to wood?
It would depend on what you do with the cabinets and what color of cork you’re wanting to put down.
How’s that for a non-answer? Annoying winky face.
Before I had my own apartment, interior design ideas and concepts seemed totally abstract (I always liked certain random designer chairs but no clue how to put things together.) Anyway, now by necessity I’ve absorbed a bit more of decor, but kitchen renovations are still a foreign language as a mere apartment dweller! I bow to all these commenters before me and so look forward to seeing your kitchen revolution!
(I did really like imagining open shelving/pot rackiness between stove/column… a good place for some Danish coffeepots or such!)
I’m no expert, but it does seem like removing the cabinets that extend past the support beam would make a HUGE difference. It would open up your whole space! I don’t know if it’s possible to just remove those, and leave the rest for the time beginning.
I know it’s uncool, but I like upper cabinets. They aren’t as attractive as open shelving, but they don’t have to be constantly cleaned. Also, maybe because I’m tall, but I hate crouching down to get things out of my lower cabinets.
I also love your entryway ceiling! It’s great to see something like that pulled off in a “real” home.
Hi Cassie! Welcome! Thanks for the kind words regarding my ceiling. Even my husband likes it, so it must be ok.
I hear what you’re saying about upper cabinets. I am kind of thinking that we may rip out all the uppers we have and replace the ones on either side of the window with a pair of more modern, Ikea ones. I’m starting to worry about dust issues… anyone with open shelving care to weigh in on the issue?
WPZ, kitchen renovation is obviously foreign to me, too! Thank goodness we have so many awesome readers to help me out!!!
Yeesh, I meant “time being.” As I get older, I seem to do more and more of these weird “word replacement” typos.
I’m a very lazy house-cleaner, so take that into account!
Hi!
Here’s someone with open shelving experience. DON’T DO IT. Unless your favorite hobby is wiping all the dust. You want to keep your plates and glasses dust-safe, and you don’t want to keep them in the lower cabinets.
I’d keep the upper cabinets on the window sides (or replace them with new ones, NOT open shelves), maybe replace them with the ones with glass doors? Maybe leave a few more?
Definitely paint.
And start saving for that industrial cabinet!
Also, your kitchen is probably 10 times bigger than mine. Sigh.
Welcome Koryanshea, and thanks for leaving the helpful comment! We have decided to do pretty much exactly what you said. I think we’re going to get a pair of Ikea glass front cabinets for either side of the window because I am worried about the dust bunnies… no one likes a puddle of grime in the bottom of their drinking glass!
I, too, am enamored with the industrial cabinet idea…
And, I know we have a lot of space (and we love it) but I’ve realized that my budge it about to quadruple because of it.
Double sigh!
I have no good ideas but love that you are five foot one. I think I’ve always wanted to be shorter. And I know the view is horrible, but I am envying your cabinet/storage space. Knocking it out to the pillar would totally open things up – my sis-in-law just knocked out a wall in a similar set-up as yours and it looks SO much better.
I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who actually wished to be shorter!!!
Thanks, Sherri… that made my day!
Holy moly – the suggestions are flying fast and furious around here. I don’t know how you are processing it all!
A contrasting thought on open shelves: I have them and love them – but most of what I keep on them is either decorative, or in very heavy rotation (ie – we use it and wash it all the time.) Dust hasn’t been a problem. I don’t keep my glasses on them, though. How much upper storage do you need? It looks like there is quite a bit below. If it was me, I might yank out all the uppers, and leave the upper walls blank and minimal.
I like the industrial cabinet idea and butcher block counters. I’d avoid cork floors in the kitchen. I love them, but my last apartment building had cork floors, and they stained under heavy wear.
Stephanie, thanks for the practical advice! I think we have all but decided against open shelving for anything other than knicknacks due to dust concerns. We’re probably going to put some glass door Ikea cabinets over there, so hopefully it won’t looks too cluttered.
And I love cork! But I did some research on cork and marmoleum, and they’re both expensive and fussy. I’m thinking we may run the wood into the kitchen… turns out it’s the cheapest option!
I just thought of something…
- things on open shelves must be used often/washed often
- one might want to put glasses (wine, highball, etc) on open shelving
- thusly, one must use all of ones’ glasses with clockwork regularity!
PARTY AT ERIN’S
Ooook quit scrolling halfway through, so this has probably already been said. HOWEVER, I think you should rip it all out and do IKEA. My very stylish boss has them. And I NEVER woulda thunk it. They look very pricey when done correctly. Also, someone’s poured concrete floor idea is great. You could do that, OR, get modular carpet tiles from FLOR. And penny tiles for the floor could also be fun.
PS I found your blog by typing in “Is Preston from Top Design gay?”
He’s just so cute. I had to know.
Kristin, well, I hope you got your answer about Preston. Hot and gay. Aren’t they all?
Thanks for the ideas. We are thinking about doing some Ikea uppers on the window wall, to avoid the dust. And we may have settled on wood floors for the kitchen, to match the rest of our house. Concrete is fab, too, and I adore penny tiles, especially for bathrooms.
WPZ, if you ever roll through Austin, rest assured there will be a party at Erin’s, just for you!
Would it be possible to use the glass front cabinets as your regular cabinets? Or maybe as a buffet? repainted or refinished of course
Hi Lili, welcome! We definitely considered using them as replacements for the uppers next to the window. However, we have now decided to replace the lowers, too, so the glass ones won’t really work for the kitchen anymore.
We might use the glass cabinets as office bookshelves, though…