Although we moved no walls, it ended up being a bigger project then we expected as the old tile floor went through our foyer, powder room and laundry room. Also didn't have correct sub-flooring, and we wanted to move some of the appliances around, etc. The reason the it is only 98.627% completed, is we still have 1.373% left to do, such as glass shelves in glass front doors so in cabinet lighting can shine all the way through, etc.

Details:

Cabinets - Inset Shiloh Homestead painted MB Softwhite, Island Maple stained Espresso
Flooring - Tile Fashion Coffee 12 x 24
Countertops - Ceasarstone Raven, Ceasarstone Misty Carrera - Mitred Edge
Main Sink - Franke 33" SS Apron - FHX710-33S
Main Faucet - Generic Costco Brand
Prep Sink - Elkay - ELU1618
Prep Faucet - Danze Como Pulldown
Refrigerator - JennAir CD FD - JFC2089HES
Ovens - Electrolux - EW30EW65GS
Warming Drawer - Electrolux - EW30WD55GS
Microwave - Electrolux - EL27MO45GS
Cooktop - DCS 36" Drop-in - CTD-365
Hood - Bosch - DKE9365AUC
Beverage Center - GE Monogram - ZDBC240NBS
Dishwasher - Bosch
Backsplash - White Glass subway tile from theglassmosiacoutlet.com
Backsplash - Stainless Steel 1x2 tiles
Pulls - TopKnobs - Princetonian
Paint - BM 1542 Himalayan Trek

Before:

After:

Sink Area:

Backsplash:

Island:

Island - Backside:

Pantry Area - Closed:

Pantry - Open:

Lazy Suzan - Corner Pullout:

A big thank you to everyone who gave such great advice over the past few months. If anyone has any questions on what we like /dislike please let us know.

Many on this board will suggest Waterlox. Waterlox is essentially a spar varnish that has been diluted about 50% with mineral spirits, and possibly a little extra tung oil added in. The addition of mineral spirits makes it lay out nicely (ie: you don't see brush strokes). But you can achieve the same thing by diluting any varnish (polyurethane or spar) with mineral spirits. Waterlox is very expensive and depending on where you live, you might have to pay for shipping. So I would advise against Waterlox because of the rip-off factor.

Epifanes is the best marine varnish there is. Don't get the spar at Home Depot or a home centre. It's not as good. I think it has less solids or something. After 7 coats of Epifanes, the varnish looks like GLASS it is insane. I am toning down the gloss down by adding "rub effect" over top. It almost seems a shame to do so given the truly remarkable perfect wet gloss, but it's not the look I'm after...Anyway, the Rub Effect stuff gives it a nice satin sheen. The rub effect stuff is actually just a polyurethane.

Do a google search for "Bob Flexner" and "Waterlox" to get the scoop on Waterlox. I think some people are deceived into thinking it's some sort of tung oil miracle concoction, which it is not.

The backsplash, which Sarah says is her new go-to backsplash tile is honeycomb marble. Pretty great looking, I think.

I think this just goes to show that less expensive kitchens can look truly amazing.

Start with a basic drawing of your room.

Have a list of what is needed for that room.

Look online or in showrooms at things you like to gauge what $$$ line of things you like. Assign a value (just ballpark it) to each thing in the room. $400 toilet, $200 sink. $300 faucet. $800 tub.

Add up your numbers. Over budget, then shop and swap numbers until you get where you need to be.

By having to focus on the individual items in the room, the entire room will slowly come into focus instead of being a blurry eye load of confusion.

For you shower base, you've ruled out fiberglass and you don't want tile and grout. Well then let me introduce you to Kohler's cast iron shower receptors. They are gorgeous, elegant, and fit most any design. Durable, easy to clean, they feel secure underfoot too. They have several styles and they come in several colors.

Remember, as you make your decisions, you don't have to get them all right the first time. You'll choose "Product A", then as you go on with other decisions you'll realize that there's something you prefer more than "Product A".

It's common to loop through the decision tree a few times before things become finalized and in full focus.

Best of luck with your project.

House is a cozy colonial situated in central NY built in the 1980s that came with a magnificent piece of property. The inside, however, needed (and still needs) much update. We ripped out all the (irregular) flooring on the first floor and had them replaced. Structural changes took place in the mudroom/garage-entry area as well as the wall between kitchen and dining room (widened).

Prior to renovations, I had ZERO experience with reno of any sort, let alone in design. I stumbled upon GW and my world changed! You have all been fantastic and an invaluable source of information and support. I direct all my renovating friends here now! Your finished kitchens have all been sources of inspiration for me and I have most definitely borrowed some of your ideas (built-in paper towel holder, motion detector light switch in pantry, stone window sill...).

Lastly, this is my dream kitchen in the home we hope to raise our family in. White kitchens are fairly uncommon around these parts and so far, that is one main feature people are taken by when they first walk into our kitchen. I hope you all enjoy the photos!

Details
Cabinets: Custom-made by Concepts in Wood (Syracuse, NY), Shaker-style doors, painted BM Chantilly Lace
Counters: Super white quartzite and titanium soapstone
Main Sink: Shaws Original Sink by Rohl - 30"
Main Faucet: Single Side Lever Country Kitchen Faucet with extended spout and sidespray by Rohl
Bar sink: inexpensive stainless sink from Ebay
Bar Faucet: EcoPure filter faucet (runs water from an RO system)
Range: 36" Bluestar with griddle
Hood: Vent-a-hood
Dishwasher: Kitchenaid
Refrigerator: old Kitchenaid that came with house (plan to replace in a year or 2)
Island pendants: Restored vintage hologen industrial pendants with original Heisey glass
Hardware: Highland Ridge by Amerock in 4" and 6"
Backsplash: Bellevue 3x6 ceramic tiles in Glacier by Best Tile

Before:

Before (view into dining room):

Before (view into garage entry):

Before (pantry with crazy-deep shelving):

Before (view into family room):

After:

Coffee/Wine bar:

Titanium Soapstone:

View from Mudroom:

Pantry:

Microwave will sit on counter atop drawers:

Mudroom (closet on opposite wall):

I have to include this photo of our backsplash in the midst of being grouted, taken while my GC was at lunch. Amazing what a difference grout makes!

Lastly, a fun shot of my girls having fun with bubble wrap and packing paper one evening when I was trying to move all my junk back in:

The edge is 1 1/4". It should be totally smooth showing the appearance of a thick "slab" of quartz. It has a small "bump" in the middle as well as some other "lines" - almost making it look like 2 pieces were put together - one on top of the other.

We've been trying to get a response from the fabricator without success so far for 4 weeks.

The bar top did not fit so they reinstalled a new one today. The edge is perfectly smooth - proving there's a problem with the rest. The installer today (different from original) said that the edge on kitchen was never sanded and polished after cutting it to size at the fabricator. He obviously does not want us to tell his "boss" what he told us.

I guess our options are:

1) Have them rip it out, replace. With this option, part of backsplash would have to be torn out and reinstalled, lose of use of kitchen, would it ruin the undermount sink? stress on cabinets? - etc., etc. I don't know if they'd try to "fix" what they rip out and reinstall or totally replace with new?

2) Have them try to sand it in the house, but installer said it would be a total mess. We saw that when the did the original install and had to cut out a hole for the stove stop.

3) Financial compensation.

If we were to go with financial compensation, what would seem like a reasonable percentage. Thankfully, we haven't paid for the countertop yet.

The thought of number 1 and 2 just makes me cringe.

Literally, there is not one thing that has gone right with this rehab. It was suppose to be totally done at the end of May. So my tolerance is getting very challenged.

I appreciate your thoughts.

What cookware have you had the most quiet success with? According to the Gagg manuel the noises are normal. I expected some, but they're really loud!

Thanks much.

Bluestar:
Pros:
open burner
22,000 BTU (2 burners) and simmer burner
better configuration of burners (easier to put
wok on one side and large pot on other)

Cons:
harder to clean (no pull out tray)
may lose drawer space
non contiguous grates
ignition/service issue?
more expensive but manageable

Capital:
Pros:
center wok burner (20,000) BTU and simmer burner
easier to clean
clean lines with contiguous grates
can keep drawer space
less expensive

Cons:
sealed burners
configuration (if use wok, can't use another big pot
at the same time)

Any suggestions? I saw the Bluestar drop in at a local appliance dealer, and was impressed with it's professional look and open burners. I visited the Capital factory and was amazed with their workmanship/fit and finish. I love Capital's range (I saw their new dual gas cooktop/electric oven prototype), but it is cost prohibitive. Both Blue Star and Capital have incredible open gas burners!

In my case, I guess the main issue is Bluestar's open gas burners vs. Capital's sealed burners for wok/simmering cooking?

Thanks, meeting with our cabinetry person soon, and need to select our cooktop.

Bosch NGM8654UC
Thermador SGS365FS
GE Monogram ZGU385SMSS
LG LSCG366ST

Here's my spreadsheet with each of the specs to compare side by side:

Any thoughts, experiences, or light to shed on these cooktops? I'd love your input, especially b/c I am at a point where I am spinning my decision wheels.

As you might guess from looking at all of them, I like a powerful burner in the center. I do some wok cooking but more than that my favorite pan is a 3'' deep saute pan that I use for searing and browning. Currently I have four burners and at times, especially when I am cooking Mexican, I do use all of them at once. I do some sauces and the low simmer setting intrigues me but I don't know how often I would use it. I know the Thermador clicks on ExtraLow simmer but I haven't been able to see/hear/experience this first hand. Can anyone link me to an online video showing it? I know it annoys the heck out of some and others don't even notice. TIA!