Overall, I love this kitchen. It's proving very family friendly and I haven't had any issues with the primed shiplap as a backsplash. The marble island top DOES etch, but we're closing our eyes and hoping to make it to patinaland sooner than later. With 18 years of school fundraisers ahead of me, I'm certain we'll get there. But there's NOTHING like making pastries on it and I'm going to try my hand at fudge and candies soon!

Our FAVORITE spot, where we spend 70% of our time, is firmly planted on the BOOs block. Chop chop chop. Walnut end-grain... can't say enough. A quick sudsy soapy wipe after each prep and a once a month oiling and it's beautiful.

So here are the pics of our very lived in by a young family of five new kitchen!

I tried to post this to a thread where I asked for input, but since it's fallen off the site, it won't let me. Anyway, as a thank you to those who helped and for anyone looking for a picture of Walker Zanger Pipe Smoke in action (I had a real hard time finding any) here ya go!

Tile used: Walker Zanger Gramercy Park (Heirloom White and Pipe Smoke)

Here are some pics - I linked the original thread below if you want to see more pics & info.

Here is a link that might be useful: oldhouse1's kitchen

Here is a link that might be useful: Elizpiz's Kitchen Slideshow

Here is a link that might be useful: walker zanger weave tile

Kaysd,
The images below are all I have. I can not remember
where I found these images. I think it was from someone
blog, they were images of a kitchen that won an award.
Maybe NKBA not sure.
Sorry.
~boxerpups

I love a natural cherry kitchen, but thought it would be too dark, though in retrospect I think it would have been lovely to have cherry lowers and painted uppers (and I think I have seen that in some photos recently.)

I do think lighting can make a huge difference. We only put in four recessed lights, have two small halogen pendants over the island and are large pendant over the sink and honestly I am not happy unless they are all on and planning on putting in two more cans and having dimmers.

I also love the natural wood as the upper and white or other painted on the lower as sadiebrooklyn has done, as well as the reverse. If you really love wood, it can definitely be done in a "bright" way.

Things that I love:
*Fully skirted toilet, so easy to clean---I will never go back to nooks and crannies. The Toto toilet is great, none of the clogging problems that I have had with my last two toilets in that bathroom.
*No baseboards! I ran the floor tile straight up the wall. Again--super easy to clean!
*Reorientating the hall linen closet to open inside the bathroom.
*Pocket door with glass panes--no regrets!
*Deciding on a shower niche in addition to a corner shower shelf. Shampoos go on the niche, bar soap and razors on the shelf
*A light inside the shower. How did I live without it?
*A mildew resistant heavy cotton shower curtain instead of glass doors or plastic shower curtains. There have been no problems with shower water coming through the cotton. easily washed and dried with bleach to keep clean. No glass doors to keep clean, and no icky plastic to wrestle with. This was a budget decision. Initially I wanted glass and I just couldn't afford it.
*Going with a handheld showerhead in addition to my fixed showerhead. Makes cleaning the shower a breeze! When I get to renovating my second bathroom it will have the same setup.
*The tongue and groove fir ceiling; I think it's the best thing in the room.
*Kohler Bancroft soaking depth tub! Could never go back to a shallower depth after having this! No problems with it.
*I did not install a medicine cabinet over my sink even though storage is limited in my small bathroom. I still do not regret that decision; I love the decorative mirror.
*I still love the mixed finishes that I chose--some chrome, some verdigris, some nickel, and some oil rubbed bronze. It still looks great to me.
*The Azek trim used to frame the tub area is holding up great.

Things I might have done differently:
*Chosen a better quality fan for inside the shower. GC knew I was on a budget, so he chose the most economical one. It is too loud for my taste. Also it is wired to turn on and off with the shower light, I would have preferred it to be separate.
*My vanity. I love the look, but the quality isn't great, and I bought it online from Overstock. It was supposed to have a marble top, but honestly I am not sure what kind of stone it is. It is cream colored and shows water spots like crazy. The storage drawer is a little sticky as well; there are no drawer glides. At the time of my reno, it was the only vanity in this style I could find that was in my budget. Now I see similar styles at HD and Lowes for much less! Go figure!

Other decisions:
We did not put in a wall hung toilet paper holder. I use a chrome toilet paper stand and that is just fine.
I did not hang any permanent towel bars or hooks. I couldn't decide where to put them, so instead I just hung a Command hook(chrome colored) to hang my towel on. This has held up just fine and I see no need to actually install bars or hooks permanently.

Teresa

For Todd, here's the cab above the stove:

Family Room (This room is still not finished. We have a media cabinet coming for the big wall and that long table will go behind the sofa. The coffee table and chair belong in another room, so eventually I need to get at least a coffee table. Suggestions? Round? Square? Dark wood? I'm at a loss. All I know is I want it to be a good place for playing games and doing puzzles with the kids.)

Dining Room (I still need to find sconces. Any ideas? I've been looking and looking and just can't figure out what style to go with. I don't want to spend a lot of money either. I also am in search of a piece of art for that wall between the sconces).

desk area

Stove area

sink

1. Yes, Teixiera sells the stone and does the fabrication. You can have someone else do it, but I think it's good to go with them because they are so experienced with it.

2. Birds: Little one with curly tail on bookshelf from Pier 1 (on sale, so likely not there anymore). Big one in desk area is from Pottery Barn recently.

3. Pottery: Almost all of the pottery, including white cups in glass cabinet are made by my fabulously talented brother. Visit his web site! http://www.davidpier.com You can also find a link to his hilarious contraption, the "Hound Round" which is sort of like a giant hampster wheel for dogs!

4. (long one!) For soapstone there's a lot that
determines the price. For example, we originally were going to get Cobra and
that comes in smaller slabs and you only pay for the square footage you use.
When we switched to Julia it added up to more even though the square ft.
price was less, because with Julia you pay for the whole slab regardless of
whether you use it all (which we didn't). We needed two slabs. Also, with
the Cobra we would have had some seams in the large part of the island (this
is why we switched varieties). When we switched to Julia there was an extra
$600 charge for having the large part of the
island in one piece because it's harder to fabricate and requires more
people for the installation because it's so heavy. Hope that all makes
sense!

A couple of important things I learned about shopping for soapstone: 1. Make
sure you go with one of the harder varieties. Some of the samples I got
could be easily chipped just by hitting them with a spoon. Ours is one of
the harder varieties. So far (knock on wood) we have a few little scratches,
which I'll eventually sand out, but no chips. One of my friends went with a
softer variety and it's chipping all around her sink. 2. Make sure you get a
sample and test it for hardness and watermarks. I don't know why, but some
varieties have horrible problems with watermarks. I have one friend who says
she just runs a sponge over it and it leaves a watermark until she oils it
again. I have another friend who has no problem with watermarks at all. We
get some, but mostly just around the sink where the oil wears away quicker.
I just keep a rag with some oil under the sink and run it over that area
every few days and it's fine. Also make sure to test your sample with oil,
because it looks much different!

One last thing. If you're going with Teixiera (which definitely has the best
selection in this area), start looking as early as possible. Sometimes they
have a lot to choose from and other times it's fairly sparse. We were lucky
they got the Julia in about a month before we put the counters in. I think I
would have hated seams in that part of the island. If you know you want
soapstone, you can put a deposit down and reserve some particular slabs, and
if they get a kind in later that you like better they will let you change.
It didn't cost us anything to make the change.

5. Here is info. for our painter:
http://www.yelp.com/biz/branko-kruslin-redwood-city He's
extremely meticulous and a sweet guy. Our puppy had emergency surgery while
he was painting our cabs and he was so sweet with her and would watch over
her for me when I had to go out. My husband calls him Picasso :). Tell him I
sent you!

Did I miss anything???

Here is a link that might be useful: Pottery by David Pier (and the Hound Round)

AT13
Cracked Ivory
3x6 field tile
Earthen Art Folio

As for the grout. The tile guy picked the closest match and I don't know what it was called. I'm not totally thrilled with the grout because it has a pink tint in certain light.

And while we're on the topic of cookbooks...I'm obscessed with cookbooks! Current favorites are Food to Live By and the King Arthur Flour baking books Just got the whole grain one and it's great. Made this recipe the other day (minus the espresso powder) and they were so yummy (though didn't look a thing like the picture--the dough was a bit crumbly and so I formed them into balls so they were more "short and fat"!) http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/RecipeDisplay?RID=1195482260876
This is the first time in my life that I've had properly funtioning appliances. It's so fun to cook now that things actually turn out as they should!

elfmom--Are your cabs factory finished? If so, I don't know that you could paint over them without sanding them down, which would be a shame. I would ask an experienced painter. We ordered our cabs unfinished and had a painter (awesome painter if anyone needs one in SF Bay Area on the peninsula) paint them. Spraying was much less expensive than brushing, but it did make as thick of a coat and we liked the idea that with the final brush area we could touch up without it being noticeable. That's part of the reason that we went with painted over the factory finish white that is "baked" on, and also we didn't like the look of the finishes our cab maker did and saw some in a home nearby that they made and it looked like the finish chipped easily. I guess if you order from the big companies with the factory finish it's much more durable than when you go with a custom cabinet maker in California...I guess they can't use the same chemicals to make it durable due to CA regulations. I have a friend that has the glaze. Her kitchen was one of my inspirations and it's gorgeous (I'll ask her if I can post some of the pictures I have of it). I think it looks great, and it hides the dirt! Everything shows on my cabs, but with the glaze you can get away with more!

mamabirrd--We like the Natura. It doesn't smell, which is great! We wanted to be as green as possible. The only place we didn't use it is on the cabinets because from everything I read on this site and talking to guy at the paint store, it sounded like Aura was a better bet for holding up to the beating cabinets get. A lot of people on the forum also like Fine Paints of Europe for cabinets, but that's $100 per can!

chinchette--The chairs at the desk (also the same ones at our dining table) are from Crate & Barrel. They are quite comfortable and once we get cushions will be even more so! I do have to say, they are not the most practical. A friends child was over recently and stood on a chair and little piece broken off the side of the seat. My husband glued it back on, but I can tell it's not going to last. Once we have cushions (C&B only has cream and black ones, and we want something in between) they will be more protected, which will be a good thing! Also, they will be tricky to clean if anything is ever spilled or if it gets dusty inside. The great thing is they are only $129! Here's the link: http://www.crateandbarrel.com/family.aspx?c=14229&f=26600
Our barstools were a great deal too and are extremely comfortable. $350 for two and Sturbridge Yankee Workshop.

For the chalkboard idea, I have to give credit to Sunset Magazine. I saw a picture a couple of years ago and tore it out. It's one of my favorite things. I often write a message near the top and then the kids decorated the bottom.

I know I still owe some people the tile name, and I'll try to get out there to take a look at it soon!

Here is a link that might be useful: New kitchen

Here is a link that might be useful: using a cast iron skillet ain't so hard!

Details:

Ikea Tidaholm cupboards, professionally sprayed in Cloud White with alot of customization. Unfortunately, these have since been discontinued.

AEG Electrolux 36" freestanding stove. Bought for less then half price because someone bought it, used it once and returned it because they decided they wanted gas. We don't have gas and recently put in Geo Thermal heating/air conditioning. Wasn't in the budget to bring in propane. Stove was so reasonable that if we decide to do so later we can.

Liebherr 30" freestanding refrigerator. Purchased for half price because it had a dent dent in the bottom half. Bought a new door so it was good as new, until they delivered it and dented the top half. They replaced the door. Neither will be installed until house is complete (just in case).

Ikea farmhouse sink and dishwasher. I'm actually very pleased that it works as well as it does.

Perrin and Rohl Aquatine faucet in polished nickel.

Island and Jam cupboard - Special Order from Camlen Furniture in Quebec. Purchased with hand planed top in pine and may or not replace with marble. Will live with it for a while.

10" random length pine floors. All hand finished and dinged and finshed with Waterlox. This alone took us several weeks. We love the finish.

Honed Absolute Black granite. Bought the kitchen at Ikea's 20% off sale. Rather then cash back you get Ikea gift certificates. Used these and another $1300.

Faber Inca Pro hood

Light fixture- Sescolite, Burlington, Ontario

Finished kitchen, $19 thousand including all the small stuff.

I would like to thank the GW community. I found you when most decisions had already been made but early enough to make some positive changes based on the vast amount of information shared on this site. I didn't ask for much advise but I can assure you that I read everything written on the subjects that I researched on this site and then some. I do not have the incredible knowledge that so many of you do who share so willingly to those who ask but have from time to time tried to help out on the very few subjects I know a little about. I have taken much more than I have been able to give. I am grateful to have had a place that I could frequent with people who share the same desire to have a kitchen of their dreams no matter their budget. And to those who think their day will never come, keep the faith. I never thought that I would get here. After seeing so many unbelievable kitchens, big and small, elaborate and understated, new and updated thanks for looking at mine.

I've been toying with the idea of taking up mosaic and your backsplash is a definite inspiration. I'd like to hear more about it. I think that it totally makes your kitchen. Its my favorite thing I've seen on the forum.

Here is a link that might be useful: Sharing Thyme

The Miele guy I talked to that was the most helpful is out of SF and he demonstrated the product for many years and has cooking classes to show people how they can multi task in the oven. They promote that you can cook a salmon on one rack and a pie on another and not mixing of smells. Wish I could eat sugar!! Anyway, my guy was SUPER helpful in telling me about the oven. You were super helpful in telling me all about rugs. Let me fish out his number: Keith at 800-843--7231 ext 8720. He doesn't answer right away but you can leave a message and he will call back. He told me he would plan out a whole menu for me for a party.

As for the perfect clean, my broiler pan is definately perfect clean. The rotiss was the item for me because of my limited diet I wanted the best chicken possible. Saw your thread in kitchens. Some interesting ovens out there that might fit your bill.

Bill

Dax

Cottage Grove Nursery in West Salem is a very neat and well-kept business offering some very nice landscape size conifers at a decent price. They also have a nice selection of perennials. I can see why they have become "basic's" favorite. And if you visit and are greeted by an attractive young lady with a big pretty smile - tell her you "heard about you (referring to the business of course) on the internet" and watch her blush. What has that girl been up to LOL

Flower Factory just south of Oregon has to be the premiere perennial grower in the upper midwest. So many selections and set in a great farmstead setting. Great display gardens for shade plants, rock garden plants, and troughs. A "must see" if in the area.

Stonewall Nursery - also just south of Oregon. I wasn't sure what to expect and was blown away with their selections. And I could not resist a pinus parviflora 'Goldilocks' which is now waiting to be planted in my property. LOTS of great landscape size unique conifers - very similar to Fox Willow Pines or Gee's but on a somewhat smaller scale. Jenwestie shouldn't have any problem at all finding something to start a new collection if and when he/she visits their nursery. And they do have a recently established website - see link below

Yahara - I didn't get over to this nursery as I was running out of time if I wanted to get home tonight before dark. The folks at both Flower Factory and Stonewall had good thing to say about this recently started nursery. I would say a visit would be worthwhile if in the area.

Here is a link that might be useful: Stonewall Nursery

Abies koreana 'Goldener Traum':

Abies koreana 'Aurea' ('Luminetta')

Spring cones:

Sorry, couldn't resist, can't wait for spring. Later, Dan

Pristine!

Dax

(when a photo has been "clicked on" - a name will appear but in a running "string" of letters which you'll need to break apart, i.e., PiceaabiesFluke.jpeg - = Picea abies 'Fluke'.)

Then The American Conifer Society Website:

And then suppliers of some of these plants - which some may take years to find (or never even found at all).

I hope you're rich for your own sake! (or like me, can live with smaller specimens to start with)

I realize there's more to it than this, but I'm sure this will keep you occupied for a while!

Welcome to the world of conifers and their cultivars. This "hobby" has been referred to as 'Addicted Conifer Syndrome' which many folks in this group clearly has! Pretty soon you'll want to propagate conifers for a living:) "The Final Stage" - I believe - of 'ACS'.

Regardless, welcome!

Dax