Before pics: we moved the kitchen into the family room, the dining room into the kitchen, and the breakfast area into the dining room. (The living room turned into the family room, and the office will soon turn into the living room ... more to do around here.)So these photos are not exactly classic before/afters. (And it's a snowy day, so bright outside, not the best for pics. Oh well.)

Old kitchen

Corresponding view

Old family room:

Corresponding view

Old dining room (both visible walls are now gone)

Corresponding view

I was previously opposed to knocking out both walls, but I am glad we did. For the way we live, it works much better. Entertaining is a cinch now. Because the kitchen is vaulted but the other ceilings are low, it doesn't feel like a huge empty space (that's what I was worried about). And I liked my "other" house, just not the kitchen. It was awful.

I'll post details here, and more specific photos in a subsequent post.

-Cabinets-
Aspen Leaf Kitchens in Denver/Berthoud, CO; proprietary Primer White, BM Taos Taupe on island and butler's pantry, and custom-stained antique pine on breakfast hutch

-Appliances-
SubZero BI-36U fridge, pro handle
Wolf 48 DF range with 4 burners and double griddle
Viking 54 in. hood liner with heat lamps
Thermador DWHD64EP dishwashers
KitchenAid KBCO24RSBX three-zone beverage center
SubZero 700BCI refrigerator/freezer drawers
Sharp 0.8 cu ft microwave

-Counters-
Minas soapstone on perimeter cabinets and hutch
Calacatta gold marble on island and butler's pantry

-Hardware-
Restoration Hardware Gilmore cup pulls, Aubrey knobs and handle pulls, Clear Glass knobs in antique brass, and Season knobs and Hanson pulls in ORB

-Sinks-
Main: soapstone farm sink crafted by Terra Bella/Denver CO
Prep: Ticor S3650

-Faucets-
Main sink: Kohler HiRise bridge with sidespray
Prep sink: Kohler HiRise bar faucet

-Lighting-
Wilmette Clark pendants in ORB (breakfast nook)
Wilmette LaSalle wall sconces in antique brass (later photos)
Visual Comfort Classic Ring chandelier in AB (dining room)
Visual Comfort Four-Light Siena pendant in AB (butler's)

-Island stools-
Ballard Designs Dorchester counter stools in rubbed black (all other furniture and rugs previously owned)

A huge thank you to everybody on this forum who helped graciously with advice, photos, experience & info. What an incredible resource this is. Shout outs to Erikanh & marthavila for hood help, willowdecor for tile, all the stoners, and many more.

We moved in last week-bottom trim on fridge & dw are still missing, excuse the messy bottoms.

I'll be happy to provide details if anyone wants them.

Thanks for looking!

Marble Close Up

Soapstone Close Up

OR should I just wait a few years till the roof becomes a grey color?

Any photoshop help?

From April 2009

Cabinets-Wood Mode
Perimeter Counters-Calacatta Crema-honed
Island top-Sapele Mahogany
Range-Wolf
Wall Oven-Miele
Refrigerator-Sub Zero
Dishwashers-Miele
Main Sink-Shaw's Original Farm Sink
Wet Bar Sink-Sink-A-Link Hammered Copper

Hope I'm not putting too many pictures!

Quick description (feel free to contact me if you have questions)
-Soapstone: Julia
-Cabinets: Custom, inset/flush shaker style with single bead (waiting to see if we get some issues resolved before I recommend the cabinet maker)
-Bookcase and desk tops: walnut
-Sharp microwave oven drawer (love it!)
-GE fridge
-Shaw 30 inch apron sink
-Wolf range top
-Thermador double ovens
-Vent-a-hood hood
-Dal tile
-potfiller: Newport Brass
-hot/cold faucet Newport Brass
-Main faucet: Mico
-Door to garage: one panel painted with chalkboard paint...fun! The kids love this and it's fun to put messages to guests, each other, holiday wishes, etc.
-Pull out baskets (love these...I keep bread in one and potatoes, onions, etc. in the other)
-Wine shelf--love it!
-Bar stools from Sturbridge Yankee Workshop (love these and they were so reasonable!)
-What would I do differently? More than 12 inch overhang on seating area of island (maybe 14-16 inch). And I might skip the bead board in the backs of the bookshelfs and glass cabs.

Happy kitchen designing to all! Thank you again!

wall and trim color: sw alabaster white
cabinet color: sw mindful gray
cabinets: armstrong cabinets
countertops: honed carrara marble
cabinet hardware: rh dakota 6" pull in aged pewter
appliances: ge profile
sink: whitehaus 30" farmhouse sink (I got this for 300!)
faucet: 75 off of ebay
tile: daltile 3x6 folio subway handmade and handglazed subway tile
shades: lowes sahara roman shades
sliding door track: crown industrial
sconces: visual comfort library sconce
lighting over counter: custom made
stool: antique milk pail

I found these Kichler pendants in Old Bronze. They are similar to the Hudson Valley ones, just a much better price. They don't come in satin nickel, just polished and olde bronze. I kind of like the dark element to go with the stools and dark table, but not sure if it's too much in a small kitchen. And the ceilings are only a little over 8 foot. BIL thinks we should do recessed above the island, but I really like the ambience the pendants could give. And they would be on dimmers which I love. If you think I should forget the pendants let me know. I don't want it to be too busy.

Here are some of my choices:

Kichler olde bronze pendant

Crate and Barrel extension table

I like the idea of this striped pendant to bring in some color.
http://www.roomandboard.com/rnb/product/detail.do?productGroup=19724

Or maybe something like Mamadadapaige's in bronze

or just a drum shad over the table

Here is my kitchen with the darker stools

From January 2009

From January 2009

From January 2009

This is part of the living room that you see from the kitchen

From January 2009

When DH comes home I can have him hold up the pendants and take a picture. Sorry these don't look so clear. My camera is terrible.

This is a picture from cottage living that I loved the darker pendants in.

Thanks for the help!

Here is a link that might be useful: orange striped room and board pendant

Anyone else feel this way when they had the cabinets installed?

Thanks.

So, now onto paint, backsplash,pendants, chairs and stools. The paint is going on the big wall behind the island and around the table/window wall.We are having all new trim put up, and crown molding over the cabinets/I would like that wall to stand out a little from the granite. Not sure what I'm going to do there yet. Thinking of Espresso bar stools and table...unless you think black would be better.
http://picasaweb.google.com/lh/photo/ZmvjWJsnUVkZZVEVUno8VQ?authkey=w3x2bCzPMCY&feat=directlink

From January 2009

From January 2009

From January 2009

From January 2009

Can I use these or do I need something special, will the enhance and seal darker the grout? I've seen a post about making grout darker.
He also said I could walk on it this morning, but shouldn't I wait 24 hours? When do I seal it?

Thanks so much, I remember Kitchenkelly posting that you helped her with her decisions.

From January 2009

From January 2009

I love the idea of hanging a metal ledge for various things. The Something's Gotta Give kitchen has it for smaller items such as spices, but the Bros&Sisters kitchen has larger items. I like the look of both but prefer the wider one from B&S. Does anyone know where I can find this metal shelf?

SGG kitchen we all know and love:

B&S kitchen:

The B&S ledge looks an awful lot like this one from Ikea, but I'm not sure if the B&S one is a metal grid like this. It is 10.6" in depth, 31" in length, which seems similar. Has anyone who watches the show gotten a closer look at it?

My sister wants to fix her troubling island situation. She calls her kitchen "a range and hood surrounded by cabinets". Kitchen has lovely Peacock-ish custom cabinets exploiting every inch, and she wants to leave the perimeter alone. Given that, the cabinet to cabinet open space in the middle is 11'4 sink run to shallow cabinet and only 9'3" from fridge wall to the step dropoff.

Problems are
1) the midget island with 36 range and large hood and only 12 inches counter either side.
2) a 20 inch aisle, yes that is 20!!, at a loadbearing corner near the Advantium wall (at left corner edge of range island above).
3) two steps down to the breakfast area, that start without a visual cue because counters continue for the step.

Here is the floorplan with counters shaded - much of cebinetry is full depth to the ceiling.

Here's view toward family room:

View back toward DR and hall to the right

And the step 'issue'

Link to other pix at the bottom.

So what do you suggest?????

I think I have an idea but want your "fresh eyes".

Thanks!

Here is a link that might be useful: my sister's beautiful dysfunctional kitchen

I have a breakfront I love which I want to use in the DR but it will mean that the DR table will then be off-center. I know that normally the chandelier is centered over the DR table but will this look bad since the French Doors are such a focal point in the DR?

I included a picture of the Sharp microwave draw that someone had wanted to see. Also, included close-ups of the backsplash (very plain but to my taste), and spice rack which I can't wait to use!

[IMG]http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn62/mamadadapaige/frombar.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn62/mamadadapaige/fromdoors.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn62/mamadadapaige/backsplash.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn62/mamadadapaige/sharpmicrowave.jpg[/IMG]

[IMG]http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn62/mamadadapaige/spicerack.jpg[/IMG]

Anyway, the question is, should Leathered/Antiqued Cambrian Black be sealed? And if so, with what exactly? I have to say that it seems like the oils of a hand are leaving long-lasting marks on the unsealed portion of the countertops which makes me worried that unsealed is not the answer.

However, I don't want to have problems with it clouding up on me either. I'd love to not have to seal, but what I'm seeing so far makes me think maybe it needs it???

Also, maybe one of you stone experts can help me on this part. When I saw the slabs in the yard, there were some whitish drippy marks all along the top half of the slabs. Looked like maybe limey rainwater residue or something. I told them I couldn't approve it that way. They assured me it would come off. I said, show me. They had a guy get some "sealer" and he wiped a big spot and it looked clear (in broad daylight, sealer still wet). So I signed off. They said it would all be cleaned off before fabrication.

So they get through the grueling install today (days off my life, I think) and what's one of the first things I notice? Faint, but very noticeable streaky drippy marks in multiple places on the countertop.

What do I do? The top is now glued on, sink undermounted. They have to come back for the one fix they need to do and I want to be ready to tell them what I expect. Obviously, I'm not going to settle for this, but I want to be sure they don't screw it up more. How can we take care of these marks? Will sealer help? They are in the section that wasn't sealed. Can they buff it out or something (doubt it with leathered finish)? A poultice? Have you seen this before? I'm freaking out a bit.

Any advice on either or both of these topics would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Dawn

GE T5 Fluorescent Lighting
Xenon
LED from Costco

sorry, have to run, will finish this posting later...................

For our upstairs kitchenette (finished in May, just being used now as the main kitchen is being gutted) I put in these Xenon under cabinet lights:

http://www.pegasusassociates.com/products/UnderCabinetLights/XenonLineVoltTaskLights.html

Yowza, they are HOT! I had them on for a few hours this afternoon and then turned him off; several hours later the bottom shelf of the cabinets is still warm to the touch. That whole section of the room just radiated heat. I had assumed I'd do these in the main kitchen, too, but now that I've actually used them, I wouldn't buy them again.

I read a few threads of people saying they had xenon and didn't have a problem with heat. Mine are enclosed which might make a difference, but even if they're open that heat is still generated, it is just dissapating through the room instead of staying trapped under the cabinet, right?

I read several references to flor. t-2 lights but when I google that, the only hit I get is right here on the forum. Anyone know more about these? And

Anita

Thanks!

Any other suggestions, seems like there are not too many options for slide ins. I need to put a microwave over it too.

I posted on the appliance forum, but thought I'd try here.

Thanks!

We have moved the door from where it was in our old kitchen, and it now opens into the mudroom. Our mudroom is very small, and always a mess. So I'm thinking of possibly having hooks on one wall of the walk-in pantry for coats, and the other wall for food.

We have a second step in pantry that is off the basement stairs that we will probably use for bulk storage items.

Thanks
Chris

My salesperson at the kitchen and bath shop is trying to talk me out of Cambrian Black in an antique finish and going with an engineered stone of similar look. I am resisting the recommendation. I'd like to have a professional's opinion about using an enhancer on Cambrian Black Antique or on Nordic Black Antique before a final decision about this issue is made.

Thanks for the help.

JB

They put down one coat of minwax ebony stain, and while it is dark, it's no where near the look of ebony floors I have seen in pictures, ect. (I know every picture looks different in lighting, etc - not trying match exactly, just the spirit of...) We have quarter-sown red oak, so I do understand about the grain and know it probably won’t ever look exactly like the pictures.

The floor guy is saying he's never had anyone say they didn't think ebony was dark enough, and that he NEVER use two coats of stain on a floor.

Am I being unreasonable to ask for ideas on how to achieve the look I want?

Does anyone else have a recommendation?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks!
--Jennifer

Thanks!

Is there a reflexion with all undercounter lights?

Any comments.

Thanks,
Judy

Thanks everyone for tremendous resource this board has been! Its so helpful to have a panel of experts there 24/7 at the ready.

Here are all the specs
Cabinets: Plain & Fancy, Kent Door, Buttercream Color
Appliances: GE Cafe Microwave, Range & Dishwasher, GE Profile French Door Fridge
Countertop: Black Venata Soapstone from MTex
Backsplash: Vintage Subway tiles from repurposed from original bath elsewhere in my house
Pendant Lights: Hinkley Knickerbocker
Undercabinet/In Cabinet Lights: LED ewCove 12 in strips
Sink: Shaw Fireclay
Faucet: Rohl Country Bridge in Polished Nicel
Paint on wall: Woodland Snow by Benjamin Moore (flat)
Paint on trim: Bone White by Benjamin Moore (Semi)
Paint on Ceiling: China White (flat)

Details
Cabinets - custom. Painted using Cabinet Coat colored in White Dove by BM
Floors - red oak stained medium brown
Countertops - Absolute black granite on the perimeter, Monte Bello granite on the island
Backsplash - Walker Zanger Newport Seaweed subway
Door hardware - ORB cup pulls on the drawers, and ORB egg shaped knobs on the doors
Faucet - Kohler Vinnata...the smaller one (I can't remember the dimensions, but I believe its about 2" shorter than the large one)
Lighting - the 2 lights over the island are mini-chandeliers I got from Lighting Universe online
Fridge - Jenn Air counter depth
Range - 6 burner Viking
Oven - 30" GE Profile
Microwave - LG
Dishwasher - Asko

Thanks to everyone who shared their information. Overall, we are very pleased with it. There are a few things I'd do differently but they are pretty minor. If it wasn't for this site, I'm not sure it would have turned out as nice as it did.

Now that it's done, I'm almost sorry I don't have a second kitchen to do, because I made tons of mistakes with this one. Also, I'd bought a few things way in advance and before I found this website. If I'd found GW a little sooner, I would've made a few different choices here and there. Still, this is the first new kitchen I've ever had and by far the best.

The old:

And now:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

After:

Before:

The tall utility cabinet is the same old one, with new paint, new door and added crown and baseboard:

I'm looking for an off white that doesn't have too much yellow or pink. I tend to gravitate to the grey/greens too.

This was my inspiration picture...I'm scared to go that dark, but I love it. Not sure on the color in the picture.

How did you decide on yours? Please post any pics of white cabinets and the name of paint used.

Also, what paint sheen do you use on cabinets?

I'll start:

faucetdepot.com
efaucets.com
galaxytoolsupply.com

Are you happy with it? Does it clean easily? Show dirt, footprints etc? It looks great in your kitchen and I love the 12x24 size. I think it would be perfect for my kitchen and mudroom area.

Thanks so much!!
Paula