We moved the island out a little further than we had originally planned but there is still enough room by the back door and it works.
We used Hanssem Somerset cabinets in here, in "frosty white." We had planned to use "crystal white" but the color looked more creamy than we wanted under our lighting. We also used IKEA PERFEKT FAGERLAND wine shelving down the length of the wall to the right of the refrigerator. There are three units stacked and the cabinet installer did such a great job you'd never know it wasn't ordered with the Hanssem cabinets. I was a little nervous about this because I labored over the problem of needing at least 6 inches next to the fridge for the doors to open properly. Hanssem did not have anything under 12 inches in width (too big for the space) so as always IKEA to the rescue. We're not big wine drinkers but I thought it would be handy when I can't resist buying those cases of Pellegrino at Costco.
We still have to paint in here, build a half wall around the dishwasher and back of the sink cabinet and move our poor doorbell before we can pop in those lights and get the countertop installed.
My Dad stopped by yesterday and hooked up the stove, washer and dryer, put doors on the bathroom and our bedroom (yes!) moved the toilet upstairs and re-installed the curtain rod so we can shower. I hate baths here because the tub never warms up and no matter what we do, baths are freezing. We're working on weather stripping all of the windows and doors but the house is still pretty cold. Our bed is a mountain of blankets!
The snow yesterday left a pretty blanket over our back yard and bamboo forest:
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www.myknobs.com
I really wish you had done this three years ago, because I would honestly would have copied your layout exactly. You solved so many of the dilemmas I wasn't able to (like where to put the sink, and what to do with the dead space to the left of the hearth).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you've already seen Rejuvenation, but I wanted to point out the porcelain/cast iron cabinet knobs.
p.s. Get a couple of tiny dogs and let them sleep under the covers with you. We never have to put the thermostat above 55 at night, it's great!
Anon - thanks - I'll check those out!
ReplyDeleteAnna - I wish I had done it 3 years ago too - I might actually be finished by now! ;)
I love those GN thin edge knobs at Rejuvenation... I can't see them working in my kitchen though. I'll show Fernando the porcelain/iron ones - those would be better with the cabinets. I think I'll have to buy a few samples of different styles and see them in the room before I commit to anything.
55! I've been begging F. for a dog for years. We have two cats that do the same thing... I'm missing them terribly. They haven't moved in yet because there's still so many places they could crawl into and get stuck! I'm hoping to get them over this week. :)
I just found your blog and I love it! I'm in the process of fixing up an old house as well. I'm going to bookmark pictures of your kitchen for when we get around to doing our own.
ReplyDeleteI'm a fan of the clear glass knobs on white kitchen cabinets myself.
And yes, a cat under the covers works just as well. We lower our heat to 55 at night too!
Hi Elissa - thanks and welcome! I just bookmarked your blog - your interior architecture is very similar to ours!
ReplyDeleteIt's so funny that you should say that - my husband just bought a clear lucite knob to test on the cabinets. I didn't even think of glass - it does sound nice.
55 - you ladies are making me feel like a major energy hog. I'm ashamed to say we've had ours at 68 all last week! It doesn't feel like 68 though - more like 48 upstairs. We've been using an electric blanket along with the mountain of other blankets. I just have to figure out where the heat is actually going and maybe I'll get it all under control...
Cool example of how bamboo can hold up in the winter. I plan to use it in the future
ReplyDeleteGood design ideas. May be you can use bamboo for few more designs.
ReplyDeleteJane
HEY THERE!
ReplyDeletei found your blog through your comment over at d16, andddd i'm in love with your entries.
the kitchen looks amazing already—i can't even imagine it all finished up!
keep up the good work!!
Josh - Thank you! As you can see, I need all of the encouragement I can get! ;)
ReplyDeleteNR - the bamboo is beautiful but it's also terrorizing the rest of the plants I have back there. I have an old climbing rose across the arbor that's being choked and two ancient hydrangeas that are being crowded. Bamboo is very invasive and I think introducing some varieties is actually illegal in the US. I always wanted bamboo but now that I have it, I wouldn't wish it on anyone!
Jane - thanks, I have a couple of ideas for the bamboo but we'll see if they come to fruition.
Heather,
ReplyDeleteI just stumbled upon your blog via Door Sixteen. I absolutely love everything that you have done/are doing with your house!!! ... and I completely empathize with your renovation pains - we are currently gut-rehabbing our own home in Chicago, an 1890s rowhouse (www.4408.blogspot.com).
Stay strong!!! ;)
Ingrida: I just checked out your blog - your house is amazing! I just love the soapstone countertops, the kitchen cabinets, the parapet wall, the green roof, your closet built-ins (jealous!) and especially Charlevoix.
ReplyDeleteI'm hooked - thanks for the inspiration! :)