sarenu
Amethyst
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 10:01:04 GMT -6
Guys! It’s happening we are starting the process to remodel the kitchen and add a master suite and maybe a 4th bedroom. Cabinets? I’m debating white with granite for around the wall in an L. Then glass cabinets to replace our China cabinet and make a coffee area. Then our contractor suggested an island for an eating area. I’m leaning toward a colored cabinet with a butcher block top. I also need appliances. Hit me with recommendations for a fridge, stove and dishwasher. Flooring as well.
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mc13
Sapphire
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Post by mc13 on Jun 22, 2021 10:29:26 GMT -6
We did two-toned cabinets. White uppers, wood stained lowers with granite countertops. I loveeee the look. Plus no finger prints/dog nose prints all over white lower cabinets. We love the island. So easy for the kids to be involved but not under my feet. I do 95% of my prep work on our island so I wouldn’t want butcher block on there unless you’re ok with it being more “weathered” look. We have all GE appliances and are very happy. We had kitchen aid at the old house and those were also good, no issues with them over 4.5 years. The other best thing we did was big deep drawers instead of cabinets on the lowers. They fit all my pots and pans and little appliances and I don’t have to kneel on the ground to dig them out. As for flooring we did vinyl plank throughout our entire first floor. It’s waterproof so it goes right into the kitchen, mud room, laundry room , powder room no problems.
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tj
Moderator
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Post by tj on Jun 22, 2021 10:32:55 GMT -6
I think that looks gorgeous. Only thing I would say is to be cautious using a butcher block as a non-removable surface. Wood is porous. So spilled liquids will soak in some over time and leave stains, germs, oil spots etc. I wanted to put a butcher block on our island and mh vetoed it hard and fast. What color granite are you thinking? Are your dishes/coffee things pretty enough to be behind glass? Just another thing to consider since they will be on display.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 10:44:04 GMT -6
I think that looks gorgeous. Only thing I would say is to be cautious using a butcher block as a non-removable surface. Wood is porous. So spilled liquids will soak in some over time and leave stains, germs, oil spots etc. I wanted to put a butcher block on our island and mh vetoed it hard and fast. What color granite are you thinking? Are your dishes/coffee things pretty enough to be behind glass? Just another thing to consider since they will be on display. Glass only for our bar ware and heirloom items. So things I want to display. Would you use granite for a coffee area? Or would that stain? I’ve never had granite before.
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Post by charlotte on Jun 22, 2021 10:49:27 GMT -6
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 10:50:07 GMT -6
We did two-toned cabinets. White uppers, wood stained lowers with granite countertops. I loveeee the look. Plus no finger prints/dog nose prints all over white lower cabinets. We love the island. So easy for the kids to be involved but not under my feet. I do 95% of my prep work on our island so I wouldn’t want butcher block on there unless you’re ok with it being more “weathered” look. We have all GE appliances and are very happy. We had kitchen aid at the old house and those were also good, no issues with them over 4.5 years. The other best thing we did was big deep drawers instead of cabinets on the lowers. They fit all my pots and pans and little appliances and I don’t have to kneel on the ground to dig them out. As for flooring we did vinyl plank throughout our entire first floor. It’s waterproof so it goes right into the kitchen, mud room, laundry room , powder room no problems. Is that a microwave? Or a toaster oven? Our contractor suggested avoiding a mounted microwave over the stove and to stick with a hood only. I very much agree.
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mc13
Sapphire
Posts: 3,414 Likes: 12,121
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Post by mc13 on Jun 22, 2021 10:50:43 GMT -6
I think that looks gorgeous. Only thing I would say is to be cautious using a butcher block as a non-removable surface. Wood is porous. So spilled liquids will soak in some over time and leave stains, germs, oil spots etc. I wanted to put a butcher block on our island and mh vetoed it hard and fast. What color granite are you thinking? Are your dishes/coffee things pretty enough to be behind glass? Just another thing to consider since they will be on display. Glass only for our bar ware and heirloom items. So things I want to display. Would you use granite for a coffee area? Or would that stain? I’ve never had granite before. We have granite on everything - kitchen, buffet, even under our coffee pot. No staining! As long as your granite is sealed regularly (I think every few years), you should be ok.
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mc13
Sapphire
Posts: 3,414 Likes: 12,121
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Post by mc13 on Jun 22, 2021 10:51:29 GMT -6
We did two-toned cabinets. White uppers, wood stained lowers with granite countertops. I loveeee the look. Plus no finger prints/dog nose prints all over white lower cabinets. We love the island. So easy for the kids to be involved but not under my feet. I do 95% of my prep work on our island so I wouldn’t want butcher block on there unless you’re ok with it being more “weathered” look. We have all GE appliances and are very happy. We had kitchen aid at the old house and those were also good, no issues with them over 4.5 years. The other best thing we did was big deep drawers instead of cabinets on the lowers. They fit all my pots and pans and little appliances and I don’t have to kneel on the ground to dig them out. As for flooring we did vinyl plank throughout our entire first floor. It’s waterproof so it goes right into the kitchen, mud room, laundry room , powder room no problems. Is that a microwave? Or a toaster oven? Our contractor suggested avoiding a mounted microwave over the stove and to stick with a hood only. I very much agree. It’s a convection microwave. We’ve only used it as a regular microwave so far but nice to have the convection option for holidays. We were given the option to have trim added around it but didn’t want to deal with tearing it out when we need to replace it down the road.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 10:52:31 GMT -6
So we have white oak flooring in the hall & living room.
How would you transition for flooring?
Also, we learned that we have wood flooring under the vinyl in the kitchen 😳
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 10:53:06 GMT -6
Is that a microwave? Or a toaster oven? Our contractor suggested avoiding a mounted microwave over the stove and to stick with a hood only. I very much agree. It’s a convection microwave. We’ve only used it as a regular microwave so far but nice to have the convection option for holidays. We were given the option to have trim added around it but didn’t want to deal with tearing it out when we need to replace it down the road. How do you like it?
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mc13
Sapphire
Posts: 3,414 Likes: 12,121
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Post by mc13 on Jun 22, 2021 10:53:43 GMT -6
So we have white oak flooring in the hall & living room. How would you transition for flooring? Also, we learned that we have wood flooring under the vinyl in the kitchen 😳 Any chance that wood can be salvaged? Or finding a match to continue the hardwood into the kitchen? I’ve seen that done on Hometown (HGtV) a lot. And if they can’t do it, they usually do a tile.
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sarenu
Amethyst
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 10:55:05 GMT -6
And we’re your cabinets custom made?
We are trying to get good quality that will last, but hopefully not cost most of our budget.
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Post by charlotte on Jun 22, 2021 10:56:10 GMT -6
This photo is of a bathroom but I love this color cabinetry with dark handles. I think it would look really pretty on an island with either a light or butcher block counter.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 10:57:07 GMT -6
So we have white oak flooring in the hall & living room. How would you transition for flooring? Also, we learned that we have wood flooring under the vinyl in the kitchen 😳 Any chance that wood can be salvaged? Or finding a match to continue the hardwood into the kitchen? I’ve seen that done on Hometown (HGtV) a lot. And if they can’t do it, they usually do a tile. No clue on the quality, I’m guessing the floor may not be salvageable near the sink. We hand wash everything right now.
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Post by charlotte on Jun 22, 2021 10:59:16 GMT -6
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mc13
Sapphire
Posts: 3,414 Likes: 12,121
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Post by mc13 on Jun 22, 2021 11:03:03 GMT -6
And we’re your cabinets custom made? We are trying to get good quality that will last, but hopefully not cost most of our budget. We went through a local kitchen designer that the builder recommended. Our cabinets are Wellborn brand, they weren’t the cheapest ones but also not the most expensive. My parents and sister just did their kitchens too and ordered their cabinets online from Cabinets.com. They both had a great experience.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 11:13:00 GMT -6
This photo is of a bathroom but I love this color cabinetry with dark handles. I think it would look really pretty on an island with either a light or butcher block counter. I’m think this might end up on the island if possible. That’s why I considered white for the cabinets.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 11:40:48 GMT -6
I need to chat with my mom, I may have an in for decent pricing on tile. I need to ask my contractor which one would last longer. I would love the wood flooring, but it would take beating from the kids. We don’t have a mud room.
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milano
Emerald
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2021 12:28:58 GMT -6
I'm going to note things I dislike/like comparing my two kitchens, since I recently moved.
Yes to deep drawers- I loved them at our old house and miss them greatly at our new house.
Microwaves over the oven are annoying.
Butcher block is beautiful but takes too much maintenance/protecting for me to ever use it again unless I poly it.
I prefer light granite or quartz, so I can see crumbs and spills. Both houses had black countertops and I hate them. I like to be able to see.
I love the idea of a different color island! White or colored cabinets are my favorite. I long for a kitchen with white and blue or gray/green cabinets.
Although I prefer the look of hardwood, my ceramic tile floors are so much easier to clean and maintain. Just make sure to use the expensive grout so it stays clean. The previous owners of my house did not do this and it shows.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 12:31:32 GMT -6
I'm going to note things I dislike/like comparing my two kitchens, since I recently moved. Yes to deep drawers- I loved them at our old house and miss them greatly at our new house. Microwaves over the oven are annoying. Butcher block is beautiful but takes too much maintenance/protecting for me to ever use it again unless I poly it. I prefer light granite or quartz, so I can see crumbs and spills. Both houses had black countertops and I hate them. I like to be able to see. I love the idea of a different color island! White or colored cabinets are my favorite. I long for a kitchen with white and blue or gray/green cabinets. Although I prefer the look of hardwood, my ceramic tile floors are so much easier to clean and maintain. Just make sure to use the expensive grout so it stays clean. The previous owners of my house did not do this and it shows. Thank you! This is really helpful.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 22, 2021 12:55:39 GMT -6
I'm going to note things I dislike/like comparing my two kitchens, since I recently moved. Yes to deep drawers- I loved them at our old house and miss them greatly at our new house. Microwaves over the oven are annoying. Butcher block is beautiful but takes too much maintenance/protecting for me to ever use it again unless I poly it. I prefer light granite or quartz, so I can see crumbs and spills. Both houses had black countertops and I hate them. I like to be able to see. I love the idea of a different color island! White or colored cabinets are my favorite. I long for a kitchen with white and blue or gray/green cabinets. Although I prefer the look of hardwood, my ceramic tile floors are so much easier to clean and maintain. Just make sure to use the expensive grout so it stays clean. The previous owners of my house did not do this and it shows. Do you currently have white? I’m afraid of finger prints (like mentioned), and would not do white on the island since my kids will probably kick their feet (ewww).
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milano
Emerald
Posts: 10,914 Likes: 36,993
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Post by milano on Jun 22, 2021 22:21:20 GMT -6
I'm going to note things I dislike/like comparing my two kitchens, since I recently moved. Yes to deep drawers- I loved them at our old house and miss them greatly at our new house. Microwaves over the oven are annoying. Butcher block is beautiful but takes too much maintenance/protecting for me to ever use it again unless I poly it. I prefer light granite or quartz, so I can see crumbs and spills. Both houses had black countertops and I hate them. I like to be able to see. I love the idea of a different color island! White or colored cabinets are my favorite. I long for a kitchen with white and blue or gray/green cabinets. Although I prefer the look of hardwood, my ceramic tile floors are so much easier to clean and maintain. Just make sure to use the expensive grout so it stays clean. The previous owners of my house did not do this and it shows. Do you currently have white? I’m afraid of finger prints (like mentioned), and would not do white on the island since my kids will probably kick their feet (ewww). I currently have wood colored cabinets but I dislike them and will be having them painted (probably white) in the next couple of years. I feel like fingerprints would be easy to wipe off? But again, I prefer everything light colored because I like to see the dirt so I can clean it off.
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Post by charlotte on Jun 23, 2021 7:33:26 GMT -6
I think it also depends on the finish (?) of your cabinets, regardless of the color. My parents have cream-colored cabinets but they’re holding up really well and very wipe-able. Any scuffs & marks from kid feet, etc are able to be scrubbed off.
In our current house the (dark) cabinets are so tough to wipe down and it seems like all scuffs and marks end up being permanent.
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Post by mintyblueair on Jun 23, 2021 8:17:19 GMT -6
So we have white oak flooring in the hall & living room. How would you transition for flooring? Also, we learned that we have wood flooring under the vinyl in the kitchen 😳 Personally, I'd try to salvage the existing wood floor or do hardwood to match your other floor. If I was going to do tile, based on the picture you posted, I'd do a terracotta type of tile. I like light countertops. If I was renovating my kitchen right now I'd be putting in quartz.
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Post by mintyblueair on Jun 23, 2021 8:20:59 GMT -6
Also, we have dark wood cabinets right now and they show grease and fingerprints like crazy. But the quality of the finish will determine how easily cleaned they are.
I like cabinet doors with no molding, both because I like the look better and because they're easier to clean.
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Post by mintyblueair on Jun 23, 2021 8:32:43 GMT -6
I think butcher block is beautiful and if you can commit to maintaining it I think you should go for it. Some marks on it are inevitable and are part of the charm.
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Post by mintyblueair on Jun 23, 2021 11:15:42 GMT -6
Oh and one more thing; running the cabinets all the way up to the ceiling makes the ceiling seem higher and maximizes storage.
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milano
Emerald
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Post by milano on Jun 23, 2021 11:29:32 GMT -6
Oh , another cabinet thought. Get the cabinets that don't have a center stabilizing piece of wood in the middle, where the doors close. Our old house did not have this and our new house does and it is one of the most irritating things that I deal with daily. There is a name for them I just can't remember what it is.
And I agree that cabinets to the ceiling are most functional (and eliminate that gross dust-gathering ledge of wasted space) but I prefer regular sized wall cabinets and then extra small cabinets over top of them to the ceiling instead of just one huge tall cabinet. Easier to organize that way, IMO.
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sarenu
Amethyst
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Post by sarenu on Jun 23, 2021 14:17:41 GMT -6
Oh and one more thing; running the cabinets all the way up to the ceiling makes the ceiling seem higher and maximizes storage. My house definitely needs this. I’m going to need a taller step stool.
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sarenu
Amethyst
Posts: 5,084 Likes: 10,327
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Post by sarenu on Jun 23, 2021 14:20:33 GMT -6
Oh , another cabinet thought. Get the cabinets that don't have a center stabilizing piece of wood in the middle, where the doors close. Our old house did not have this and our new house does and it is one of the most irritating things that I deal with daily. There is a name for them I just can't remember what it is. And I agree that cabinets to the ceiling are most functional (and eliminate that gross dust-gathering ledge of wasted space) but I prefer regular sized wall cabinets and then extra small cabinets over top of them to the ceiling instead of just one huge tall cabinet. Easier to organize that way, IMO. Oh, I think I know what you mean. And yes my current cabinet has that issue. I didn’t know they came without!
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