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So, I've finished doing my taxes (still have to mail them in, though) and thanks to the house credit, I have some money to throw at the kitchen.
This is my current kitchen. "Old range" is where the range used to be; it's now got a plywood board sitting over the hole where the range was. "Old oven" is still there, but non-functional as we've moved the wiring to the new stove. The oven is at counter height, so it takes up a chunk of counter.
There are top and bottom cabinets for the entire "u" shape at the top, except there are tiny knick-knack corner shelves over the sink, and nothing over the fridge.
The counter space to the left of the oven has no electrical outlets, but great natural light; we've installed some under-counter fluorescent lights to provide work light to the rest of the kitchen.
The bottom of the picture indicates the giant window, which the stove and counter next to the stove are facing. That counter is freestanding and has two drawers and two doors, but no interior shelves.
And here's what I want to do. Working round from the fridge--
Other features I want:
Open shelving, especially for pantry goods. I think food doesn't get eaten because we forget it's there. I also like to look and see what I have, and that doesn't work if the doors are open creating a hazard.
I do want enough storage space, but I also want to think about having enough and not too much. Having service for 20, in ordinary dishes, does not mean I need more space, it means I have too many damn dishes. The problem I've seen with cabinets is that you shove all your stuff in, and then you shut the door, and go "Oh, how be-yoo-tiful" because it looks neat-- but behind that door is a festering mass of chaos. (This goes double for our corner cabinet spaces.) So what I kind of want is space with a purpose. I'm still pondering this one.
Countertops of appropriate height. Standard counter height is 36". I want at least one counter at 40" or better, so I can knead bread without a backache.
I'd like to re-do the flooring to something washable but cushier; I'm wondering if those interlocking rubber floormats have a slightly prettier version?
Will post more from home with idea pics and stuff... later. :D
This is my current kitchen. "Old range" is where the range used to be; it's now got a plywood board sitting over the hole where the range was. "Old oven" is still there, but non-functional as we've moved the wiring to the new stove. The oven is at counter height, so it takes up a chunk of counter.
There are top and bottom cabinets for the entire "u" shape at the top, except there are tiny knick-knack corner shelves over the sink, and nothing over the fridge.
The counter space to the left of the oven has no electrical outlets, but great natural light; we've installed some under-counter fluorescent lights to provide work light to the rest of the kitchen.
The bottom of the picture indicates the giant window, which the stove and counter next to the stove are facing. That counter is freestanding and has two drawers and two doors, but no interior shelves.
And here's what I want to do. Working round from the fridge--
- Move the sink a skooch to the right, maybe 6-8".
- Rotate and move the dishwasher to the left of the sink, so that you can open it AND still stand at the sink. (Hopefully there's a new dishwasher involved, but we'll see how the money goes; it may have to come later.)
- Take out the counter in the place where the dishwasher needs to open. My drafting skills suck, so it's not obvious, but there would be room for a 1' wide shelf next to that dishwasher door. (labeled "shelf")
- Use the open shelving for maybe glasses and coffee cups, or as a pantry for dry goods.
- The counter to the left of the shelves would be a primary prep surface, with room for the mixer and food processor. I'm pondering how to make that look neat, also.
- As you go left, instead of turning the corner, I want to take out a 3' or 4' chunk of counter (including the oven) and make a pass-through.
- The space where the rest of the countertop is, other than the 3-4' removed, would be perfect for an island; if necessary structurally, with a column in the middle. I also want electrical power to the island, so that it can be used for crockpottery and such. One side should have a lower countertop, for the kid to use or maybe a seated assistant.
Other features I want:
Open shelving, especially for pantry goods. I think food doesn't get eaten because we forget it's there. I also like to look and see what I have, and that doesn't work if the doors are open creating a hazard.
I do want enough storage space, but I also want to think about having enough and not too much. Having service for 20, in ordinary dishes, does not mean I need more space, it means I have too many damn dishes. The problem I've seen with cabinets is that you shove all your stuff in, and then you shut the door, and go "Oh, how be-yoo-tiful" because it looks neat-- but behind that door is a festering mass of chaos. (This goes double for our corner cabinet spaces.) So what I kind of want is space with a purpose. I'm still pondering this one.
Countertops of appropriate height. Standard counter height is 36". I want at least one counter at 40" or better, so I can knead bread without a backache.
I'd like to re-do the flooring to something washable but cushier; I'm wondering if those interlocking rubber floormats have a slightly prettier version?
Will post more from home with idea pics and stuff... later. :D
