The nearly 10’ island is an ideal place for food prep, a quick bite, buffet set-up, or sharing a glass of wine with friends. 2.5” thick marble countertop on the island gives substance and a professional feel.
This photo has 44 questions
dgsammut wrote:
Island counters - What type of stone was used on the counter and the colour pls. »
Michael Robert Construction It is a standard Brookhaven color - that is the cabinet company. They are a division of Woodmode. There is only one option like it, so it shouldn't be hard to pinpoint!
Michael Robert Construction It's actually not oil. We used 3 coats of water-based poly. It's been about two years and we are seeing some wear, but that's with two small boys and a biiiig chocolate lab!
Decore-ative Specialties Please let us know if we can ever be of assistance, www.decore.com we are a custom manufacturer of cabinet components and supply to all 50 states, all of our products are made in the USA
I am using carrara on my counters and island. The cabinets are a white dove color and the island will be a - mid dark stained alter wood. I am very traditional and will have a darked stain on the floors with older oriental rugs. Would you recommend using solid carrara for the backsplash, or a carrara type honed (my counter is honed) subway tile, or a solid color subway. The walls will be neutral, maybe elmira white. I would appreciate any suggestions and imput. Thanks so much »
Michael Robert Construction It will definitely give it a more modern, contemporary twist than a tiled splash would, but I like that. Especially with the contrast of the warm wood floors and rugs you described. Go with your heart! And re-look at all the photos in your idea books- look for patterns (similarities in the pictures) that you may not have noticed before. That will tell you what you gravitate towards. Good luck and keep us updated!
to the ceiling cabinets - I love these cabinets and that they go to the ceiling. You've done an amazing job with just 8 foot ceiling. I have 9' ceilings, so you've given me hope. Why is it that the cabinet companies, KDs and construction people keep trying to talk me out of bringing my cabinets to the ceiling? »
Michael Robert Construction I don't know! I think going to the ceiling is a great look. And with 9' ceilings all the better! You could even do an extra cabinet above with a glass front door. It would be beautiful. Very stately. Good luck!
Michael Robert Construction The cabinets are Brookhaven cabinets in Nordic white. The island is also a standard Brookhaven color. Not sure what it's called, but it's number 505 or 504 I think. Not many like it!
Kitchen and Den Dimensions - Hi.
I looked but didn't see...Could you possibly share the dimensions of your kitchen and den?
We are renovating the same, almost exactly like your beautiful space and have 8 foot ceilings:) So look at your gorgeous layout helps a lot.
Thanks. »
How does the marble hold up with food prep? - I've been told by many to not use marble in kitchen: stains when acidic food prepped., may scratch easily, to soft, etc. How is this marble look after 6-12 months of use? Any regrets using marble? »
brider I will second the marble. I posted earlier in this thread. I ended up having honed Danby imperial marble installed. It has been only seven weeks, and granted, i have been more conscious of cleaning spills. However, I have three young boys and I am sloppy when I cook. My son spilled some lemonade the day after installation. Unless you look at a certain angle, in a certain light you see nothing. I dropped a plate on it yesterday a small scratch was made. It honestly doesn't bother me and I am so happy I went with the marble. If I'd scratched or chipped granite, it would bother me more. The marble just looks beautiful even when less than perfect condition. The sealer my fabricator used has a 15 year warranty against stains. It is by DuPont and it is called Bulletproof sealer. So far no stains.
maryr410 Also just found the answer. I'm redoing island. My stove and sink are back to back and have constant log jam when 2 people are cooking. More distance will make hugh difference.
Dimensions...sort of - So I see that the island is 4'3" by 10'. How deep are the cabinets facing the white cabinets then? I figured they were 24" like most cabinets but that would leave 27' for the bookshelf width and, to me, it seems as if the cabinets are deeper than the bookshelf. So, are the cabinets deeper than 24"? »
What is on the other side of the island? - I forgot to ask. Is it a long panel or seating or two sided cabinetry on the living room side of the island? Thanks again. »
Michael Robert Construction Seating. 3 stools. There are photos of the kitchen and living space from all angles in our "project gallery" let me know if you have trouble finding them.
Would this kitchen look as great in a post and beam home? - We are remodeling the kitchen in a post and beam home near the ocean. The floors are oiled southern pine and the wood is all Douglas Fir for the timbers. I would like to use bluish grey, white, and carrera marble, but i worry about the colors not being good in a timber frame home. I would appreciate any ideas, links, etc, thanks so much »
Michael Robert Construction I think it would look gorgeous. I actually love the foil of warm wood tones against a cool, clean palate. I don't know if you can see, but we have woven wood shades in warm tones on the kitchen windows, and I love the contrast. It adds warmth and texture, much as I think your timbers would. Good luck with your project!!
Michael Robert Construction Both the kitchen and great room are Farrow and Ball's Skimming Stone. The dining room's paneling is F&B's Charleston Gray and the walls are also Skimming Stone.
Michael Robert Construction This is a standard Brookhaven cabinet color. Number 504 or 505 I believe. Not many like it, you shouldn't have a problem picking it out from the choices.
Michael Robert Construction No, he was able to match it in his shop and he sprayed them himself. He also made several end panels and miscellaneous other pieces to match. His name is Azzam Ezmat, and our company (Michael Robert Construction) works with him all the time. He does a lot of work in your area. He can be reached at 973-709-1510 or by email azzam1@optonline.net. Good luck!
Michael Robert Construction Thank you! The flooring is 4" oak planks, #2, with 4 coats of water based poly. We went with the #2 (actually the third most "desirable" grade) intentionally so that we would have the variation in color and the natural knots for visual interest. The water-based poly gives the floor a lighter, whiter look. I didn't want the yellow or red tones to come through as they do with an oil based poly.
island height and marble - Hi, I also want to put in a thicker slab on the island (2 1/2 inches like yours). Did you shorten your island cabinets to account for the extra height or is your island taller than your perimeter cabinets? My second question is about honed marble. Is it as bad as everyone tries to convince me? I have two small children and am in the middle of a kitchen reno and my countertop deadline is fast approaching. Does a good sealer help? Thanks in advance!!! »
Michael Robert Construction I didn't. Sorry. We finished the bottle that our installer recommended, which has been great. I would just ask either your installer/fabricator or your supplier. Or even your tile person... They should be able to recommend something reliable.
Michael Robert Construction Hi auggie! It certainly is big, and definitely beautiful, but I have to be honest, I wouldn't recommend it. After only one year of use, it is not holding up well. At the time, we ordered it based purely on looks. We ordered it from a website that I can't recall. It's not a name brand, and the price reflected that, but in hindsight I wish we had gone with a more expensive, reputable model. Hindsight is 20/20 though, right? :) sorry I don't have better news for you! -Ellie
Dimensions of island? - Is your island 10' x 4'? We're working on a very similar layout kitchen and they have us drawn at 11' x 42" but that will end up with a seam in our granite. I think we can get 9.5' x 4' out of a single slab and not give up any counter space, but it is hard to envision! I love all your finish choices. »
Michael Robert Construction Thank you! Ours is 4'3" by 9'8". We were able to find a slab that could accommodate, but had to rule out some lots bc of size. Worth it though! Love my huge island and so do all our guests!
Cabinets - Hi - we are designing now using Brookhaven cabinets. Which profile did you choose (Colony, Edgemont, Winfield?). It is difficult to determine from the pictures, but it's a perfect choice. Lovely. Thanks so much »
Island - Hello! Beautiful kitchen (and home!) -- I gather you designed and live there too. My husband is a builder and I too am designing our home. I'm hung up on the kitchen. I was planning on all white cabinetry, carrera marble on the island and honed black around the perimeter. (And, I’m narrowing down from three possible backsplashes! Eeek!) Now, I'm considering a gray island – and searched some pictures and came across this one. I love the color of your island! Looks like it has blue undertones, which I really like. What color is it? I think you said a "standard" color in another post, but I'm not sure what that means? If we decide to change to a gray island, I'm thinking the black honed soapstone around the perimeter may be too much -- perhaps carrera all around would be better... any thoughts? Thanks – and again, love the kitchen! »
elizabethzm Thanks so much for the advice -- always good to bounce ideas around!! I'll try to get some pictures up when this whole house comes together -- and I finally make some decisions. Oh, and my daughter is also Elizabeth -- Ellie for short. Love Eleanor; family names are the best. I may be back with some more questions... :)
Michael Robert Construction What an awesome resource! Thank you!
Excited about the shelf! Will post when we find one and have it up. I would have loved to do a chunky salvaged wood shelf instead of stainless, but my husband reminds me that heat+flame+wood= not a good idea. That's why I keep him around. ;)
What edge did you use on the island and countertops? - I assume a square edge on the island but the countertops look a little more rounded on the ends? »
Michael Robert Construction What a compliment! Please let me know if I can help in any other way. Congrats on your new kitchen! Hope you post pictures when it's all finished!
Circa Lighting These look like the Country Industrial Pendant with a metal shade by Sandy Chapman for Visual Comfort, available through Circa Lighting. These pendants measure at 14" wide, the shade size is 9 1/2" H x 14" W and there are custom height options available. It also comes in several different finishes. For more information, visit http://circalighting.com or call 877.762.2323
Michael Robert Construction These are actually the 8" Benson Pendants in Polished Nickel from Restoration Hardware. They do look very similar to the Circa Lighting pendants.
Hi:
What a beautiful kitchen. What is the backsplash? Is it a simple white subway? Or is it a marble subway. I cannot decide on a backsplash in my kitchen. We did soapstone on the white perimeter shaker cabinets and carrara marble on the greyed barnwood island. There are a two upper cabinets that have frosted glass in them. »
In regards to the island slab, when doubling the width do you see the seams? I thought you would when there is a pattern vs. a carrera which is very uniform. Thank you »
Michael Robert Construction No, we opted for a mitered edge which hides the seam in the edge and allows the veining to follow all the way over. In my mind, this is the only way to go. Your fabricator will know what you are asking for, and should be able to provide you with samples of both a mitered edge and a stacked slab.
Michael Robert Construction I was adamant about a one-level island. A multi level island cuts your prep and serve space down drastically. I love having the open space to cook, roll dough, or set up a buffet. Also, I prefer the design. It fit more with the industrial, professional look I was going for. I feel that multi level islands are a little contemporary in their styling. In terms of our dishes etc, our sink is super deep- you can't see any dishes left in there! I'm admittedly a little OCD about that, but the deep sink helps. Also for cleaning purposes, a single level island is much easier to wipe down and keep clean.
The blue-gray island is nearly 10 feet long, giving Ellie plenty of room to cook and entertain. She and Michael decided to give the Carrara marble countertop the look of a double slab by mitering the edge of the single 2.5-inch piece. "It's a great industrial feel, and the manufacturing is superb," Ellie says. "The veins of the marble even follow right down over the edge to give it a seamless look." Pendant: Benson PendantCowhide: KOLDBY, IKEA