butlera10 Pittsburgh is my hometown, and not enough is known about the art and architecture of the city - LOVE when you post stories about design there!

sstrazisar Ok, the picture from that ideabook is not what I'm referring to, it's just the first photo in the ideabook! It's actually picture #9 with the design I was hoping for.

sstrazisar According to my municipality’s website, the building codes are available at our public library. I can go down and page through them (gulp!), but I wonder if this is going to be a matter of interpretation. For example, perhaps the code indicates outlets must be visible, and perhaps this contractor considers under cabinet outlets to not be? Dunno, I wish he’d just tell me WHY it’s against code!

Rockin' Fine Finish I don't know your layout why not do a corner cabinet like bread box with a pull door and store all your appliances in there with a couple of outlets and pull them out as needed

sstrazisar This is the look that's served as an inspiration.

sstrazisar Thanks! I especially appreciate the real world feedback regarding the dust issue. I do have a lot of glasses, coffee accessories, bar items, so ideally I was hoping to find a way to integrate open shelves, glass front cabinets, and a wine rack on the wall highlighted with a great backsplash. Below is a drawing the designer and I were considering, but it has no cabinets for storing the bar stuff. When I add cabinets, the appear to be floating awkwardly. I also have this image saved in my idea book as it's an intriguing setup.

timber2004 That is a gorgeous set-up. I wonder if you can add (of course you can!) the criss cross units to hold your wine bottles, maybe below the shelf that runs in between the cabinets? I can see those cabinets with glass doors to highlight wine glasses/cocktail glasses. It's always fun to collect new glasses to showcase then.

steveduncan I doubt the cable box is safe, and I dare say it would be illegal in most places. Those electrical "blocks" that plug into power strips give off a lot of heat and encasing them in a small box is not a good idea unless there's a fan in there.

knoxscoop Buy a thin strip of wood molding and use a router to hollow out a gutter on the backside. Paint molding to match wall. Run cord trough gutter, securing with hot glue. Attach molding to wall.

Tenant Proof I would add another way to make your kitchen easy to clean is to install a magnetic knife holder so you don't need a knife block or knife drawer and there are no crumbs to cleanup.

Tenant Proof Pangaea,

Thanks for the FYI. I knew about the linoleum and marmoleum being green,but it was the vinyl iI was worried about it is definitely a toxic product. I wondered about how linoleum and marmoleum held up to water stains or standing water from spilled pet bowls. I didn't know about large tiles being wet rated. Are the large format tiles still smooth without crevices so that dirt and gunk don't build up in them?

Marlowe's Wine Store Anytime! If you have any questions about wine storage or wine in particular, I will be more then happy to help out!

calaura slgale - if you are still reading this thread, there is a great antique stove restorer in Ventura, CA. www.antiquestoveshop.com I saw a restored set of fridge and range in the copper color you have at their shop. They looked AWESOME! These guys really go the extra mile to find replacements for worn-out parts and sometimes add updates (like electric starters for ranges).

sstrazisar We are considering a built-in soap dispenser, but are concerned about 1)how easy is it to clean? 2)can you get the foaming soap type? These seem like silly questions as I type them out! Any advice?

almostretired Feel dumb here but haven't spent enough time on Houzz to be familiar and cannot find any message on my account. My inbox is empty. Looking for 'help' page to see how to find it. :(

pattimay Almostretired - go to your kitchen ideas...

Ironwood Builders metcham...Think of it this way...most home fires are caused by faulty wiring...why cover the potential source of the thing that can burn down the house? Most "code" is common sense...written down and enforced. And you are very welcome!

kustombuilt I would do a nice mantel above fireplace. As far as recessed area above, how about a built in cabinet with an arched top to make it more interesting? You would still have to bring outlets through back of cabinet to stay up to code.

sstrazisar @mpoulsom, my local cabinet maker told me they contract out the staining. Is that common? Will cabinet makers refinish cabs they didn't build? Is there a name for someone who just does the decorative finishing? It seems like a dumb question!

sstrazisar Yep, US in PA. I felt bad asking this cabinet maker for a reference. He's not my cabinet source, as I can get stock ones unfinished. I thought he might help me with the finishing. Since I don't need the cabinets made from scratch, I'd rather not use him as a middleman when I only need the finishing. I have a great ref for a faux finish painter, but didn't think she did stain work. I'll find out tomorrow! Thanks for the replies, truly.

sstrazisar Great advice thank you!

sstrazisar Studio and Kevin, when I look for refinishing it seems to geared more to replacing old cabinet doors. But I guess I just need to dig deeper, no?

studio10001 Try 'resurfacing' or 'refacing' in your search. And make phonecalls! If someone is listed under refinishing, it is reasonable to expect that they do some !

Rockin' Fine Finish Qualified painters can perform staining and finishing look up artisan painters or fine finish painters in your area do homework on them references work they have done etc.

William G. Hyman Electric You are 1000% spot on about the lighting. When lighting a kitchen you must consider both ambient and task lighting. Having spent over 30 years as an electrical contractor performing the lighting design and wiring of several hundred high end kitchen projects, lighting is one of the most overlooked parts of the overall budget. Knowing the right combination of recessed and under cabinet lighting fixtures and lamps will make even the dullest kitchen look fantastic. Over the years we have learnt how and repeated the same combination of fixtures over and over and always obtained excellent results. There is a sweet spot between too many and not enough fixtures. One other thing, I am becoming more comfortable with the new led lamps which simply replace the existing lamps. No need for proprietary led fixtures.

agmay I think there are enough pre conceived notions regarding the Metro NYC area including Long Island, w/o adding to them...........just sayin. Really unnecessary comment.

mlkonopa I think there might be water damage to the wood, and I'm concerned it won't take the stain in those areas.

elannas I would do a test on a small area to see if it will take. Sand the area down to open up the wood and try staining it. If you don't like it you can always wipe it off and either sand or strip off any that is left behind.

donna0503 10" works fine.

micstamper Thank you!

vealdesign A little distressing goes a long way, and the first room went waaaaay too far! As did the second, and the third..... Have to say, though, I kinda dig the red barn wood with the modern esthetic in the bar because in this case it's amusing, not laughable. They're not trying to pass the room off as old, more tongue in cheek.

There is something very appealing, in a heartbreaking sort of way, about crumbling beauty- as you would see in run down buildings in Cuba or in New Orleans, or many other places- the main difference being they are not contrived - and are certainly not that way by the choice of the owner (as pointed out in previous comments).

Jen Carter I do like old things, but I like them to truly be old. I don't want my interiors to look like Disney Land rides. I love the look of reclaimed wood with original paint, but not everywhere. Although I am completely obsessed with the wall of the study in The Kings Speech.

Northland Woodworks Inc The photo attached shows the same type of style I believe you may be looking for with the very rustic looking island and the natural maple cabinetry in the perimeter. Save the rub through finish and or glazing for your island as, since it is a different color. It will make the island stand out and with the rub through it will bring in the lightness to coordinate with your perimeter cabinetry. You could also paint your perimeter cabinetry white for the same effect. I tend to prefer the warmth of natural wood rather than white, and if it's maple cabinetry it could always be refinished in the future should you not like it down the road.

sstrazisar @Northland, that is beautiful. You make a good point about the distressing of the island versus the perimeter cabinets. I agree about the warmth of natural wood too, and although they are beautiful the white kitchens aren't for us. The issue w/the natural maple is that it's very similar to what I have now, and maybe not enough of a change. Of course what I have now is aged & yellowed, but I think a little more change is neccesary. But how to get that change without going too dark? That's the struggle!