I just tried out my link and it went to my dining room reno, not my kitchen reno. I'm so sorry!
Here's the right link:
"The Right Link!"
Sorry!

Darn, I started typing a response and it just disappeared into cyberspace! Now I have to start over again!

Love your renovation of your kitchen, Lynne. Can't blame you for wanting more storage space and to be able to maximize those views. First time I've ever seen a drawer microwave oven--pretty cool! Did you save the "pie safe" cabinet for use elsewhere? That was really a neat piece too. Thanks for sharing your pics with us.

Luvs

The pie safe was a built-in piece, Luvs, but I did save the custom punched tin doors on it. I plan on using them for something . . . someday, but haven't figured out what as yet. Thanks :^)
We donated all the sinks, counters, appliances, light fixtures, the one window we eliminated, etc., to Habitat for Humanity to use or sell in their warehouse store. We gave all the cabs to good friends of ours to use in their new rental property. They refinished and repurposed everything, which was great, as I like to recycle everything I can.
As for the microwave drawer, I'd never seen one either until a friend of mine got one. She's the one who introduced us to our general contractor and kitchen cab people, as they'd just built her new home. The MW drawer was the perfect solution for our kitchen, as we had no other place for one in the new layout. It works great and I love how unobtrusive it is.
Lynn

I had to chuckle to myself over the fact that you can have four or five in your kitchen--mine is so small that my DIL calls it a two butt kitchen!

When we downsized so I could quit working, we bought a smaller, older home. The kitchen was just a little galley with really worn cabinets. We tore out everything and installed new oak cabinets and new appliances. Had to move a small window so it would be centered, then we installed the cabinets in a U shape. The kitchen is still small, but now I have lots more cabinets and counterspace at least. Really very convenient for just the two of us, everything is only a step or two away, and I really don't cook allot anymore.

The biggest mistake I made was in not having my upper cabinets go all the way to the ceiling. Silly me, I wanted the space on top to display some of my knick knacks. Now as I'm getting older, the idea of climbing a step ladder to get up there to clean is less and less appealing! ;o(

My neighbor is in the process of having her kitchen redone right now. They are doing new wiring, plumbing and cabinets too. Her floor plan is different from mine, but still a long galley style. She plans to extend her cabinets into the dining area for extra storage. I think it is so fun to see what a difference can be made.

Luvs

Just AWESOME!!! I'm glad it went to the dining area first. I love that redo, too.

I will be hunting for that plastic drawer insert for my spices tomorrow when I go shopping. I am soooo sick of the spice bottles falling out in my face while I'm trying to find something in the cabinet over the stove!! I've even gotten chips on my ceramic stove top from the glass bottles falling out and hitting the edge of my stove on the way to the floor!

I especially love the dedicated space for each type of pan, utensil, tray, etc in every area. Well thought out and organized.

What a wonderful view to enjoy while you cook and clean up.
The clock and artwork are such beautiful accessories.

Thanks for sharing with us,

Betty

Luvs, I don't blame you one bit for downsizing when you retired. My parents did the same thing. Mom said she wasn't retiring to spend half of each day cleaning a big, empty house. Ditto with Dad on the yard. They now have a "two-butt kitchen" and, like you, it's perfect for their needs. They love all the extra time to have fun. Good for all of you!
Betty, many thanks. I hope you can find one of those drawer inserts. Like you, in my old kitchen, mine were always falling out while I searched for the spice I needed. I can't believe how many fit into my one average drawer now! And, alphabetizing them helps even more. As for thinking out my kitchen layout, I spent YEARS doing that! Two years later, I still love everything . . . especially my MW drawer (so convenient!) and my Silgranit sink. For the first time in my life, I have a kitchen sink that always looks good . . . and with no maintenance.
The clock was a Federal blue and I just sprayed it black and then antiqued it a bit.
Lynn

It is really beautiful, Lynne. I love all the microwave drawer! And what a lovely view..so different from here..
although having always lived near the beach I don't think I could ever live too far from one.
I think it is all what you get used to though.

My friend who grew up with me here on LI lives in Ky. She says she actually yearns for the beach! LOL

My retirement house is actually a little bigger than the one we moved from, but only a half acre as opposed to over an acre. Still a lot of work!

Luvs, I love my cabs that go to the ceiling. I have to use a step stool, but otherwise it would be wasted space.

I am happy with my sink, not deeper than my old one but wider. My dil has deep, and it kills my back.

A few weeks ago I saw they had a new faucet that you could just touch it anywhere and it would come on !

So only a few months old and my faucet is outdated. I would love that ..you could touch it with your elbow when you had gooky hands!

Wow, Lynn!! Your kitchen makeover deserves to be in a magazine somewhere. Love the cabinets and the amazing organization systems you have. And what a beautiful view! You have the most interesting artwork ever. Very nice! All you guys renovation project makes me want to buy an older house next time just so I can do some remodelling, LOL!

Luvs, I have a small kitchen too - although it will be a concern when we decide to sell the house, I love it. This way, everything is nearby and because its small, I dont leave anything on the counter top. I love seeing clean empty counters, LOL! Next house though, I def want an island!! :)

Mo

WOW! A faucet you can touch with your elbow and it will come on!! How sweet is that!!!

DH stops at the first sink he comes to when he comes in from working on one of the cars or lawnmowers, digging in the garden, etc. Of course, that is the kitchen sink.
Hmmm.... I broke him from grabbing my dish towel to dry his hands......

What about it, Girls? Think I could train him to touch the faucet with his elbow? BIG LOL

Seriously, I would love it. Making biscuits, meatloaf, patting hamburgers, fingerpainting with the GKDs.
Yep. I've gotta check it out.

Betty

Yep, it's true, and I would have bought it if I had known about it for all the reasons you mention Betty.

When we built this house we included a pantry room right next to the kitchen, as you come in the side door..with a regular sink. So when I come in from the garden, or DH from whatever he is doing, first stop is that sink to wash up..
I do my flower arranging , etc. there too, so the kitchen sink is always free.

Many thanks for your kind words about my kitchen and dining room makeovers. This site is super slow for some reason this morning and I need to get to town for groceries soon, so I won't be posting any more today. It's taken so darn much time just to read and post on a few things here today!

I've been in Norman, Oklahoma, this loooong weekend as we drove DS back there (he went to college and grad school at OU in Norman). My son is officially a soldier in the US Army as of yesterday. I'm very proud of him, but the reality of all this is still sinking in and I feel a bit shell-shocked and sad these past few days. I'm sure I'll be fine very soon, though.
Hope this forum is not so slow tomorrow. I'm anxious to see more of your pics.
Lynn