I'm working on a remodel project right now, where my clients had spec'd almost every cabinet in the house in Mahogany. The cabinet drawings had been approved, my Cabinet man had ordered material, when out of the blue, my client says can I change to paint grade? Made the change just in time, no harm, no foul. Same client, same job, a few weeks later... all counters were to be Ceasar Stone, when all of a sudden, "I want to use real stone"... again, just in time! Job now going well, moral of story, yes people can do a 180 and everything still works out for the best...

If you find yourself all over the map with ideas, then perhaps you might look the the home itself for leads as to design style. Choosing something that seems organic to the home is always the most long lived "timeless" look for the home. And think about engaging the services of an industry professional to guide you in making the best decisions for how you use the kitchen. Kitchen Designers have done thousands of remodels. We understand that there are so many choices out there that one of the biggest problems that a homeowner faces is decision paralysis. Having someone to bounce ideas off of is never a bad thing. It's partly what this forum does, but this forum also exposes you again to so many differing viewpoints that it can again be overwhelming. You need to stop and narrow your focus with some assistance.

Ctycdm, you've obviously have immense patience! Thanks for the vote of confidence.

Live_wire_oak. I cringe at the thought of having to make such another important decision as finding a good kitchen designer. Considering I'm seemingly close (perhaps not), I'm just at the point I'm willing to live with the consequences. I know I've already got my work cut out for me finding a good contractor (we've decided to hire a LOT out).

Frankly, considering many of the kitchen on Houzz and the new kitchen IRL that I find problems with, and the info here on GW I've learned, I'm thinking we're just too particular.

We discussed ideas for three years before we finally pulled the trigger. It's a process. Don't try to rush into it. If you keep changing your mind, then you're not ready yet. When your ready, the plan will make sense.

Is the issue that you get a more functional layout if you omit the windows? Or that you don't like how the windows looks? It sounds like you have indirect natural light from adjacent spaces, so maybe kitchen windows aren't critical. Can you post a floor plan or elevations? Do you have pics of the current space?

Is it possible to add a skylight, or clerestory windows? Something to get natural light that doesn't occupy usable wall space?

1929, I agree with the idea if it's not right it's not right philosophy. The newest idea, looks great functions great, it just doesn't have windows IN the kitchen.

Cawaps. We'd actually keep the appliance wall and lowers all the same so the functioning would be exactly the same. By omitting the windows, we'd gain extra cabinet space adding to function.

Trying to match up the window heights in the adjacent rooms, allowing breathing room between window and cabinets, giving a finished off look to the cabinets but not feeling overwhelmed with cabinetry, along with needing window coverings for a west exposure, makes the windows not "fit". It would leave the wall topless or close to it. Not something bad except it literally feels like there is only one wall in the entire kitchen.

We were visiting a lot of model homes today and what we have planned is actually quite common. The area we're expecting to prep seems open which we love. It's the ancillary areas that pose some concern as to a possible "black hole". We thought we could pretty it up with an awesome backsplash!

The current space is so far from where we're going, I sometimes look at it and wonder how we got the great layout we have. Skylight won't work with the roof about 6-8' up. A clerestory window could fit and I could play around with it as a possibility. Though the major view is on the North side, the west has some nice views too which we'd like to see out of. That said we don't want to "dilute" the view to the North.

Here's a recent thread when I was again trying to think outside the box. The first rendition is completely topless. The second one we have eliminated and went back with the appliances on the south wall like in the first rendition.

Here is a link that might be useful: Too cutsy

I've changed my mind so often I should invest in depends...

have you posted this layout here recently? (maybe you did and my brain cells were in the middle of one of those 'changes').

If not posted recently, how about posting it again?

I'll post this and then go to p1 and scan it for a layout you posted in case...

I haven't graphed out the "last" layout since I keep tweaking the cabinets...paper can only take so much erasing. The last graphed out one is when I had a big picture window and the cooktop on the island. egad

I don't think it's about the layout not being right, it's really about making it look nice at this point. Being that I'm talking windows, it's about structure.

If you're worried about not getting enough light, have you thought about a sola-tube? My friend put one in a really dark hallway and we were amazed at how much light it gave out. It wasn't that expensive either - around $650 installed.

Here is a link that might be useful: SolaTube

TexasPenny, we have a lot a light in the area already with all the adjacent windows (rooms aren't huge). I call some of the areas the "black hole" because it's not as bright as it could be (I admitted I'm particular) and we wouldn't be able to see out. We found in our previous house/remodel that the area w/o windows was only used as a last resort. We are planning under cabinet lighting both for ambiance and to brighten up the blacker holes.

We're trying to make all the areas enjoyable to work in though I think both my DH and I will both prefer working on the island facing the North views and TV. Since there is only enough room for one person to prep on the island at a time comfortably, we'd like to make a nice area for the person delegated to the "black hole"

I'm guessing the short wall next to the door is the black hole? What will go in those tall cabinets? Can the be 18 inches or 15 inches be to be less confining? That would be better for a pantry anyway if that was the plan. Maybe you could then make a more furniture type toe kick and add simple corbels (not sure if that's right) on either side to make the middle part look like a hutch.

Or can the uppers there be recessed a few inches into the wall? That would make it feel less crowded.

Could you put the sink over there to make more prep space on the island? You'd have to loose the tall cabinets, I think, but might no be a big issue.

Aloha - when I was doing our last kitchen, I had a very clear picture of what I wanted throughout the whole per planning time.

But then one decision about flooring made me change absolutely everything.

In my case, it was a decision about flooring. The flooring that would look best with the adjoining space, would not look best with my vision.

I needed to decide if the space or the vision was more important.

I decided on the space, and am so happy that I did. The end result turned out lovely, much better than my lovely vision that wouldn't have "quite" worked in the space.

Good luck!

Williamsem, actually the "black hole" in that pic would be the cooktop area. The other area, would be more a show area and baking area. We will have a 5'pantry in our utility area (through the door). I REALLY like this plan because it shrinks my work triangle but still allows for multiple people working. The baking area though seems to be a prime target area for a dumping ground though and not the pretty place it could be. My DH HATES it though because of the frig being next to the window (21") blocking off side light from the window.

Kailuamom, that makes me feel better. Though the modern look we were going after would look good with the architecture of the house, the windows sizing wouldn't. Going for a simple but traditional look seems to fit too. I'm finding opening this kitchen completely up the rest of the house, has many, many, many things more I have to consider.

So, how do the two window options look from the outside of the building? That would be a big design-driver for me.

Set aside the kitchen for the moment. Just look at the exterior elevations.

What do you discover from studying that?

L.

Hmmm, what about moving the ovens to next to the door by the baking area, then moving the fridge to where the ovens are? You would need a small cabinet between the fridge and wall for clearance, but not a lot of space. That would leave the rest of the run open on the end.

Aloha,
I understand your position totally. I am a person who takes a long time to make decisions whether it be a Reno or purchasing a big ticket item. Your reasons for hesitating are legit. You are entitled to go back and forth as much as you choose. As for enrolling a KD at this stage, I would say save yourself the hassle and make use of the great advice you can get on this forum.

Aloha, reading your concerns in this thread and looking at the designs posted in your "Too Cutesy" thread, I had a couple of (probably lousy!) ideas, but I'm not sure that I understand the current arrangement of the back wall with the cooktop. It sounds like the fridge and ovens are on the side wall next to the door, and then is the wall with the range surrounded by uppers?

I know that's not the question that you're asking in this thread. I've had very similar experiences to what you're describing, of having a plan, changing my mind completely, changing it again, giving up completely, then returning to planning. It's been nearly 18 months since I moved into my current place and I have no consistent ideas, which makes me worried to move forward. My sympathy to you!

Liriodendron, the house view with the new windows has been approved by our HOA and looks fine (actually give the huge wall a visual break). We kept the window line the same as the laundry room and dinette windows on the west side.

Willaimsem. We thought of having that too but it feels a tad lopsided (could be that we've looked at it too long with symmetry). Another reason I like that layout is the fridge is close to the dinette where we eat on a daily basis and is the quickest route from the great room. It would also keep the dirty dishes on the south part of the island, somewhat less noticeable from the front door.

Greenhousems. When my DH grimaces when I do a 180 turn, I feel guilty. Him and everyone else around me, is tired of showing a new and improved planned and just want to start. He does most of the cooking though I would and have started to cook more.

I took forever planning the backyard patios. My DH was fine with just about anything. When I finally came up with the plan I knew it immediately. It's that nagging voice that keeps me from jumping in with both feet. I don't think any designer would have the patience for me (I don't have the patience for me LOL.

It is a nice looking plan that should function well. Like you, I had to make trade offs. If you like the symmetry and fridge access more than you want to loose the black hole, then there you go! It's so hard and I know that nagging feeling! I just keep reminding myself that no matter what I decide, the kitchen will function better and look better than it does now, and it will have an advantage over the other homes here with this floor plan when we eventually sell. That really helped with the indecision and anxiety level.

What I love about the nice people here is all the suggestions. You will at least know you thought about almost every single solution and gave each one consideration. Hopefully you will learn about how you use things and what trade offs you value, and end up feeling like you have a plan that can't be improved without sacrifices you aren't willing to make.

Sounds like you are almost at that point. Hang in there!