Beginning Major Kitchen remodel

16 years ago

We have a 1905 home that I absolutely love. The kitchen was a good size but had a terrible layout. With our three young boys (6, 4.5, and 1), we knew we would have to make the space more functional. We have decided to knock down the wall between our kitchen and dining room, put in an island, and also build a small powder room on the main floor. We will lose some space with the powder room but gain some with the wall gone and the rearrangement.

The back wall of our dining room is a medium reddish-brown built-in buffet, so I knew I wanted to incorporate a similar look to our kitchen cabinets, giving a classic overall feel. I have ordered inset cabinets (also medium reddish brown stain) from Great Northern Cabinetry; they will arrive mid-July. We have ripped up the tile floor, under which lay linoleum, under which is wood floors. We are in the process of scraping as much adhesive as possible from the wood (a hair really helps soften the gunk!). My husband also has removed the plaster from the wall, and that will come down and a beam inserted to carry the load of the second floor.

I will most likely have schoolhouse-style fixtures--I know a number of companies carry them; have any of you seen a difference as far as quality goes?

I love the look of soapstone but with three boys am wary of it holding up. I am absolutely in LOVE with the ocean green honed granite that I have seen on other postings, but I have no idea if it will be difficult to find in Denver. Any thoughts/contacts?

What I don't know is how to choose the finish of the lighting/faucet/cabinet pulls. Are there any rules to this, or do I just go with what I like? I'm not particularly drawn to one over another, but I will have stainless steel appliances and I don't know if that is a factor.

I am not sure how to attach pictures, but if you would like to see where we're at so far, you can check out my blog at www.tunheimfamily.blogspot.com. I would welcome any thoughts as I move along. Thanks for reading!

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Comments (6)

palimpsest
16 years ago
There are several schools of thought as far as knobs and pulls and lighting and such all matching. Try searching matching finishes and see if you can pull some of them up.
sfcitydweller
16 years ago
Check out the link below for SchoolHouse Electric Company. They make amazing fixtures, from the original 1900s cast iron molds. Super cool company history!

Here is a link that might be useful: SchoolHouse Electric
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Buehl
16 years ago
Welcome DenverSquare! You've joined a very active group of people who love kitchens!

Soapstone: Yes, it will get a patina of dings & scratches...but...that's part of the "charm" of it. The patina gives it a well-used (& well-loved) look. However, if you're the type that likes a clean house all the time, likes to have everything in it's place, will be worried about your children "damaging" the counter, or prefer a more formal look, then soapstone probably isn't for you. If, OTOH, you like a more informal or rustic look, don't mind the look of aged/well-used, and won't worry over some dings or scratches, then soapstone may very well work for you.

Here are a couple of sites that talk about or sell soapstone. M Tex, in particular, ships slabs to anywhere in the country.

M Teixeira Soapstone: http://www.soapstones.com/
Creative Soapstone: http://www.creativesoapstone.com/
.....(contact: joshua at CreativeSoapstone dot com)

++++++++++++

Hardware/Plumbing Fixture/Lighting Finishes: There are no hard & fast rules...personally, I think they should stay in the same color family (like silver or gold) but there's nothing that I know of that says you have to. I, for instance, have brushed nickel faucets, soap dispensers, and air switch; SS sinks; pewter pendants; and antique iron cabinet hardware. None are exact matches, but they all "go together"...at least I think so! Black would probably look best w/the "silver" colors, ORB may be able to go with either, brass would be in the "gold" family. Copper...hmmmm...don't know off hand where that would fit! I would probably lean toward "silver" or black w/SS appliances, but I don't think the appliance colors are as important in the "matching" arena as the other, smaller elements.

I checked out your blog...any layout? We're always curious about layouts! However, if you don't want any unsolicited advice, it might be better not to post it...we have a reputation for speaking up regardless of your preference. It's not that we're contrary or trying to cause problems, it's just that if we see a way to make it better we have a hard time keeping it to ourselves! Since you've already ordered your cabinets it's probably too late to make any significant changes...but maybe minor ones... It's up to you.

Again, welcome and I hope the above helped!

Here is a link that might be useful: Read Me If You're New To GW Kitchens!
Buehl
16 years ago
I think I should have phrased it a little differently....
..if you're the type that likes a spotlessly clean house all the time...

...and no, this is not meant as a criticism of anyone, it's meant to help someone (in this case, DenverSquare) determine if soapstone is right for her/him.
denversquare
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks so much for the welcome; I happened upon this site and it has been invaluable to read other's posts! The only layout I have digitally is front facing pictures of cabinets; no bird's eye view. I think I've got a bird's eye view at home, and then I can scan it soon. We didn't have a ton of layout options because of existing doors/windows/dining room buffet, etc., but this new layout will be a HUGE improvement.
The wall is coming down and beam installed today--I'm excited!
Buehl
16 years ago
Scan it or take a pic with a digital camera...either one will work.

Enjoy the progress...and when you hit a snag, don't get too disheartened, all projects hit snags here & there. Post here if you need help finding solutions, need help handling contractors/subcontractors, or just need to vent/rant (better venting/ranting your frustration with us than DH!). We're here to help!