Several Remodel Questions

17 years ago

Hello. I have the good misfortune of having a pipe break in my attic. It was raining in my kitchen, water coming out of the light fixtures, cabinets, everywhere. It wasn't pretty, but my new kitchen will be!

1. I am going to open the kitchen up by removing a wall into the living area. I am looking for pictures of kitchen to living area transitions, particularly the cabinets on the common wall. I haven't seen anything that looks like a smooth transition that I like.

2. I have tall ceilings and I am wondering if I should try to show some sort of ceiling type structure to define the two separate spaces, but that would still leave it open.

3. On the space between the two rooms will be a cooktop base cabinet with a raised bar into the living area. How wide should the raised bar be to sit and eat?

4. I currently have white (wet) cabinets that have gotten a little dinged up, with the paint on them chipping and stuff. I would rather have wood, but to be perfectly honest, this is a big country style house that lends itself to a big white kitchen. Is there a finish that will be more durable that I can point my cabinet maker to, an epoxy paint perhaps, or do the pre-finished cabinet mfgs. such as Kraftmaid have a more durable finish?

I will post some pics and a floor plan as I move closer, but I am at the beginning of the process, and while I need to move it along, I want to do it right the first time!

Thanks!

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Comments (5)

rhome410
17 years ago
I certainly don't have answers to all your questions, but I do have a concern...A raised bar behind a cooktop where people sit is not only a possible splashing/grease/smoke hazard for those sitting, but there is a danger of those sitting of dropping items, papers, etc. onto the hot cooktop?
erikanh
17 years ago
I agree with rhome. I would avoid putting your cooktop next to your counter seating if at all possible. In addition to the problems she mentioned, adequate venting at islands/peninsulas can be problematic.

It's hard to answer your other questions without seeing your layout. My kitchen is completely open to my family room. The cooktop area leads to a bar/entertainment area into the fireplace and then bookcases. The cabinets on that wall are all the same color/style. I suppose the island is somewhat of a divider between the two areas.
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Buehl
17 years ago
Have you checked the Finished Kitchen's Blog? There are so many kitchens that I'm sure some will meet your criteria.

I echo RHome410's comment about the cooktop...I would really try to find a layout where the cooktop is not in an island or peninsula and, instead, is on a closed wall run. An outside wall is preferable as it makes venting to the outside so much easier.

For general kitchen guidelines, check out the NKBA (http://www.nkba.org/guidelines/kitchen.aspx). They have many guidelines for seating, aisles, workspace, etc. that are very useful.

Last, if you would like help with the layout of your new kitchen feel free to post it here and we'll help you with it. For more information, see the "Read Me" thread (http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg1201171631061.html?48)

HTH!

Here is a link that might be useful: Finished Kitchens Blog
bbtondo
17 years ago
I also agree that you should not put your cooktop/range in an island/peninsula if you can help it. Just MHO. Some people on this forum like it, so to each their own. Do what's best for you!

I also think you should make an all counter level island/peninsula. My peninsula separates my Kitchen/dr/lv and it is one level. I feel that one level is SO much more useful. I have a smaller home and having that extra expanse of countertop has been wonderful!

Good luck with your kitchen. I can't wait to see your layout and watch your progress.

Barb
david123
17 years ago
My friend had her cooktop on the seating island and HATED it- the ventilation was horrible, and no one wanted to sit there while she was cooking because of the steam, etc. Does the cooktop need to be there? If it does, it does- and you will deal with it, but if it's a choice, I would rethink it, too. Congrats on the pipe bursting! :-)

Oh yeah, I do have a cabinet that is between the kitchen and living room- its a narrow one, more like a half-wall, with the doors, wine cubbies facing the kitchen and the back facing the family room looking like a wall.