Which one? Pls help me decide.

11 years ago

Thanks to all who helped me think through a redesign of our hutch yesterday! In case you didn't play along, here's that thread: Second-guessing, talk me off ledge AKA charging station in drawer?

We've opted to ditch the charging station and bill cubbies behind a door in the kitchen hutch in favor of an open shelf. I've drawn up two options, both based on inspiration pics:

Option A inspiration pic:

Traditional Kitchen · More Info

The inspiration hutch is wider than ours is but otherwise, the concept is quite similar. Here's our take on it:

(The corbels are twice as wide as shown, a total of 1 1/2" thich each). The bottom shelf is 36" wide, interior.

Here's Option B's inspiration pic:

Historic Blue Hutch · More Info

It's shorter than our hutch and possibly a bit wider, too. Here's my drawing of that set-up:

I drew the cubbies equally divided, however, the cubbies in the inspiration pic aren't divided in equal sections; the center section is wider than the sides. Both DH and I like that visual. I wrote the alternative division on the plan.

We're leaning towards the shelf divided into 3 sections because 36" wide seems a little too wide for a single shelf. Plus, if I opt to store cookbooks here, a divider would help keep them upright.

I'm going to purchase a small basket (PB or Pier 1 have good options) to hold charging cords, items to be charged or charged items waiting to be used (Kindles, tablets, etc) to store in the center section (having a USB port installed in the back of the cab). I'm going to use a decorative napkin holder for bills. I found a really cool one at Wayfair. All other paperwork will head to the file sorting shelves in the den.

I'd love to know what you think and, if you have open shelving, how wide your shelving is. Pics would be so helpful, too!

We need to make this decision today. TIA!

Featured Answer

Lily Spider

11 years ago

I like option B. You mentioned a USB port. This may have already been mentioned but they do make USB ports on electrical outlets. I had a few installed during my reno. They have 2 regular plugs and 2 USB ports. Some have all USB ports.

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Comments (9)

lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you, Lily Spider!

The USB port we're having them install is this one. It fits in a standard electrical socket. The downside of leaving the area open is that the color match isn't as good as the color options from Lutron. Gray seems the best option for our blue-gray stained hutch. We'll ask them to install the outlet quite low in the open shelving area so the basket should hide the socket.
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lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
Do you have a preferred division split? Split in equal thirds and split with a larger center section?
Lily Spider
11 years ago
I like the way the blue one is a bit bigger in the middle. Yes that's the same outlet we have. They are so convenient. I love the color of that hutch! Makes me want to paint my new cabs that color! So many beautiful options, so little time :)
lisa_a thanked Lily Spider
lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you, again, Lily Spider!

Our hutch will be a similar color. It's a blue-gray opaque stain on cherry. We were planning on painting the hutch and island but we spotted this gorgeous stain sample during one of our visits to our cab makers' shop and that was it, we were sold.
Lily Spider
11 years ago
Just curious what wall color you are using?
lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
BM Light Pewter. It's a gorgeous color!
Lily Spider
11 years ago
Pretty! Can't wait to see how it turns out.
lisa_a
Original Author
11 years ago
Me, too! We've been planning and dreaming for so long, that it doesn't seem real that we about to get a new kitchen.

The rest of my cabs are here. They are gorgeous! We picked the stain sample off a 6 x 10 sample so I was a bit nervous about how they would look but they are really, really lovely. I'll post a sneak peek on my other thread later.

I made a decision: Option B with a larger center section. I just sent the plan off to the cab maker. So glad we took the opportunity to rethink the hutch. I think it's going to look good and function very well for us.

Thank you, again, for helping me make a decision, Lily Spider!