I wanted to add a panoramic view of both areas as well.

You sre going about this all backwards IMO right now your best solution will be a good KD and probably an interior designer too.

Hi Gabriel. Do you have dimensions for the rooms you want to configure/decorate? I think going to a small home is wonderful (can't wait to do so myself!) but a general floorplan would be super helpful.

I'm including this link to one of my favorite ever kitchens. Even though the decor might not be to your liking, I feel like the layout is super! http://www.hubofthehousebykaren.com/kitchens/manhattan-beach-2.html

I love how they have a dining table available as an extra work space or dining area.

Start with the furniture pieces she's bringing from her old house, then plan around them.

As for the kitchen, it's basically just a corner, right? Probably with a small round table in front of the W/D area, which can be used for meals and folding of laundry. Not much planning to be done. I suggest she go through the "must brings" from her existing kitchen as a starting point.

Will you be using front load washer/dryer? Or combo washer/dryer?

Do you have in mind the frig you want to use? Undercounter or standard? I have this refrigerator: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Haier-15-cu-ft-4-Door-Counter-Depth-French-Door-Refrigerator-Stainless-Steel/1000183553 

... which I quite like. It's counter depth and with the french doors and drawers, doesn't open out into the rest of the area too much. It's a pretty good price when it's on sale, as refrigerators can be crazily expensive. I needed the frig on top because I am majorly klutzy and about concussed myself on our frig that had the top freezer, when I bent down to get something out of the frig with the freezer door open.

Are you looking for gas/electric stove? Cooktop with a separate oven or a range? Microwave over range?

@mimi Hey! She is very excited as it's a new build and the first time she will be in a house by herself. The dimensions of the kitchen is 11x16 and the living area is 11x16 as well. The entrance of the home is very open as you can see and there will be a bar area that extends out and then curves in.

By the way, the link of the home is dreamy. I love the wood and the warmness of the overall tone! I will show her that. Simplicity is what we both want. Her biggest ask are, "What sofa colors?", "What area rug color/pattern?", "What color cabinets?", and "How do we arrange it?"

@MrsPete Good idea! Right now, she has the stove, refrigerator, washer and dryer, and table with chairs.

All other furniture will be brand spanking new. She decided yesterday to go with Chesterfield tufted love seats. We are still thinking of accent items, but want to get the big items together (especially since Cyber Monday is upon us ). The kitchen is basically done in terms of all items purchased. She is just uncertain of cabinet style or color.

Hi, so glad you liked that kitchen!

So I usually try and stay with neutrals for all the stuff that costs a lot of money and is difficult to change... cabinets, flooring, appliances, countertops. That way you can paint walls different colors and change up your decor without having to change the expensive stuff.

Does your Mom prefer wood (stained/natural) cabinets or painted finish?

Countertops... a nice budget option is butcher block but with Washer/Dryer might want formica. Will washer/dryer be under the counter?

What kind of finish will go on the concrete? A sealer/acid wash/stain? That's going to cover a lot of area so it's going to have a big impact on the overall look.

So you mentioned 2 loveseats... wondering if a small sectional might not be better because you can't stretch out on a loveseat (I'm pretty short and even I can't lie across one comfortably). For sofa color, I'd go with neutrals and add my color through a throw, throw pillows, wall art and wall paint.

You can add more color/pattern with the area rugs.

I'm sure anyone who comments will want some ideas on colors your Mom likes as well as patterns!

Things are moving along, slowly, but still moving. We've been having horrible rain and cold weather on the Deep South. This is abnormal weather lately so the flooring has been drying slowly. We decided to keep concrete floors and stain them. We put the first coat of stain and then sealant and it took forever to dry. My mom got furniture, stove, and table inside and she will choose cabinets and countertops at the beginning of the year. I'm glad it's coming along!

@mimi

She will stick with neutrals and only add color on throws and pillows and other accents. She has icicle colored walls, bronze fixtures, camel loveseats. Speaking of loveseats, I had her to look at several sectionals, but she wasn't feeling them. I like the idea of the sectional! ♀️

In terms of cabinets, she doesn't know anything about them, but in her old home she had stained wood cabinets. She doesn't have a preference, but since it's just her now we can go the cost effective route as they won't encounter too much wear and tear.

For countertops, she wants granite. Do you think that would be expensive? She detests formica. There is a section for the W/D hookups independent of the cabinetry. I'll look into butcher's block, though.

They did a light acid stain just to bring out the imperfections and then did one coat of seal (they will do three total) and are still waiting for it to fully dry. The color is darker in person than the photo. It looks beautiful, though. Since concrete is always cold, they will have area rugs that are simple in style and color.

Thank you so much for the feedback!

You are a great daughter to help your mom get the comfortable yet easy care house she deserves.

I would recommend a medium wood tone for the cabinets. The space will easily feel very stark with the icy walls and concrete floor.

@Hazel Thank you!

@Lindsey That's great advice. I started looking at some cabinets today. In terms of granite, do you think they should be more on the beige side (like multicolored granite with beige undertones)? I definitely don't want it to look like an ice palace. I'm uncertain why she picked that color.

The counter should coordinate with the wall colour. Well optimally the wall colour would be chosen after the granite...

So you're looking for granites in the grey family. That will look good with medium brown counters.

@Lindsey

Perfect! Do you think greige would be a good start for granite countertops? The first three photos are greige with a beige base and the last is called greige gray with a gray base. Is this the right direction?

Take a large sample board of the wall paint to the granite yard. And ask for current samples of the granites you're considering, to bring home. There's no way to tell from the different screens this will be viewed on, sorry :-/

@Lindsey Got it! I didn't think of that! Is it more cost effective to go to a granite outlet (Floor & Decor, Outlet, Mom & Pop) or somewhere like Lowe's and Home Depot?

Gabriel that is a loaded question! And one I am not in any way experienced enough to advise you on. Sorry :) My best advice would be shop around and ask people you trust for recommendations of good fabricators in your area.

@Lindsey Thank you for your honesty! I appreciate that. I'll look around and ask friends as you mentioned.

In my area, the best place to get granite is at a dedicated stone shop. They are experts in stone selection and fabrication. So if you have a well-regarded local Mom & Pop stone place, that's where I'd start. (Home Depot and Lowe's are great places to buy nails and tools.....not so much for the decorative/visible items like stone, visible hardware etc.)

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@Qam Thank you! My mom lives in a small town in Louisiana so there are lots of Mom & Pop places for everything. She has to drive about 10-15 miles for a Lowe's or Home Depot anyway. I'm in Houston and there are tons of outlet and small businesses that offer stone. I'll check them out and also call around in my mom's town. This is so overwhelming. At least we are on track though. Cabinets and countertops are all what's left.

Love mom's new home. I would suggest white cabinets and a light granite, and a white subway tile backsplash with greige grout. Bring in color (red, bright yellow, turquoise, her favorite color) in accessories, dishes, and small appliances (mixer, toaster, coffee or tea pot) and a pretty dutch oven on the stove. Rugs, window coverings and throw pillows can bring in color as well. Wood tones can be brought in with a coffee table, occasional tables and book shelves. And don't forget the green plants. Have fun.

Example.

@Hansen White cabinets never crossed our minds; however, that would be a great way to open up the space. Thanks for that. I like greige and think it would warm up the space. I love the photo, by the way. What do you think of countertops?