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rekha_sreedhara

Kitchen Renovation

6 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago

Hi everyone!

I’m planning to remodel my kitchen over the next couple months and would love your thoughts on what I’m thinking to do. I’m looking for any and all suggestions to help me finalize what I want to do. Here’s what I have in mind:

-Replace current cabinets with dark espresso cabinets
-Replace countertop with a white quartz countertop
-Replace floor with something like Elesgo white glamour life flooring
-Add a large island with espresso cabinets and white quartz
-Add three pendant lights over island (https://www.wayfair.com/lighting/pdp/willa-arlo-interiors-appleton-1-light-crystal-pendant-w000613942.html)
-Add stainless steel farmhouse sink
-Add large espresso pantry cabinet next to the refrigerator
-Add White subway title backsplash

Any suggestions?

What color paint, curtains, stools and rug would look good?

Thanks!







Comments (103)

  • 5 years ago

    I would move the fridge from the corner and put a good cabinet with a counter to the left of the fridge so you have somewhere to put things going into or out of the fridge. Then put a narrow cabinet with tray and cookie sheet storage between the fridge and the doorway. There may still be some space for the pet’s bowl.

  • 5 years ago

    Here’s what it looks like so far...

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    Rekha, so far so good. question,,,,are you removing that florescent light fixture?

    And , did I mention how to trim out the island so that it looks finished?

    (are you painting that island or leaving it as is)

    even something like this would look nice on the end panels


  • 5 years ago

    Beth, love your Calcutta marble and your floors.

    I am replacing the light. What do you think of this?

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Home-Decorators-Collection-Boswell-Quarter-5-Light-Brushed-Nickel-Island-Dining-Room-Chandelier-with-Weathered-Wood-Accents-7965HDCDI/304094508

    The walnut island is new so I don’t plan to paint it. My contractor added the boarder but I think he’s still working on it. I’ll be sure to show him the examples.

    Do you have suggestions on what color runner would look good?

  • 5 years ago

    It looks great so far!

  • 5 years ago

    It is turning out gorgeous!! Any chance you can still get the ceiling scraped to a smooth finish? If it were me, I would have done equal pantry cabinets on both sides of the refrigerator. Any chance you can add a pantry cabinet on the open side? It will be beautiful regardless.

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks, RedRyder!

    Teddytoo, The ceiling doesn’t bother me although would be a good future project. I feel the same way about the refrigerator set up. It looks incomplete. It does still need the crown molding and spacers so that should help a little. I am debating whether to add a pantry half the size of the current pantry, open shelving for China, books, alcohol (least favorite option), or large plant on that side?

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    So this light over the island?? have you measured it to make sure it won't be too big? This is more of a dining table light, but the island is large enough it could work.


    It's 20" high, 34" wide and 11" deep. how big is the island?


    are you putting in any other lighting? any recessed cans? I think you're going to need something else for task lighting over the countertops.

    if you can't do any recessed lights, then do under cabinet lighting and think about getting some type of track lighting.

    that island light won't be much use to light the entire kitchen.


    I don't care for the wavy tile as much as the other.


  • 5 years ago

    The island is 48”x25”. With the countertop it will be 60”x37”. Do you think the light is too big?

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    you didn't answer if you are doing any other lighting. I think have this down facing light over the island isn't going to help much if you're working on the perimeter cabs. you need better lighting in the kitchen.

    as for this size working, why don't you find a box and cut it to the measurements and hang it? that way you can see for yourself.

    (Also, someone is moving the electrical to be placed over the island, yes? in that case, how are you going to patch the hole left behind? now is the time to scrape the popcorn. this way when you do the patch job, you'll just have to skim coat it instead of getting a can of spray 'popcorn'. you'll also be dealing w/having to match the color, since yours is 'aged', the brand new white out of the can may be noticeable. it's better just to scrape it. plenty of how to's online. it's not difficult to do yourselves. just lay down plastic over everything.

  • 5 years ago

    Using a box to measure is a great idea! Electrical is going to be moved. The electrician said he can put a cover over the old hole? I’m not doing recessed lights but could add track lighting over the sink.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    a cover over the old hole?? huh? oh no. you want a 'cover' over that large hole?? wth. Tell him to completely remove that junction box or kill the electrical going to it and cover it to match the ceiling.

    Please, no cover. it will look ridiculous.

  • 5 years ago

    LOL. I think he’s thinking there won’t be an outline from the light cover so he can cover just the electrical box, but you’re right, if he can remove and paint to match the current color that is the better option other than to scrape the popcorn. I appreciate your straight forwardness!! :)

  • 5 years ago

    Hi everyone! My quartz countertops were installed this afternoon. I LOVE IT!

    I now need to decide on my backsplash. I am thinking to go with a standard 3x6 Daltile and warm gray grout in a herringbone pattern. What do you think of the all white tiles against the white/gray countertop?

    Thanks!

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    it will look like the thousands of other 3x6 white subways, gray grout and marble quartz kitchens! You don't want to venture on the wild side and try something diff besides a white 3x6?



    why don't you look at doing a longer tile? 2x8, 3x9,,,,, looks better, IMO

    even a 2x6 has a leaner look. these are 2x6


    or gray tile,

    or even a marble subway... something different


    this op had the same countertop you did. she went w/a calacatta linear bar sheet. It would play well with your pretty cabinets too. Tilebar has it.

    looks great


    or have you seen the beveled 2x4 calacatta tiles? these are nice.. and the layout is on a sheet so it's cheaper to have done. Herringbone is difficult and costs more.

    BTW, did you get any bullnose tiles for the edges? what are your plans for those?

  • 5 years ago

    Ask the counter installer to pop off that 4” stone back splash. Since you’re doing tile there the tile needs to start at the counter (not on top of the stone mini splash)

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks for all the images. I really like the look of the first image (I know, boring!) but the marble is nice too! I didn’t get any bullnose tiles yet because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to go with and took your advice of waiting to make a decision until the countertop was installed. Does each type of tile come with its own bullnose tiles? For the Daltile there seemed to be three different options.

    Weathy, The 4” inch border is actually just the wall with a different paint color. Looks like a backsplash but it’s not. The tile will start from the countertop up.

  • 5 years ago

    What’s the marble subway called?

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    the marble subway in the last picture? it's a 2x4 beveled calacatta. the one above it in the linear bars is also calacatta. Carrara is the other one further up in the herringbone. (carrara tends to run a little cooler or blue-white compared to the calacatta)

    have you seen the marble tiles here? They're a nice quality.

    https://www.thebuilderdepot.com/calacatta.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIwI2HkMbo5AIV-R6tBh06nAayEAAYASACEgLvMvD_BwE

    maybe you like this type of herringbone?


    as for your edges, some people turn the tile vertically. personally I think it's a sloppy look. So go with a bull nose on the shorter end. like these

    they also make a bullnose on the longer edge for the top pieces.

    daltile will have bullnose (or they should) for their subways. other options are pencil liners

    they also used the liners on the corners here

    It's a clean look. this is your 3x6.

    these are a 2x8. look at them in the herringbone over the sink. I like this one for your kitchen. it's a little more updated looking than the 3x6.

    metal edging (my favorite. these come in many colors. look at the Schluter Jolly. get it slightly bigger than the width of your tile)

    look at the far edge. they turned the tiles vertically. but you'd still have to grout and caulk the edges.


  • 5 years ago

    Oooo...love the metal edging! Should the metal go around the top and bottom as well and where does the edging start and stop? Three sections of the wall will need tile in my kitchen. Does the metal edging go around each section?

    I was wondering about the marble tile in image 6. Is that Carrara?

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    If you do a herringbone pattern I would not do it with a standard 3x6 tile but a 2x8 tile:


    The white tile you have selected now feels too stark of a white. I would look for something a bit softer, closer in tone to your countertops.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    are you extending the tile out past cabinets? then yes, side and top. or you can use bull nose edging. under cabinets, just take the tile to the very top and caulk or grout.

    the marble in this could be a high grade carrera, but seeing that it has some golden spots in it, it could be Calacatta.

    be careful using cheap quality 'carrara', or what some dealers pass off as carrara as it can be a common China White marble. (tends to have very blurred gray veins and can have a higher mineral content)

    did you click on that link I sent you? they also carry the carrara venato

    https://www.thebuilderdepot.com/subway-tile.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI5Yf-x6Hq5AIVAcpkCh2atwdKEAAYASAAEgKnQ_D_BwE

    the carrara pietra is also pretty. has more gray

    carrara bianco

    https://www.thebuilderdepot.com/cbhbevel3x6.html



  • 5 years ago

    Thanks for all the backsplash suggestions! Much appreciated. I’m going to have to sit on this for a bit to determine what I want to go with. I’ll share updated pictures soon!

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    i've been waiting almost 3 months to decide on mine. bring home some samples. Tilebar lets you get 5 for $5. check other places for those marble tiles. bring them home, set them up and take pictures. live with it for a bit and see what you like

  • 5 years ago

    Make sure you get your lighting installed before you choose the backsplash. The color of your bulbs can change how these look. They’re all beautiful options for your new kitchen. Luckily, waiting on a backsplash is often a good idea. Painting the space white for now may also help you see which is better.

  • 5 years ago

    Hi all! I went with a 3x6 white subway tile with platinum grout. What do you think?

    Also, what are your thoughts in regards to adding a simple trim (similar look to the trim around the refrigerator) under the upper cabinets? I hate that the bottom is exposed!! From the living room I can see the screws. I was thinking to have a panel added but this is not an option with this cabinet company. I either leave it as is or add a trim. Thoughts?

  • 5 years ago

    Additional pictures including what the cabinets look like from the living room.

  • 5 years ago

    Your backsplash looks beautiful. You might want to see if you can replace the wall plates with white ones. I think it will blend better. Nice kitchen!

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    why didn't you take the tile all the way across the back of the stove? I've never seen anyone stop the tile like that. sorry, but it looks odd. You could have tiled all the way to be level w/the uppers. Or stuck in a piece of molding to eat up the few inches to the right of the stove . or take the tile all the way over and down. your trash is there and you will get splatters on the wall, not to mention above the stove.


    and I thought you were going to go w/the schluter edging or the bullnose tiles on the ends?

  • 5 years ago

    Everything isn’t complete yet. I am going to switch out the wall plates. Bullnose tiles were used on the ends but the pattern used is different. I’m going to put a stainless steel panel under the microwave and behind the top of the stove which is why it stops at the end of the countertop.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    why a panel? the tile would look less choppy and flow better

    even w/the pattern, you can use bull nose or the metal edging

  • 5 years ago

    I’m not following your comment about the bullnose tiles. This is what was used on the ends. Are you saying it would have looked better if the pattern was completed on the ends with bullnose tiles?

    https://www.homedepot.com/p/Daltile-Restore-Bright-White-2-in-x-6-in-Ceramic-Bullnose-Wall-Trim-0-08-sq-ft-piece-RE15S4269CC1P2/302603437

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    they make bullnose on the shorter ends as well as the top. was trying to talk you out of using the vertical run tiles for border edging. that's why I mentioned the schluter.

    The herringbone pattern and grout choice look very nice. I just think a simple border would have complimented it a bit better.



    but the other options are quarter round molding trim, which look very nice on the ends,


    or a type of pencil liner or edge molding.


    the liners would be like this, but in the same ceramic as your tile. and they come in flat or rounded, diff heights and lengths. just makes for a cleaner look on the ends. (especially if you're going to transition to that SS sheet. which I think you should rethink! ) Or you could pull off the vertical end tile next to your stove if you insist on using SS behind there. then just used the SS schluter edging to butt against the SS panel.


  • 5 years ago

    Hi everyone! Sharing an update on my kitchen. New dishwasher goes in on Monday and I’m done!!! What do you think?

    What would you suggest for counter stools (the counter height is 36”)? These are some thoughts but I’m having trouble deciding.

    https://www.article.com/product/12917/sede-thunder-gray-walnut-swivel-counter-stool

    What would you suggest for a valence? I want something sheer to match the curtains.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    turned out nice. as for the stools, I'm just concerned adding another wood tone so closely next to the other (island/floor) may not work. what if you did silver metal legs?

    Tweed Fabric counter stool W/ Stainless Steel Frame · More Info


    or, backless stools?

    Chi Barstool, Set of 2, Black · More Info


  • 5 years ago

    Beth - Nice suggestion! Where can I find something like this?

    I really want a stool that has a padded back and seat.

  • PRO
    5 years ago
    last modified: 5 years ago

    click on the green link 'More Info'. they have hundreds of them here on Houzz to look at

    to post pics of the Houzz links, click Photo, then Houzz URL, load the link, and submit. the picture will load


    Rustic Platform Bed, Slats Support and Slatted Headboard, Rustic Pine, Twin · More Info



    Jayden 30" Mid-Century Swivel Bar Height Barstool, Gray Faux Leather · More Info


    can you remove those mini blinds?

    did you just want a valance or maybe a small shade?

    what if you did something like this?



  • 5 years ago

    Thanks!

  • 5 years ago

    Yes, the blinds can go. I think I just want a valence.

  • PRO
    5 years ago

    copy the link, click on the photo icon below, click on Houzz url, and paste the link.


    this way we don't have to keep clicking to see what you like.


    Mason Swivel Counter Stool, Set of 2, Stainless Steel Frame/Walnut Wood/Gray Pu · More Info

    yes, these would work. a tad bit modern, but they may be ok.

  • 5 years ago

    I don’t see the Houzz url when I click on the photo icon?

  • 5 years ago

    A gut job will give you the chance to improve the layout. A stove next to a doorway or traffic opening can be dangerous. I would move it. Switch black appliances to stainless steel. Give us a to-scale measured drawing of your planned redo so we can give you more help.

  • 5 years ago

    it turned out beautiful!!!!

  • 5 years ago

    Felizlady, these are pictures of my kitchen after renovations. I’m not making any additional changes.

  • 5 years ago

    Thanks LT Dub

  • 5 years ago

    I love the transformation. I also like Beth’s ideas for the window. Even in a valance, something with more pattern than your sheer curtains will be better. I hope you love your new kitchen! Great job!

  • 5 years ago

    Thank you!