Base cabinets have a standard height and depth. Perhaps the stove was mounted a bit awkwardly relative to its outlet in back, but stoves above counter and oven door proud of cabinet are both fairly normal? If you don't cook much, is it worth the cost of ripping everything out? I'd be worried about the difficulties of changing the plumbing around with what looks like a polished concrete floor. And condo regulations?

I don't know much about the plumbing needs here but the floor is being redone and I was hoping it was a matter of rerouting in the wall but I figured the drain was a big issue. Just don't know much about kitchen plumbing to know in this situation.

I want to minimize costs but sort out the issues. No idea on why the counters are short and the depth is clearly not standard since part of the stove that is not supposed to be visible is visible. This building has a weird history and all units have different color cabinets if not different cabinets altogether. I'm adding 8mm to the floor with a new glue down cork floor. I'm considering just replacing the bottom cabinets but something like shimming or re-installing the cabinets is possible. The counters are 2cm and moving to a 3cm counter would help as well.

The doors need replacing regardless due to the material they are made of (some weird blue laminate that has a texture and looks dirty even when clean). I have a woodworker who says he's willing to make me replacement doors with hinges if I keep the current cabinets.

This building is currently being converted to condos so no HOA or regulations yet that I am aware of.

Maybe consider leaving sink where it is and rather than put a bank of cabinets on the right wall (losing the entire corner space), have a peninsula built there that allows seating. Another idea would be to remove the stove and have a cooktop put there. On the right wall could have a wall oven/microwave with peninsula in front of it. Not sure on dimensions of your space.

Donald’s idea sounds great.

I had planned on an island but I've kind of decided I like the open space into the kitchen since its so small. I will probably try to replace just the base cabinets to fix the main issue and I might try to do the island later. (Someone suggested I should change the pendants if I'm doing the wood counter stools)

Store-bought prep cart/ island seems worth a try. Also worth a try are truly Miracle erasers. It can safely remove a layer without much effort. I call it mini-sanding. Your colors?

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Safavieh Mystique Mys923R Rug, Gray/Multi, 9'x12' · More Info

Contemporary POP Modern Abstract Brushstroke Area Rug, Cream/Pink, 5 X 8 · More Info

Safavieh CL - Craft CFT877L - 9ft 0in x 12ft 0in Grey · More Info

A bunch of options, and could add decorative light...

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Blue doesn't matter to me - possibly with this for example, furniture might tie in, and help make a look.

48926-AC-LED Craftmade Presto 6 Light 29 7/8" LED One Tier Chandelier · More Info

I don't understand the rug/magic eraser comment and am curious what you mean.

I appreciate the lighting ideas. I'm doing a black 6 rod sputnik chandelier like your last pic over my kitchen table. I really like the others as well. Will try and figure out ideal lighting for the kitchen. Its two recessed lights for the kitchen and two from the living area light the kitchen but are on a separate circuit.

For color in the kitchen, I do have a lot of colorful kitchen art

I have 7 of this artist's pieces (each is 8 inch tall) that will go on the counter space.

I have a pretty large art collection that is displayed all through the house plus I'm getting a very talented artist friend to do a mural for me on a 9x12 exposed cinder block wall in the back bedroom area. My home colors are very neutral but there will be a lot of color everywhere and the space is super open since its just a main room with kitchen and a bathroom.

I went "oh" about the mural! I saw the 2 well-placed recessed lights, and thought that 2 semi-flush could replace them, and add more light/lumens are they called?

In trying to sort out a path, I think I've come up with a great idea that I love so far. I would replace the bottom cabinets with black or gray cabinets from a place I found on Houzz... The top cabinet boxes are fine and I have a woodworker willing to make me unfinished replacement doors. I could find a stain color I like and have two toned cabinets like this:

I would go handle less for the cabinets and drawers. What color should my appliances be for something like this? All chrome? any black stainless?

I think this lightens up the kitchen a lot and makes it feel warmer.

Thoughts?

Regarding your last idea, are you going to be able to open the Dw or fridge door without blocking/damaging the other?

That is the way its currently laid out as far as fridge/ DW and it works but yeah poor layout. With this idea and how much money it saves me without replacing the top cabinets totally, I plan to move the sink and dishwasher possibly to the right wall and center the stove and microwave.

I asked about the fridge/DW on your last design because you have different fridge there than in original picture (double door fridge opening to sides, instead of one door opening on the left side).

That is a 30" fridge in the original space with a weird "pantry" cabinet around it. The fridge space is about 42 inches wide. I'm moving to a 36" fridge and probably closing off about 7inches of the fridge space on the side of the dishwasher. Will double check but should be no issue using one appliance at a time. I live by myself.

I tried rendering with some mock black stainless appliances. If I can get the colors right, I think it could look very nice.

I think your colour combi is excellant. Black or stainless appliances would be fine, although the black frig will be a large black void on that wall. Stainless bounces a little bit more light around. You are more likely to get stainless at a good price now - supply chain problems mean that you may have delays or less choice. To improve the height of your bottom cabinets, get your carpentar to build a simple frame on which to put the existing boxes. Also, you might consider taking the new upper boxes to the ceiling or getting molding up there. As it, it’s a dust collection area. BTW love love love your kitchen art pieces. How about some floating shelves to show them off on the wall above the pet dishes?

4arnottp: I've been toying with rendering a black fridge and I see what you mean. Regular stainless will look best for the fridge I think. The current cabinets are also not deep enough so I'm planning to completely replace. It's just a sink, then I would get 2 sets of drawers and one small cabinet for the right side.

I'd like to take the upper cabinets to the ceiling but for cost, I am just planning to replace the doors and paint the boxes. What about closing off the space so it looks like the wall drops to the top of the cabinets and then cuts back at the backsplash? The dust collecting top space is an issue I am concerned about and that space is questionable for displaying anything other than plants.

Lighting idea: 2 recessed LED strips in the ceiling instead of cans, Under cabinet and over cabinet hidden LED lighting and leave the open space above cabinets. I'd love to do some form of drop ceiling lighting but not sure if the AC vent gets in the way or could be moved easily. Open to any ideas.

Here's with updated lighting (although I seem to have a weird shadow on the top right in Neo that I don't know where it came from)

I think it looks sleek. What did you add on upper wall on the right? Does a microwave work separately from cabinets? with side panel to shield view from living room?

Is this what you mean? LED's too, dimmable is nice.

Randolph Rd Custom Home · More Info

Oh, that on the right is an AC intake. I had been moving that wall around to match the real bathroom wall since the floorplans aren't accurate.... :( That is a trashcan.

Some things I just put what came close. The thing on the floor next to it is a tray for pet food and water. I put in a dark microwave but need to find one that looks nicer than my quick grab.

Kind of like this as far as the led strips. The one in Foyr is not quite right. I'm going to a lighting showroom this week to discuss all my lighting needs and try to finalize lighting.

Idk what your foyer lights look like, but if visually full and busy like the last photo, it's nice that it's in a pause place, like an entry can be.

Sorry Foyr is the software I'm using to model. I have to choose lights from its catalog unless I pay them to model something for me. Picking lights that look accurate has been difficult. The lighting will be more subtle but nice and warm in the kitchen. Here's the kitchen in some context since this is an open space condo.

joke's on me! ... Would another neutral for kitchen lowers work too, esp. since not near windows? :)

Your photo of only the kitchen showed sleek, but photo with your warm furnishings and items, it's so severe. oh well, can't see it in person... oh, I think the severe vibe is the linear LED light.

Mostly hides microwave:

https://www.wayfair.com/furniture/pdp/ebern-designs-franchezca-microwave-kitchen-cart-w001772251.html?piid=1275217300

I'm pretty set on a dark matte gray base cabinet and black counter. That has been a desire since the beginning. I think it will look much nicer than my renders. This is a pic from the cabinet makers portfolio.

and this is a pic from their portfolio that inspired the wood tops.

"Sorry" but posting on your thread is fun for me. Here's a lab light!

https://www.delmarfans.com/elk-lighting/laboratory/66893-4b/?shape%5B0%5D=24962

and a piano light... you have your source already, i know...

https://www.delmarfans.com/quoizel-lighting/wave/pcwv140c/?___store=default&refSrc=97526&nosto=nosto-page-product1

I'm open to new ideas and wow, those are both my style. I'm not absolute on the chandelier and I really like the first one you posted. Are you meaning these for the kitchen or the dining? Without an island, it seems some of those types of lights don't feel right to me in the kitchen, but I might use that first one over the dining table. I like the industrial style.

I was thinking earlier how much I need to thank you for all your help. Everything gets me thinking. Sometimes I'm stuck on my design and it takes me a bit. I'm really happy with where the kitchen has ended up. Hopefully I can pull it off well.

aw, you're welcome. Do you have a live edge table/ resin in the center? If the set has a 'natural' vibe, imo another light would go better. Partly I say because your art and sculpture needs visual room of its own; the more variety of looks, whether lighting or other, the 'busier' it'll get.

So in other words, the dining set doesn't need the unusual angles of the Lab, but the 'spare sputnik' was less... unusual is the word? I thought a bit of wood in chandelier could pair with, and create more of a 'dining place'... drum shade is a nice basic.

But in the kitchen, though open, could use a tad more variety.... I see you posted a linear light, and it's severe a little, hanging as though in a den/office. Yeh, an island, I see what you mean.

However, if LED for kitchen had a decorative feature, it might look like typical ambient lighting, in the middle.

Just thought - the round ceiling fan - I think using kitchen's recessed for 2 round LED's would be pretty, as a repeat, a grouping with the fan. Maybe then the wood-stick sputnik you posted [for dining] since these are small.

Tessera 4-Light Ceiling-Light - Contemporary - Flush-mount Ceiling Lighting - by LIGHTING JUNGLE | Houzz

For round -- I like 2 of these for kitchen, partly cause of wood dining set -

I'm basically copying this table someone bought on Etsy. The shop can make me one just like it with the same legs and angled edges. It will have a smoky gray epoxy. I was in love when I saw it.

There's more: how high are the ceilings? I suppose true that island lighting isn't good for middle of the room, but I think semi-flush would be ok. Or minimal as the Scandi one / also comes in grey or white....

Or a classic type, sleek in its own way.

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I do like the Scandinavian one.

I have a bathroom thread if you're interested in helping there: Bathroom

Ok I'll look there. Just pairing brainstorming - 2 in kitchen, and larger over dining.

Julien reminds me of a bathroom.

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just a fyi about coffee table- customer has no control over it though -

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HI, can you post the final pics of your reno please?