They should really move in and live there for a bit before they undertake any remodeling.

Fridges can never be placed next to the wall because doors have to open greater than 90 degrees in order to slide out any drawers inside the fridge.

What Bev said! Plus they are stripping out any mid century charm and going for the blah

where does the door lead? why no base cabinet drawers? I dont consider the renovation under consideration an improvement. Best to show adjacent spaces to the kitchen....how does one move around the areas? what is the orientation of the kitchen to eating and living zones......etc. A full reno ought improve things on a few levels ....this appears to be a full reno since everything is being replaced .....but not yet an improved situation. The simplistic peninsula being stripped out instead of reworking/ redoing it for example.... Hold off if funds are so limited that this is the extent of a project. Is anything broken or not functioning?

I should have clarified that my son has lived in the home for five years, so he knows exactly what works and what doesn’t in that space. We co-own a duplex — with a garage in the middle and no shared walls :) — and my kitchen had the mirror image of his current floor plan. When I remodeled, I had custom cabinets built with a frame around the refrigerator (see photo), which gave me more flexibility with the door clearance and allows the drawers to open fully. I’m glad you mentioned that, because I’ll remind them they’ll need to do something similar.

My daughter-in-law is pregnant, and mold was discovered under the kitchen sink and possibly extends further. Lab results confirmed toxic black mold/Stachybotrys, Chaetomium, and elevated Penicillium/Aspergillus. To remediate it, the cabinets have to come out, and the tile countertops can’t stay because they’re too heavy to support once the base is removed. The tile grout integrity on the countertops is also compromised, allowing moisture to seep underneath, and the sink itself is corroded on the bottom and leaking. At this point, their only viable option is to remove/replace the old materials.

Nothing about the duplex feels mid-century anymore except the kitchen. The home itself is very simple: two bedrooms, one bath, and carpet in the living room and bedrooms that needs replacing along with the linoleum in the dining area/kitchen. It has a nice modern front door and wide plantation shutters.

I’ll show photos from when the property was purchased to give a sense of the layout leading into the kitchen ~ they are going to extend the wall opening from the living room about 2 feet to give them more counter space on the kitchen side. For now, their priority is simply replacing the flooring and redoing the kitchen ~ and it is a very small kitchen to begin with.

Thank you, Buehl ~ I’ll be passing along all your suggestions! In my last post, I mentioned that the fridge placement works for me because I had custom cabinetry built. Thinking about it now, they probably won’t be able to do anything custom, so your suggestion still helps by keeping the fridge farther from the entry coming in from the living room/dining room areas. Thanks again - lots of good food for thought in your post!! :)

Your white cabinets look beautiful and make the whole space feel so clean. One idea you might consider is adding a hood cover—it could make the whole design feel even more cohesive. A white or black stainless steel hood would both pair really nicely with your kitchen.

Everything @ Buehl said, and your son "knows what works" because he is USED to the kitchen he has. He may not know what works BETTER than what he has.

Have them draw, measure the walls, window, door, of the galley.

I would be No and big no, to the counter top which due to its very strong veining looks quite a faux , and I would PASS on slate appliances for stainless, a more "forever" finish. The only door base lower cabinets would be the sink cabinet! and the rest would be far more convenient drawer base, worth the extra expense

. It may be time for the "kids" to make a Houzz account of their own, and post the drawing with all the dimensions: )

I agree^^^ no to that counter, fridge placement and counter. In addition to the measured floor plan (including the whole area around the kitchen as well) it would be wise to post a photo of the exact floor finish that is being considered.

I would discuss getting wood floors throughout while they’re doing this construction. Have them upload measurements here and let the generous pros give more suggestions to maximize space and functionality.

LG makes a Counter-Depth French Door Smart Refrigerator with Zero Clearance Hinge System that can be placed against a wall. But it is only in stainless. Personally, I would advice them against the slate color for appliances. We currently have black stainless appliances bought by the previous owner and have found that the finish, mainly on the refrigerator, is like a thin layer of paint that can scratch. Apparently the GE slate is white underneath the "slate". Also, when one appliance breaks it may be difficult to find a replacement in the same finish in the future, if nothing else it will limit the choices. It is a better idea to research each appliance individually and try to find the best choices for each independent of one brand, proprietary color choices and package deals are in place, in part, to discourage this.

Before any and all? I'd want to know how the mold got back there... and that would include an exterior look at the foundation. That entire wall/drywall would be off down to studs.

Your son lived there five years, and we don't know how often he peeked under a sink. That said? Could be outside condition as well. You might be shocked.

It looks like the mold problem is due to the water leakage. To be honest, he's not the best housekeeper, but I am a great housekeeper and I might have missed things at the back side of my under sink storage area as well. I only grab items from the front. That being said, a deep dive into the area is important now. He is fortunate the kitchen leads to a cement patio area that is covered so the problem didn't start on the outside.

Is your son doing the mold removal or is he having professionals do the work? It’s a lot of work to properly remediate this mold issue. Also, is dangerous for mom and baby.

This may not be an issue as your son’s home is younger than mine (1935), but when we wanted to replace the linoleum on the basement stairs, the installers found asbestos. So we did not remove it but carpeted over it.

debra

"He is fortunate the kitchen leads to a cement patio area that is covered so the problem didn't start on the outside."

He has a kitchen window! over the sink.

for all you know there was a flashing issue! Point is you don't know, nor do I. But if not totally remediated? It will return.

Brittanica gold will look nice, its not that bold.. just make sure the fabricator does it up the wall and the design continues, should not be hard to do. it will add to give some personality. strongly discourage the slate appliances.. go stainless… add black pulls and fawcett. i used brittanica gold in a kitchen i did with ikea cherry cabinets, looked great with stainless and brushed nickel you can do fridge against rhe wall, just build out about 4” with filler

Where will the garbage can go? Losing the peninsula is a real loss of counter/serving space. No slate.

Congrats on your new grandbaby!

Large veins running down the counters in a long galley accentuate the bowling alley effect. No large veins in here. The Brittanica looks very dated too. Select flooring and cabinets first. Then take a sample cabinet door and shop for countertops. An understated top is best for a long galley.

No to slate. Appliances will not all die at the same time and you will be left with a patchwork of finishes as you need to replace items. Stainless avoids this issue and looks brighter and more open in a narrow space.

Don't purchase appliance packages. No one manufacturer is best at every kind of appliance. Purchase the best quality appliance they can afford for each appliance type. Again, in stainless. Bosch is the best for dishwashers.

Dated look of Brittanica gold

Cambria Brittanicca Gold - London, Ontario Kitchen · More Info

Quartz Cambria "Brittanica Gold" · More Info

Cambria Brittanicca Gold · More Info

I would hate that fridge against the wall, even if filler was added or it was a zero clearance door. I don’t think the cabinetry enclosure on the side of the fridge is only available for custom cabinets. I also think the peninsula is a big loss, visually and for function. It’s also my kids’ favorite place to sit in my kitchen, even with the table right next to it. Agree that I would not do something with a large vein for the counter.

I agree with @Kendrah’s comments. Large vein countertops look dated already. (Thank goodness.)

I must confess that I am also team ditch the large veined countertop. Also, the other pic shows great mid century bones in the family room while the rendering is farmhouse. Why not do a more updated version of mid century where they can incorporate her favorite neutrals? Perhaps a mushroom colored flat panel or micro shaker cabinet with a plain countertop, stainless appliances, and a fun shaped tile. There are so many great tile choices to really make the look of a kitchen even if in neutral tones! The areas are open enough that it may be jarring to have such disparate styles next to one another. Good luck with this project 😊

1. No GE refrigerator is going to look like that as the minimum depth for a 36" slate model is 28.75" plus a 2" space at the rear.
2. As others have stated, the refrigerator should not be placed against a wall. For example, the counter-depth GE PYE22KYNFS which did reasonably well in CR's tests, is 36" wide but requires an additional 5" to open a door 90 degrees and an additional 17" to fully open a door.
3. I would not choose slate appliances. They are only offered by GE, could be discontinued at any time, and GE does not make the best appliances of all types. Choose the universal stainless steel.
4. My design book recommends a minimum counter space of 15" adjacent to a range. I have that; 18" would be better.
5. Your rendering shows lower cabinets with doors. Use drawers.
6. Consumer Reports Appliance Ratings ($10/month digital).

MS CoPilot: Stainless steel appliances and dark gray countertop

MS CoPilot: Light oak cabinets, stainless steel appliances (dishwasher, floors are errors) and dark gray countertop.

They’ve ruled out Brittanicca Gold — I wasn’t a fan either, and it sounds like most of you felt the same way.

Unfortunately, keeping the peninsula isn’t going to work given the size of the kitchen and the plan to add a dishwasher. There are 32½ inches from the wall to the kitchen window, and the window and sink together take up another 33 inches. From the right edge of the window/sink to the edge of the current countertop is 43½ inches. They’re planning to place the dishwasher to the right of the sink, which will take up 24 inches plus framing. The inner edge of the peninsula would end up cutting into the space needed for the dishwasher. Right now, there are only 23½ inches from the edge of the sink to where the peninsula juts out on the inside.

Also, I think they are now looking at a narrow floor to ceiling cabinet (like a pantry) to the right of the fridge to alleviate having the fridge so close to the wall/door.

Do more drawers. Some cabinets are fine, they have to figure out what they store and how they use those things. The type of storage follows from their needs.

Oh yes, definitely more drawers! I didn't specify that in my AI request, but drawers are definitely planned. They are my preference for most of my own kitchen.

Well I am all for an actual flloor plan to scale posted here in jpeg format ti even beging to answer quetions ,. My first question is why are your son and daughter in law not on here Ther is no way I would be desinging my DIL kitchen without a ton of info from her and I am a KD. This space needs function and only your kids know what that is for them not a buncjh of starangers with no actul size of the space I will say yo never buy all apliances for one make so all plain old stainless steel is still the best way togo. AND BEFORE ant plan the mold issue needs to be fixed ASAP for sure before any baby is in that space BTW I would not be starting this if the new baby is arriving soon A kitchen reno is a huge undertaking at the best of times and not in the midst of getting used to baby and how much you will the kitchen

Below are some pictures of the design as it is now. The space to the left and right of the range may be modified a bit. Also looking into above the oven microwave that vents out.

I completely understand the concern. I’m not designing their kitchen on my own ~ I’m gathering ideas because my son asked me to help. I’m a co-owner of the property, so I have a stake in how the remodel affects long-term value.

Both my son and daughter-in-law have been very involved and have given me their preferences, but they’re not on Houzz. She knows what she likes but isn’t always sure how to pull everything together, and he’s willing to compromise as long as it’s in good taste. I’ve been helping them translate their ideas into practical options and then they decide what they want.

I only post here for layout suggestions and professional opinions ~ nothing moves forward unless they choose it.

And yes ~

the mold remediation is happening before anything else. The kitchen remodel is a small one, and fortunately the timing works with their schedule before the baby arrives.

"The kitchen remodel is a small one..."

I tore out my original galley kitchen and built an IKEA one. It was smaller than what you're proposing and in no way did I find it to be a "small" project.

That’s fair. What I meant is that, for their situation, this timing works better than waiting. Their schedules, the baby coming, and the pets all make later much more complicated, so getting the messy part out of the way now really is the most practical option for them.

is the range vented outside? if not get it to the outside wall so it can be easily done., i also prefer the fridge in its original location, no need to pass the cooks to grab a snack or drink.

Replace the flooring while the kitchen is empty of cabinets and appliances.

The range hood vents to the outside.

The fridge is currently at the end of the entryway into the kitchen, right as you round the corner from the living room, and we don’t like the way it blocks the view of the kitchen. Also, the new layout will make the kitchen a bit wider, so it will be easier to pass the cooks without everyone bumping into each other. Moving the fridge is just a personal preference for creating a more open, workable flow. This photo doesn't capture it well, but it's the only one I have on hand.

My kitchen is the mirror image of my son’s, although his is a bit smaller ~ it’s a custom duplex. In my kitchen, the table sits next to the living room; in his, it sits by the sliding glass door to the backyard. While you may not prefer my decorating style (and I’d prefer to keep things positive), I’m sharing photos of my kitchen because they show the layout clearly. These photos help explain why we feel the fridge works best in the corner and why we don’t want it blocking the view of the kitchen when you enter from the living room or hallway . We think that placement opens up the space.

^ On his side, the length on the left runs only from the wall to the end of the first set of drawers past the dishwasher, so the space is much tighter.

Your kitchen is really nice. I like to help my daughter too, but she is always involved and has her own opinions and her choices have always worked out great.

Extending the wall with the stove should help a lot with fitting everything on the stove/fridge wall.

I like the pantry by the back door. Good idea.

"The fridge is currently at the end of the entryway into the kitchen, right as you round the corner from the living room, and we don’t like the way it blocks the view of the kitchen."

My refrigerator was placed there too. I moved it to the back for the same reason.

Thank you, Karenseb ~ Yes, we are able to add an additional 2 feet to the wall with the stove on his side by extending the living room wall. It's funny because I had to extend the opening the other way on my side to give myself dining room space ~ here is the before (previous owner's real estate pics) and after...it's still a tight squeeze, but an improvement! :)

I think you're on the right track. Adding the pantry between the fridge and end wall solves the only functional issue I had with the original concept. I'm also glad they moved away from the Brittanicca from an aesthetic standpoint. It was too linear for this narrow room. I think everything else that's been bandied about just comes down to personal needs and preferences. From what I can see of the before and after, it's definitely a functional improvement on the original.