I’ve been planning on a new kitchen since last fall.

The new layout of the kitchen.

I’m taking a different direction on my kitchen countertops than I thought I might.

The stainless steel coffee bar in my former kitchen was one of my favorite features.

Originally I was thinking of having the sink counter stainless steel like the coffee bar in our former kitchen.

I found 3 samples that would go with all the elements — tile, cabinets, backsplash.

Instead I decided to use one counter throughout the kitchen — quartz.  Quartz countertops are engineered stone surfaces composed primarily of crushed quartz, one of the hardest minerals on Earth.  It’s expensive but hardy.

The finishes are pale blue (Upward), cream (Sandhill Crane), and a nameless deeper blue with accents of champagne bronze.

I carried my cabinet, floor, and backsplash color samples to 3 different stores to try and get a good match and a reasonable deal.

I wanted a subtle, clean quartz — nothing too dark or that looked like crumbs.

The first 2 stores had similar samples but none had exactly the same.  I found something I liked in each store but the sample in first store I visited was about $1,500 less expensive.

Calacatta Safyra

Finally I went to look at the samples where I bought the cabinets. The countertop I ultimately chose, Calacatta Safyra, was even $1200 less so I put down a deposit. The price for countertops includes the company sending their own employee to measure up, make a template, provide the countertop, and install it.

A bird’s eye view of the new layout.

The kitchen cabinets and appliances need to be in place before the measuring begins.  I eager to get started.

• New light in the Kitchen
• Plans for the Kitchen
• New Kitchen Appliances

Jo

Some of the first decisions I have to make for the newly designed kitchen  are the appliances.  The exact model selection is necessary before ordering the cabinets so everything fits together.

A bird’s eye view of the new layout.

We’ve been storing the appliances while waiting for the demolition to begin.

    Item #6841589 |Model #WRSF6536RZ

I like a side-by-side due to the ice maker, water on the door, and freezer placement.

Our dishwasher will be in approximately this placement except in blue cabinetry.

Sink  Kraus Turino Farmhouse apron front 33-in x 18.25-in  Fireclay Single bowl Kitchen Sink  Item #3625572 Model #KFR1-33GWH

The new sink is deep and wide.

Faucet  Kraus Oletto Spot Free Antique Champagne Bronze Single Handle Deck-mount Pull-down Kitchen Faucet with Sprayer   Item #1245682 Model #KPF-2820SFACB

I’m sticking with a champagne bronze finish for the fixtures like others in the house.

What an improvement this will be!

Our new range hood will vent outside the wall instead of under the floor.

At the end of September I met with a kitchen designer — the same one that designed our previous kitchen at The Glade.

The kitchen at The Landing is fully open to the downstairs area.

She took measurements and we talked about design options, color, and lay out.

The finishes are pale blue (Upward), cream (Sandhill Crane), and a nameless deeper blue with accents of champagne bronze.

Here’s what we came up with:

Before — These pantries will be totally removed to increase the size of the kitchen.

After — The new pantry wall will house the refrigerator and deep floor to ceiling cabinets.

The pantries are being dismantled and replaced by a side-by-side refrigerator and pantry cupboards.

Before — The sink wall is behind the stove island.

After — The island will be totally removed in the new scheme.

The sink countertop is now much longer with an integrated trash cabinet.

Before — The cabinets on the microwave wall will come out and be replaced by new cabinets, a stove, and range hood.

After — The new stove will be gas, not electric.

The future stove wall will vent outside through the wall leaving the current island obsolete so it will disappear.

Before — The island (which will be removed) looks directly into the dining room.

After — The kitchen will still be open to the dining room, just not as much and we’ll gain cabinet storage.

Currently there is no division between the kitchen and dining room.  Once the island has been removed it will be replaced with a 4-foot tall knee wall and counter.

Before — No division between kitchen and dining room.

After — The inevitable clutter in the kitchen will be hidden by a 4-foot tall wall.

The purpose of the knee wall is to hide the goings-on in the kitchen while enjoying a nice meal or sitting in the living room.

A view from the refrigerator wall.

And that is as far as we have progressed in the kitchen design.  Although I have chosen some appliances I will need to decide on all of them before the cabinets can be ordered.

A bird’s eye view of the new layout.

The cabinets take 6-10 weeks to fabricate.  I still must select a countertop and there are lots of options.

Whew!  Whose idea was this anyway?

Jo