It's The End Of The World As We Know It

J k...lol! Why can't I get that dad-gum song out of my head?  Anyhow, it's the end of this kitchen as we know it.  Here it is, in all it's pre-apocalyptic glory. I'm embarrassed to say, I even tidied up a bit before shooting these photos.  Just a bit, mind you. No sense in going overboard when the whole thing will be under construction shortly.  Since my guys are here for a few more days, you see our dueling laptops on the breakfast bar.  I have a plan for that but...more later.

 Here we go for the tour...the gruesome truth...my kitchen is cluttered.  And I don't care.  Well, I do care.  A little.  I think I've given up.  The debris of 16 years is hidden behind those cupboard doors and some of it has overflowed onto the countertops.  So, my goal with this redeaux is not only to update but also to squeeze every last bit of storage out of this little space. And purge.  Stuff. In my defense, things are out of order.  I've got stone and granite samples lying about and appliances and bananas misplaced. So, just ignore the chaos and hang with me.

The first thing to go will be the fridge.  If this earth is still intact from 5 to 7 this evening (and I feel quite certain that it will be ;)  our new fridge, will be delivered and installed.  The other new appliances will be delivered, as well, but will have to wait for cabinet installation and other boring stuff like that.  They'll be in the garage, in boxes....bleh.  So, I need to get off my keester and get going on this redeaux thing.  My plan for said fridge is to have the cabinet builder make a large cabinet unit next to, and over the top of, the fridge...sort of like a piece of furniture.  It should almost make the fridge look built in.  Also, that area to the left of the fridge, where you see the tile backsplash, will be a recessed appliance garage going back into the wall space (there's an under the staircase closet back there.)  All I have to do is open the garage doors and slide my small appliances in and out to use them....no loss of counter space, at all.  Slick, right?

I promise you, this area doesn't always look like this.  Well, okay...I'm lying a teensy, weensy bit.  But, it's a little worse because Wife Whisperer has decided to use that pass through bar as his catch all area.  

We're hoping to lower the pass through to counter level, remove the vertical support (unless it's load-bearing) and make this a large island/breakfast bar area.  We'll see how that shakes out.  If it does happen that way, I'm going to have to greatly improve my housekeeping skills.

Ok...now for my catch all area.  One of these belongs to Number One so it will soon be gone, but one of them is mine and has grown roots right here, in the kitchen.  Maybe that's how coffee got spilled on my old laptop.  So, my plan is to have cabinet guy put in a small desk over here...

...in place of that baker's rack.  Our cabinets have seen better days.  The guys have just beat the tar out of them and, let's face it...builders don't put in the best quality. So, I'm wading through a plethora of cabinet styles, colors, woods...and countertop choices.  Yikes.  It's almost as bad as choosing toothpaste.

Our adjacent breakfast nook has been taken over by some messy jewelry maker.  Hmmm...  My thought is to have cabinet guy build some nifty banquette seating under each window.  Not sure if I can convince Wife Whisperer on this one.  For him, this idea is a little squishy...no place to lean back...whaaa?? cushions? pillows??....you know, not a guy thing.  Also, I do like my table and chairs.  My guys have been unable to destroy the cast iron and oak.  Not for lack of trying.

So, there you have it.  Since the end isn't coming and my new fridge is, I should probably get going and clear a path for it.  Love to hear your tips and suggestions!

xxoo

Comments

[Christina]

Ok now I see full circle, you and your mom. :O)
God Bless Wilma, Love my mother in law... but totally see where you get it from... I can’t wait to see the transformation, having a new kitchen is so nice, I am so happy when we added on and we made the kitchen so much bigger.
Sending you patience... You’re gonna need them while going through new construction.
As i am sure you know...
Hugs,
Christina

[ronnie grundset]

hi, just did my kitchen two years ago. what fun! be sure to put upper cabinets above desk area. can't ever have too much storage. also i went to drawers for lower cabs and love them. i also went to a microwave drawer from sharp and this has saves lots of space. good luck can't wait to see how it turns out. maybe i'll get to see in person.might have to make a trip to dallas and swing down.

[Lisa]

You crack me up... You write the best stories... heehee even when telling the truth... I cant wait to see how it all turns out... I am sure it will be awesome! I love the idea of the window seats...and got a kick out of you discussing they have not destroyed table yet!
Take care,

[Glenda/MidSouth]

Sounds like it will really be pretty. I would love to get some major work done on mine, but not gonna happen.
Hope you are enjoying your weekend.

[Laura]

I would really like to thank you for showing the daily clutter and normal trappings of a busy kitchen/ family hub! The catch all and samples and jewelry making and all! I can't wait to see the reveal of the redeaux, it's going to be beautiful and that stove looks very cool indeed! Good luck Deryn

[Lori Bowring Michaud]

Well, Deryn, after doing a major remodel six years ago there are things I wish I had done differently. We chose natural cherry with recessed door panels and flat front drawers, love them except for the dust that accumulates on the doors. We also chose, at the suggestion of our contractor, Ubatuba granite. It's dark, black background with goldish, bluish, greyish flecks. It's beautiful but I wouldn't put it in again because when I wipe the countertops down about half an hour later there's a visible layer of dust on the counters. I don't think you'd see that with a lighter color.

Also, I bake a lot. I wish I had put a baking center in. It would be oh so much easier to have my stand mixer on a shelf in the breakfast bar that pulled out and up. I also wish I had a small sink on the breakfast bar as it's a bit away from the sink.

Of course, I would have also installed a 6 burner gas stove, a double wall over, a giant sub-zero fridge (I have a big family), and I would have knocked down the wall between the dining room and my studio to have a large dining room. Hazel, my nickname for my husband, said we didn't need to do those things (I did get all new appliances, just not the ones I wanted). He now realizes the error of his choices. The wall is coming down, though it will be more expensive and messy to do it this summer.

Good luck to you!

[Theresa]

How exciting Deryn! Can't wait to see the progress. Just a couple of things I liked when I redid my kitchen: Buy Great hardware for your cabinets...or solder some in your case;) Drawers in place of cabinet door for lower storage works better. Check out some of the very cool storage configs for inside the cabinets...I love the one I have above my double stove that has slots...it's where I can store all my cookie sheets, cutting boards and some casserole dishes.

[Renate]

Well, it's tomorrow and we're still here... so I hope to see your new kitchen in all its glory soon. And I enjoyed seeing your present kitchen in all its glory - I mean, where is all this stuff you are talking about - looks like it is lived in, to me. That's what it is there for, isn't it?

[sandi m]

Deryn,
Enjoying your transformation. Wish mine looked as good!
My best tip is the GE slide out vent hood above the stove. My cousin has one and it just 'melts' into the cabinet above the stove. Also, her microwave is on the counter but inside a cabinet. Everything matches. She had a great designer who did awesome things with space.
But the vent hood is really a must see on the GE website.
I think I agree with your husband, love the wood and iron of your table and chairs - maybe refinish the wood in a new color?
Can't wait to see how everything turns out.
Have fun!!

[Jean Peter]

Love the appliance garage Idea!! Only thing about that at my house would be more horizontal space for hubby to fill! we took the top 12 " off our cabinets to set stuff on, and clear counter space... hummm all been absorbed!!