Kitchen Island design conundrum
rebecca meyers
13 days ago
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kaseki
13 days agokandrewspa
13 days agoRelated Discussions
Island style conundrum
Comments (12)I really appreciate all the feedback. Yes, it's true that my natural preference is a single slab island. But the issue isn't my architect-- he has an opinion (and usually incredible taste and guidance) but he won't try to force me to do something I don't want. I really posted the ad because even though I think I could come up with the rational pros/cons list, I don't really know-- I have never had a two-tier. So does anyone have one and feel kind of closed in, cut off from the rest of the party? Is the bar height really a drag with kids? (MIne are 4 and 6 so not tiny). We have a lot of other table top space so I don't really need it for wrapping gifts or projects (though I'm kind of psyched about imagining drying pounds of fresh pasta on the counter...) Would it be really awesome to have the wood area for serving and lower stress given the marble counters? The island with part stone/part wood on the same level isn't really my style, though I could imagine a large walnut cutting board, as remodelfla suggested). THANKS...See MoreNew Home - "Design Center" selections conundrum
Comments (9)You will be stuck with this unless, you feel comfortable replacing the finishes after the fact. I have worked with quite a few clients who have ended up under these same circumstances, and we have successfully replaced the contractor's most basic finishes with the same or better products than they had originally wanted at half the price. The high markup that they charge is based on the fact that they know you have little or no choice but to go ahead and upgrade or be faced with tearing it out after you move in. The latter is the option they are banking you wish to avoid. Additionally, most people roll the upgrades into their mortgage, a benefit that costs even more in the long run, but many won't afford to pay cash for those when you complete. The terms of your contract are important, as well. Some contractors will allow you to pull out a percentage or all of your allowance and purchase product on your own to provide. They will likely still charge profit and overhead, but this might help you get away with some upgrades. In spec home communities, this is likely not the case, but it would never hurt to ask or carefully review your contract to see if you can negotiate it....See MoreKitchen seating conundrum
Comments (18)i think you should eliminate the peninsula seating. I also have young kids in a small house and I appreciate that it has only one place for eating, our dining room. Kids can sit unassisted in a regular chair at a table sooner than they can safely sit on a chair or stool high enough for a countertop. I also wouldn't want children making messes with food in multiple places. Our dining room contains only a table and chairs, so it is relatively easy to clean before entertaining. I do agree that visual separation between the kitchen and dining room is nice. Perhaps you could have a pony wall, a wide cased opening, or double pocket doors? I recently added a pony wall back during a kitchen remodel after demolishing all the walls, and although I felt foolish at the time for redoing what I had just undone, we were still in the framing stage and it didn't cost much for a design I prefer....See MoreKitchen Design - thoughts on our current design? range in island?
Comments (25)I'm probably echoing what others have said, but here are my thoughts: - You have too much cabinetry and not enough walking space in this kitchen. The island is at maximum-maximum size. You want that breathing space. - No to an island on the far end-end of the island. You need work space on both sides of the cooktop. - The wall with the refrigerator seems "heavy" on the side with the fridge and "light" on the side with the shelves. - Do you really need a table and stools only feet apart from one another? Don't put the cooktop on the island. It is a hazard for pot handles that are turned into the walkways. To be argumentative, why are pot handles more dangerous on an island than on a wall-based cabinet? The handles could be positioned carelessly from either location. I don't think your kitchen is big enough for an island. No one like to hear this, but -- yeah. Consider a G-shaped kitchen with a peninsula instead. Your kitchen design breaks so many of these rules (especially the rules on landing zones and work aisles) Agreed, and those rules aren't opinions or open to "but this is how I cook" arguments. We can argue about the value of pot fillers or pantries, but numbers don't lie. 'High End Kitchen Designers', what does that mean? Design has to follow FUNCTION in a kitchen. Yeah, "high end" means the designer's putting in custom cabinets, marble countertops, fancy appliances ... function means the layout works, and good function costs no more than bad....See Morerebecca meyers
13 days agorebecca meyers
10 days agorebecca meyers
10 days agorebecca meyers
10 days agolast modified: 10 days ago
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