Thank you your help. I am posting this with the hope that it helps others who are going through the process.
We remodeled to open the kitchen to living areas and increase the amount of daylight and air circulation. The amount of storage is the same as I had before, but it�s much more convenient and accessible. I went for a kitchen that would be open and in the middle of everything when I was in it, but that would not scream out for attention when I was in another section of the living space.
The remodel was an absolute nightmare. I still have a couple of things to fix and I have to decide if I want to paint the bits of wall. Below are specific features with their pros, cons, and notes.
Arclinea lacquered cabinets PRO: Easily wipe clean with microfiber cloth and water; solid construction CON: Expensive
Liebherr refrigerator � vented through the back wall into the study Counter depth; PRO: VERY well thought out design of shelves and drawers; very good use of space; alarm if door isn�t well closed CON:Panel for door has to be routed to less than 25 lbs. and installation of panel can be tricky The panel had to be routed twice for door to close well � alarm kept going off. Door panel still a little lopsided. A great part of the problem (if not all) was due to my inept installers. Door might not be at all finicky with a competent installer. Yes, I would buy it again.
Sharp Microwave � placed under the counter PRO Clean kitchen look from DR and LR CON: Not as convenient as waist level placement I knew this placement would be a compromise but it works great for me because all I do is heat milk for latte, steam vegetables, and re-heat leftovers.
Bosch dishwasher QUIET; cleans well; clever holder and drop down shelf for small items. CON: Most of the bottom rack seems to be designed for thin, flat plates, leaving little space between plates if you have thick, curved plates/bowls and place them close together. NOTE: I�m still rather clueless on the appropriate placement of a small utensil holder that came with it and on the "correct" placement of flatware. Are you supposed to lower the lid on the flatware holder? Even with my placement, items come out clean. Yes, would buy it again.
Sink � LINEA AQUA PRO: Low cost; largest size for space CON: It already has minor scratches. I knew it was a compromise and I�m OK with it.
Cookteck induction wok 2500 WATTS PRO; You can cook almost anything in a wok CON: Amount of space it requires underneath. I gave up a drawer that I would not have had to give up had I gone with a Fagor 30 inch. NOTE: I love it, love it, love it. It�s the smartest thing I did. Very happy with this unit but if I were to do it again, I would not be afraid of buying the strongest one.
Fagor induction burners PRO: Good price. Without a doubt, induction is the way to go. CON: shut down once, maybe because I was using two large pots. The pot on the front burner can�t be much bigger than the circle. Or maybe because some water spilled. Dried up the water, cooled the control panel with ice and it came right back. Given the same budget and space, I would buy it again.
Fagor 24" side open door oven; placed on the side to minimize its visibility. 24"; VERY roomy for being only 24"; PRO: Low cost; tremendously well thought out racks, rack pull-outs; 5 rack levels. No visible coils on bottom. Rack rails supposedly easy to remove for cleaning. Wipes clean really easily. CON: Worst manual I have ever seen in my life! It has multiple settings and no indication as to which setting to use for various foods. Temperature marks on dial are in 50 degree increments. Not self cleaning. NOTE: I fit a 12 pound turkey and a pie�and could have fit another pie next to it. I "think" it is faster than a traditional oven. I�m not a big oven user, so I�m not a good judge of ovens. Nonetheless, given the same budget, I would buy it again.
Placement is GREAT for me.
Three burners only-- Good compromise for me because I wanted the wok. I also have an electric skillet that I used once in the past three months, and I might buy a rice cooker.
Futuro Futuro Luxor 48" hood Sleek look; Works well "enough." Wonderful, powerful light that doesn�t hurt eyes and does not heat the kitchen. Easy to clean glass and "paint" finish. CON: If the steam is strong (stir fry), it doesn�t capture slim plumes that rise immediately in front of the cook; Installation was a nightmare. The manual does not explain the installation for a dropped ceiling. You have to call in. NOTE: No island hood could overcome breeze from open 14th story balcony door, but the test will be in summer when the windows stay shut; Much, if not all, of the installation nightmare was due to my installers. I should have installed it closer to the edge of the counter, but I was afraid I would hit my head. I use the light ALL the time. Second light I turn on � after the backsplash. Prefer it over the ceiling lights. I chose the larger model for island-to-fixture proportion and I am glad I did.
Kitchen layout �island with cook top PRO: Fits well in existing floor pattern. An island works SO well with multiple cooks, for serving, for having company while you cook. WOW! CON: Cross-breeze blows stem away when the cook top is not against the wall. Layout was the best compromise given all the things that I wanted and I am VERY happy with it.
Kitchen layout- choice of drawers, pull outs and cabinets � trash and recycle at right island corner. Shallow pantries make everything accessible; Doors hide charging station; bread cutting board and bread; electric espresso machine (Electric espresso machine has to be placed sideways.) CON: Very limited space between island and pantry is a design compromise I�m willing to live with. NOTE: The "appliance garage" (toaster and small drip coffee maker) was what I came up with from a door that had been damaged and was replaced by the company. It�s my compromise from a long list of things I wanted (light, hide appliances, landing space next to the refrigerator, uncluttered look). Tambour seemed too traditional looking. It�s not the most attractive; but it �s OK.
Cabinet handles and pressure latches -- Ikea PRO: inexpensive CON: Pressure latches don�t open far; May try to replace one with a more expensive version NOTE: The drawers were not supposed to have dampers so that I could install pressure latches. They came with dampers; a good thing because I don�t know how I would have installed the pressure latches on drawers because there is very little space behind the drawer.
Lit backsplash � remote control (in the drawer) LED lights and acrylic panels made to order. Love the light. No heat, SO easy on the eyes; sleek look Took me forever to come up with what I wanted, how to do it, acrylic cut to size; integrate with appliance garage� Ended up installing it myself. Made a mess of the silicone. One seam still looks hideous. But it�s my favorite light. First one that comes on, last one that goes out.
Light switches and electric plug behind short wall; electric plugs inside the island cabinets, electric plug inside each pantry PRO: Clean look CON: Not as convenient. Have to leave door ajar if something is plugged in. I�m Ok with the compromise. I use few small appliances � mostly a small breadmaker (haven't used the hand held blender in months, and the food processor once in 3 months)
Recessed halogen ceiling lights . It's the look I wanted inspired by Kreon lights that would have cost $11,000 CON: Difficult to find fixtures that small almost never use them because they are hot and because the LED backsplash and hood are so much better.
Quartz countertop--fabulous!
http://s579.photobucket.com/albums/ss231/emily_mb/
Here is a link that might be useful: open white contemporary kitchen
palimpsest
palimpsest
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