I was the "KD" and GC. Our 1976 kitchen was barely functioning - all drawers were broken as were the ovens and microwave.

The only major changes were relocating the fridge where the old desk was, putting the micro over the wall oven, and having the pantry opening changed and double doors installed (and Elfa shelving inside). It's amazing how much storage we gained by those relatively small changes.

The only regrets are that I didn't have the patience to have hardwoods finished on site and that the backsplash grout turned out way too light...and I should have bought the Kohler Vinnata faucet (but I do love our Moen faucet anyway)! Other than that, we're pleased.

A few details:
Came in right about $20K.
Original cabinets were refaced by local carpenter/craftsman who also repaired, reinforced and rehabbed the cabinet boxes.
Carpenter built custom island and hood, pull out shelving.
Black galaxy granite
Daltile 3x6 white subway tile (Lowe's)
Cabinets, moulding, and door paint: BM White Dove
Wall paint: BM Lancaster Whitewash
Floors: prefinished red oak.
16 recessed lights and undercabinet lights added.

Before:

Before (oven wall & previous built in desk):

Before:

After!

Island w/trash pullout (possibly my favorite feature)

New pull out drawers/shelves & fridge where old useless desk was:

What I would LOVE input on is

1. Window treatment ideas - for bay by table and over sink (kitchen faces west & we need sunlight control)

2. Where should I put my 15" flat screen TV?? On end of cabinet run nearest to table or in corner where red platter is by cooktop? We eat 90% of meals at the island anymore and barely use our kitchen table (other than for kids' homework), so TV visibility from table, while nice, isn't essential.

I think I would put TV on the end of the cabinet run by near the table. That way it's visible from both seating areas, just in case. Also think it might be too cluttered in the corner.

Enjoy. It's wonderful.

I love it.
It has an open, airy, clean, fresh, elegant and yet
inviting space that draw the eyes to the beautiful rich
feel of the cabinets. The gorgeous polished black granite
with the warmth of the wood floors makes this space
incredible. Truly incredible.

I love everything about this space. I am so close
to being where you are. I can not wait until my
ubiquitous white kitchen is done too.

I love that you were the KD and GC. However if you had
not told me I would never know as this space looks like
a magazine. I can not stop scrolling up to look at
your beautiful kitchen.

Enjoy it,
boxer

1. I think you're right that the corner where the platter is is a good place for the TV. It's out of the way and visible.

2. I'd do a simple shade with a hint, but not a pop, of color. But then I really hate curtains in a kitchen so if you do that I may think they're pretty, but I'm not going to suggest it. What would look really nice, in my opinion, is seagrass or some other natural material with a little natural color. I think the contrast between the slightly rustic seagrass and the polished cabinetry and counters would be fab, and go with your rug and seats.

Would you mind telling what the floors were? Where you got them, etc? We have other rooms to do soon....!

Thanks for sharing, the results are not only beautiful, but for me the timing couldn't have been better!

I love it!

TV....can you have it on some sort of contraption that folds it up so it is hidden against the bottom of the cabinets when not watching?

You did a great job!

It's fantastic, so fresh, new, and classy!
Congrats!

I have a east facing kitchen window and also needed something to block the sun in the summer. I use faux wood blinds and I put a valance over them. If you use bamboo or seagrass make sure it really blocks the sun. You could also put a tint on the window.

What's really nice is how you can now see the window in the dining area since the fridge isn't in the way any more. Much better view and more light. Good planning!

I love your posters. I have the same Indiana Dunes poster in our Indiana Dunes cottage! And we live in the northern suburbs of Chicago. Are we neighbors?

Congratulations on a fabulous kitchen.

So please do tell us more about your lighting: what did you use for undercabs, and size, etc of your recessed cans?

brickton - I used 6" can lights from HD. Almost bought smaller but thankfully I didn't. I even had two extra added after the fact over the table.

malgold - that's a good suggestion. I was concerned about keeping it clear over in the workspace. I'll probably need some sort of box for the TV also.

sabjimata - yep, you got it! They're the RH chrome - not hard to keep clean, surprisingly. I thought the chrome was just a bit less expected than the brushed SS hardware.

earth pal - great suggestion about the tv but I've got deep cabinets over the fridge filled with platter, large stuff that I have nowhere else to store...but I might mull that one over. I hadn't thought of that spot.

boxerpups- you're too kind, thanks! you were one of the first to help me here when I was agonizing about black granite too!

pillog - I tend to agree. I'd love some funky patterned cafe curtains on the sink window but fabric around the sink, ehhhh. I have bamboo blinds elsewhere in the house and was thinking about using bamboo again or matchstick blinds in the kitchen too (when I can afford them!).

kaidan - I will look up the floors for you - the receipt should be in one of my files. They're prefinished and I think they're white oak in a pecan stain, not red as I stated above. My caveat to you would be that they seem much softer than the other hardwood floors I have on the first floor which were sanded/finished on site - shinier too. My dog has done a job on the kitchen floors but I try not to let it bother me too much - the color is not scraping off, it's just indentions from her nails. I'll post again who manufactures the floors. :)

susie3d - I remember! Thanks girl!

happiladi - thanks! my chairs are from a European Antique Pine warehouse in Alpharetta, GA. http://www.europeanantiquepine.com/
My table is from Storehouse. Storehouse might have been just a local Atlanta store, and it went out of business about 3 years ago. I can't figure out who manufactured it, sorry!

biochem101 - Bingo! It was so irritating it was to be working in the kitchen and NOT be able to see my small children at the table b/c the line of sight was blocked by a ginormous fridge! I'm SO glad we moved it, it really makes a difference. One person actually thought I removed a wall when she saw the kitchen after it was done - no, it was just the big white fridge was gone.

westsider - we're not neighbors (I'm in GA) but we'd love to live in Chicago someday (DHwas born in Arlington Heights). I just love the vintage railroad line posters. They are also a great pop of color! I have two more Illinois Central line/Chicago posters on the wall across from the bay window. That's the quirky part of the kitchen, I guess!

rjr - the recessed lights are 6" cans - not sure of the brand -but they're from HD. And the undercounter lights are "Utilitech" puck halogen-xenon and they do get pretty hot. I was really unprepared for the electrician and grabbed the puck lights in a panic - he hardwired them in, but they weren't originally designed for that. I just couldn't find anything else, wasn't sure, and HD wasn't being helpful at all! They do the job though but next time I might go with strip lights.

ajard - thanks! my pulls are Restoration Hardware chrome -
http://www.restorationhardware.com/rh/catalog/product/product.jsp?prod uctId=prod1080017&navAction=jump

and the trash pullout handle is the 8" RH Aubrey in chrome.

ejbrymom - thank you! The floor planks are 3.5" wide to match the other floors in the house...although the rest of the 1st floor was finished on-site.

Thanks again for all the compliments. :) It's nice to have this project behind us!

Also I just noticed your floor and wanted to say how much I like that as well. We're planning on doing white oak in our new build and we're thinking darker, but that's actually a really nice lighter shade that I haven't seen too often. It doesn't read blonde or gold, which I like. We're trying to find something that is brown. Not red, gold, orange, pink, yellow, mauve, etc. and this is a nice calm option.

Kodak1 - Thank you! The island is 35 and 5/8" by 50" (measuring the top, not the base) - and the overhang where the stools are is 10". The island base is 24" by 48".

The aisles are a different matter, yes they are a bit narrow. I almost had the granite cut without an overhang b/c of the location of the refrigerator but so glad I didn't. On the fridge side the aisle width is 37" and sink side, the aisle is 31". We ended up having definitely enough space for people to sit and not be in the fridge, so to speak. It's tighter than the ideal on the sink side, but I was determined to get the island big enough to be useable!

Measuring across the room, from sink base cabinet to base cabinet across the room, it's 9'6". And wall to wall add 2 ft on either side, so my kitchen is about 13' wide as well. Sounds like you'd have plenty of room for a modestly sized island.

And the dining area of the kitchen is about 11'8" by 12' - hope that helps!

Thanks

purplbee - Thank you for the compliment! Pretty much all I know is that the electrician purchased the 6 light "contractor's" pack (which had the baffle & trim included I think). The Home Depot receipt I have on file wasn't helpful to figure it out either....sorry!

Thanks,
Sherry

It looks like you went from a double sink to a single, and I'm thinking of doing the same. Do you miss the second drain?

Many thanks, Yvonne

Thanks for letting me know you used 6" cans since I think that is what I want to do in my kitchen since I want a lot of light. What type of light bulb and what wattage are in each recessed light can? The lighting is great in your kitchen so I thank you for sharing to give me ideas.

I have the same Wheat-back chairs but mine are stained lighter and I love my kitchen set like I love yours. My table is a little different since I needed a table that the sides folded down and one that had a center piece that could be placed in or out depending on if I had company since my kitchen is not too big.

I wish I could remove the soffit in my kitchen but I am not sure what is under it. I also love the stools you used for the island.

As for the questions, glad to help:

Sherry - I actually used cheapo Home Depot chrome knobs to save money (there were so many of them) but used the RH Gilmore pulls on the few drawers I had.

Yvonne - the new doors were painted/lacquered prior to installation while the existing cabinet boxes were primed/painted/lacquered in place. Yes, we did switch to a large single bowl sink - I had done that in a previous kitchen renovation and knew for sure I wanted that. We love it - DH is so happy with the single sink and he doesn't even care about kitchen stuff! The sink is nice and deep - hides anything, and it's so easy to use w/out the divider. I highly recommend.

Lynn2006 - my kids loved the black galaxy (looks like stars, mom!) thus we couldn't resist it. We are happy with the choice. The edge is a standard eased edge, nothing fancy, with 1/4" radius corners. BTW, the clock is from Restoration Hardware. It was one of the few new accessory purchases I made for the new kitchen. I love my wheatback chairs but need a larger table, preferably a nice distressed farmhouse style - just can't afford it right now. :) The counter stools are from Target, $39 each!

thanks again.

(TIA)-

yandj - I definitely recommend the hidden hinges. Before, my kitchen was all hinges - too much distracting hardware. It just makes for a cleaner look in my opinion. The sink was from the granite fabricator; it's 9" deep and 29" x 16" - I have no idea of the brand.

poppy - yes I would recommend the carpenter team that we used - while the process wasn't w/out a few hitches, they did good work and I felt it was a nice bunch of guys. Of course it took longer than forecast but not a surprise. His price was very reasonable as well. I'm in the ATL area; let me know if you want his name.

Thanks again for the compliments!

The chrome pulls and knobs look amazing. I wonder if I can go chrome with a SS faucet?

are you pleased with it thus far?

Thanks again!

Can you tell me the brand of prefinished red oak? I really love it.

You have a beautiful kitchen. It is very welcoming and family friendly. How do you like the Black Galaxy? Is it difficult to keep clean without streaks?

I love it! Great job!

You did a wonderful job. I hope your family is enjoying your new space!

Using an arm will allow you to pivot the telly toward the DR table, the island or the sink. And then you can fold it flat against the wall for a more streamline look when not in use.

With this arrangement, you might have to move the radio/speakers.

As mentioned by another commenter/s, I would love to see a general breakdown of cost.

Lovely kitchen. Enjoy it in good health!

I have to admit...I am not favorable to black in the kitchen...but, you did it right by using the white cupboards...floor selection nice too..very neutral, not too yellow..dark, GREAT choice!!! Also, when I scrolled over to the "art work" on the wall..goes to show you how the art work you choose can "tie it all in"..good choice, nice.