Ooh--love what you've done. We have a daylight basement that we also use as a guest suite. It isn't as nice as yours, and we included Ikea's open metal shelves instead of upper cabinets. I think ours is very nice, but yours is positively elegant.

I know our guests enjoy having a little more personal space and the ability to have snacks or even some of their meals on their own, if that works better. One family who visited from South Africa even took photos of their ''apartment'' at our home to show friends when they returned home. (They emailed us the photos they had taken after they returned to South Africa---they even photographed the well stocked fridge to show others.)

How nice of you to make sure your family has accommodations that will serve their unique needs. The fact that you made it so functional and beautiful is an added bonus.

Thanks, sail-away! I'd like to see your guest suite (complete with stocked fridge).

I should add that my dad has his eyes on our basement when he gets tired of taking care of his house. So far he shows no signs of getting tired - he's 78 and I wish I had his energy! I think he would at least wait until two of our four children have left home.

After agonizing over our "real" kitchen for a year it was fun to do a kitchen where I made all the decisions in a week!

I read your description as though it were a novel or short story -- how would you ever pull it off? But of course, having seen the results of your hard work on your upstairs kitchen, I should have known you'd make it! It's a beautiful functional space -- I'd love to visit a place so thoughtfully planned for all my varied needs. The lighted cabinets and lovely backsplash are elegant, and unexpected in a small utilitarian space. Just great!

Was your brother sufficiently grateful? :-)

Wow! It looks as nice as many full-size, main floor kitchens! Really pretty!

mpagmom, what a nice kitchen! very lucky guests!
question, did you get your reeded glass from ikea also?

Looks nice - but be aware that having a stovetop against a wall (or any combustible surface) is a building code violation. It should be at least 4" away, so that hot large pans can't rub against the wallpaper or drywall covering and start a fire. At least fasten a sheet of stainless steel or something onto the lower side of the right wall.

That is beautiful! I can't believe how fast you did it!! Very impressive.

Michoumonster, the Adel glass doors come with that glass. I really like it.

Thanks legallin, cat_mom, and justmakeit!

To answer your question, justmakeit, my brother isn't one to express his gratefulness much. I know it means a lot to him to be able to come home, so I'm happy to be able to accommodate him. He also has restrictions about dogs, and I have the only dog-free home (and I always will due to allergies).

lee676, I knew someone would tell me it's a building code violation! It does meet code in my state (as explained above). The range is a couple inches from the wall and the closest burner is about 5" from the wall. Thanks for your concern, though.

Looks very beautiful.

You can maybe install a triangular (or rectangle reaching the top of the wall cabinet) shaped backsplash on the wall beside the range.

Looks really nice! What is the greenish paint color on the walls? I really like it!

I'll have to add the wall color to the original post. It's Sherwin Williams Comfort Gray.

sorry, missed the bit about your state code & manuf. recommendations

Very nice ! I copied much of your primary kitchen layout for our main kitchen (especially love the 8ft window) and now this is exactly perfect for the MIL apt!

Your remodels have certainly been to my benefit :).

Lee676, I wouldn't expect you to read all that. I am grateful that you pointed out a potential hazard.

Miruca, I'm always here for you! Let me know if you need a mudroom design.

Lol - I do need a mudroom design!

Wonderful space! We are doing the same next year in our walkout lower level.

Looks great!

We're putting the same cabinets in our kitchen, and I'm wondering how you find it opening the drawers with the knobs instead of handles/pulls? I'm having a hard time finding hardware I like on the lower drawers w/ the wide stiles, but I like the look of your knobs! That never occurred to me.

bump

Wolverine2, I did that for the look and not function. I don't have a lot in those drawers right now, but I can easily open them using only one knob. My heavy dish drawer in my real kitchen has only one knob (centered), and it's easy enough to open, but a pull would be easier. Hope that helps.

Miruca, someday I'll just have to post it for you - if it's ever neat enough to photograph, that is. It's more of a wide hallway with stuff on each side, but I like the way it hides the bumpout from the refrigerator on the opposite side of the wall.

Motherof3sons, make sure you post yours when it's done. We can never see too many kitchens!

Wow. You are so out of the procrastination club. And, officially IKEAFIED!

You did this in a week?!? I wish we had an IKEA!!

It looks great! There is a ton of function packed into that wall and it manages to look fantastic to boot. I hope your visit with your brother is going well and he is appreciating the ammenities available at your new home. :)

Did you opt to go with a fullsize fridge so you can use it as back-up for yourself as well as for the guests when they come?

I hope you are not retiring from GW when I finally get to post a reveal... or even a demo... lol

It looks great, and what a joy to be done so quickly!

If you get concerned about someone using the right burners, you could some additional tile and wrap the splash around that corner, even if just a 6" or so band.

Oh wow, that looks great. Beautiful backspash too. I totally cannot get over the fact that you did that kitchen in one WEEK!! Holy moly.

I agree with the above posters that if you do want to turn it into a cook's kitchen down the road then you can easily carry the backsplash around beside the range to hood height. I've seen many kitchens like that and they look and function great, and in your case it would look especially nice as it would just finish the alcove look with the fridge against the left of the alcove.

Lovely kitchenette! Congrats!

Thanks everyone! Just to clarify, the whole thing took more like a month - I was just ready for the granite measurement in a week. Then I had to wait a couple weeks for the granite, get the plumber and electrician in there to finish up, and get the range hood installed.

Steph2000, nothing like a deadline to keep you from procrastinating! The refrigerator is 18 cu ft. It was inexpensive (less than $1000) and doesn't stick out like the full-size (26 cu ft) refrigerators. I use the freezer for overflow, but the freezer space isn't that spacious. I could see using the refrigerator for drinks or platters of food during a party or something like that.

And I don't think I'll ever retire. I love to see finished kitchens and I at least have to wait around for yours!