Background:
I began the planning phase of the remodel about two years ago. This is a DIY kitchen and I did not want to make too many modifications to the existing layout. Overall it was very usable, it just needed some updates. I think you will agree when you see the before pictures below.

The biggest changes were moving the double oven from one side of the kitchen to the other, installing a vent hood and extending the length of the island. Of course new cabinets and granite countertops were a requirement.

We did purchase our appliances 1 year before we started the remodel. We had a budget and replacing the leaking DW and electric coil cooktop were a must. My induction cooktop is irreplaceable. I figured I might as well keep going so we swapped the side by side fridge for a french door version.

We ordered our cabinets in January. What a pain to deal with small independent stores that did not want to give us a quote once they learned we would be installing them ourselves. Oh well, their loss not mine. We ended up ordering from Home Depot and had a great time working with their kitchen designer. We learned a lot from her and she gave us some new ideas about all the little extras I had not thought about. We have used every inch...no wasted space.

I will say that the cabinet install, plumbing changes, moving electrical lines, installing speakers in the ceiling and addition of a vent pipe to the outside went easier than I could have expected. It was fun to come home every night with a goal of something that needed to be completed or to spend an entire weekend working on a larger change. The sense of accomplishment was great. I miss that time already. Oh well, enough of the background. Below are the details.

Cabinets: Kraftmaid Holace Cherry Square with Kaffe finish and all plywood upgrade.

Enough of the details...here are some pics.
Some before shots. This seems so long ago.

Double oven will be moving to where the desk is located.

Another view

How is this for a change?

Microwave built into the island. I do not use it very much so it is the perfect spot.

Love the spice pull outs.

Mosaic behind the cooktop we made ourselves.

The farmhouse sink.

Much more usable than the desk.

Under cabinet lighting is a must. It makes the darkest areas shine.

Just a cool shot

And the beautiful Juparana Arandis

And can't forget my boys who supervised the entire project.

I like your granite a lot, and I usually don't like granite because it's too busy for me. Yours strikes a nice balance between subdued and visually interesting with a nice color to boot.

Love the backsplash tile too. What is it? That's the look I was planning to go with but changed it up at the last minute.

Good lighting really makes a dark kitchen work.

Great Job!!!

Congratulations on a well done kitchen!

Nancy

How rewarding, as you say, to know that you did that with your own hands!

Congrats!

It's gorgeous and very inspiring!!!

@jaynees, yes, the pantry is the white door next to the fridge. It is tiny but I can live with it.

Was that a D56 collection in the background? :-)

Thanks for sharing.

Congrats on a job well done. Now you have to throw lots of dinner parties!

I bet the boys are happy to have the reno finished, too. They're too cute!

Also, I 've been looking at Bosch 36" induction cooktops and wondered what sent you to the 800 (from the 500 for example) And I did not even know they made vent hoods-- I keep reading I need one with an extra 3" on each side, but I see yours is the same width as your cooktop-- any issues around that?

Your supervisor boys are so cute!!

your boys are glad the job is done too. They want their pay and a day off now!

I'm sure the "bosses" kept you on your toes..lol...great pic!!!

Love all the pictures... got entranced though by your last picture!!! those sweet innocent eyes! too cute.

@lori_inthenw - When I purchased the appliances I installed them as soon as they were delivered. I really wanted/needed to start using them. We uninstalled and stored them during the renovation time only.
For the cooktop I liked the stainless edge and the way the buttons are built into it. I really liked the look. No issues with a 36" cooktop and 36" vent hood. I love being able to get rid of the cooking odors.
@misslivvy - The granite has a half bull nose edge. I wanted a flat bottom so when I need to wipe crumbs off I can wipe them directly into my hands and not have them get caught underneath. The granite is 1 1/4" (3 cm) thick.

@marti8a - Yes, we kept the same spot lights. Their placement worked well with the longer island. The under cabinet lights are halogen pucks sold at Home Depot in packages of 3, 6 or 12. They are hard-wired into a dimmer switch.

What a difference!

My cabinetmaker is going to see those spice pullouts, he says no thinner than 12 inches, and I beg to differ! Love the size of yours, are they 6"? My cab guy says 12, and I think 12 would be too wide and things would get lost, fall over, etc. How is the size working out for you?

I swear if you miss two days on here, you'll miss some beautiful kitchens, these threads go down pages way too fast.
Congratulations on a job well done!

Absolutely gorgeous!

Very nice!

Are you happy with your KitchenAid oven? One of their convection / microwave wall oven combos is on my short list, both because it looks nice and because I can get a deal on it. But I've heard a few mixed reviews of the performance, especially for broiling. Have you tried that yet?

Thanks!

Laura

@williamsem - I am very pleased with the quality of the Kraftmaid cabinets. I did purchase them through HD and installed them myself.

@lwerner - Funny that you asked about broiling. I broiled my chicken fajitas last night for dinner. I actually use the convect broil quite a bit and have had no issues. The only change I would want would be that the broiler be a bit wider. When I broil 4 ramekins of eggs they cook faster, on the center than on the sides.