We took down two walls-one divided the kitchen from the sun room and the family room and one divided the sun room and family room and bisected the kitchen. (Sort of like a 'T') We wanted to open up and bring in light to this boxy, dark colonial home. And it worked! I am in love. And I couldnt have done it with out GW, that's for sure. Everything I know about kitchen renovations I learned from this sight, it has been THAT invaluable to me! Thank you everyone for your input, suggestions, opinions and help!

We still have to install the pendant lights over the sink and paint breakfast room and family room. Also, any suggestions on a window treatment for the kitchen window will be welcomed! Im thinking a roman shade...

Here are the specifics:

Cabinets: Merillat Masterpiece Martel in Maple Toffee
Granite: Verde Peacock
Appliances: Fridge: Samsung French Door Counter Depth
OTR MW: GE Cafe
Stove: GE Cafe Dual-Fuel
Dishwasher: GE Profile

Cabinet hardware: Jeffrey Alexander-Milan collection
Sink: Elkay Gourmet Elumina Undermount
Faucet: Delta Pilar Touch
Pendants peninsula: Minka Lavery Agilis
Hardwoods: stained in natural with waterbased finish
Paint: Ben Moore Coastal Path
Undercabinet lighting: Xenon

I start a similar renovation in 2 days. I also have a dark enclosed kitchen in a traditional colonial. I am also taking down 2 walls - One that separates the kitchen from the family room/sunroom. Another wall that separates the family room and sunroom will be removed so it will be one big room open to the kitchen. Sound familiar?! Instead of a peninsula, we will have a long island. I have a few questions:

- Were any of your walls load bearing/structural? If so, was it a big deal to remove them?
- How is the quality of the Jeffrey Alexander hardware? I like the Tuscan line and am hoping it is good quality because it is less expensive than my second hardware choice.

Thanks for your help. Your renovation is really spectacular and makes me so excited to start mine.

motherof3

I especially like your cabinet knobs and immediately went to look at other Jeffrey Alexander knobs and pulls. Great inspiration for me -- thank you for sharing!

Momof3:
Yes the wall that divided the sunroom and family room was a load-bearing wall. My GC took it down all by himself! He transferred the weight and supported it with a steel brace. He also added support beams to the sides of the opening in the kitchen. (confusing, I know, I wish I could draw it for you.)

I think the JA hardware is excellent quality. It feels heavy in my hand and I love the way they look!

Looking forward to seeing your before/after pics!

It is beautiful and so spacious. I bet you and your family are going to really enjoy it...Congrats!

I kind of miss Jupiter, though, LOL!

MadamG2U

I cannot believe you got that done so quickly, and I am very jealous of that! ;^) Great job and congratulations!

Now you get to enjoy it!

Sooo..Im actually thinking of having it re-done because it is starting to bug me. The problem is, we have to leave the house for a week and we have kids in school which makes it difficult. And we would have to stay in a hotel because we dont have family here...
So yes, I would be careful but I certainly recommend wood floor over ceramic having had both. The ceramic was cold and horrible on my lower back as I was standing there cooking. The wood floor is warm and much more forgiving physically. And it just makes the whole room cozier.

As far as getting the wood to match, I had no clue that this could happen and I want to kick myself for not looking into further and not asking the floor people "what if they floors dont end up matching" or "what can we do to make sure the floor stains match" (perhap they could have mixed two different stains--one for the old wood, one for the new--that would have matched in the end, I dont know.

I would definitely bring it up to your floor people if you decide to go that route...But honestly, I would do it again, I just love them!

Enjoy,
Eliz

How do you like the GE Cafe? Ours will be installed next week.

We did something similar with our floors but used a medium color stain - chestnut - and you can't tell where the new ones meet the old ones. I am living in the basement now waiting for the last coat of poly to dry!

Congrats on an awesome space.

teaforwendy LOVE my GE Cafe Dual-Fuel!!! I had electric before but will never go back! I will get the tile info for you...that tile also comes in other colors...Isnt it awesome?

motherof3: Thats EXACTLY what I did! I have a runner there (which I had planned on putting there anyway since that area of floor links the backdoor to the kitchen) and it's fine...I guess it would really bother some people, but Im over it!!

and thank you all for your comments...I never expected to receive so many!!