THINGS WE LOVE:
--Our cabinets were so reasonable and they work beautifully. We LOVE Precision Cabinets! Their install was immaculate and perfect. When we had a glitch with the warming drawer, they fixed it perfectly! While I couldn't afford every "bell & whistle" inside the cabinets, I love them.
--White Princess honed. It's gorgeous and I no longer have the OCD urge to constantly wipe my counters (our old granite was polished). I also love my backsplash done in the same material--I am attracted to visual simplicity so couldn't pick a tile :)
--Cheap dishwasher. Paid $500 and we love it.
--Deep cheap sinks. Our main Ebay sink is awesome($500)! Love the 10" big single bowl. The island sink was cheap too, and is the perfect size, $150.
--White everywhere and one big room. Not for everyone, but my DH and I love the big open light-filled room. Far cry from the dark rancher that it was. We tore down two walls and raised the ceiling.
--The soapstone buffet. It was a remnant piece and I love that it doesn't match the rest of the kitchen. Sets it apart and boy does the texture feel nice!
--The papertowel niche. Not important, but I like that the towels are off my counter and totally accessible.
--The two hidden cabinets in the island near the stools. All my Xmas dishes, Thanksgiving platters and everything fit in here!

THINGS WE WOULDN'T DO AGAIN:
--The Vent Hood: Modernaire was a NIGHTMARE to deal with here in the NorCal area. You have to go through a distributor who will upcharge you $2,000 to order a hood. Modernaire won't sell directly to anyone who is in the area of one of their distributors. The rep here was a complete idiot, ripped me off and in the end didn't deliver what I had ordered. I had to then hire someone else to fix the goofs. Not worth it!

--Order our range through AJ Madison. Total pain to get this stove delivered. The rest of our appliances came without a hitch but the delivery of the range was a disaster. They refused to deliver it until we had a concrete pathway, but our city had some issues with solid pathways and the runoff, etc. Had 4 delivery dates and they turned around each time and refused to bring it in the house. In the end I would have purchased this through our local store (there was no discount on this by buying on internet, unlike the other appliances).

THINGS WE STILL NEED TO DO:
--Help me pick kitchen table chairs! Those pictured are folding chairs for holidays. Our old ones were falling apart, so we ditched them in the move. What should I put there?
--Shades ordered and we are waiting for them to come and be hung.
--The stools (CB2 Vapor) are too tall and we need to have the legs cut down. They only come in 30" or 24" and one is too tall and the other is too short. Sigh.

THE DETAILS:
Cabinetry—Precision Cabinets, Brentwood, CA; painted in stock color which matches Simply White
Walls—BM Simply White
Kitchen Counters—White Princess granite, from DaVinci Marble & Stone in San Carlos, CA, with 2.25" mitred square edge
Buffet Counter—Brazilian Black soapstone from Texeira, SF, with no edge finish
Door and Drawer Pulls—Top Knobs, Square Pulls, Polished Chrome; ordered off the internet
Main Sink—Ebay purchase 36" SS Farmhouse w/apron front , single bowl, flushmount
Island Sink—Dawn 19X17 single bowl, undermount
Main Faucet—Blanco Meridien Semi-Professional in Brushed
Island Faucet—Santec Penza pull out in Brushed
Refrigerator—Electrolux WaveTouch; ordered off Homeeverything.com
Dishwasher—Whirlpool Gold Quiet Partner III; ordered from AJ Madison
Microwave Drawer—Sharp 24"; ordered from AJ Madison
Range—Viking Range w/6 burners and griddle; ordered from AJ Madison
Hood— Modernaire custom hood
Trash Compactor—GE Profile in SS; ordered from AJ Madison
Warming Drawer—Kitchenaid Architect Series II; ordered off Homeeverything.com; panel from cabinet co.
Backsplash—White Princess granite
Windows—Semco
Flooring-DuChateau pre-engineered floors in Lugano
Big Slider Door—Custom made 10’ bypass doors by McFarland Doors, w/custom screen
Island Pendants—Hudson Valley Pelham 13" ordered from Butler Lighting
Breakfast Table Pendant—Round 26" linen chandelier by Restoration Hardware
Buffet Sconces—Boston Library Sconces by CircaLighting.com

Before:

Family room:

After:

If I may ask: Where did you get your under counter lights and electrical sockets and what type of finish is on your floors?

Love love love the colors. That granite is gorgeous. And the floors - the whole think is just awesome.

I also got the paper towel niche idea from here and put it into our island.

My old ranch kitchen had that same yellow vinyl!

I do have to ask about the vapor chairs - we have some on order, I assumed the 24 in counter height would work but I guess not? Yikes, what's the scoop with that? - I do not relish shipping those bad boys back..

Thanks so much for sharing - your space is amazing!

First of all, your original kitchen was HYSTERICALLY cute. But I understand why you would want to remodel. LOL.

This is officially one of my favorite kitchens. Totally magazine-worthy. Many many things to love but have to say the flooring is def one of them. Totally California feeling!

Remodel looks like a million bucks....dying to know what it actually cost ;)

I lived in Brentwood for 3 years just before moving to TX. It's great to see locally made quality cabinets. Where abouts are you located? In Contra Costa County?

Kathe

I've been reading your posts and I am SOOOOO happy that you have just about completed this journey. You have created such a beautiful, functional space. It is LOVELY! I love the paper towel niche, the cubby by your super susan, the lights -- and the folding chairs -- if you wouldn't have pointed them out I wouldn't have noticed. Wonderful job.

Bon Appetit!

Love the island design...almost teared up over the paper towel niche...So simple, but so clever, and why didn't I think of it?! Love the thick counters, and the soapstone 'surprise' on the side niche with the great painting. The granite is wonderful, and I like the table, including the funky little chairs. ;-)

I am just DROOOOOOLING!

Thanks,
Kathe

LOVE the paper towel niche! Brilliant.

Laurie

Sandca: The undercounterlights are from my electrician so I don’t know what brand they are. The outlets are plugmold. The floors are a pre-engineered tye by DuChateau Hardwood Floors. The color is called Lugano in White Oak.

Kate: I will post some pics of the counter end. The backsplash is in line with the upper cabs. The counter sticks out a 1". The artwork is by Jessica Martin who exhibits at Hang Art SF, a place where emerging artists sell their work.

Eieio: The mug tree is a replica of an antique French bottle dryer. You can purchase them occasionally on eBay. It was a gift from my four best friends and I just love it!

Karenbelle: We are the ranch remodelers! I am finally done…whew!

GoBruno: I want to see the rest of your gorgeous house. I saw some pics, but keep posting as you progress. I love all your light fixtures! The "temporary" housing was indeed challenging for me and my DH. The three kids loved being at Grandma’s house. I can’t believe we slept on a sofa bed for thatlong—big mistake not moving our bed in. One of my kids slept smack dab in the middle of the office. A memory that will stay with us!

Laurainlincoln: I am not sure whether it’s my thick edge or the height of my counters 27", but the chairs are about 3"-4" too tall. Our legs are squeezed! Good Luck with your chairs!

Kathec: We are on the Peninsula, so not in Contra Costa but the cabinetsmakers were 2 hour drive—well worth it. They were half what others quoted!

Rjr: I love YOUR kitchen! Are you now totally done?

Re: paper towel niche….it is 10" deep by 9" tall and 15" wide. It actually didn’t have to have quite that big of a space. It functions just like installing a removable shower curtain rod or closet rod. One end has a half moon cup to hold the roller and the other end has a rod socket.

Thank you all to everyone who posted....very nice to see that. I put so much into this and sometimes it was so frustrating and hard (especially when I wanted the Bosch dishwasher and the Subzero refrige and all the cool things in each of your cabinets!), but the positive comments make me feel so good!

You and your family deserve many wonderful years in that kitchen! Well done.

Also, whay size is your dining table? And your island. Our island is 8' and I want to buy an 8' table and I'm wondering if that would work?

Love the art work too.

Did you say your entire house pictures are ready for viewing? I'd love to take a look.

Congratulations and enjoy!!

I posted on the Bathroom forum for one of the baths, search "gray and white".

Here's a few other pics:
Before, living room:
After:

Before dining room:

After:

My DD bathroom:
Before:

After:

the transformation of your home is stunning. what a fabulous job! your dd has a great bathroom (oh. my. GOD ...the counters! SO MUCH SPACE!)

enjoy your brand new home and thanks again!

Thanks!

I was looking at your before pictures, thinking to myself "oh those cabinets, I had them in my last house but these have yellow, mine had metallic gold paint (yeah, imagine that)...." scrolling scrolling and then BAM! I thought for sure that was an inspiration photo!!! It's your kitchen! It is fantastic and it has taken my breath away.

Congratulations, I need to now go and read the details. You need to call a local magazine and get them in there to feature your space. This is good stuff.

Thanks for sharing.

Would you mind sharing the dimensions/layout of your DD's bathroom? I love how you incorporated the wrap around vanity with just one sink as opposed to keeping it a traditional double sink along the far wall... I believe I have a similar sized bathroom that we've been trying to figure out how to lay it out... thanks!!

KA:)

Have to ask...what did you do with the autumn leave thing that was on your fireplace? Its kinda of cool for those of us who are into autumn leaves.

I am planning my kitchen remodel that will start early next year, and the details are so helpful! I hope more folks will follow your lead.

I hope you get to be on a house tour because people would love to see what you have done.

Wonderful!

I could see some sort of black (farmhousey) looking chairs around your dining room table. Still thinking about your kitchen. Perhaps something with a little chrome..... Love the mix of rustic and modern.

Your kitchen and walls are proof that white can never be boring.

Scrolling through the pictures, it seriously looks like a magazine spread.
LOVE your doors going outside, they are so awesome and unique.
Congrats, and enjoy!

For me the perfect touch is the thickness of your countertop. It's amazing what a difference that makes in the luxurious, upscale feel of the marble. Which, BTW, is also stunning!

A great job, one of the finest kitchens I've ever seen. Pls do put this in the Finished Kitchen Blog, it's a masterpiece of elegant design.

I just can't find words adequate to fit... it is just beautiful, amazing, stunning, fabulous. I could never get a sense of where everything was whenever you posted pictures, so I'm glad to see the whole thing together now, as well as all your other rooms. Amazing transformation through the whole house! I'd say you've achieved your farmhouse modern... maybe even kicked it up a notch. We'll have to come up with an entirely new moniker for yours... Firsthouse modern, perhaps.

(Can I tease you for a second about the almost-empty paper towel roll put in backwards on the holder in your jealousy-inducing niche? Sorry... I look at details. That picture was so well staged, perfect lighting and everything, and the towel roll just added a touch of true-to-life whimsy... I was delighted when I saw it! OK, I saw in your other pics that you just put the roll on that way... to me it's backwards, but I guess it's whatever you're used to.) : )

My favorite part is the section where you have that great art piece flanked by the tall cabinets. The art really makes that space the way it fills the wall. And your photos look professional. Can you share what settings you used? (My manual setting usually makes my pictures look blue so maybe I need to adjust the white balance... still learning.) I also love the floor and the two different floors at the front of the house; and the elegant simplicity of the dining room.

Have you shown your real estate agent yet? She might insist on a higher fee!

You will be a tough act to follow but I am so very happy for you! Congratulations and enjoy!

HOLY CRAP

1st house????????

ENJOY

Here's my idea for chairs, white X back chairs. I'm going to buy these for my kitchen which will have chocolate cabinets, white granite, medium wood floor, white molding.

I remember when you first started this kitchen journey.
And I can not believe how truly fast it all came together.
Amazing work. I am honestly sad that Modernaire was so
difficult to deal with. I have heard such maganificent
things. Too bad. I think yhood looks goregeous, glad you
prevailed.

I love the cool fresh functional space that gives off a
feeling of sophisticated elegance with a secret
electrifying side. The elements all work beautifully well,
you pulled it off. It is easy to get this kind of space
too cool or too warm but you did it delightfully.

You have talent, taste and I wonder…. Can you make a good
Appletini?
Because this is the kind of room I could see myself
sipping an Appletini in. Yes, I would say You have
talent, taste and the ability to make a good Tini.

Love It,
~boxer

regarding those dining room chairs, I would like to see something like a white leather (similar color to those Oh-my-I-love-them Barcelona chairs in the living room) sloping arm chair. I think you want a lot of comfort but with that shot of glam. Wait, that's me, but I think it's you too! Of course if you don't want to keep the guests lounging around the table, I think that ghost chairs would look really cool there too and they would tie in with your oh so divine stools.

And like Boxerpups said, this is a house made for martinis. And Boxer, green ones would look so good! I have been known to coordinate my drinks and their colors to my decor. Seriously, I need help.

Congratulations and ENJOY!!
Julie
P.S. I have to make a trip to Hang Art soon! That piece is fabulous!

sandca: The island is 5x9'. The dining room light was from lightinguniverse.com and is called Galaxia 16-light.

A few people commented on the furniture and decorations in the before pics--this was what the house looked like when we bought it. We always knew we wanted to remodel, so we bought the house with the intent to update. We never actually lived in the house the way it is shown. I tried to buy the diningroom chairs off the owner, but they refused. Boo! The were amazing authentic 50s mid-century chairs!

However, we did recycle a few other chandeliers: the dining room gold one went in my master. The white one with the oranges and lemons in the kitchen pic went in DD's bathroom (can you see it?).

Beekeeper: Thanks for the chair suggestions, keep those coming. Love the idea of white chairs too. Had contemplated that. Still a bit torn since now all my other furniture is in and it doesn't quite look as pristine as the photo above.

Boxerpups: Thanks for the nice comments! Coming from you, that's quite a compliment. I don't make Appletinis (being a white wine gal), but I have been known to drink a few of those! They certainly sound like the perfect drink for my kitchen--like those Perrier bottles in Bees' photo session, they would match!

Julie94026, jkom and jsweenc: You are my comrades in remodel! Yes, I am finally done! (and yes, I DID switch the papertowel after reading your post :) BTW I use a Canon Powershot pocket point-and-shoot, nothing more....

Malhgold: We used Hardiebacker then tiled right over that. It was super easy. The tile is a reasonable $8.99/sq ft, and we spent about $700 in tile. A huge transformation for an ugly old fireplace. We also tiled the hearth which is flush with the floor. Did you decide on a backsplash!!!????

What type of dining chairs were you looking for? I love these from crate and barrel

CONGRATS!
Eliz

Wow! I remember when you were first picking out your white princess granite. It is so great to see it installed now in your spacious kitchen and bathroom. Thanks for sharing all the details and particularly the cabinet maker.

I still haven't finished my backsplash, there are days when I wish I had just finished it off with the same granite, too, so I certainly understand the sentiment of not wanting to pick a tile.

Your house looks amazing. Cheers!

Firsthouse, seriously, this is a marvelous kitchen and I love everything about it! (I especially love the side soapstone counter area with that wonderful piece of art hanging above!) The airiness and spaciousness of the open floor plan really takes off in your application. Makes you want to take in a deep breath and exhale all the beauty of it.

Congratulations!

It's all been said, but really, congrats and enjoy.

Katie

Chinchette: I had an inspiration for this--check out Walker Warner Architects and look at the Sonoma House. I could not even come close to being able to afford these people, but I did have these photos which I used to help me visualize what I wanted. I hired an independent architect instead who copied the style and then we of course had to re-align this style to fit our much more meager budget. Also, there's an architect named Howard Backen of Backen Gillam Architects who has done some beautiful stuff--again, I'm an admirer from afar. He designed a resort called Solage Resort and I took elements of his style from that place too.

We put in some dormers above the entry and we put in a tray ceiling in living room. We opened up the walls of the kitchen/family room and raised the ceiling up to the roof.
Before:

But of course some of my biggest and best inspiration came from all of the GWers and their kitchens! And because I didn't have a designer to pick everything out and reassure me, you guys held my hand through every decision--it's amazing how much emotional support is needed when making a decision about granite! LOL!

francy

Does the place who sold you the cabinets have a website to share?

wow, wow, wow! congrats on your stunning new home. it has been so fun to read your posts and now to see the final product. i can only imagine how YOU must feel!

question for you on precision. i contacted them and they had a very annoying used car salesman type called me back, was a real turnoff. anyone you would recommend i ask for that you worked with? this dude cold called my GC the moment i hung up the phone, then i got an annoyed call from my GC wondering why this obnoxious guy was calling him...

Lynn2006: I am not sure if Precision has a website that is useful but they are in Brentwood California, so worth a Google.

Artemis78 & Babuschka: I used a guy named Bob who was quite methodical and not used car salesman-like. That would make me nervous! I am still quite pleased with the service and the quality of the cabinets. The price was bundled with all of the rooms that got done, so it's hard to break it out and I am not sure if I could figure out the linear feet price--their quote is fairly confusing already. For four bathrooms, a laundry room, an office, the breakfast room, and the kitchen: $58k. My kitchen is 22' by 42'.

Musco: The counter is white granite which they called White Princess. I absoultey love it--especially honed!

We wanted White Princess too, but every slab we saw (we went to about 6 yards) was already reserved, or the yard didn't have it at all. We couldn't wait for the next shipment of White Princess to our area (we were told it would be anywhere from 3-8 weeks). So we chose another granite, also white, but it's not White Princess!

I am surprised that in this long thread, no one has asked about your cabinet pulls. I love them. They're simple and elegant, and make a subtle statement. Can you provide the name, and what finish they have?

As I look at your old kitchen, I recall how fashionable that look was at one time. I am sure that the former owners enjoyed their life there. But...it also made the eventual remodel inevitable. It was so fixed in time by its decor that it did not transition gracefully and the new eyes that moved in were of a different generation in so many ways. A lesson for all of us. We can mellow in place and age gracefully or fix ourselves so firmly that in time we experience stark yins and yangs, radical changes that redefine us and send us in a new direction. Another lesson has to do with the advantage of starting out with good bones, with a foundation of good stuff that we can later build on. That is priceless, as you have proved.

What a transformation. I am just loving it all.

I can't believe that is granite. It looks so much like marble from the photos.

I just love your space and the open, clean, classic feel of it. I think the painting is very inspired and adds to the clean, elegant feel. Really a wonderful space.

I don't know the right words, but eerily familiar really springs to mind. I swear I have pictures of me as a kid at Christmas in a dining room just like that.

I have been back to your pictures a kazillon times already - so stunning!

Are your cabinets inset or frameless? I cannot tell from the photo, I just know they are gorgeous!

Piaa

Your kitchen is stunning. I am not a fan of all white kitchens. I just finished my kitchen remodel and up until that point all I have ever had were badly-done all white kitchens. But even though I'm finished with mine I keep coming back to yours. Everything is perfect. I know that you'll enjoy cooking in it.

Your modernaire hood is pretty spectacular and hopefully its beauty will take away the bad taste of their distributer.

I'm in Northern California too and I'm looking for a table to replace my current kitchen table. Where did you get the table near the island? Also, the green loveseats/sofas?

Let me know how long it took the dust to settle. We are swimming in it!

Cabinet pulls: $6-$12 by TopKnobs in Square Pull, Polished Chrome (purchased from topknobshardware.net)

My kitchen table: Restoration Hardware, 18 years old. The chairs around it are our holiday folding chairs...we still need chairs but I need to give our bank account some breathing room! For now they will have to do and if I wait long enough, the holidays will be here LOL!

My sofa and chair: Macy's brand, 15 years old, and it was $500 for three pieces--not good quality but it certainly has lasted!

My fridge is 47" from counter and the space doesn't bother me at all. I turn around and use the island counter to put things on and it's not a reach at all. Love having a big landing area that I don't even have to move much from fridge to counter to prep. I think 4' is about as far I'd like to go, but many have lived with farther.

The kitchen dimensions are: 42 feet by 22 feet. Divide the 42 in thirds to get the dimensions of each "area". They are equal sizes with the overhead beams as the dividers.

Midwifekim: Can't wait to see your photos and progress!!

RANCHERS UNITE--SO MANY OF THEM!~ Lots that can be done with them! I want to see all your fun transformations too!

I found out it is a quartzite. And after a visit to a granite and marble location in our area, i came home very disappointed. The man there said he didn't like to work with the white princess quartzite because it cracks more easily when working with it to shape, which would mean it's more brittle than granite and other quarzites he's worked with, such as mother of pearl quarzite. He also said customers in the past have come back and complained about it turning green in some areas.

What have your experiences been so far? I see you posted back in 2010 so have been using your kitchen about 2 years now. Any problems with scratching, etching, or staining, or even changing colors??

I thought I found the perfect alternative to white marble.

I would extremely appreciate any feedback regarding your experiences with the white princess countertop.

btx - I need your old dining room mirror. ;)

My 2 favorite details:
1) the paper towel holder
2) the artwork

Well done.

Oh please tell me: what is the color of your diningroom wall?
W/ your lighting, it looks like it's the perfect grey (w/ a hint of blue) that I've been searching for.

Thank you,
Amanda

What wood is on your kitchen ceiling?

Geez...my backsplash is getting installed in my kitchen as I write this and I'm already planning my next remodel. Am I addicted or what!

But, we sold and moved and now I am back here on the Kitchen Forum hoping to gain new insight from all your projects and have just begun drawings for our new (old!) rancher remodel that is about 2 miles from our old house. Whew, what a journey I am on.

Here is my new house--welcome to 1970!

My favorite part, the stove: you can't fit a large stockpot under the micro and you can't see anything inside of a pot in the back....wonder whether the past owners loved cooking? Probably didn't do much except micro things from the size of it!

Seriously, though, knowing the drill has got to help immensely. I was learning new things every step of the way! I hope this helps you nail the new one as well as you nailed the first one!

I'm sure what ever you do will turn out well in your new home too. As many, I'll be following along.

Thank you for any comment and Happy Holidays!

I have continually looked at your remodel as one of my inspiration pics because I am also considering removing my LR/kitchen wall & you did such an amazing transformation with yours! I wish I had the space that you did in that 1st house though, mine is only 18 X 36 and I am also considering adding 6ft out to widen it.

Anyhow, I am sooo glad you came back on GW. Now I have a name to that gorgeous inspiration kitchen. And as all the others here have posted, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE continue to post new threads for us as you work on your 2nd house. You will have quite a following.

TY for returning and posting all the fabulous details!!
Best to you and congrats on your new home !

I have the same question someone posted up thread - I'm very curious as to how your Princess White held up over the last 2 years. Any etching,staining or chipping? I really love the look of it and it's a strong contender for my kitchen, but am wondering about its durability.

I look forward to following along on your new kitchen journey!

Regarding the White Princess--yes it held up stupendously! I wish wish wish I could find more slabs of the same color for my new remodel. I never had any problems with etching, staining or chipping. My fabricator did tell me that it's very hard to work with because of both the hardness and the tendency to hit areas that are slightly brittle. Thus we were forced to buy an addtl slab in case anything went wrong. It never did go wrong, so I used the left overs for the bathrooms. The color remained fairly true--the thing you can't see in the pics though is that the white has a sparkly greenish cast to it. It shows up closer, but not far away. I think that greenish undertone is what people refer to when they say that certain White Princess is green. I also had each of the slabs honed and I think that makes a difference with the tendency to etch.

Here is a current slab from the same quarry. You can see that the color has substantial amounts of gray and is less monotone:

Here is one of the original slabs from the house. You can see how even the coloring was. In this pic you might even be able to pick up some of the green flecks and green undertone:

I look forward to gaining inspiration and amazing insight from all of you too! I will need it :)

Thanks again and happy holidays!

I am definitely going to have exactly the same brand/color when we re-do our new house in April. It got raves from relatives and friends, and while that certainly wouldn't be my deciding factor whether people thought it was beautiful, the fact that it was so darned great for our common area IS the most important thing.

The variation in color didn't bother me...as you saw from the pictures, once installed they blended pretty well. Admittedly I did "throw out" three boards that were too dark. During install the workers put one in and immediately I saw it and said, "Not that one!". The rest were all good.

I did find another oak flooring that came close to the color I wanted--it was a white oak with an oil finish but was more than twice the price. Since I had a 42 x 22 ft room, that added up pretty quickly and I opted against it. I think it was a custom stain too. They also needed 3x the amount of time to install since it was not engineered, but full wood. I can look back in my files and see what the name of that company was if you are interested. We didn't have the budget, but you might.

The guy to talk with at Venice is Mazi. See examples of their water cut tiles. Very nice.