Comments on: What Would You Do?

By: The Prudent Homemaker

The Prudent Homemaker — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 00:01:55 +0000

I sawa kitchen a couple of days ao where they got rid of the arch. I rtied looking for it but I can’t fnd it! They painted the cabinets white and it looked like they added a border around the edges of the doors (a raised piece that looked like part of the doors). It was really aazing how they got rid of the arch.

I have a very similar counter and kitchen situation. We gutted our kitchen when we moved in. We actually cut the bar off of the counter, and just put one big granite countertop all the way across. Because the kitchen (like the one in the photo) is in the middle of the house, it tended to be dark. The higher counter only added to that. Cutting the counter down brought a lot of light into the room. I can still serve food for a party in the same spot. Also, I have more workspace because the counter isn’t split. The other important thing it did was make it possible for my smll children to clear their plates after dinner, because they can reach. Also, I can see them playing in the living room because we cut the counter down.

Depending on the eturn on your investment (and we’ve flipped houses before too, so I know it’s not always worth more money), I would consider new cabinets (including drawers all the way across the bottom). We have drawers and I love them.

Also, that pantry (?) on the right seems really short and wasteful, space wise (otherwise there wouldn’t be food sitting on top is my guess). A taller pantry there would be nicer.

If you did new cabinets, you could do taller ones, maximixing the space to the ceiing.

Or, keep and paint the existing cabinets, but add a really nice edge to the top of the cabinets to make them taller and prettier.

I’d go with recessed lighting.

And, above our kitchen sink (which only had one recesssed light) we put in a ceiling fan (SO nice in the summer while washing dishes) with 4 lights, which also really brightened up the kitchen.

I would go with white cabinets. We have dark wood ones ourselves, with a light colored floor on the diagonal, and light colored granite. But, white would really brighten up the kitchen since it’s in the middle of the house. We did a solid granite backsplash to match our counters (easy to clean). You can email me if you want pictures to see what it’s like with a cut-down counter.

By: Kristy @ Online Home Decorating

Kristy @ Online Home Decorating — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 14:46:57 +0000

Ditto Catherine and Kate, but I’d love to see a tumbled stone on the backsplash. If there’s a HOBO in your area, they always have great deals on marble and limestone. I think that once the cabinets are white / cream, the arch detail may actually provide some nice movement, particularly if combined with some oversized, traditional-leaning hardware, with the added benefit of less time and money. (Because as we know, when flipping, time IS money.) Good luck!

By: Brooke

Brooke — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 15:36:59 +0000

I may be going out on a limb here, but I would probably at least try #2 – but I would try spackling that dated groove in the doors… who knows- could work! and save you a ton a dough.

By: christy

christy — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:34:04 +0000

I’d probably go with option 3 – getting new cabinet doors. Tile floor and back splash, and granite counter tops. Just because I think that’s what would appeal to most people. But if I were LIVING there, I’d totally want to gut it and start from scratch – and I’d do a turquoise blue glass backs plash, and maybe poured concrete counter tops, with white cabinets with frosted glass doors. And maybe wood floors. Because cost wouldn’t be an issue in my dream world! But whatever you decide to do, I’m sure will be FABULOUS!

By: Averill

Averill — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:24:42 +0000

The designer in me says “gut it and start over!” The business gal/lawyer in me says to do whatever maximizes your return. After all, it won’t be YOU living there and ultimately whatever you choose to do will be a vast improvement over the existing kitchen!

By: Liz

Liz — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 22:29:21 +0000

Oh, I knew you guys would have great ideas!! I’m glad everybody seems to be leaning towards keeping the cabinets and painting them – talk about a savings!! I like the idea of filling in the curved detail – I will definitely do some investigation. The appliances, flooring, hardware and countertops would all go – that’s enough “new”, don’t you think? Thanks for your help, keep these great ideas coming!!! :)

~ Liz

By: Cheri

Cheri — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 20:11:16 +0000

Tile to use on backsplash: http://img.diynetwork.com/DIY/2009/05/13/KB-2470183_BCKSPL_brown-subway_lg.jpg

I’d even go wtih the dark counter top and cream colored cabinets. There is a product out there that some other blogger used to fill in the detail of the cabinet doors (the curve) but you would have to ask someone probably at Lowes or Home Depot.

Oiled bronze handles and fixtures
Pendant lighting over island and recessed else where.
Island top I would maybe do in stainless if the appliances are stainless

Tile ( something that looks like stone in creams and shades of brown) or wood floor, depending on your preference

By: Suzanne

Suzanne — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 19:51:30 +0000

I think I would paint the cabinets white. I am sure with a good paint job and new countertops you could get it looking amazing!

By: Elizabeth

Elizabeth — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:52:13 +0000

I think there’s plenty of storage in that kitchen, but I also really dislike the curved detail on the front of the cabinets. So I think I would reface them – but I’m also wondering, is there a way to fill the curved detail in the cabinets to a smooth surface? I know you can do this on a small scale to get rid of wood grain, but I’m wondering if it might also work with that inset detail.

By: Catherine

Catherine — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 18:49:54 +0000

Kate beat me to it! I was going to say preserve your profit margin by painting the cabinets white or gray, subway tile or beadboard splashback, new countertops in wood or granite (there are great economical and hardwearing composites around that are cheaper than solid) and replace the flooring. It would look fabulous. Good luck!