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We remodeled our kitchen in 2003. I’m talking taking it to the studs, same footprint. It’s hard for me to believe that it’s already been 9 years. The kitchen has fulfilled all of my hopes and expectations I had when we embarked on the project, so many years ago, and it’s held up well for the most part.
That doesn’t keep me from being stopped in my tracks when I see a beautiful kitchen. In fact, my “favorite kitchens” file is the largest of my saved images files. While my kitchen is pretty tiny I find I have saved kitchen images that feature huge kitchens as well small ones, and I’m pretty sure many of you enjoy kitchens as much as I do because the blog sites I visit regularly often provide some of the prettiest examples.
My apologizes, I not only have lost the source of this image, but I love it so and can’t remember if I’ve used it before.
So, I think that as fall is coming and I tend to cook a lot more in the cooler months, here are some ideas if you’re in the midst of planning your dream kitchen or just need some “pretty” to brighten up your morning.
The one thing our kitchen lacks is a breakfast area. I love the kitchen/breakfast area below.
This kitchen [above] is the kitchen of a 640 sq. ft. home. I always marvel at how much style can be found in a small space.
Fine art in the kitchen is an unexpected treat. I do worry that it would be my luck the marinara sauce would splash!
The kitchen below is a favorite for the map of Paris over the stove and for the pretty dutch door.
How clever is this? [above] If you are a dog owner the sense of this built in doggie bar has appeal. Notice the drawers with the dog bone cut-out for various canine necessities, so cute.
The kitchen below has a fire back that serves as the stove’s back splash. I wanted to do that when we remodeled but couldn’t find a fire back within our budget. Instead I installed a pewter looking tile with a rooster on it.
This little jewel of a kitchen features several favorites: The chandelier over the sink, the art on the side of the cupboard on the right, and the Carrara marble, among other details.
What I love about the kitchen below is the glass front cabinet…for a dish-aholic this would be the best thing ever. Storage for a variety of dish patterns, all fully justified, can be a challenge.
{Phoebe Howard via Design Chic)
…and last but not least, blue and white is always welcome in a white kitchen or one with stained cabinets.
Do you have a preference, stained cabinets or white? What is your favorite counter top material?
trouverlesoleil said:
I am in the process of re-doing my cabinets. I’m doing a two toned .. taupe/white cabinets with black under my island. My counter is black granite with white marble back splash and the island is white marble. Love the marble even though is shows edging. There is ALWAYS something that needs an upgrade in a home.. Kitchens are so important because we are always in there!
leslie
Karen B. said:
Leslie,
I hope you will share the finished cabinets, that sounds wonderful. I have a black piece in my kitchen, made to look like a piece of furniture that is actually the pantry, and it is black. I have really enjoyed the contrast. If I had to redo the counters I would go with Carrera marble, honed. I know it etches and sometimes stains but I love the look. You’re so right, we spend a lot of time in and around our kitchen, it better be something we love.
Karen
designchic said:
What gorgeous kitchens. I love the serene,clean feel of a white kitchen and the first image is fabulous!
Karen B. said:
I do miss the white kitchen we had before our remodel. I figure the next time the kitchen needs a facelift I’ll have the cabinets painted white. There’s always next time, right? 🙂 I’ve enjoyed the stained cabinets more than I originally thought I would, but there is something so clean about white.
Karen
Victoria Elizabeth Barnes said:
Pinning…pinning…pinning.
Re-reading that, it looks a lot like pining!!
I would be happy with any of those. I love, love, love the white kitchens with the dark wood accents. The dog bowls are cute. But seriously? Dogs eating on a white surface? That seems like a… cleaning hazard. As in, something you will be cleaning ALL the time!!
Karen B. said:
Victoria,
I love white kitchens, why did I do stained cabinets? Simple, Mr. B insisted we had had a white kitchen for 20+ years and we needed a change. I do like the stained cabinets but next go around I will paint them white.
Yeah, the dog idea was cute but I could see a trail of ants that would delight in eating any leftover kibble visiting my house. 🙂
Karen
Content in a Cottage said:
Karen….I shop for kitchens all the time even though I like mine. I wish I had a commercial range like yours though. And I love your lamp beside it.
Rosemary
Karen B. said:
Hi Rosemary,
Yes, I confess the Viking was a bit of a splurge but it sure does cook well—or, rather, it helps me to cook better. 🙂 Thanks for the compliment on the lamp, too.
I do have a weakness for kitchens. You’ve posted some show stoppers, thanks for that.
Karen
Loi Thai said:
Hi, Karen ~ Even though our kitchen is only 4 years old, I would tweak a few things. Perhaps the configuration of some of the cabinetry. You just don’t know everything in advance….not until you are using the kitchen daily do you know what really works. Also, we do not have a breakfast area…..really regret not including that.
Loi
Karen B. said:
Loi,
I agree, I think there’s a steep learning curve on custom room design and while I had some very good advice from a designer, there were still a few things missing…like the breakfast area. Next time, right?
Karen
Gretchen said:
Karen, I have never had white cabinets (mainly because I’m a messy cook) but would love to have them next time. As much as I consider myself a warm color person, I love the look of Carrera marble countertops. I could still have warm colored walls, right? I think it’s such a timeless look to have white cabinets with Carrera countertops. Besides, I’m getting a little tired of granite.
Karen B. said:
Gretchen,
I think you would like the feel of white cabinets and of course the walls could be a warm color…but I love your kitchen. There are so many examples of both white and stained that stand out. I do love the looks of Carrera counters.
Karen