Our brainstorming brought us to Ikea on Saturday for some inspiration. Â We love browsing their showroom and seeing different solutions for every size space. Â When we saw this layout, it clicked (well, after Chris explained how we could adapt it to our home). Â And the wall oven and built wall microwave. Mmm!!:
Instead of a long peninsula separating the living room and kitchen, there would be an island perpendicular to the living room and adjacent to the dining room. Â Could it work? Â We came home and measured some more and made another 3D mockup–this time using Ikea’s kitchen planner.
While we really loved the kitchen on display at Ikea, we used it as inspiration and added elements from other kitchens we love, too. Â Also, Ikea’s kitchen planner (unlike floorplanner.com that we used in our previous kitchen mock up) only has kitchen building blocks, so I couldn’t layout our living room, etc.
From the dining room, it would look like this (only much closer):
And from the living room, it would look like this:
Of course the island counter would extend so there would be a small, casual eating area where the two stools now are, much like the photo from Ikea’s showroom, but the software was giving us a hard time. We really loved the idea of cleaning off the wall where the window is since we would have an enormous amount of storage. Â We are even toying with the idea of making our current window much larger. Â And because we absolutely love having our everyday plates and glasses handy, keeping our open shelving was definitely on our wishlist. Â By wrapping the counters around the corner, we had the perfect place to put our open shelving and a cool, corner cabinet.
And now for the finishes. Â We contemplated the medium wood cabinets that we saw in the showroom, but in the end, I feel like white is more classic. Â So the same style cabinets in white are winning at this point. Â As for the island, Ikea’s super glossy gray fronts have stolen my heart. Â And if I didn’t love them before, this kitchen from Chezerbey has sealed the deal:
White white cabinets and a glossy gray island and stainless steel appliance, the kitchen plans were seriously lacking some warmth–which we are solving by bringing in butcher block counters. Â Originally, we had never really considered them, but after seeing so many great examples and hearing other’s testimonials–we kinda dig them now. Â We especially love what the folks over at This and That did with theirs:
They stained them a beautiful Walnut and then sealed it–like 12 times with Waterlox and even give a step by step on installing an undermount sink. Â Where would we be without blogs?! Â We are definitely going to be following in their footsteps.
So what do you think of the revised plans? Â Any concerns? Â Any thoughts? Â Anything we forgot? Â You better tell us now. Â Lots-o-money is on the line.
My husband and I are in the early planning stages for a kitchen, too. It can really give you a headache if you think too hard about it!
One thing we plan to do is talk to our realtor or one who knows the neighborhood to make sure that we’re making good choices (materials, layout, etc) for our location.
Your original plan would work better for resale, I’d imagine. Then again, if you’re going to be there for a while (and put the money into a full reno), you should do it to your liking.
Good luck, and I look forward to seeing your progress!
The dining room will still be where it is now and we are still loving a round table. The measuring tape came out again last night, so an island in a different place is still very possible.
Thanks Sarah! We are definitely contemplating each comment and suggestion. They are all so helpful!
Good point, Allison! We’ll see where we end up. The measuring tape came out again last night.
That sounds so wonderful, Rachel! I think we are definitely looking for the kitchen to be a place where people (kids and guests) can gather, sit, eat and relax.