compumom's Kitchen

compumom's Kitchen



Contact: compumom (My Page)
Posted on Wed, Jul 27, 05
Link to kitchen photos: http://retting.smugmug.com/gallery/171631

We did our kitchen in 2002-03. I chose Bertch's Custom Cabinet line in Cherry with a fawn stain. It definitely has darkened, but to a warm rich color.



Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Posted by compumom (My Page) on Sat, Jan 25, 03 at 1:21

Here are the latest photos of our kitchen, begun November 5, 2002. Still to come are:

Wood panels for the fridge and dishwasher

Backsplash

Correct cord on one of the pendant lights

Glass shelves and door inserts for the hutch

End pieces on the hutch

Some kind of switchplates for the beadboard on the hutch

Tile around the bay window

French door hardware

Decorative accents

Window treatment

Possibly new table and chairs or at the least chair pads

BTW I'm so annoyed at DH for taking these photos without letting me
pick up first. He was grabbing the daylight before running off to work!
To be continued...


Here is a link that might be useful: Our kitchen as of 1-24-03


Follow-Up Postings:



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Wow,
your kitchen is beautiful. What kind of cabinets (brand and finish) and
granite did you choose? Your granite is lovely and it all looks so put
together. Did you have a professional designer?



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Oh it's just beautiful! Love the granite, that hutch is gorgeous,
especially the way it's deeper in the middle. Your bay above the sink
is great. Love the smaller cabinets along the top, and those huge
drawers in the island and under the cooktop make me very jealous!
Really nice job - very elegant looking! Congrats!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Gee, I'm blushing...
Thank you for the compliments. First the facts. The green and cherry were my
"vision" so to speak. That's what I settled on after months of
"research". We used a kitchen designer from the cabinet store for
design help. She had nothing to do with the granite, only the cabinet
design, placement etc. (Though I will admit I did 'bounce' things off
her from time to time) I chose the hardware myself with input from her.
She helped with size and placement. She has only been here once since
the cabinets were installed and has never seen the granite or
functional kitchen. I find that amazing. If I was the designer I'd want
to see it each step of the way!
We have dear friends who are very
design oriented (he manufactures desks and entertainment units)and they
helped me choose the granite and suggested my fabricator.Some of it was
by "committee" in that I asked certain friends for input on placement,
cabinetry etc.
If you remember from my earlier posts, this was "in
process" for more than a year before we demo'ed. I had time for many
refinements! We actually changed designers once as well due to cabinet
bids and availability. I also have to add that DH was an active
participant in every area.We work pretty well together. Sometimes he
couldn't understand why I was stressing about some little thing, but
ultimately agreed that it was important to the total. When he was
totally in another direction I asked the designer or our friends to
mediate!

The cabinets are Cherry, made by Bertch and its their "custom" line . The finish is "fawn" semigloss.
The granite is called Costa Esmerelda. The tile will be tumbeled Bottocino 4x4 with tiny pewter key tiles from Walker Zanger.
We
worked with a large local kitchen store that sells many brands
including Omega, Bertch, Diamond, Nickels, Topaz, Corsi, Ultracraft,
Merit and WoodHarbor.

We chose Nickels cabinets for the adjoining laundry room, they are frameless and the door style is very
complimentary to the Bertch doors. We opted for this because it was a
less expensive alternative than Bertch and I liked the finish and
wanted a lighter color in this room.

Btw the hutch design was purely the designer's creation. I love it too!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Simply beautiful! The edge detail on the granite really adds a wonderful touch. The hutch is a showpiece.

Did you end up with a fireclay sink?



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Yes I did! The Allia by Rohl. So far I love it!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

compumom, truly elegant and stately, very beautiful.... can't wait to see the rest....



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Compumom. It is yummy! Great kitchen.

I am SOOOOO jealous of your bay window which comes down to sink level and
the granite flows right up to the window. That is what I wanted and the
contractor who was putting in the new window said it wasn't a good
idea, the supports would not be able to support the weight, the windows
would be at different heights etc. The kitchen designer then agreed
with him so I allowed myself to be talked out of it. I regretted it the
moment it went in and have regretted it every day since.

Yours has such a clean look. Everything is lovely in your kitchen.

What are the dimensions of your kitchen and your island?




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Congratulations on your kitchen which really looks elegant. You are lucky in that it
looks as if you have quite a bit of space. What is the kitchen size and
I was interested to see that you have panels on one of your
refrigerator doors only or am I seeing it wrongly?



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Compumom,
Your kitchen is GREAT! I love the look! How did you decide what color
to stain your floors? I'm getting pecan cabinets in a med/light finish.
I have my little sample, but due to the color variations with pecan
(just like hickory) who knows how much my cabinets will really look
like that little sample. Also, my kitchen is really two rooms made into
one thanks to lots of hard work from DH. So half has maple flooring and
half has wide board pine. Should be an interesting look, eh? I don't
want the floor to clash with the cabinets and I don't want the cabinets
to match the floor and the whole thing just blend together. Decisions,
Decisions! :) You've done a great job, enjoy it! Kathy



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Compumom--really beautiful!! So many unique touches--can't wait to see the final pics. Enjoy and congrats!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Compumom - What a beautiful kitchen. Like Waverly, I wanted the window at
countertop height with the granite flowing out. It gives so much more
light and room!

Your tastes are wonderful. The Bertch cabinets are
identical in stain and style to what we originally selected. We found a
cabinet shop closer to home and changed our designer.

I love the granite. It complements the entire kitchen and does not fight with
your floor or cabinetry. Your layout appears to be very functional and
will wonderful for entertaining. Keep us posted and we want more
pictures!

Susie



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Thank you everyone for your compliments! I am overwhelmed.
Let me answer a few questions-

Waverly:
If you are sorry that you didn't get what you really wanted can it be
fixed in anyway? Our bay window replaced a normal wood frame double
hung window in the exact same spot. I chose a bay rather than a garden
window because of certain outdoor conditions and because it mirrors the
dining room large bay. But DH and I think if you really wanted it can
you piece in some of your granite (put a seam where they meet) and
change out your window. After we put so much of ourselves and our
energies into a project it should come out like we wanted. Contractors
did try to talk us into a garden window and told us the price would be
so much less, but I held out. Now that said we didn't increase the
height of the window because the cost of changing the header would have
been too much. If it doesn't make sense I guess you can't change it,
but try and see if you can find someone who can make it happen.

The kitchen measurements are 19x 19 1/2 and the island is 52x66 measuring
the top of the island from edge to edge with granite installed.

Mahnrut:
You are not wrong, the fridge doesn't have the panels installed yet.
They put on one piece of "skin" which goes under the wood panels but
the other piece of skin wasn't cut yet. We are waiting for the extended
handles for the fridge...something we just found out we needed. They
are on order and we are on hold. All in good time! The DW doesn't have
its panel either. Someone at Miele gave me the wrong measurements and
we had to re-order at our expense!

Kathy: I didn't have much choice on the floor. We had the white oak floor for 12 years and it had
yellowed so. We knew we wanted to go light and the floor guy tried a
few different colors for us to choose. In your case, if there is no
difference in height and you don't want to deliberately separate the
kitchen, I'd try and finish the floors as similarly as possible so that
they don't become the detail everyone's eye goes to first. They will be
different enough with the wide vs regular width boards.
It's hard for me to say without some photos.
Thanks for the comments!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Congrats on your beautiful kitchen! Your granite is the same one we picked -
ours is holding up great...no staining, etching or anything. The lowest
maintenance item in the kitchen! Our kitchen layout is similar, so it's
easy to relate to the placement of things. Great job... Enjoy!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Wonderful kitchen. The granite is stunning. The edge detail gives it such and elegant touch. Enjoy your kitchen!

Ann


 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

You know I wanted the edge detail on the granite, but at the same time I
was nervous I was overdoing it. Now I couldn't be happier. Thanks for
noticing.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

compumom,

It s beautiful - simple, elegant and tasteful not overdone in anyway, but
warm and inviting. I think the edge detail on the granite is very
attractive.

Laurie




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

WOW! Stunning is all I can say. Use it in great health;-)



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

I don't think I ever got around to telling you how lovely your kitchen
it. The colors are perfect, everything is elegant. Inspirational!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Pick up? Pick up what? Gorgeous! Love the drawers across the range front!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Ellen,
It's so neat to see your pictures at last- absolutely gorgeous! I do
love the combination of the peach and green granite with the cabinets.
You're going to have a ball with this kitchen, I know.

Katie



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Katie,
I did my first real baking tonight. DH is away,and kids are out for the
night. I baked two different recipes of mandelbread just to try them
out. Working in the kitchen was a dream! I'd love your recipe if you
have one for the roasted veggies. THat's on my list to make when all
are eating at home.(for a change!) Hope you had a nice Valentine's Day!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

I've added a few more photos of the island. In these photos I've attempted
to show how we hid our outlets. Also hidden is the cell phone charger
and an extra TV cable outlet.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

New photos of backsplash added! Now I need accessories and a new or refinished dining set. Oh well, after taxes!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

I love your kitchen! Your layout is almost identical to the one we're
planning. We are just finishing the plans for our remodel and I'm
wondering how you like the location of your microwave? Do you use it
much? We're considering the same location and aren't sure if it's going
to cause a traffic jam around cooktop, refrig and micro.
I love
your bay window and tile above cooktop. Thanks for the great ideas. Do
you have newer pictures? The ones I saw were from January.( I just
recently found this website and love all the advice! I think I'm
getting addicted to it!)




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Hi Sharl, thanks for the kind words. Actually, I've added photos as I went
along. The tile was finished about 10 days ago in actuality.
As to
the location of the microwave, my only comment is that it is a bit high
for me at 5'3. Below it is an integrated warming drawer. I can easily
work there along with someone else. We're all adults now (kids are 20
and 21) but when I had a family dinner for 9 there was no problem with
lots of helpers in the kitchen with me.
Hope this helps! Feel free to ask away. You can always email me if I forget to look here for a question.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Great Kitchen! How wide is your bay window over the siink? I would love to have this but only have 40 1/2" to work with.

Doris




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Doris, sorry this took so long. I have now tried 3 times to post the link to
the website where we bought the window and 3 times I've been rejected.
Ours is a 60" window with a 45 degree bay. We bought it from JT
WINDOWS. Check out the website at jtwindows.com. (no more link in this
email!)
I love the window too!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

What an elegant kitchen!

I have two questions about pulls. Can you tell me where you got yours or
what the name of the style is? I may go with birdcage pulls, but I like
yours also.

Second, how do you like the one pull on the long
drawers? How longs are your drawers and long are the pulls? DH and I
keep going back and forth over one or two pulls on our 33 inch drawers.

Thanks!

Lionors



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Hi lionors, I'm sorry that I don't check this area as often as I should.
First of all our knobs are made by Top knobs and the style is Tuscany. I love
them. I bought them locally at a place called Deco Brass. I am quite
happy using the long pulls for the larger drawers. We also use them for
dish towels on one side of the island. Our drawers are 30 and 36" wide
and the pulls are about 10". I'm really pleased with the look and the
ease of use of one pull per drawer.
One one place we had some
trouble is that these screws were metric and we had to use longer
screws. That caused some issues for the contractors but they remedied
the problem.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Lovely kitchen!
Is the drawer under the cooktop real?
What brand is the cooktop? Are you happy with it?




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Hi,
I remember you thinking about changing the sides of the buffet. Did you
ever do that??? Just curious how it turned out if you did.
Kathy



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Thanks for the comments Hopkinsldg-
The drawer under the cooktop is real, it is a bit shallower than the norm
as the sides had to be cut back a bit to allow for the cooktop to fit
in. I use it for whisks, brushes, tongs and other implements that I
don't put in the jar or aren't too large. The cooktop is a DCS and I'm
VERY happy with it. I understand that they have done away with the the
"textured" stainless inside that makes it quite easy to clean. I'm not
sure why. I went and visited the factory and was impressed with the
manufacture and testing process. This was the only way I could see the
simmer action with my own eyes and I loved it immediately. I'm very
happy with the btu's and with the burner configuration. It works for
me!

Hi Kathy, your memory is so great! We are STILL waiting for
trim pieces to be added to the sides of the beadboard to finish off the
buffet. Low priority I guess. We tried posts and balustrades to
"support" the top but in the end I decided that I love the clean sweep
of the top to use for dessert and beverage buffets when we entertain
and didn't want to sacrifice the space for "fake" supports. We're
comfortable with the decision. Now waiting for the finish carpenter to
return...




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Hope you still check this post. What is the edge detail called on your granite? Its beautiful.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Very, very nice. Very homey. Love the sink area and all the warm wood. Good advice about not breaking up the floor color.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Sorry all, I must put updated photos here and take these off. We've fixed the
corner cabinets so there's no more gap, and all is done except the
scribe molding around the beadboard of the hutch. That reminds me to
call the contractors again and ask them to finish up this detail.

Debbick,
I don't know exactly what the edge detail is called. I think the island
is an ogee with a bullnose, and the counters??? The fabricator was an
"artist" who drew out for me what he thought was best. We agreed and he
did the rest. If you want more specific photos I will ask DH to take
them and post them or email them for you to show to your fabricator.

EMC- thanks for the compliments!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Wow! It is gorgeous! I, too, am doing a green granite. I found one I love
called Kenoran Sage, but next visit to the granite yard I'm going to
ask to see the Costa Esmerelda in person!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

There are a few variations of Costa Esmerelda. It's from Iran and some has
less white and more yellow and brown. Less lustre but I think less
clean looking too. Ours has some peach spots and a few black areas. It
really compliments the cherry cabs.
Thanks for the nice compliment! When people visit the kitchen I always hear how much they like it!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Your kitchen is gorgeous and I love your ingenious idea of using false
drawer fronts. I can't wait to show our cabinet maker your pictures. It
looks like you have one outlet in the right hand false drawer --
correct? Are there others in the drawer(s) that don't show in the
photos?

Thanks!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

There are actually two drawer fronts there. There is an outlet in both. I
think they use the same junction box because the outlets are back to
back. We also have a cable tv hook up there so we can move the tv if we
so desire.
Feel free to ask for more photos, but DH is out of town until Sunday with the camera.




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Love the idea of the outlet inside the false drawers. We are trying to
figure out where to put outlets in our sink island and that is a great
idea. Are you happy with the way that works? I need some place to plug
in a hand mixer, electric wok and an iron (we will have a false drawer
with a fold out ironing board). Also, I wonder if that would also work
for a switch? We need a convenient place for the disposal switch.

Thanks for the clever idea!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

I am very pleased with this arrangement. Please know that nothing is
plugged in there permanently except our cell phone charger which is
hidden by the drawer front. I do use it for the mixer, coffee maker (at
special times), blender, the electric fry pan and Salton Hot trays.

As
to the disposer. Have them drill a hole in the granite and use an air
switch. Mine is from ISE. I LOVE it! No reaching for the disposer
switch with dripping wet hands onto the wall or cabinetry.




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Thanks for posting the progress on your kitchen. I love your choice of granite
and the finish on the cabinets. They compliment each other well. Also,
I may use your hidden electrical outlet tip.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Hi compumom! I hope you still check in here every once in a while. I am
considering getting a range hood front that is very similar to yours,
and of course it will have to be even to the top of my 42 inch upper
cabinets. I was wondering if you could tell me how much distance is
between your cooktop and the bottom of the range hood. The way I have
it worked now, there will be 36" between my cooktop and the bottom of
the range hood. Do you find this distance to be too great, and do you
think 36" is too far away from the cooking surface? Thank you!
Beth




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Dear Beth, just saw your question. I will also email you my response,sorry it took so long.
My hood is 30 1/2 inches above the cooktop (actually if you count from the
top of the grates I would say it's closer to 28 1/2 inches). I looked
at 36" and my guess is that it's fine too. I'm not in love with my
hood-great power but horrendous noise. I'm anything but an expert on
this. I went with what the designer planned and it seems fine.
One interesting note-I went to a Thermador demo last month and they said to
start your fan BEFORE you begin cooking to establish the air pattern
and you won't have food smells going all over the house. I made
swordfish last night and really wish I had turned the fan on first. I
can still smell it this morning!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Thank you! I got your email. Turns out that I didn't get that type of range
hood, but I still appreciate your advice about starting the fan before
starting to cook! That's a great idea. I appreciate your help!
Beth




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Compumom -

How high off the floor is your microwave? I am also 5'3" and worried about
placement of the mw. My KD wants it above the stove. I'm thinking it wd
be better next to the fridge, where it would be several inches lower.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

The bottom of the actual oven is at 57" off the floor. I think I would opt
for lower. It's a bit high, especially if you want to look at the dish
and see if it's done. We did add in a pullout cutting board just below
the warming oven drawer to use as a landing (for stirring)for the micro
or oven.
Hope this was helpful!
E




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Bump, didn't want this great kitchen to fall off.



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Hi Compumom. Love your kitchen. Can you please tell me the color you
stained your oak floor? Is it a shade lighter, darker or exactly the
same as your cherry cabinets? I'm trying to decide what to do with our
floors. We too have light cherry cabinets and we will use a darker
granite counter top. I'm trying to figure out what stain to choose for
our oak floors. Thanks!



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

We used white oak and its a water based satin urethane finish. It might
appear darker in the photos but white oak has a bit of red in it
anyway. We kept the existing floor from before we redid our kitchen. We
used to have polyurethane and found that it yellowed, but held up
wonderfully. The new water based finish hasn't held up as well as
promised. Pehaps it was the fault of the finisher.




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Compumom:
I'm so sorry I haven't commented sooner. Love your kitchen, and since I
am now in the countertop decision phase, I just LOVE the Costa
Esmeralda. I just recently came across it and am thrilled to see it in
a kitchen. Would you mind sharing what your paid for it? I'm on the
east coast, so I would think that the pricing will be comparable.
Please also comment on the maintenance of it. I've heard conflicting
reports. Thanks, and again, beautiful kitchen...



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

No problem. We paid about $1,000 per slab. i think it was around $18 a sq
foot. Fabrication was additional. The kitchen took exactly 2 slabs, but
we had bought a third as extra insurance. Costa that has this look
isn't easy to find so be sure to buy enough when you find it. It worked
out well because the fabricator used the third slab for the powder room
and for the trim in the kitchen around the bay window and over the
cooktop.

Thank you for the compliment. The kitchen makes me happy each time come downstairs!




 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

Compumom, how is your granite holding up?
Thanks



 o RE: Compumom's Kitchen in Progress

It's holding up beautifully! No problems. It was sealed but really didn't
need much. It's taken all I can dish out this year and looks great! I
think some of the credit also goes to the 'miracle cloth' made of
microfiber. Do a search on the forum for more data or email me.



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