5.23.2011



Dear Melissa,

Last Friday our contractor Jim finished up our kitchen. Hip hip hooray - it's been five months since our big leak and subsequent kitchen tear-out, but I am happy to report that it's been well worth the wait. I'm pleased with how everything came together and in the end, I kind of feel lucky to have had the leak even though at the time it was excruciating.

Let me take you on the grand tour...


(Do you like my Tolix knock-off stools? I bought them on overstock, $80 for the pair). It was too hard to justify getting the real thing once I saw these).

Our kitchen previously had standard brown wood cabinets. The white really brightens up the kitchen, and I love how our contractor shaped the bases. They kind of look like furniture to me.


After a friend gave me a heads-up, we paid a bit more to have a special finish put on the cabinets that makes the finish more durable (it's kind of like a coat of laminate). I'd recommend a process like this for anyone going with white. They are really easy to clean. My mom recommended to have the hinges put on the outsides so you can see the edges, and I'm glad we did - that's a detail that I totally would not thought of.

I was also pleasantly surprised to find out that white painted cabinetry is less expensive than wood (not that white isn't wood, but it is paint grade). With that difference, we were able to upgrade other things, like our faucet, sink, and fixtures (We ended up buying both the sink and the faucet from an online retailer, quality bath. Their customer service was fantastic - the sales representative on the phone took a lot of time making sure the faucet's neck was the right measurement for our sink, and everything came in the promised time frame carefully packaged. And they had the best prices, too). The faucet is by Rowe and is so much sturdier than what we previously had - I feel like it will last forever.


We chose soapstone for our countertop. I love how matte it is, and also the pretty veins that run through it. Anyone considering soapstone should know that while the surface of the stone is extremely impermeable, it is relatively soft and will get small scratches and knicks. I don't mind this at all; in fact it is one of the things that appeals to me about it (I want my suburban home to feel old). We've been told that most of the marks that will inevitably happen can mostly be sanded or oiled out. Another interesting thing about soapstone is that when it is installed, it's a light cement gray. You can either leave it like that, or give it a coat of mineral oil. We oiled ours (although I like the gray, too), and have been told that we should probably continue to oil it every couple of weeks for the first six months or so to maintain the matte black.



19 comments:

Mary said...

We're just starting the planning process for our new kitchen, and you've used a lot of the same elements we're planning to use as well. (white cabinets, farmers sink, soapstone, island with wood top...) This is a confirmation that it will fabulous. Well done!

chris said...

Gorgeous! I would love more info on the process used for your cabinets.

Jess said...

Beautiful! I dream of a more functional and prettier kitchen like yours.

Unknown said...

It is so beautiful Lynne!! Just breathtaking!
Jen

allydru said...

you're killing my "happy with renting" resolve here.

lovely.

Sapo Verde said...

Turned out awesome! I have the same sink and still love it to this day.

Sarah G said...

Lynne, it looks awesome! We're moving and this makes me so excited to redo-some-stuff-it-up!

Kristena said...

This is beautiful! I love it when icky things turn out to be blessings in disguise. :)

Carissa said...

I'm a huge fan of the white cabinets. I love all the detail work and the open shelves to display your dishes.

melissa said...

Gorgeous Lynne! I'm so glad it's finally finished. I think it was worth the long wait.

heather said...

thanks so much for sharing! it is gorgeous and totally inspiring! hope you continue to love it!

Lauren said...

Lynne this is beautiful!

Candice said...

your kitchen is gorgeous! It looks like it has just the right balance between being stylish and comfortable. I especially love your cabinets and sink!

Kelli said...

We have matching kitchens. Almost. My cabinets are painted green. But, I love the soapstone. We live in Utah and when I had the counter tops installed NOBODY knew what soapstone was. We used all of the soapstone that was available in the whole state to do our house. And then 2 years later my Mother-in-law put it in her kitchen. And thanks for the link on the fake Tolex. I think I will be ordering those soon.

alexandra said...

lynne, you have my dream kitchen, even down to the farm-style sink. i love it so much. congratulations!

Lisa said...

Looks amazing! What is the name of the special finish that you put on the white cabinets? That sounds like a good idea. Thanks for sharing your beautiful new space!

Louise said...

Love it! I've always liked white and always hated granite. Just wondering ... have you always walked around the fridge door to take out stuff? Seems more natural to switch the door to the other side.

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