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September 21, 2009
ISO Your Kitchen Reno Favorites!
Hi All,
We are about to start a kitchen and multiple bath reno project and are asking everyone for their favorite kitchen or bath things (ie. LOVE my pot filler faucet above stove; couldn't live without my towel warmer) - any little thing that puts a smile on your face and you are glad you added. Things you've seen and want to add count too! We are pretty excited and want this to be a kitchen we love. FYI - it is in a brownstone parlor and is pretty wide/big. My brother (who is a contractor) is going to "hook us up" - so feel free to think big, it won't hurt!
Thanks everyone for sharing your creativity!
While your at it don't hesitate to recommend brands, materials, anything you like.
:)
fun fun!
Comments
stove vent to the outside is huge...
Posted by: denton at September 21, 2009 9:45 PM
Ahh denton you are so so right. Consider it included. :)
Posted by: amybnyc at September 21, 2009 9:52 PM
Pantry, Pantry, Pantry! My little room filled with food, it makes me happy every time I step in it.
Posted by: bkrules at September 22, 2009 12:00 AM
Refrigerator with an ice maker/dispenser of course. A Bosch dishwasher....you forget that it's on it's so silent, until you hear the beeps at the end.
In the bathroom, a hand held shower attachment and a heat lamp with fan in the ceiling just to take the chill off in the colder months. If you can install subfloor heating in the bathroom (electric or pex/water) that really makes a big difference as well.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 22, 2009 8:04 AM
Bkrules: I love the pantry idea...I wonder if we have room, I too love stepping into my dad's pantry, that would be great. Thanks!
Dave, in looking at all the clean smooth refrigerator fronts I had forgotten about the importance of the ice machine (and filtered water!), thank you for the reminder. I'll look into the Bosch, I've NEVER had a dishwasher as silly as this may sound it is the thing I am most excited about Re: bath.. radiant flooring would be so toasty...the floors are open everywhere so I'm sure we could do it. Any thoughts on not having a tub and just having a shower in the "adult" bath? I can always go to the kid bath for a soak?
Thanks everyone so far, it may seem simple but this is really helpful!
Posted by: amybnyc at September 22, 2009 8:49 AM
"so feel free to think big, it won't hurt!"
Wonderful philosophy, we should all think like this, it would make life so much more pleasant for everyone.
Posted by: cmu at September 22, 2009 9:03 AM
A few minor touches that I really like:
on the cabinet of my kitchen sink, the little panels of formica that are usually just there for decoration have hinges & compartments behind them for storing rubber gloves, mushroom brushes, etc.
I have a spice drawer - I bought a hundred small jars & labeled their tops & the drawer has a bunch of little dividers to keep the jars from slipping around when you open the drawer.
And, in the same vein, the spice drawer has extra-long slides - the tracks that let the drawer pull out - extra long ones mean you don't have to fumble in the back because the drawer pulls almost all the way out - also have it for a misc. drawer.
Posted by: Arkady at September 22, 2009 9:45 AM
check this out at homedepot.com
Rev-A-Shelf 27 Qt. Pull-Out White Double Waste Containers
it will make your recycling much easier and your kitchen look really neat with no trash acns in sight
Posted by: InLoveWBrooklyn at September 22, 2009 9:58 AM
Also, in the kitchen, get the sink cabinet with the sponge drawer at the top.
re: bathroom, if you have the space do a tub (preferably a jacuzzi) AND a shower. Get the heavy frameless glass around the shower...it looks spectacular. But if you have a tub in another bathroom, I wouldn't hesitate to do the walk in shower thing in the master bath and no tub.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 22, 2009 9:58 AM
Kitchen: French doors to the yard from the kitchen (unbeatable if you have a dog); more cabinets than you think you could ever use; space for a tv; double sinks
Bathroom: shower and tub; no cabinet over the toilet (stuff falls in); big closet (that can fit towels and the like).
Posted by: Splenda at September 22, 2009 10:25 AM
Directing you to one of my favorite kitchen forums - the Home forums at Garden Web. Link to kitchen forum is http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitchbath/. If you do a search, there are multiple threads about people's favorite things, what they could live without, splurges that were worth it, etc. There's a separate Baths forum that is less active but still has lots of good information.
Posted by: zeebee_in_bklyn at September 22, 2009 10:30 AM
i'm in the same boat as the OP...a few questions:
i'd love to hear how people feel about the water/ice on their fridge...we have a fridge currently with this...but i'm wondering if the new fridge i'm thinking about will bum me out if it doesnt have this?
also how bout bottom freezer fridges? any love/hate comments on them? (what's the deal with ice in these? is it ice trays?)
Posted by: CGmodern at September 22, 2009 10:34 AM
We're about to do the same. Everything said above, plus:
In the kitchen:
Second the Bosch DW -- absolutely. Silence is golden, particularly if you want to run the DW while you have guests sitting in the dining room. Bosch really works, and it's energy-saving as well.
Instead of undercabinets, have at least one cabinet space that is a BIG drawer for pots, appliances. So much easier to get at than cabinets.
In addition to your main working sink, have a separate single sink with an undercounter water filter so that only filtered water comes out of tap. Good if two people work in the kitchen at the same time.
If you cook a lot, for big family occasions, get two wall ovens. Look into convection oven.
If you get a floor-to-ceiling pantry cabinet, make sure it has drawers or pull-out shelves. Things get lost in the back otherwise.
In the bathroom:
Radiant heating in the floors, definitely.
Consider a trench drain in your 5-foot-long shower (no tub -- use the kids'). Looks great.
Lots of mirrors. Lots of counter space around the sink. Dual-flush toilets.
Posted by: Silvermax at September 22, 2009 10:35 AM
amy--
Here's my list of things that I think are essential if you cook a lot:
Garbage disposals--put them in both sinks if you get two.
Flooring that's easy on the feet--wood or cork, not ceramic tile
I like having one big sink for the main sink so you can wash big pots easily. If you have a second sink, don't get one that's too small--you can't do anything in it.
Electrical plugs in the island if you have one.
We have one wall of cabinets that go up to the ceiling--there's two rows. The upper ones are great for things you only use a few times a year.
For your exhaust hood above the stove, you need to order one wider than the stove itself to be most effective. Be sure to get the install specs of the models you're interested in.
At least a 2" overhang on your countertops--easier to transfer materials to pots and containers and your lower cabinets will stay cleaner.
We have slate countertops--they're very similar to soapstone. I like the matte finish, it's very durable, and ages well.
I'm also a fan of Bosch dishwashers.
Good luck!
Posted by: tinarina at September 22, 2009 10:42 AM
One other thing in the kitchen--put in LOTS of lighting--bright overhead lights/lamps, secondary cans or smaller fixtures for softer light, and undercabinet lights as well. It may seem like overkill but you'll use it all.
Posted by: tinarina at September 22, 2009 10:45 AM
Yes, no stone or tile flooring if you spend a lot of time in the kitchen. If you're coing high tech get this stuff..
www.garagefloor.com
or cork.
Posted by: daveinbedstuy at September 22, 2009 11:54 AM
Some of these ideas are from my own kitchen and some from my own kitchen wish list.
-A large, deep sink-- mine is divided in two and I like that.
-A faucet with a hose and that can switch from a stream to shower.
-A seperate faucet for filtered water (filter under the counter). Mine is just on the side of the sink.
-I've always wanted kitchen cabinets to the ceiling and then a library ladder to reach them with.
-An appliance garage or counter-level cabinet with a power strip for easy access to coffe maker, toaster, ets.
Posted by: fawn at September 22, 2009 12:29 PM
Fun post/replies...It takes me back to the fun of the brainstorming phase!
• The Bosch DW seems like a no contest vote...me too. I'm single, so I didn't overdo it on features – there's about a dozen models. I went for the least features on the model with a smooth front.
• I LOVE having an ice maker and filtered water in the fridge/freezer but wanted a smooth front so I went with a Jenn-Air.
• Look at Jenn-Air's double oven. It's two ovens in the size of one. This might not be for everyone, because the larger oven is on the bottom and you do have to get a little lower than most people when pulling out a big bird, but most of the time, I don't think twice about it. I didn't have room for a double wall oven.
• If you're getting a microwave, get a one that's also a convection oven. That's another way to get more than one oven in the space.
• I have a two level counter...workspace and eating counter. Instead of spending the $$ on a backsplash for the vertical space between them, I bought pull-out drawers with my cabinets which provide additional storage space and a regular Alzhemier's prevention exercise...teabags in this one? Measuring tape, screwdriver in this one?
•I had duct work for CAC run up at the end of the kitchen and we built wine racks and plate displays around it, hiding it and creating more storage. (From stock items too...)
• My kitchen and entire lower level is slate floor heated by radiant (water) heat. I love it. I know people want a more cushy flooring in the kitchen, but I love the durability of the stone and its warmth in the winter.
• I also put radiant heat under the marble floor in the master bath. I also did a walk-in double shower that has turned out to be a blessing with my new dog!
• If you're doing a rebuild, you can fake a counter-depth fridge by not framing out the area behind the fridge so that it goes back further than the counters.
• Personally, I did go for the sink sponge drawer, but I never use it.
Have fun with the planning!
Posted by: BKRed at September 22, 2009 12:42 PM
OMG, I go away for a few hours and come back to wonderful ideas and links! Thank you each of you! Glad to hear the vote of confidence about no tub in "adult" bath and love the little kitchen/bath ideas I didn't think of that will be huge helps (cabinet with power strip, electrical on island, more lights & drawers than I could ever think I need, drawer for pots and pans, sponge drawer on cab front, no cab over toilet ETC!) There was not one thing that hasn't been helpful. Keep 'em coming...nice to hear other's are in the same boat and getting something out of this too.
:)
Posted by: amybnyc at September 22, 2009 12:45 PM
One more to add:
A book shelf for cookbooks! It's nice to have them in the kitchen.
Posted by: fawn at September 22, 2009 12:47 PM
"i'm in the same boat as the OP...a few questions:
i'd love to hear how people feel about the water/ice on their fridge...we have a fridge currently with this...but i'm wondering if the new fridge i'm thinking about will bum me out if it doesnt have this?
also how bout bottom freezer fridges? any love/hate comments on them? (what's the deal with ice in these? is it ice trays?)"
Fawn, I love cookbooks and that's why I think they should be NEAR the kitchen but not IN the kitchen as they get grungy.
CG, I personally don't like the icemaker/water thing. Just more complicated plumbing to get screwed up. Also I understand it cuts down the efficiency of the refrig.
Re the freezer on bottom, if you claim to be a locavore and buy your stuff almost daily and cook it fresh, it's much better as you won't be using the freezer that much. I like it that way.
Posted by: denton at September 22, 2009 4:12 PM
More of the same:
Radiant heat (by far the most important.)
Venting to outside.
Ice maker.
Big sink.
Extra Cabinets.
Good lighting.
Here's one I didn't see:
Get 2 dishwashers. One is for clean dishes, the other is for dirty. You just swap back and forth and basically the chore of putting dishes away is gone.
When you think about it, a decent dishwasher is $750 bucks. Not much more than two more feet of quality lower cabinets. For a small amount of money you get a major convenience.
Fabulous during the holidays and parties too.
Posted by: guywithahouse at September 22, 2009 8:25 PM
WTF? Sponge drawer? Such a thing exists?
The miracles never cease.
Posted by: bkrules at September 22, 2009 10:09 PM
Nothing fancy really but I put a little glass shelf above all the sinks in the house. Great way to keep things in easy reach without it all looking cluttered.
Posted by: Mrs. Limestone at September 23, 2009 8:28 AM
Most of what I'd suggest has already been covered, but here are a few others:
Pull-out trash/recyle bins
Blum soft-close drawer glides
Angled plug mold, undercabinet power strips
If glass cabs, get glass shelves encased in wood
Here are a few repeats with additional provisos:
Really generous lighting plan that is both zoned and on dimmers
Vent hood should be at least 6" wider than range/cooktop and, ideally, extend beyond the front burners for best capture area
Here's one departure from the no-contest Bosch dw:
Get a Miele! (Now that's a true no-contest.)
And, by all means, I second Zeebee's suggestion to join the Kitchen Forum at the Gardenweb. IMO, that's the most knowledgeable, supportive, creative and, engaging community of folk dealing with kitchen renos anywhere on the net.
Good luck!
Posted by: Brooklynista at September 23, 2009 8:45 AM
Just a last word of thanks to everyone! Amazing and helpful responses that we will use - what could be better from this forum! I'll keep checking back to see if more people add, so don't hesitate. :)
Posted by: amybnyc at September 23, 2009 9:24 AM
You will hear about many 'must haves' in people's kitchens. Of course, this is a personal decision, and you must do what works for you. A qualified kitchen designer will take the time to talk to you, discover your lifestyle, and talk about possibilities. Most kitchen designers do not charge for this service. I am not a big fan of 'gadgets' unless they're usable.
I have done many kitchens in the slope, and can talk about what's possible in your space.
Check out my website: www.StephenWangel.com
Posted by: STEPHENWANGEL at October 12, 2009 4:36 PM
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