Kitchens on the Cheap: Where to Splurge?
Yesterday’s Parlor Kitchen post got us thinking about doing kitchens on the cheap. Based on our own rather limited experience, the one word of advice we’d throw out there for a more budget-consious reno would be to splurge a little where it’s really going to count. For example, in our kitchen, which hopefully will be…
Yesterday’s Parlor Kitchen post got us thinking about doing kitchens on the cheap. Based on our own rather limited experience, the one word of advice we’d throw out there for a more budget-consious reno would be to splurge a little where it’s really going to count. For example, in our kitchen, which hopefully will be temporary (we’re hoping to move it from the rear of the second floor to the parlor when our ship comes in), we used Ikea cabinets but salvaged some incredible old white marble that we spent about $2,000 having custom cut and finished. In our opinion, it really pulls the kitchen together and dresses up the cabinets, which cost a total of a few hundred bucks from Ikea (photo on the jump). To be fair, we also didn’t really cut corners on the appliances either, reasoning rationalizing that we could keep those if/when we moved the kitchen. Other thoughts about where to drop a few extra bucks in an otherwise penny-pinching reno?
How do you open your kitchen cabinets?
12:49 PM ..dual fuel convection ranges are fabulous for roasting, and much faster than gas, has nothing to do with prestige
I love the lazy susan in the corner of the counter. So cute and homey. I need to get one.
Question for Mr. B:
How is the microwave working for you as an oven vent? We had that in our old co-op but in our brownstone decided to go with a real hood because the old microwave wasn’t venting anything. It’s awfully nice to have the micro out of the way up there, though.
I recommend the LG bottom freezer LRBP1031. It’s “titanium” rather than stainless and also narrow for smaller kitchens. http://us.lge.com/products/model/detail/home%20appliances_refrigerators_bottom%20freezer_LRBP1031.jhtml
also, what kind of appliances are those? i’m searching for a basic middle of the road gas range and refrigerator in stainless. nothing fancy– but i do want it look nice! suggestions? and, what kind of floor do you have in the kitchen? i keep forgetting that i have to make that decision, too….
I had my kitchen gutted and redone for about $15K. I supplied all of the materials, the contractor built the cabinets and the appliances were new. I spent a lot of time at Home Depot, I splurged on backsplash tiles (a little) and I bought a convection oven/microwave to save on both $$ and space. It may not be for everyone, but for a one bedroom apt, I think it’s fine.
the marble looks beautiful. have you had any problems with it? where did you salvage it from? sounds like it was expensive just to cut and finish, and from the picture its not a very large piece. anyone else have experience with marble?
To each his own(priority) but to me keeping the appliances more basic is way to go.
Oversized expensive refridgerators seem more prone to breakdown and so-called ‘high-end’ ranges (especially ‘dual-fuel’) are far more prestige-based than function.
Most people I know with the fancy appliances aren’t good cooks and most good cooks I know don’t have fancy appliances.
You are paying mucho more to be able for the super low-burner and high-burner than you will ever have use for.
I used Ikea cabinets and bought extra door panels and covered the Amana refridgerator to match. But then I had to spend extra for a dishwasher that accepted to door panel.
My big splurge was ceramic tile backsplash.