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My Kitchen Remodel — Nailing Down Some Specifics

Y’all might have noticed that I pretty much jumped into my kitchen makeover/remodel/whatever-you-want-to-call-it with both feet and no real roadmap.

I’ve gone from thinking I was going to do some quick, cheap, temporary makeover, to now thinking that I’ll just skip over that and go right for the permanent stuff.  I mean, if I can’t reuse the long bank of cabinets (where my new sink will go), then I have to build something, and why not just build the final cabinets?  Why waste money on something temporary?  The other side, where the stove and fridge are, also needs cabinets.  Again, temporary stuff would just be a waste of money.

And if I’m going to put new cabinets on those walls, then why wouldn’t I go ahead and put new cabinets on the glorious “wall of storage” wall?

Of course, it all comes down to money.  So you very well might see me making one cabinet a week until it all gets done.  Who knows?  I’m flying by the seat of my pants here.  (And strangely enough, I feel perfectly calm about that.)  😀

But at some point, I’ve got to start making some decisions.  Here’s what I know for sure.

I have the appliances — the Artistry line from GE.

ge artistry appliances in white

So far, I have the gas range and the fridge.  I’m debating whether or not I want the dishwasher.  I’m kind of leaning towards getting a dishwasher that can be covered with a cabinet door panel since it’ll be on the side of the kitchen that is seen when you first walk into the kitchen.  I’d kind of like that whole bank of lower cabinets to be completely uninterrupted by appliances.  But then I wonder if that would make the other side feel too “appliance heavy.”  Or if that even matters.  I don’t know.

Anyway, we don’t need the microwave.  We haven’t used a microwave in ten years, and won’t start now.

Cabinet color:

cameron diaz kitchen from elle decorCameron Diaz’s Manhattan apartment kitchen as featured in Elle Decor.

I’m going for the green.  None of this “it’s just a temporary fun color.”  We all know I love color, and I love deep saturated color, so I’m not scared of the green at all.  I just know I’m going to love it.  And green is one of my two favorite colors.  (That would be greens and blues in case you haven’t been paying attention.)  😀

As far as the cabinet door style, I’m still stumped on that, and I’m having a heck of a time deciding.

And I also love the gold/brass accents, which leads me to the lighting that I already have.

kitchen light from one kings lane

And then I want light and bright countertops.  My dream would be carrera marble, but until that day comes, I’m planning on doing the white Feather Finish countertops.

concrete countertop using ardex feather finish in whiteVia Kara Paslay Designs

Okay, but y’all already knew all of that. I just wanted to get all of that info in one place…mainly for myself.  I’m just trying to get all of my thoughts organized here.

Now here are the decisions that I haven’t made yet.

Flooring.  Right now, I have a plywood subfloor covered with these tongue-and-groove wood planks that you can see in this picture.

When we moved in, this wood was covered in vinyl tiles that were barely stuck on, and that I removed with my fingernail.  As you know by now, if it can be peeled, I must peel.  So we’ve just been living with these bare wood floors since we moved in.

The only flooring option I have that would NOT require me to removed these tongue and groove boards is vinyl tile.  I had groutable vinyl tile in the condo, and absolutely loved it, but I’m just not sure if I want it here.

It would certainly be the easiest option, but since this is our forever house, I want to make a decision based on what I really want, rather than what’s cheap and easy.

If I do ceramic tile, porcelain tile, or anything else, the tongue and groove wood will have to come out or else it will create a lip in the floor going from the music room (that’s what I’ve decided to call the original dining room) into the kitchen.  A lip for most people would be no big deal.  But when you have someone in the house who uses a wheelchair, those things have to be considered.  You’d be surprised at what a challenge things like that that most of us don’t even notice can cause for wheelchair users.

Honestly, tile doesn’t really excited me, so I’m hesitant to go to all that trouble about a flooring that I’m feeling kind of “meh” about.

What does excite me is the possibility of hardwood flooring continuing seamlessly from the music room to the kitchen.  And the other day when I was in Home Depot, they just happened to have a whole pallet of red oak hardwood flooring, and the boards seemed to be the same width as the hardwood flooring in my house.  The only problem was that all of the boards were really short, as in, two feet long.  Strange.

But I thought I could get that, and maybe do a herringbone pattern in the hardwood floor in the kitchen.  The flooring material would be the same, but the design would be different.  And y’all know I love herringbone!

Now I know that a lot of us Americans tend to think of herringbone as a trend that might go away, but herringbone is a classic.  It’s not going anywhere.  I first fell in love with herringbone hardwood floors when I lived in Turkey fourteen years ago.  Here’s a look at my living room in my apartment in Turkey.

my apartent in eskisehir turkey

I’ve loved herringbone floors for fourteen years now, and I don’t see me getting tired of it.  Especially since it’s tied to such sweet memories of living in Turkey.

But then I wonder about the durability of hardwood floors in a kitchen.  Do any of you have real hardwood floors in your kitchen?  What are your thoughts on that?

So that’s what I’m leaning towards for the flooring.  And I have to make a decision before any new cabinets are put in, because if I’m going to be taking out the existing tongue and groove boards, I have to take everything out of the kitchen and get that done first since the current boards go underneath the cabinets.

And then I need to decide about this opening that I’m wanting to create here.

new plumging arrangement 3

I originally thought that I wanted it just completely open, similar to this…

Contemporary Kitchen by Providence Architects & Designers Union Studio, Architecture & Community Design

But now I’m wondering if I might want to add a support column on both sides of that opening (just from the top of the opening down to the countertop or bar or whatever will be there), kind of like this, but not exactly like this (but I think you get the idea)…

And then on the support columns, I would use the sconces that I got to go above my fireplace and now don’t have room for. (I got them from Shades of Light, but I think I bought the last two because it’s not on their site anymore.)

wall sconce from shades of light

I really love the idea of using these sconces in the kitchen, but I’m not sure about adding a support column just so I can use a sconce if I don’t otherwise need a support column.  (I’m still waiting on a contractor to make time in his schedule to come over and give me his input on that.)

And then the final decision I need to make pretty soon is what I want to do on the walls.  Do I want tile?  Paint?  A combination?  Do I want to be daring and find some wallpaper that I love?  Do  I want to DIY something that looks like wallpaper?

I’ve had this crazy idea of using nail heads to create a design all over the wall — something similar to what Sarah did in her bedroom with the nailhead trim design behind the headboard.

nailhead trim design on wall from sarah m dorsey designs

So those are my random, scattered thoughts on my kitchen.  I’ve got some decisions to make!  Thankfully, I have a couple more days of drywall mudding ahead of me, and that’ll give me lots of time in the kitchen where I can ponder these ideas.

But if you have any input on (1) hardwood flooring in the kitchen, or (2) adding a support column even if it’s not needed for the actual structural support, just for aesthetics and so I can uses my sconces, I’d love your input!

 

 

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123 Comments

  1. I personally love hardwoods in the kitchen, especially if it is a continuation. Just makes the space feel more open and cohesive, in my opinion. And those sconces. I’d have to display them… HAVE TO. Gorgeous. The support columns don’t bother me, still leads to an open feel. I really don’t think you can go wrong.

  2. I envy your diy talent!
    Hardwood floors in the kitchen….I think it would be just fine. The excuse given for not putting them in a kitchen has been “because water will ruin them”. I say, who leaves spilled water on a floor long enough to ruin it? If you’re away and something happens, 9 chances out of 10 you’ve got bigger problems that will require an insurance claim anyway!

    1. We had hardwood floors in a house we rented years ago. Right throughout. In the kitchen was a black spot in front of where the dishwasher had been. I’m thinking plumbing disaster. I suspect it happened before the floors were sealed though because we lived in that house for 6 years and had numerous wet messes (two kids and a home brewer will do that) but the floors never showed any damage. I think if the floors are well sealed then hardwood in the kitchen will look lovely and you won’t have any unreasonable wear and tear.

  3. I have hardwood flooring in my kitchen, in fact throughout the main living areas, and they are wonderful! Easy to keep clean, although not with water. I think the herringbone design would be beautiful.

    I also LOVE the light fixtures. If you can use them in the kitchen, then by all means, do.

    LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your blog. You are something else, Girl!

  4. I have hardwood flooring in my kitchen with no problems… I have not put a varnish on it yet but i think its great and allows for that seamless look throughout the house.

  5. 1. Hardwood floors: I have it almost all over my house and love it. Always my first option, especially with many little ones like I have.

    2. Support beam is always better, especially if you do a big job on your ceiling. The sconces would look really nice on each side.

    3. Something you did not ask but that I have been wondering. Your husband is in a wheelchair, right ? My mother, sister and niece were/are also so this is something I am very familiar with. Anyway, I was wondering, does your husband have enough room to open the fridge door by himself ?

    4. So not the right time but… tell us more about the music room ? lol

    1. He’s not able to open the door as it is now. Heck, I barely have enough room! 😀

      But as soon as I swap the door swing on the fridge and freezer, he’ll be just fine.

      As far as the “music room”, that’s really a fancy term for “a glorified hallway that will have a piano and some built-in bookcases.” 😀

      I think Matt would choose to call it a library, but that’s WAY too fancy.

  6. We have natural bamboo in our kitchen, dining room & bathroom. The kitchen & dining room where installed about seven years ago and with two large dogs have held up very well. Scratches? Yes but damage from water – no. We had some leftover and in the fall installed it in our bathroom and with showers and kid baths it’s been fine.

  7. for the cabinet door style i would go simple and have you thought about color stain for the cabinets? i love the support columns idea.

  8. I have had hardwood in the kitchen of my last home for over 10 years. Three kids, a husband that wouldn’t take his workboots off and two large dogs. No problems at all. Just a beautiful, hardworking floor – that matched the rest of the house…..

  9. Kristi, JB and Lil have hardwood in their kitchen. I know they have had to have it replaced at least once because of damage. Seems like I remember Lil saying that she would never want hardwood in her kitchen again. Call and talk to her about it.

  10. I love the hardwood pattern you’re considering! I have hardwood in my kitchen and I love the continuity of the hardwood throughout my entire house (except for in the bathrooms). I have lived in my house almost 10 years and have only had one minor issue…I say minor now, but at the time I thought my floor was warped forever! My fridge had a small leak and I noticed a small puddle of water under my fridge, I turned off the water supply to my fridge, until it was repaired and cleaned up the leak. The leak happened just before Christmas, the floor initially warped slightly, but now, over a few months, there is no more visible signs of warping. Floor looks just as good as ever!

    As for the sconces, I’d love to see them in your bathroom! I would never build pillar, that doesn’t need to be there, just for the lights, just my opinion. Can’t wait to see your progress!

    By the way, I have green cabinets as well!! I can send you a picture, if I can figure out how to attach it!

  11. I have hardwood that continues from my living room to my kitchen. To be honest, I hate it. But I have 4 children and I don’t have time or energy to baby hardwood in a room that sees lots of messes. You probably don’t have the same concerns as I do though . I plan to put tile in as soon as possible for the ease of cleanup.

  12. I’m thinking you may need that support column in your kitchen. You could always step your counter back a bit to give it a bigger opening. As for your floors, why not just refinish the existing floors? You will get your wood floors without the expense or labor of replacing. (BTW – I have wood floors in my kitchen & I love them!). Can’t wait to see what you do with this kitchen. As a side-note – since you haven’t chosen your fridge yet – I have a French Door refrigerator and simply love that too.

    Love your condo kitchen! Your design & color choices were amazing! I’m also one that’s “Addicted 2 Decorating” (and remodel, repurpose & redo). I’ve been in my house for 5 years and have nearly finished remodeling/redecorating the inside. One major project I have left is countertops. Have approx 55 sq. ft. – so cost is also a factor. I want them to look nice, be what’s in style – but also affordable. I think I will take a break and work on my outside for the summer and re-tackle the counters in the fall.

    Good luck with your projects. Look forward to seeing your completed kitchen.

    Judy Crawford

    1. Judy, a note on the countertops, my new DYI ones just arrived today from The Daich Store, http://www.daichstore.com/, I read about them on Kristi’s blog and decided to give them a try, for 50 square feet it was only $125, (they had free shipping) I’m going to be redoing them this weekend and also my backsplash. I don’t have a blog but I’m happy to share my results with anyone who wants to know (I just don’t know how :-), I plan on taking plenty of pictures before during and after 🙂

      Kristi, I wish I could convince my DH to let me paint our cabinets, he’s such a “don’t paint wood” guy even fake builders grade cabinets, he may wake up from a nap one Sunday to a surprise (that’s how I painted my entry area, lol) but one step at a time 🙂

      1. OOOH I have been vascilating back and forth between doing the daich counters. Would be super interested in your results! What color did you get?

        1. I got Ivory, I sent them an e-mail and they sent samples of all the colors, it took about 2 weeks wavering between two colors to finally pick this one. I’m so excited, I’m having a large family gathering at my house on Saturday and I would so love to have it done before then but I won’t have enough time so I’m going nuts waiting to get started on it 🙂

        1. Will do Kristi, I’m going crazy waiting to get started on them! I have a feeling I’m going to start working on them as soon as everyone leaves tonight, I don’t care what time it is 😀

  13. In response to 1. — I had hardwood flooring in my last kitchen. The house was built in 1928, and the floorboards were narrow. It was beautiful. I loved it. It didn’t show dirt and it was fine to clean, it was nice underfoot and not too cold, and when I dropped things they were less likely to shatter. I’ve got ceramic tile now, and it irritates the heck out of me: it’s chilly, it’s hard, and it takes a lot of work to get it really clean. (Also, the grout started to come up and the previous owner repaired it with patches of a much lighter color — and now they’re BOTH coming up, and I don’t know why or what to do. Ugh.)

    But bear in mind that the floor I loved was almost 100 years old. So the wood didn’t look brand new when I moved in. If it had been new, I might have worried more about scuffs, scratches, and spills.

  14. Hmmm. Have you said that you didn’t want to use the sconces in the bedroom? Or other rooms? Anyway, support areas without actual need is just fine.

    And a by-the-way: GE announced that they are thinking of making color panels for their Artistry line that you can change out. They have greens and blues. . .;) (For those times you want to do something different)

    1. I could use the sconces in the bathroom, but not in the bedroom.

      I saw those color panels! I love that idea! I do hope they’ll reconsider, though, and make one for the oven also. I don’t understand why they would just make it for the fridge and dishwasher, but not the oven.

  15. Why not put the sconces in the music room instead? I’d worry about kitchen grime messing up those shades and getting into the little nooks and crannies of the design.

    Love the open kitchen look with the bar!

  16. Love the idea of the herringbone wood floors! They are so beautiful and classic–not trendy at all. I can just imagine them paired with simple, green cabinets, white marble countertops and the beautiful lines of your white appliances (dishwasher uncovered.)

    If this is your forever home, then take as much time as you need to have the layout and finishes what you absolutely love.

  17. We have engineered hardwoods in our home, and we extended them through the kitchen. We have an open floor plan to start with, but it feels so flowy, like one type of flooring was all it needed to seal the deal. We have an 8′ runner with a pad in front of the island/breakfast bar with the sink, and one small microfiber rug in front of the stove which sometimes we put in front of the fridge. I really thought I would hate the kitchen not being tile to clean up….but I LOVE IT! Personally, on the columns….I like them. It keeps the flow open, yet still helps define the space. Good luck…I love seeing your choices and why you make the ones you do. Even if not everyone agrees, you are being true to yourself! Great blog!

  18. Love the sconces, but please…I beg… no wallpaper in the kitchen! It will be ruined as it is absorbent and won’t clean easily on a backsplash

  19. Herringbone hardwood floors is timeless for sure. In our house built in 1900 we have original hardwood parquette floor and it needs a good refinishing job, but it’s beautiful.
    We have wood floor, but have laid tile that looks like wood in the kitchen and the entry.

    Marti from Hungary, Europe

  20. My house now has hardwood floors and stairs on every level, except the basement. Hardwoods in the kitchen are great and aren’t any different from a care perspective than any other flooring type and I have three dogs, two boys and a husband. As long accept that they will not look brand new and get scuffed and scratched, you will be fine. I would skip the herringbone and finish what you have. Not because I don’t like herringbone, but because the flooring is already down and it looks like it is in good shape.

    As for the post — depends on the size you are planning to put in, but I am a total lighting person. If it meant more lights in my room, then I would to do in a heartbeat.

    Good luck and I can’t wait to see what you do.

  21. Your house reminds me of my 1950 house in so many ways. Last summer we FINALLY installed white oak in the kitchen to match the rest of the house. Our floors are poly’d so wiping up is no problem but I bet whatever you use would be fine. I love the continuity. Just be sure to do what I did and put the first dent in it. Dropped a wood cutting board. We’re empty nesters….can’t blame the kids! Oh well!

  22. I like the style of the cabinet doors on your color inspiration. You can even use a bead board wallpaper in the center instead of actual bead board. But then again, if you’re building the doors yourself with a good router you can probably use actual bead board. Check out annawhite.com and sawdustdiaries.com for great info on building cabinets and doors.

    If you don’t need pillars, then don’t build them just so you can use your lights. How about using them in your breakfast room? That would help tie the two rooms together. It’s a long room, you could have a little hang out area with a chair or two and the sconces on the wall.

    Sorry, i have no advice regarding hardwoods in a kitchen. I have a good friend that’s has them and even has 8 kids and she loves them.

    One of these days I’m going to stop watching you and start tackling some of my own things.

  23. I suggest for your wall to add a support column on the outer side only ,that would be a double sided glass cabinet from ceiling to countertop. You can add a spotlight inside it and it can act as a vitrine where you can put some antiques.

  24. I love everything you do,….BUT, I would absolutely get a microwave, in my humble opinion. More and more things are microwaveable, steam-able in the microwave, heat packs, etc. Perhaps build-it-in, or put behind doors,….just my 2 cents.

  25. I have real hardwood in my ktichen and I love it! We put them in about 8 years ago. They are easy to clean and do not show dirt. I have a landscaper husband, a young adult son and his friends and 4 cats. I do not have a mud room (which I would love) so you come right into the kitchen from the garage. My floors take a beating but wear very well.

  26. Herringbone hardwood flooring would be gorgeous, but in the past 2 homes I’ve lived in both kitchens had hardwoods in the kitchen and BOTH were ruined by water damage from the fridge…not super noticeable, until you try to move the fridge – can’t roll it out because the floors are so warped, had to shave down the bottom of the upper cabinet to get the new fridge to fit because of the hump in the middle, etc. While hardwood is my favorite flooring choice in general, I will NEVER install hardwoods in any area of a home that has waterlines (kitchen, bathroom, laundry room, etc.), if you do you’re just asking for trouble.

  27. Hardwoods – ABSOLUTELY! They’re perfect for kitchens and are classic and timeless.

    Support beams – considering your skills and good taste, I’d say ABSOLUTELY on the columns, but not plain ones. Oh, no…you’d make boxes and moldings and the like and they’d be stunning! You might even get to use some of your fun nailhead designs in the boxes to accent your lights, and even a bit of color. I can see the columns being important and fun and really drawing in the eye.

  28. We had a B&B up until a few years ago The house was built in the 1890s and had the original hardwood floors all through the house, including the kitchen. I loved them and they were so easy to clean.

  29. Regarding the nail head design on a kitchen wall… it would be pretty, but in a kitchen, would probably collect grease (and then dust) from cooking. Maybe save that idea for another area?

  30. Do not skip building a spot for a dishwasher. Even you don’t plan on buying or using one. Can’t tell you how many times I had to resort to a roll-around portable DW because not only was ther no DW in the house, but istalling one would have meant having to tear out and rearrnge cabinets. All modern homes should have ao DW. They are not a luxury but just as necessary as a clothes washer to many of us. Also create a logical spot for a microwave someday. There’s my bossy-pants two cent’s worth!

      1. Oh, thanks for letting us know you won’t be skipping the dishwasher! I apologize for all the typos in my comment — that’s what happens when I try to compose on an iPad.

  31. We are coming to a close on our gut job (coming up on a year now). We tore maple flooring out of 2 rooms and plan on installing it into the now enlarged kitchen, 1 to contain the budget and 2 I love wood floors. So my thoughts are go for it!

  32. I love the choice of the hard wood floor in an herringbone pattern in your kitchen! I also saw a pic of someone who did a tile in a herringbone patten that looks so beautiful. Obviously it would have to be the tile that was the size of wood. Just another idea! God bless!

  33. I had wood flooring in my kitchen that flowed from the main living spaces and it really helped to tie the two spaces together since it was an open floor plan. They were easy to maintain so long as any liquids that you spill are immediately cleaned up so that they don’t soak in and cause warping in the boards. I just used a Swiffer wet mop with cleaner specific for wood floors for day to day cleaning and a floor steamer for a more thorough monthly cleaning. Since your kitchen seems to be long and narrow I would suggest setting the herringbone pattern with the points going toward the longer walls and not the shorter ones. (Hope that makes sense. :)) Otherwise it might cause the room to feel more closed in with such a busy pattern.

  34. Hardwood always. We had it put on the entire 1st floor, re-did the stairs and continued it on the 2nd floor hall, 2 extra bedrooms and the master closet.
    Our kitchen is holding up well and we have a dog.
    Use Bona cleaners.
    On the first floor we also had an extra coat of sealer and I think that has made the difference.

  35. I have red oak floors in my kitchen, dining, and living room. You won’t regret it. They’re beautiful.

  36. I work as a private chef and two of the homes I’ve worked in for the last 9 years have had hardwood floors. I work full time for one family at a time and I cook in the kitchen for about 8-9 hours a day. Pretty hard use, more than the average home kitchen. The floors have held up very well. I’m careful not to let liquid sit on them if I spill something, and I sweep everyday, wash about once a week. I have learned do NOT use a high gloss finish on a wood floor, especially in a kitchen, they show every single spot of dirt. I think you’re making the right decision to go with the permanent kitchen and not waste money on a temporary solution. You’ll have less incentive to finish your dream kitchen if you have one that is OK. Go for it!

  37. Wood floors in the kitchen will work great!

    I love that fact you are opening up that wall, and there is nothing wrong with leaving some structure there for support, and give you a great background to hang those favorite sconces.

    Flat cabinet faces are a little more expensive, but they will be much easier to take care of. Nothing worse than having to clean crevasas in the kitchen cabinets on a daily basis, sometimes having to use toothpicks and the like to get flour or whatever out of those corners. It is much easier to wipe a flat cabinet face As you know, the cabinet hardware will set the tone. It would look great with the color you want to use as well.

    Just my two cents worth. I can’t wait to see the finished project! Best in all!

  38. I would think that any floor surface in a room at risk for broken water lines would have problems (maybe in different ways) with a flood. I vote for hardwood – not engineered, not laminate – hardwood! I LOVE columns, but would it/they take away much visual space, chopping up the flow? That is what I am trying to figure out. 🙂

    1. Exactly- any floor will suffer damage from a flood. Tile sits on subfloor which is wood. Tile is hard and cold and shows dirt. Hardwood is forgiving and with a good poly coat it is easy to care for. Every one I know with hardwood loves it but the people with tile complain. On another note, those sconces are super cool.

  39. I wish your blog had “likes” and “dislike” symbols so I could agree or disagree with some of these peoples comments….. you do such great work and I love how you share your stories with us. Just yesterday I attempted to do a craft only to wind up doing it in the wrong order, obvisiously I don’t think before I get started I “just do”. I’m glad to find others are like me and do what fits your fancy at the time…Keep up the good work. Can’t wait to see what you accomplish….!!!!!

  40. We’ve had cypress wood floors in our open kitchen/living room, as well as throughout the house, for over 15 years, and though they have ‘antiqued’ somewhat through that time, that just adds to the charm. I agree with the person who suggested to just finish the floors you have down now. Maybe you could do a slightly different finish on the kitchen floor, just to be a little different in the kitchen. It appears to be structurally sound, and since you refinished your other floors, you already know how to do it! A couple of coats of a good finish will seal and protect them. Not to mention that it would save money for other things, as well as making quicker progress toward completion.

    As for the support columns, If that is a load bearing wall, you may need them. I will be surprised if your carpenter doesn’t suggest you have them. I like the second picture of having more of a large opening in the wall which gives definition to the kitchen while still allowing the light to stream in.

    For the dishwasher, I know you’ve said that this is your ‘forever’ house, but sometimes things change in our lives and we find we need to relocate. A dishwasher is a definite selling point for a kitchen. And if you are planning to host your family for Thanksgiving dinner this year, it will come in handy. I don’t use mine very often since it’s just the two of us, but there are times I’m really glad I have it. We don’t use a microwave either, but many other people do, and it would be another selling point to have a place for one.

    For cabinet style, what would work best with your appliances? Are you going for a vintage cabinet look, or a contrast of vintage and modern? How will the white appliances work with the green cabinets? Are you thinking of doing the gold around the inside of the cabinet door, as in the photo? If so, something similar to the cabinet style in your inspiration photo would probably be what you want.

    I’m more of a fan of paint on walls than wallpaper at this point. Maybe the same green as the cabinets, so that the color flows all around the room. A backsplash that mimics the countertop would lighten up all the green.

    Have you done a story board for the kitchen? That might help to pull all the concepts floating around in your head together. You’ve already got some terrific ideas. Whatever you do, I look forward to following the journey with you!

  41. I’m all for jumping in and getting started, but try as I might I am not a fly by the seat of my pants kind a girl. Since the breakfast room is going to open up to the kitchen (even more so than the music room), I would think a lot of these decisions need to take that into account. I think wood floors in the kitchen are fine and love the herringbone pattern. I love, love, love the green and brass and the idea of the columns. I think wallpaper on that end wall would be awesome and you don’t have to use it on the back splashes. A white dishwasher would look fine, but girl, I do not see how you get by without a microwave (not suggesting you get one). Also, I think the plainer the cabinet fronts the better. You do some amazing things and I’m sure this will be not any different.

  42. I have 3/4″ Bruce hardwood in my kitchen and high traffic areas. We got it prefinished because it comes with like 25 coats of finish and is smooth, beautiful, and durable. I have two dogs and live in the country. The flooring is about ten years old and looks great. I clean it with a very large microfiber pad “mop” by dampening the pad with warm water and using it like a swifter. No warping, no chemicals and it looks great. Occasionally I use a hard wood spray cleaner if I want some additional shine. As far as the lamps, they are so classic and will look good wherever you use them. The option of a post is your choice and style and that area will look nice either way as well.

  43. I lived with hardwood floors in the kitchen of our town home in Atlanta for 6 years. It is a 3-story town home and the main floor is the second floor. That whole floor is hardwoods and I loved it! I never had the first problem with hardwoods being in the kitchen. We’ve been back in Florida for the last 3 years now, and we haven’t had an issue with any of our renters with the kitchen hardwoods, either.

    I really loved the seamless look of that whole floor, and would absolutely do it again. Our house here has tile in the kitchen, but I would love to replace it with hardwoods. Besides how gorgeous hardwoods can be, It is so much easier on your legs/feet than the hard tile.

    I say if you want hardwoods in your kitchen, go for it! And the herringbone pattern you love would be just lovely! I know whatever you choose will be gorgeous!

  44. Hardwood in the kitchen is great. I have it in my current house and had it installed in the previous house. I would recommend it in a heartbeat. It’s not cold and things don’t shatter like with tile. We never had any problems with water being spilled and it has happened many times. I love how hardwood ties all the rooms together.
    If it was my house I would go for the more opened look. Keep your gold scones for your music room, hall or bedroom. Cheers

  45. So…you mentioned that your current kitchen floor is tongue and groove wood planks over a plywood subfloor. Can you use that (assuming there’s no height discrepancy to present wheelchair problems)? I do personally love herringbone, though! The sconces look like they’d go perfectly with the light you already have, so I think that’s a must. I agree with the comments I read re: wallpaper and nailheads perhaps causing problems with being dirt, grease catchers in a kitchen, but I guess that depends on how much and what you generally cook. Whatever you decide, it’ll be fantastic (as always) 🙂

  46. I love the hardwood idea, and I especially love the idea of a seamless flooring leading into the music room. I’m so glad you decided to jump right in with building your permanent cabinets. It will save you so much time and money in the long run. You chose gorgeous colors etc. I’m crazily excited to see your kitchen take shape!

  47. Can you just sand and polish the tongue and groove that’s in there? (If you answered I didn’t see post) I have carpet and it’s HORRID,,, can’t wait for hardwood when I do my kitchen remodel 🙂

  48. I haven’t finished reading all of the comments, but so far it looks like I am one of the few who do not like wood in a kitchen. I have had appliances leak before and it scares me thinking about what a mess that would be with wood. I am getting wood installed in my whole house except the kitchen. I found some great ceramic planks that look EXACTLY like my wood and am excited to use the two together. The ceramic is costing $4.59 a square foot plus installation so it isn’t the cheap stuff normally seen. It looks so much like the wood that it is going to be hard to tell the difference but I will have more peace of mind. I am retired and this is my forever house too and I do not want any drama down the road. I live in a hurricane prone area and sometimes we don’t have electricity for a week and the frig leaks all over the floor.

  49. Kristi, the red oak would be beautiful with the green cabinets and brass you’ve chosen. Whether you do a herringbone or regular stagger effect; the hardwood floors would be gorgeous! I think someone might have problems with wood flooring is when the hardwood is unsealed or if it is a thin laminate style.
    Can’t wait to see what you do with your ideas!

  50. We have lived in our (25 year old) home which has hardwood floors in the kitchen (and the entire first floor, for that matter) for 7 years now, with 9 kids and a dog. Needless to say, the kitchen sees lots of activity. 🙂 The floors have held up wonderfully! I’ve lived with both vinyl flooring and ceramic tile in the kitchens of our previous homes, and hardwood is by far my first choice. It’s quiet, easy on the feet and legs, doesn’t show every drip, and easy to clean. I wouldn’t hesitate to do hardwood in the kitchen at all!

    As for the columns idea, I love that look, and think it would be a great way to incorporate your sconces! Columns definitely help define a space without cutting it off from the next room. Can’t wait to see what you decide!

  51. Yes, we have hardwood in our kitchen (oak with a Swedish oil finish). It is the easiest floor ever to care for. Please go for it–you’ll love it. The herringbone pattern will be terrific.

  52. I love your blog. You are an inspiration to me! Not sure I could attempt a quarter of what you have done but I can dream!
    A few points, I love wood floors, easy to keep clean, always look good. As in other comments, I also question your refrigerator placement unless the doors can be switched to the other side. No room for your hubby & it feels awkward anyway.
    Keep up the great work!

  53. I love all of it. Every idea. Green cabinets, wood floor (<3 herringbone pattern!) and the columns a big yes! Hang those sconces! I can't wait to see when you get started!

  54. A close friend of mine has hardwood in her kitchen. She loves it! She has 4 kids and a dog. She said the only thing you need to watch it that you clean up anything you spill right away.

  55. I’ve had both laminate and hardwood in a kitchen. I think it’s more about the finish than the wood. If you were to buy pre-finished boards (like Bella with its 40+ year warranty), it’s a fantastic product, but you’re going to have unsealed cracks between the finished boards. Drop a whole pot of hot water…or coffee…or red wine on that and I’m sure it’ll go between the grooves and swell and/or water stain the floor. If you install unfinished floor and make sure you have a few good coats of a durable finish on it (like you’ve done in the rest of your house), it should be as water-tight as anything else if not better.

    Another thing to consider is whether you might ever want to change the footprint of your kitchen. Most people don’t want to spend the extra money to put flooring underneath the cabinets and/or appliances, so they go around them instead. However, if you like to change things often or think you might ever want to change things, it might be worth the extra money to do so. Floors are a big committment…even for a DIY’er and finding the exact same wood and matching the finish years later is not easy.

    I’m in this boat with my own kitchen. I hate the layout but the previous owner (who happened to be a flooring guy) went around the cabinets and flowed the pattern right into the dining room. Even if I can find replacement boards, I’m probably going to have to commit to refinishing both rooms just to move cabinets around or the finish between the old and the new won’t match. I’m less than thrilled.

    Good luck!

  56. Have you tried to do sand/refinish a small area of your tonge and groove flooring? I love the look of that floor and in a kitchen with the proper finish it should wear well.

    You have a lot of decisions to make but I know you’ll make the room look incredible.

    1. I actually did try to sand the floor when I rented the big sander and did the rest of the house. But the adhesive that’s on the kitchen floor just gummed up on the sandpaper. It was awful. That’s why there’s still so much of the adhesive (the dark areas) on the floor.

  57. I love the refinished aged plank floor in the Providence Architect photo with the full opening! I did a 200 yr. old cape farmhouse where the clients chose to use the existing floor, simply because they loved it so much. It was beautiful. That being said, hardwood is timeless, and with several coats of poly will withstand a lot of abuse. A touch up coat or two of poly after a few years will guarantee that the poly takes the abuse and not the wood itself.

    The column…I had the same idea for our second home (for our retirement years), which I used as a show house for my business before using it as rental property. The contractor miscalculated the countertop length and was not able to do the column as planned. I have been forever grateful for that mistake. The sense of openness is wonderful and we love it.

    The sconces are lovely, but with your never ending motivation and creativity, you would surely find another home for them. BTW…I, too, love your blog.

  58. I have hardwood floors in my kitchen and love them. I avoid standing water, but otherwise find them easy to care for. Love your plans!.

  59. I’ve had hardwood in the kitchen and I did love it, but you have to be realistic about your family. Do you tend to be ‘wipe up liquids’ people…or ‘drop things a lot’ people? Those are definite considerations. I was happy with how mine held up, except for the incidents with the dropped flint arrowhead and the dropped glass blender. *sigh*

    How about this for a post/counter setup? http://www.pinterest.com/pin/251497960415807026/

  60. K, You have to do the herringbone in the kitchen! I’ve always loved herringbone too. I want to use a brick herringbone pattern for the mud room/garage entry. I agree, it’s totally classic.

    I love the jewel green tone of the cabinets and I was thinking because those should be the focal point (IMHO) maybe you can do a white subway tile from the cabinet to the ceiling with some floating wood shelves.

    I heart sconces and the lights you have plus the incredibly awesome one from your husband has to be displayed and putting them together just feels right.

    Christine

  61. I wonder about sanding the current tongue and groove floors? But anything you decide for the floors will look nice.

    I believe a contractor is going to tell you that you do have to have some type of support pillars or beams because that is a load bearing wall, so you may have to have them whether you want them or not. I would save those gorgeous sconces for a bathroom or the music room, as those fabric shades will eventually be ruined by steam, grease, etc.

    I’m glad you are foregoing the expense of a temporary fix, and going for the permanent thing even if you have to do it one wall at a time. You could buy stock cabinets minus the doors, and make your own doors, or vice versa. Also, a lot of kitchens, especially older ones, have different kinds of cabinetry for interest. Even new homes are doing that now.

    You’ll do a stunning job, as always. Just take your time to make sure you get exactly what you want.

  62. Go for the wood floors, just be sure to use a clear matte finish or low luster to protect them. I don’t care for the shiny look. A rug or two will help protect the floors and bring in more color and texture. A inlaid border in a darker finish as a border around the room would look sharp. I would use straight run patterns for the flooring. I would be concerned about the fabric shades in the Kitchen. The metal may not wear as well either unless you lacquered them. I would use them in a hall or dining area. I like the idea to define the kitchen area with post , pillars or columns . I love the green color cabinets and I would use panel doors with a lot of detail. Gosh a copper sink would be beautiful with your other choices. Adding a brass and copper combo hardware for the cabinets. I love the look of mixing metals. Maybe creating your own pulls. I would cover all the appliances but the stove in the same cabinetry as the rest. Then give the stove more of a hearth feel to it. Maybe even a mantel look type of wood hood. Giving the room a English country sort of feel. White veined green marble counter tops would be great too. A plaid look ceramic back splash and pastoral feel wallpaper on the larger wall spaces would be grand. With your other selections. I enjoy reading your blog each day. I decorate the same way going from room to room back and forth. lol It’s more fun and it doesn’t get boring just doing one room at a time. Enjoy, Kevin

  63. I have had engineered hardwood in my kitchen for 6 years, and other than one or two dents from dropping heavy stuff (I am a super klutz) they are in great shape. I like the continuity, and I feel like they are warmer than tile.

    Btw, you inspired me to get my husband to show me how to use the power tools safely (see above super klutz) and now I am ready to start on some projects! Thank you!

  64. I have real hardwood floors in our kitchen and love them. Had them in our last house,too. I have carrera marble on all of the countertops in our kitchen and wish I had gone with a synthetic look-alike such as a Silestone product. (I had those countertops in our last house and loved them). The marble is very high maintenance. They etch which is different from staining which the sealer prevents. But, sealers don’t prevent etching.

  65. I saw this amazing tile flooring installed in a herringbone pattern in House Beautiful magazine and saved the picture because I plan to use it when I remodel my kitchen someday. Here is the link:

    http://www.housebeautiful.com/kitchens/dream/classic-white-kitchen-1213?click=main_sr#slide-1

    It is Albero 3 tile from Cancos Tile and Stone – looks like a beautiful wood floor but perfect for the wear and tear of a kitchen. Wood flooring would never last in my kitchen with all the abuse it takes!
    It might be worth it to check it out.

  66. I love me some herringbone hardwood! Sounds like a good use of that pallet of odd sized planks… My husband and I moved into our house about 2 years ago and it has oak hardwood throughout the main level and into the kitchen. I would guess its about 15 years old and still looks great. We got a new fridge last year and my hubs had to run a waterline to it for the ice dispenser. I’m super paranoid about water leaks ruining the hardwood, so I had him add shut offs behind so I can turn off the water when we go out of town for a long time.

  67. We have dogs and their water bowl has totally ruined a big section in the breakfast room. And the kitchen has really worn a lot more than the rest of our first floor. I do love the look and it would probably be fine with no dog issues. I plan to change to tile since we are dog people.

  68. Kristi, What fun you will have. But….I am super concerned about when you get your house leveled. When the house is leveled, it changes the dimensions of the walls and the ceiling and the floors. If you build in your cabinets before leveling, these elements are going to “shift.” When the guy comes to check out the load bearing wall, BE SURE TO ASK HIM WHAT HE THINKS. I don’t mean to shout, but want to make sure you ask about this step. I’ve seen sheetrock crack and buckle, door frames out of square, floors warp. If you have to install pillars on the load bearing wall, let him know that you are going to level the house, and ask him if it will have consequences on the structures. Otherwise, all your hard work will be ruined.

  69. If you know for sure where your cabinets will go you could use a circular saw to cut the existing boards just outside the cabinet line, leaving all the boards where they are for now. Then you could do your cupboards first and if you decided to pull up the t and g boards the part under the cabinets could stay and the rest would be easy to remove.and any difference in height of the old floor vs new floor could be hidden with moulding if needed. This gives you the option to refinish the existing floor or replace it and you would be able to choose to do cabinets or floors first.

  70. I think if you go with a bold saturated cabinet color, I would keep the profile simple. In fact, I like the ones in your example. And the bridge style faucet is “da bomb”. Also, consider porcelain tile for the floor. I think I remember you said you lived in Texas, so if the floor is cold, it might be a bonus. Tile might be your best bet for the walls– easy peasey to clean.

  71. Kristi, I’m watching Rehab Addict and a light bulb lit up when she was restoring some stained glass windows. You know that window between your kitchen and sunroom? Replace it with a stained glass window. The light coming into the sunroom will light up the stained glass, and lights turned on in both room will also make the stained glass window show up. If you could find an old one that fits, that would be great. But if you have one made, have it show some of the green from your cabinets. It can be expensive to make a custom one, but that is one place it would be worth spending the money!

  72. I want to suggest someting for a back splash. I chose to use formica as a back splash. My dad cut it in half lingthwise and so on sheet coverd 16 feet. I love it. and it does not stain and is very scrubable.

  73. Kristi, I don’t know if you read Michelle’s blog at 4men1lady.com, but this past week she has been reviewing the choices she made with her kitchen remodel a year ago. She specifically talks about cabinet styles, flooring, and carerra marble, and what she loved about them and didn’t, and what she’d never do again. It was really informative!

    1. Thank you, Lindsey! That was very informative. I had a feeling she would say that about the marble, but I still want it. I’m stubborn that way. 🙂

      But she’s definitely made me thing about the inset cabinet doors that are my favorite.

  74. Your ideas sound great! Now for my experience with hardwoods in the kitchen. Do not get the prefinished hardwood with a “beveled” edge (we have this style). They look nice, but trap dirt and look similar to someone with brocolli stuck in between their teeth/dirt stuck under your finger nails:). We currently have oak through out our entire house (minus bathrooms). Although I love the look, I cringe everytime we drop something. Unfortunately, it leaves a big dent, although the finish is not effected (think shiny dent, UGH). Also, the edges do not feel nice under bare feet. I grew up in a house with seamless hardwoods that were finished in place. They were so much more comfortable to walk on and did not have issues trapping dirt. I would also reccomend using a gel mat or slightly cushioned mat when you plan on working in the kitchen (you could roll it up and stash it away when not in use if you do not like the look. Using it where you do dishes and/or unload the dishwasher would be my recomendation. Just imagine unloading your dishwasher and a slippery/hot plate slides through your hands and plops onto to those beautiful herringbone floors. Avoid the tears and be proactive with protecting your investment:).

  75. We had traditional hardwood floors in our kitchen (and throughout the house) in WA State. I mention the place, because it’s wet all the time and the hardware floors held up great. We had a mix of red and white oak, so they weren’t super light or red. It was beautiful. On the cabinets. If you are going with the dark saturated color (which I like), I would keep the cabinet design simple, like in Cameron’s kitchen.

  76. I think hardwood in the kitchen would be gorgeous, and I do love a herringbone pattern. I love the idea of one type of flooring throughout, it really unites the home.

    I cannot speak to durability as I’ve never owned a home or lived anywhere with hardwood floors (our home when I was a small child had hardwood throughout, but I don’t remember it all that well), but a friend of mine had laminate on her entire first floor including kitchen. She had a husband, 3 kids and 4 cats and the laminate wore well, but she also had an older refrigerator that they refurbed by painting it (it looked like new!) that sprung a leak and warped the laminate under it. My friend had convinced her husband to buy extra flooring to repair any potential future damaged spots. He resisted because of cost, but it paid off when they were able to quickly repair the warped spot in the floor and only had to pay for labor because they already had the floor product on standby.

    I also like the idea of a support beam, with the wall opened up, it will expand the space but the beam will define it, and you’d be able to put up your sconces.

    As for cabinet doors, I’d go with the ones in your inspiration picture. The color and recessed panel are gorgeous.

  77. Hi Kristi

    We have had solid hardwood floors throughout our house for 7 years now — including the kitchen — and we love it! Our kitchen is VERY well used, and has had lots of things dropped and spilled, etc. on it. We also have a big chocolate lab that gets fed in the kitchen, as well as two cats and two teenagers — and it’s not like we’re all gone all day–I homeschooled my kids (now in college) and I’m still a stay-at-home wife.

    Wood, being what it is, will get scratched or dented over time, although ours has held up surprisingly well. The area that has the most wear-and-tear is in our library (that’s what I call it, anyway), and that’s because we had these old office chairs (at a big desk that the kids sat in to do their schoolwork), and we neglected to put those plastic things in (don’t know what they’re called) that go underneath office chairs to protect the floor. Of course, the kids would just drag the chairs back and forth — did I mention these office chairs had no wheels?

    The nice thing about wood is that you can always refinish it after years of dents and dings, or even if you just want to change the stain colour. After 7 years, ours are in pretty good shape and don’t have to be sanded and redone just yet. The kitchen is still very nice, too. I think our wood is ashwood. Not 100% sure on that–I’d have to ask my husband.

    Hope that helps!

  78. Go for the hardwoods! We built a house 20 years ago with hardwoods throughout and I was never sorry, especially in the kitchen. We are avid cooks and the tile in our current house KILLS our bodies! If I had known I was going to be here this long, I would have ripped them out and replaced them with hardwood. I think the herringbone pattern would be stunning!

    You are a girl after my own heart!. I am so inspired by all of your creations!

  79. I like hard wood floors anywhere…..I think the columns in the kitchen give you the open feel but close it just enough to keep it separate …..I love the sconces! ……also I think the current cabinet reto fitted with a farm house style sink would work as a permanent not temporary fix…..

  80. Have you thought about staining the tongue and groove flooring with a blue stain or wash like the photo of the green kitchen. You said you like color. Does the wall you are taking down need the support of a column? If not, I would not include it in your design.

    1. I’m still not sure if the wall needs the support column. I’ve been trying to get a contractor over here for about three weeks, but so far he hasn’t made his way over here.

  81. Yes to the hardwood throughout the house! We had solid white oak put in throughout the down stairs last summer. So far so good. We also opened up a wall between our kitchen and livingroom, it has made an AMAZING difference. We had to leave a small section of the wall, due to plumbing from an upstairs bathroom. if i had had a choice i would’ve loved it completely open. We dressed it up with 2 square columns attatched to each side of the wall (about 3 ft in all) but it just puts a break in the flow of rooms. Maybe when you do the demolition, a section of the wall can be left up that is the size of the column you want. It will give you an idea of how it will look and feel. Good luck!

  82. Yes to the hardwood floors! If I could, I’d have them in mine, too.
    I don’t think you’ll have any problem building those cabinets. I built several for my kitchen remodel a few years ago, and I’m a good bit older than you! One thing I did that you might want to consider, since you’re painting the cabinets, is using MDF cabinet doors. I live in a smallish town in MS, but there’s a shop here that routs the doors from 3/4″ stock in several different door styles. I’ve used them in 3 bathrooms, and for a wardrobe I built for our guest room and built-in shelves in our LR. With a couple good coats of oil-base primer and oil or latex paint, they look really good! And I had them rout the holes for concealed hinges, so they were really easy to install, too.
    You’re a girl after my own heart, and I enjoy your blog- keep up the good work!
    P.S. thanks so much for the post about ASCP- I’d doubted for a while, now I’m sure I don’t want to use it!!

  83. Kristi;

    Hardwood is the way to go. We installed it in our house and a reno project on a rental property. In terms of cost it was the least expensive for the rental property and the visual flow makes the house seem larger. I chose a satin finish which may not be your choice for wear with a wheelchair. I ran the hardwood into the powder room and it looks wonderful.
    Cost of hardwood varies and as well quality. You need to really look around and wait for specials I paid 5.79 a sq. foot for 1100 sq. ft. and then I found some later for 2.99, then 1.99 and eventually found enough for a small bedroom 11 by 10 at 99 cents. This all is an almost identical finish. You nee to purchase when you see it because it is a bargain and will go fast. Presently I have 6 boxes sitting in my small room waiting for installation purchased at 99 cents and another six in a storage area for when I replace my kitchen. I purchased a light floor steam cleaner and it dose the job quickly and looks fantastic.

    Just love your blog and that I get updates everyday. I lived overseas and did an Ikea kitchen in my 65 sq meter flat. I had a great looking place and sold it all at a bargain rice to the next expat .

  84. Flooring- go for the herringbone wood since you’ve decided to go ahead and do the permanent redo and that’s what you really want.
    Support column- yes and since you want to put the sconce on it, it will have electrical line so you can add an outlet or two or three and who doesn’t need more of those!

  85. I love the look of marble but would never even consider it due to it being so high maintenance. There are a lot of quartz options that are made to look like marble. There is also something called quartzite that is supposed to look like marble but is way more durable.

    Love your appliance choices.

  86. LOVE the hardwoods I had put into my kitchen. Had carpeting in the dining room and vinyl in the kitchen ripped up to create continuous hardwood flooring. “Asian walnut” which is on the darker side. It’s wonderful. Go for it!

  87. We’ve got wood on our kitchen floors and love it. It provided a seamless look and made the space feel bigger since there wasn’t a flooring transition. Yes, wood and water are bad…but you’re not going to spill a pot of water and just let it sit there. Your floors will be sealed and you will clean up the water and your floors would be fine. If you’re super worried about wood/water and engineered hardwood (not laminate!) might be the way to go. It’s put together along the same lines as a ply wood with the grain on the different layers alternating, which serves to make it more warp resistant. The final layer is hardwood that IS refinishable, but only 2-3 times. That’s what we went with…I figure that if I refinish once, I’ll be dead before it needs refinished again. 🙂

  88. I love how out of the box you are! I can’t wait to see your green cabinets. I have a new addiction to Navy Blue (that I totally blame on you!) and I saw this http://www.lushome.com/royal-blue-kitchen-design-carved-wood-kitchen-cabinets/43080. I completely love pictures 6 & 7, wood floors and all (even tho it’s more of a cobalt or royal blue). So I’m hoping you go with wood for your kitchen floor because that has been my dream for a long time now. I love the idea of a support column for your scones as long as it doesn’t take away from the open feeling and make the kitchen feel all closed in again.

  89. I haven’t read any other commends, so I may be repeating things posted all ready. I love the herringbone idea, but can the wood floor just be sanded and refinished like the rest of the house, just wondering. I think that the sconces and the nail head design would look better in the dining room area. I would love to see you do some wall paper type design. I had wall paper in my kitchen for years, it ends up looking real denge after a while. I know what ever you decide will look just amazing!!!

  90. Kristi,
    I have large 18 X 18 ceramic tiles in my kitchen and HATE them! They run through my kitchen, dining and living room. (I live in the south where they are popular) I have hardwoods and manufactured hardwoods in the entrance and family room which I love! The ceramic tiles seem to really be hard on my feet. I don’t know if it makes sense but if I spend a long day cleaning, DIYing or anything on that side of the house my feet are killing me! Go with the hardwoods!

  91. I have hardwood in my kitchen and it’s great! Love that there’s no transition from living room to kitchen to master bedroom. I can just keep going with my extra large dust mop (or vacuum or steam mop). I love that there’s no grout lines to deal with when cleaning. Big love on that! And it’s beautiful! I’ve lived long enough and moved enough to have lived with all types of floors in the kitchen and hardwood is my fav. And we have lots of grandkids, and a doggy plus others bring their pets when visiting, and have had no issues with water. We do turn our water off when we leave for trips. The water line to the ice maker broke behind the fridge when I just happened to be standing right in front of the fridge so noticed immediately. In the few mins it took to turn off the water, it had leaked down to the lower floor, and totally pooled my whole kitchen and into the living room. If we hadn’t been home, it would’ve been a disaster, wood floor or not.

  92. Oh, Kristi, I want to add something to your kitchen planning. When we redid our kitchen several years ago, I did something I’ve been so happy with. On one short wall of cabinets, I had the base cabinets built 30 inches deep and the upper cabinets built 15 inches deep. I absolutely love these! Especially the lowers. I have the pull outs in the base cabinet and I can get most of my large pots, including my slow cooker and my big stock pot and colanders in that cupboard. Since you are considering doing your own building, you aren’t locked into standard cabinet dimensions, so I thought I’d mention it. If I had it to do over again, I would have skipped the doors on more of the base cabinets and just had deep drawers made.

  93. I love your cabinet door style and love the gold/brass accents, I myself love hardwoods in the kitchen, and they are superb! Easy to keep clean, although not with water. I think the herringbone design would be beautiful. Your light fixtures are also very beautiful.