Posted by jsexton – March 3, 2007 10:35 AM
We learned a ton in the process of remodeling this kitchen. It was a complete tear-down, removing two walls and taking everything down to the studs. Here are some tips to share:
• For an extensive kitchen remodel that will take months, budget extra for eating out often.
• At a certain point, because we had no kitchen, dining room and eating area, there was less to do in the house. We had extra time on our hands. Enjoy it. Take advantage of it to do things you don’t normally do.
• Do go with paper plates, bowls and cups. We try to be green so we washed dishes in the bathroom sink for two months, then finally gave into convenience. Good grief, what took us so long!
• Removing walls is not a small thing. It can be done, but it is expensive, and takes a lot of time.
• For couples, manage the remodel together. Don't delegate the whole thing to one.
• Plan for at least a 10 percent cost overrun. This will cover unexpected problems that inevitably crop up. For us the electrical work cost quite a bit more than expected.
• Fall is the perfect time to do a remodel. You can leave the windows open, and don't have to run the heat or AC as much. Running the heat or AC has a way of spreading dust to parts of the house that aren't being remodeled.
• In retrospect, our island is too big. We like it a lot, but if we could do it all over again, we would make it a bit smaller and leave more room around the stove, sink and fridge.
• For an extensive remodel, do work with a designer or architect to get your plan worked out. This will cost more but will be worth it in the long run.
• Living in your home during a big kitchen remodel is a bit like camping. If you don't like camping, it might be best to move out.
• It is critical to have good daily communication with your contractors and designer. If communication breaks down, you will have problems.
• It will take longer than you expect. Count on it.
• We love the floor to ceiling cabinets. We like the look and the extra storage. The top shelf is hard to reach-- but great for things you don’t use often.
• We would not do the pop-up vent for the stove again. It doesn't pull enough air. We're having it looked at to see if anything can be done to give it more suction. But in hindsight, I wish we had gone with a ceiling hood that had more power.
• We love the stainless steel countertop on the island. But it does scratch fairly easily. It will end up taking on a patina of its own, which is fine. But initially we thought it would be bullet proof.
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Stainless is great for accessorizing, but for appliances and large areas, I have found it is extremely time-consuming (and costly) to maintain that "showroom" gloss. I switched to platinum, not nearly as hard to keep clean (no fingerprints, smudges, etc.) But now that you have finished your new kitchen, ENJOY!!!!
Posted by Della – March 6, 2007 12:00 AM
Great remodel. I applaud your innovative use of colors and materials. Good job! I didn't see the ovens, is there another wall that is not in the pictures?
As far as the downdraft, a hood is not that much better over an island. Unless you have it quite close, no more than 30" from the cooktop, which is real close, and even with that, normal air movement in the room will allow some cooking vapors to escape capture by the hood. There are some more powerful downdrafts on the market, but the downdraft brand really should be a match for the cooktop brand, otherwise both product warranties may not be allowed. What I used to do with my Jenn Air cooktop way back was to tilt a pot lid in a particular way to encourage the vapors to move toward the downdraft. Imperfect, but it worked quite well.
Enjoy your new kitchen!
Posted by susan – March 8, 2007 6:39 AM
When you refer to a platinum counter top what exactly are you talking about? I am about to order cabinets and had planned on stainless steel around my sink but I want to know all my options.
Posted by tms – March 8, 2007 2:27 PM
Would you mind revealing how much the entire remodel cost? Or even better, breaking it up into categories? I would love to remodel our kitchen, but I have no idea how much it will end up costing...
Posted by Amanda H. – March 13, 2007 12:35 PM
I reside in a smaller home (I wished I had bigger rooms) I absolutly have come to hate my gally kitchen. I have no counter space and storage is very limited. I used to love to cook and bake but this kitchen has taken the fun out of it.
Any Ideas out there for the gallow of the gally kitchen?
Becky Lynn, Iowa
Posted by Becky – March 13, 2007 8:46 PM
extremely helpful hints at the end- thanks-
how big is your island? how much space would you recommend 'around the stove, sink and fridge'?
Posted by heather – March 16, 2007 2:37 PM
I am in the process of remodeling my kitchen, but in order to be able to have the space i have to add an addition to the house that way i can remove two walls and be able to expand the existing kitchen. Anyone has any ideas they could provide, i would appreciate it.
Posted by olga pico – March 21, 2007 9:54 AM
I well know the meaning of inconvience. It has been 2 years in the works and still not done. We remodeled the whole house and the kitchen is the most expensive to finish, we ran out of funds. We do the paper plates and plastic but still have to do the electric skillet and few pans in bathroom sink. I am so tired of this I wish I could win the lotto and get it done. Your kitchen looks great!!
Posted by Suzanne – March 28, 2007 12:13 PM
Your kitchen does look great! Have you all seen this? http://knx1070.com/pages/32263.php?videoEpisodeId=197
Posted by Leann Green – March 31, 2007 1:05 AM
Hi , Jim, You work at Scripps. You oversee their website. Can't you do anything about user Sambree sabotaging your kitchen ratings as well as my rooms and everyone else rooms that knock his out of Top Rated, by registering multiple times so he can go click on "poor" to reduce everyones ratings so he can stay on top rated and leave nasty comments on our rooms using his pseudonyms??? I don't know why no one else has figured him out? I have called HGTV 4 times about this! His so called design work no where compares to your kitchen, my rooms, and the other top rated rooms that have been reduce to the ole 3.6 rating. I think he thinks that HGTV should offer him an opportunity to be a Design Star contestant-he doesnt stand a chance!
Posted by Anonymous – April 16, 2007 12:03 AM
LOL, I agreee.
Posted by Leann Green – April 23, 2007 4:02 PM
