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Kitchen lust

Annex/Kitchen

With each new course of clapboard we nail into the exterior of the kitchen addition, we get closer and closer to tackling the INTERIOR. If you haven’t started renovating your kitchen yet, be prepared for the giant pile of decisions to be made. It’s not like the living room, where a paint chip and a fabric swatch are all you need.

There are a few things on my “god-I-want-that” list, including a farm house sink, a new tile floor, a workable pantry, and a dishwasher. (Because right now, I’m the dishwasher. And it sucks.) Teague wants hex-tile countertops, new cupboards, and a sliding library ladder…. though realistically it wouldn’t be too useful in our small kitchen.

We brought home tile samples the other day, and have chosen one we’d like for the floor. It’s 12×12 porcelain, that “rough” type in a dark brownish-greenish-charcoal that ought to hide dog dirt a zillion times better than our current shiny white linoleum.

We’re still undecided on cupboards – we’re thinking of stripping and then keeping the cupboards we have, but getting new doors. Or, stripping the doors too and fixing them up? Or, buying all new…. Teague hates our current cupboards. I see potential, but am not yet convinced it’s enough to keep them. Our budget loves the idea of keeping anything. We’ll see who wins in the end.

We have, however, decided on a sink. Here’s the lovely lady we’re going with, from Buykitchensinks.com:
sink.jpg

We chose a double-bowl, fireclay version that should be durable, functional, and also extremely purdy. Every single kitchen I drool over in magazines seems to have a farm house sink. Even admist more modern cabinets and fixtures, it screams “OLD HOUSE”. I want to use a little skirt in front for even more old-house-flavor, like this:

fabricSink.jpg

I also love the subway tiles and the wicker baskets in this photo, but Teague thinks the wicker baskets are too country.

Other things we’re hoping to eventually incorporate into the design are open shelves & storage cubbies on either side of the french doors on the back wall (like this) and a door for the fridge so it blends in nicely (like this).

Comments, Thoughts, and Feedback

amanda had this to say on 08.10.05:

I’m drooling over everything, especially the farmhouse sink and the built ins on either side of the door. It’s going to look great, can’t wait to see the progression!

merideth had this to say on 08.10.05:

oooh i love that sink…it’s lovely…i’m sure your kitchen will be beautiful but i would tell Teague he’s the one that’s going to be in charge of cleaning the kitchen counters if he wants hex tile…(beautiful though i’m sure it would be)…everything is coming along beautifully y’all!

Twilightmama had this to say on 08.10.05:

I LOVE the sink! I really wanted a farm sink too but unfortunately our budget doesn’t allow it. *sniff* But that sink you’ve picked out is truly beautiful…good choice!

Kim

Anonymous had this to say on 08.10.05:

Kim,

Did you see the one IKEA has? I don’t know too much about it, but it was in the $200-$300 range and looked pretty nice. I’m going to be at an IKEA next weekend so I’ll be sure to take a peek at the sinks and report back if they are worth it.

Our budget wouldn’t allow it either, but we’re getting a little help :)

Oh, and while you’re drooling over the sink, I’m drooling over your BEAUTIFUL kitchen furniture. People, if you haven’t seen her furniture, GO NOW: http://www.onewomanslife.com/home/2005/07/farmhouse-furniture-photos.html

It’s awesome!

~Mindy

Emily had this to say on 08.10.05:

Okay, I can say this because I just confirmed my purchase of one, but over on ebay one of their regular selllers is dumping a bunch of fireclay apron front sinks super cheap. I just got one (including shipping) for under $400. It came in about $250 cheaper than similar models I was looking at. And the brand is good. Not the best, but good enough for me. Hope that helps someone.

Chris had this to say on 08.11.05:

Teague,

One thing about hex tiles (as I have them) is grout lines. People will tell you they stain. My grout is black so that’s not an issue, BUT what is an issue is flower, pancake mix, cake mixes etc. The grout of course is not smooth like glass, tile, stone etc but is like normal grout and is made of sand. The finely ground flour gets between the sand particles, then when you try to wipe it off mixes with the tinest amount of water to form a past that gets stuck there making your gout look dirty. A lot of scrubbing with a toothbrush later it’s clean. Given the choice, I’m going to go with soapstone or silestone when I replace the counter.

Kristin had this to say on 08.15.05:

I love all your ideas! You’re right about kitchens – so many teeny tiny obnoxious details to attend to. It makes me tired.

Twilightmama had this to say on 08.17.05:

Wow, that’s a great price for that sink!

Becky had this to say on 09.10.05:

Mindy,
I just saw a home renovation feature in this month’s Organic Style magazine. The kitchen has a very simple beauty to it. They have a double-bowl farm house sink–so of course I thought of you! I’ve scanned in the photo of the kitchen and accompanying piece about the vintage stove they put in. 1930s-era stove with 6 burners and 4 ovens–beautiful! Thought of you and Teague and had to share it. Check it out here: http://www.geocities.com/shalottlady/vintage_stove.jpg
~Becky

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