Swimpy's Kitchen Remodel Thread

Oh, I do have tons of storage! The pantry is the best part. No more cereal boxes in plain sight. No more potato sacks on the floor. No more storing holiday stuff in the basement. I'm in Buddha heaven.

More pictures. This is the inside of my pantry.



and a close up.



The nook area.



The sink, dishwasher and stove wall.



The refrigerator wall.

one more...this is the inside of one of the base cabinets with pull out trays.

Totally jealous!

The crown molding is really lovely.

Yep, Sozobe... it is hard not to look at my own kitchen with squinty eyes and grumble a little.

Swimpy, the shelving for your pantry is what my sister has in hers. Very good for not allowing critters to get a foothold, she said.

Swimpy
Swimpy, I noticed that you have standard shelving measurements in your pantry.

One of the things I did when I was remodeling in my new home was to make my pantry more efficient. I measured the height of most canned foods, package foods and bottled foods. Then I had my contractor add new shelves that left enough space for storage in these items. In other words, I designed the shelf heights to match the goods to be stored. This simple change allows me to store 4 to 5 times as many items in my pantry without wasting space. It makes an amazing difference.

There was an electrical outlet on the pantry's outside wall. I had my contractor connect new wire to that outlight and install a light inside my pantry so I could easily see all the way back to my pantry's 4 foot depth.

BBB

The shelves are just right for my needs, BBB. I already have a light, but i had them install an electrical outlet. I had one put into my tall cabinet next to the frig, too.

Things will quite down for a few days now. The electrician will be here today to install switches and outlets and to finish the recessed lighting. Then we just wait for the countertops. A week to ten days is what they said. They were here Wed. to measure. So I expect them to be ready next week sometime.

I can't get over how big the room looks. I'm sure the dark countertop will change that somewhat. Actually, the room seems to be floating because there is nothing dark in there yet to anchor it. I'm going to start working on getting the bench upholstered. Still leaning toward the oxblood leatherette.

Just got word that the countertops will be installed on May 10. I had hoped they'd be in by Mother's Day. Shoot! Oh well, we can live like this for a while longer. At least I can start putting stuff into the cabinets.

Aw, sorry about the countertops. Can you just kind of put some slabs of wood on there to make things useful until then?

We won't have a sink until the coutertops go in, so I don't think it would be worth the effort. I might move the old kitchen table in and lay some plywood on the bench seats. We have one partial sheet. That would at least allow us to eat out there and feel halfway normal.

Oxblood would be nice... it is a neutral-ish color, I think.

You could get swatches and bring them into the room to see how they'd look.

Those pull-out shelves on the base-cabinets are nice.

I'm lucky to have a neighbor who is an upholsterer. He's coming over next week to help me figure the seating thing out.

<I like your signature. I hated kindergarten, too.>

I went shopping and got some great bargains. I want to replace my mismatched cookware. Want All-Clad in the worst way, but it is pricey <yow!> Anyway, I stopped at Orange Tree Imports (in Madison, Soz) and got a couple of small All-Clad pans, one saucepan and a small 8" frying pan for $45. This way I can try them and see if I like them before making the big investment.

I need new dishes too. I had Fiestaware in rather bright colors that will not go with the new decor. They're going to my son. I got this pattern at the Mikasa outlet for cheap, cheap, cheap. It's called Studio Nova-Quattro.

Orange Tree Imports!! Oh, I could just kiss you!! In fact, I will!



I was desperately trying to think of the name about a week ago. Every city I've lived in, I've always had one or two stores that were reliable for gifts. Like, no ideas for Mother's day? Go to ____ and something will present itself. Haven't found that store here yet. Was trying to remember Orange Tree...

Ahh. I can sleep now.

Really nice plate! It'll fit in beautifully.

Nice cabinets - I really like them.

I've been driving past that store everytime I've gone to Madison for I don't know how many years, probably as long as they've been there. Every time I intended to stop but never did. I finally stopped and am I glad I did. I won't be driving by any more. It's a great store.

Thanks, lilk. I really like them, too.

I like how the pattern is offset on that plate! Nice.

I like Fiestaware and have both old & new stuff, but it never fit very well in my dishwasher so I finally put it away.


<Thanks for mentioning my last signature line, Swimpy. As you can see, I've changed already. But yeah, not only did I hate kindergarten, but my mother let me drop out after a couple of weeks. I am a kindgarten drop-out!>

Piffka, Yea it's alittle off center, like me

When I came home from my first day of kindergarten, I announced to my mother that I would not be going back. My mom said, "OK." She never said another word about it. About two weeks later I annonced that I would go to school now. I just wanted it to be my decision.

Oh... I guess you took my place. (I'll bet your mom was relieved!)

I couldn't stand the naps but the kicker was not being able to go outside WHENEVER I wanted. I remember that classroom being horribly dark. I just waited a year and went to first grade. No problem.