I get a new kitchen!!!

[pearlgirl]

So, my husband and I decided to start saving for a remodel job of our current home. It's got some issues and we are having an architect draw up plans to completely renovate it. It dawned on me this morning that I can create whatever kitchen I want out of this turn of events!:D
I'm so excited - I feel like I won the lottery!!!:eek:
Any ideas on what your version of a fabulous raw kitchen would look like? I just don't know where to start myself.:p

PS The one caveat is that we have to keep a stove, but I did negotiate no microwave!

[Morn]

Congratulations. I am happy for you. There is a thread here with pictures of raw kitchens! Check it out, some of the people have fabulous ideas.

http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=6684

[Conscious Midwife]

Glass cabinet fronts to see goodies

recessed lighting

lazy susan buit into one upper cabinet

extra counter space lots of shelves for jars

deep undersink cabinet for storing composting bin

mud room off kitchen

[michigan roman]

a thought i had is that ide have some big drawers in which you can keep fruit , vegis , root type things like onion - garlic , etc so they arent laying around on counter or table tops . and i would scout on my own , after getting the exact dimensions of the drawers , for a plastic container or maybe dishpan that fits exactly into the drawers so you can take it out and clean it and the drawers never get dirty/stained .

and i know if i had the room ide have a walk in pantry because its much easier than opening cupboard doors all the time . plus you walk in and see everything so dont have to search cupboards cuz cant see behind doors .
plus the kitchens always clean because you can just throw everything into the pantry and close the door .

ide also def want a stainless steel counter around sink , say 6 to 8 feet in length . they custom make them at sheet metal fabricators or are sold where they sell commercial kitchen counters . this is because i dont want water damage to and wood/particle board counter types used around sink . if not stainless granite or the cultured stone stuff which is a plastic immatation of stone . but dont get a formica countertop which is glued to a base of particle board because particle board is lame .

and also because of particle board ide be shopping for steel cabinets , maybe types used in restraunts or hospitals . but all metal . i see peoples homes with metal cabinets from the 50's and theyre still like new if you painted them . where as the particle board cabinets , even the top dollar ones , made today are very lame . my saying is " make it forever , or make it never ."

[pearlgirl]

Thank you, thank you!! Your ideas and link were awesome - I'm writing it all down and taking it to the architect on April 10th. We plan on living in this house for good so I agree that it needs to be a creation that will carry us through many seasons in our lives together.
Ya'll are great - thanks again!:D

[DavidZaneMason]

Having a prep area that has no overhead cabinets or shelving to allow for juicing spray is a good idea. I always thought that having a slot for a recessed garbage can (adjacent to your cutting area) would be a great idea. That way you can just sweep cuttings directly into a garbage can...lickety split!

-David Z. Mason

[pearlgirl]

Nice idea - thanks for sharing!:)

[Sharon in Colorado]

I like the refrigerator drawers you can put in lower cabinets. They'd be good for salad fixings.

[eatyourbroccoli]

how cool is that? im jealous.

i dont know what your lifestyle is like, but id definitely do a lot of counterspace. maybe a specific area for your blender/food processor/juicer/dehydrator (if you have any of those).

[Blazin'Jane]

I love how Alissa , on her DVD, has those little square glass jars all stacked up on a counter for nuts and seed storage. I'd love to be able to turn one of my dishes cabinets into an open one with all those nuts and seeds and a few grains in plain view.
I did clean out one lower cabinet when I went RAW in December. Now I store my blender, saladacco, food processor, nut chopper, and other little toys all in the same place. I actually can work pretty quickly out of that one corner of the kitchen without having to dig through my DH's pots and pans, etc.
I just love being RAW!!:D

[monkeyboy]

Yo Pearl,

I redid my kitchen 2 years ago.


Get a farm sink
Soapstone countertops
Overhead recessed lighting
A prep sink for veggies and cuttings only
A pantry for sprouts
Bosh dishwasher
Viking fridge
Go stainless
Make sure your subflooring can handle the weight of new appliances
Put in new windows
Tell the contractor you'll pay cash for a 15% discount
Get a building permit and do it right the first time




Peace,

M.B.

[spicyfull]

I like the refrigerator drawers you can put in lower cabinets. They'd be good for salad fixings.

That was my idea......They are SOOOOOOO Great to have.....

[pearlgirl]

Wow! Ya'll have the best ideas- I'm so glad I posted on this topic. Thanks to each of you. I really liked the stainless steel idea - actually we were budgeting for a big stainless sink (like a farmhouse size) and stainless countertops.
I'm getting nervous because going into this as my hubby and I talked, I realized this rennovation is really going to be my ball of wax. He works really long days in the office and let me know up front this was something he would leave in my hands - that's a LOT of decisions to be made by one person...who's never rennovated a thing in her life before!:eek:
Anywho, I'm trusted in my faith and in our contractor (who happens to know us well) that everything will work out.
Sorry to ramble...when I get nervous I talk...alot.:p
Thanks again!

[monkeyboy]

Yo Pearl,

A few more things to think about.


Be prepared for delays....once they rip up a wall there could be something funky behind it.

Make sure the contractor is using quality materials.
Pick out samples and show the contractor. Your building supply store will let you take stuff home.

Cut out pictures from home-style magazines. (like This Old House)
Color is very important. Floor tile , wall paint, ceiling color all must come together.

CABINETS!!!!!!!!!!!! Don't get the cheap woodgrain crud.

Remember when you sell your house someday the kitchen will be a major part




My home here in the preppie colony was built in 1895. There were some issues where we re-enforced the floors to carry more weight.

Update electric and think where you'll need outlets

Your back splash is important and so is molding around the baseboards and ceiling

Use waterboard on your walls around any area of major water use like behind the sink.

Get an exhaust fan above your stove . You may not stay raw forever.

Peace,

M.B.

[Green Life]

Oh, WHOW!! YAYYYYYY for you. I am happy for you! That must feel just wonderful!:D ;) :)

You LUCKY gal, you!


Graciously,
Green Life

[pearlgirl]

Thanks, ya'll!
Monkey Boy - What great advice, I appreciate you're sharing the experiences you had. I'm writing down everything you mentioned.

Green - Yes, well, we knew it was going to happen sooner or later. Thanks for the good vibes!

Take care:)

[Conscious Midwife]

http://img.timeinc.net/aolhome/i/design/cl/05/08/CL0508090k_1_l.jpg

LOVE THIS KITCHEN

ACTUAL LOVE A LOT OF THE IDEAS ON THE SITE


http://img.timeinc.net//aolhome/i/design/su/03/10/SU0310096k_1_m.jpg

[jjonak]

We're in the process of renovating our kitchen as well. We are working with a friend who is a cabinet maker and designing everything from scratch. Here are the ideas that we are incorporating:

Subzero fridge so finally I don't have to worry about irregular temperatures
2 refrigerator drawers
Large island for cutting/chopping
48" triple stainless steel sink with double garbage disposals
Trough sink in the island with garbage disposal
Spice cabinet with pull out drawers
Special drawers and cabinets designed for tall appliances, like the Vitamix

Pantry with shelf and electrical outlet to fit the dehydrator so I can keep it out at all times and tons of shelves and cabinets for storage
Lots of food drawers with pull out plastic bins for cleaning
Trash compactor next to the dishwasher
Three pull out garbage bins - one for greens for composting, one for recycling paper, and one for recyling bottles/cans
Lots of bookcase space for cookbooks
File cabinet for recipes
Lazy susan
Oil/vinegar cabinet
Lots of glass fronts on cabinets so we can see what's behind

We're doing some less practical things, too. I couldn't resist marble on the counters, but we're getting it honed so it won't stain as easily. I love the look and feel of natural stone.

I can't wait! I've always wanted a kitchen like this.

[Green Life]

You're welcome!:)

Any Kitchen Pictures in the near future, please?



Gracioulsy,
Green

[pearlgirl]

Thanks for the info. I realize it took some time to think about these issues/ideas and I really appreciate them! So far, I've got a walloping list to bring to our architect meeting next month - what a relief! I can't say thank you enough.:D