It's week two of the One Room Challenge! If I had a subtitle for this post, it would be Demolition, Decisions and Disappointments. If you're tuning in for the first time, here's last week's post on my chosen room, our soon-to-be new kitchen.
This week we made tremendous progress in the kitchen. The back splashes are all gone, the counter tops too. Then some quick decisions were made. Lauren found these great looking pulls and handles (image above) and now I just need to decide if I'm really going to go for the brass, so to speak. I chose paint colors for the cabinets (between Benjamin Moore White and Benjamin Moore Dove White) and decided to go with gold old white. And then for the walls, we went with my favorite, Farrow and Ball Elephant's Breath, diluted with white by 50%.
Not much to see here, not yet...
But, in addition to the demo, and contemplating hardware, there were some harder decisions to be made, particularly choosing the marble counter top slabs. By harder I mean expensive, because expensive = stressful... if I choose this wrong, that's an expensive mistake. I saw several photos from several stone distributors, but even when they held up pure white thassos, like I had them do below, it was still too hard to get a true idea...and I didn't want to make such a big decision based on a photo. So, Lauren and I decided to hit the road in order to see these slabs in person.
And, then of course the slab I fell in love with, the one that looked the most like my current white Calcutta Gold was scooped up by another designer. This is the one we went with, it's a Statuario Altisimo and it's not a bad runner up. It's a lot softer than what I originally had in mind, but it's a true white, and I'm having it honed. Because of the length of time involved getting this shipped (we went up to New Haven, CT) and then templated, cut, and honed, etc. I didn't want to wait around for "the perfect" slab. Not when this one looked this good!
Lauren had the fabulous idea to miter the marble counter top edges, in order to give the counter tops a much thicker, substantial look. I fell instantly in love with this, but then we ran into the issue of how to deal with my "wish listed" farm house sink opening. After some contemplating, I decided to abandon my beloved sink, and stick with the large stainless steel sink that came with the kitchen and has an easier to deal with under mount installation.
1. Replace center island lights with current kitchen lights.
2.Black granite counter tops are going. I love the look of our white marble counters, I'm hoping to find something just as nice.
3. Speaking of white, my preference for kitchens is always all white, just like our current kitchen. I know from past experiences (here and here) that these yellowish/cream cabinets will look amazing once they are re-painted all white. *Paint color chosen!
a. The same holds true for that dark center island-painting it white.
b. And losing the heavy look of those center island "legs".
4.That backsplash is going too.
5. There are currently two fridges in this kitchen-actually one is a giant freezer and one is a fridge. I love the industrial look that stainless steel brings to a kitchen, so I'm hoping to switch out those doors for stainless steel ones.
6. Stain floors a deep dark brown.
7.I would love to have a farm house sink just like our current one. Hoping to make this happen. * not happening.
8. Expand the little built in garbage to two pails instead of one. Move the second dishwasher from the butler's pantry to the kitchen.
9.Painting the walls a complimentary color. Probably a pale greige/gray. *Paint color chosen!
10. Change the hardware...thinking unlacquered brass.
11. Change the glass cabinet doors to look a bit more modern.
12. Replace"breakfast" area light fixture with our current fixture.
13. And, finally, I'm hoping to add a "hot water" faucet.
Hoping to knock a few more things off this list by next week. In the meantime, check out what all the other "ORC" ladies are up to!
This week we made tremendous progress in the kitchen. The back splashes are all gone, the counter tops too. Then some quick decisions were made. Lauren found these great looking pulls and handles (image above) and now I just need to decide if I'm really going to go for the brass, so to speak. I chose paint colors for the cabinets (between Benjamin Moore White and Benjamin Moore Dove White) and decided to go with gold old white. And then for the walls, we went with my favorite, Farrow and Ball Elephant's Breath, diluted with white by 50%.
Not much to see here, not yet...
But, in addition to the demo, and contemplating hardware, there were some harder decisions to be made, particularly choosing the marble counter top slabs. By harder I mean expensive, because expensive = stressful... if I choose this wrong, that's an expensive mistake. I saw several photos from several stone distributors, but even when they held up pure white thassos, like I had them do below, it was still too hard to get a true idea...and I didn't want to make such a big decision based on a photo. So, Lauren and I decided to hit the road in order to see these slabs in person.
Lauren had the fabulous idea to miter the marble counter top edges, in order to give the counter tops a much thicker, substantial look. I fell instantly in love with this, but then we ran into the issue of how to deal with my "wish listed" farm house sink opening. After some contemplating, I decided to abandon my beloved sink, and stick with the large stainless steel sink that came with the kitchen and has an easier to deal with under mount installation.
So between losing the sink and the original marble I wanted I was a little bummed, but not for long.
Next, Lauren and I met up at Greenwich Tile, where I literally fell in love with everything (see below, it's just pretty tile, nothing to do with my kitchen or even my house) including the owner, Zita! Zita made my day when she told me she reads The Zhush! Hi Zita!
Lauren convinced me to move on from the plain white (safe) subway tile of my current kitchen and mix things up a bit with some painted white glass tiles in a chevron pattern (above). I'm really excited about this stunning new detail!
I'm thrilled with the direction the kitchen is going in...and the whole "new house" project in general-to see the progress in all the other rooms, be sure to follow my instagram account @zhush.
That's it for this week! Here's a recap of my wish list, tweaked into a "to do" list.
1. Replace center island lights with current kitchen lights.
2.
3. Speaking of white, my preference for kitchens is always all white, just like our current kitchen. I know from past experiences (here and here) that these yellowish/cream cabinets will look amazing once they are re-painted all white. *Paint color chosen!
a. The same holds true for that dark center island-painting it white.
b. And losing the heavy look of those center island "legs".
4.
5. There are currently two fridges in this kitchen-actually one is a giant freezer and one is a fridge. I love the industrial look that stainless steel brings to a kitchen, so I'm hoping to switch out those doors for stainless steel ones.
6. Stain floors a deep dark brown.
7.
8. Expand the little built in garbage to two pails instead of one. Move the second dishwasher from the butler's pantry to the kitchen.
9.
10. Change the hardware...thinking unlacquered brass.
11. Change the glass cabinet doors to look a bit more modern.
12. Replace"breakfast" area light fixture with our current fixture.
13. And, finally, I'm hoping to add a "hot water" faucet.
Hoping to knock a few more things off this list by next week. In the meantime, check out what all the other "ORC" ladies are up to!
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Love the marble you chose and I see decision-making as tons of progress, just not as visual. Can't wait to see your white kitchen!!!
ReplyDeleteYou can't go wrong with that amazing marble!
ReplyDeleteLooking beautiful. Love all of your selections, the backsplash will be amazing!
ReplyDeleteThis will be stunning, no doubt! I actually love the marble slab you picked. It's gorgeous! How amazing to have Lauren on board to help you. She's a talent.
ReplyDeleteThe tile is going to be so beautiful in the herringbone pattern!! It's going to be stunning - love every pick and the hardware is gorgeous!!!
ReplyDeletethat honeycomb glass tile is out of this world!! Oh yes! and I love that white marble slab....what is the best way to clean white marble? do you know...just for daily upkeep? I have some in my bathrooms and can't seem to get it right.
ReplyDeleteit is all coming along beautifully. Can't wait for next week!
Oh my...This kitchen will be stunning!!! I love your choice in marble and cabinet color! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteI had the same humming and hawing over marble this week- it's just such an investment and it's terrifying to think about picking the wrong one! No worries on your end at all though because that slab is HEAVEN! And I love that you're doing it honed...my next kitchen will be the same for sure! The paint colours are perfect and I can see how beautiful this is going to be already- so exciting!!!!
ReplyDeleteLooking GREAT, I have the mitered edge on my marble tops and I have a 36in. Farmhouse sink. If it is not too late, you might like to take a look at how it turned out. I did so much research on this application and I am so glad I chose this look....http://goodlifeofdesign.blogspot.com/2014/04/kitchen-update_9.html
ReplyDeleteSue! this is going to be so gorgeous, i can't wait to see the final results.
ReplyDeletethat hexagon tile is bananas!
xo
The marble slab you picked is gorgeous. Those tiles are amazingly chic! I can't wait to see you pulled everything together!
ReplyDeleteJessie
www.mixandchic.com
Sue it is truly sounding magnificent! I know how hard it is not always get exactly what you had planned, yet then some fun surprises occur!
ReplyDeletexoxo
Karena
The Arts by Karena
Featuring Jeff Koons
Oh Sue....yum yum. The slab is beautiful and yes...white kitchens always! They are just so classic. It is going to be stunning!
ReplyDeleteUGH, I had the same thing happen to me when I purchased the surface for our former island. Sold from under me. The one you are going with is lovely and I have a feeling it will be the happiest of accidents. Crazy good backsplash going down.
ReplyDeletelove this direction. I don't think you made a runner-up decision at all. This slab you selected will be fabulous! can't wait to see the continued transformation
ReplyDeleteI'm over on my blog picking out bunk beds as a linking participant!
xoox
The hardware is really chic. Beautiful marble as well. Love that you are making it look thick.
ReplyDeleteGood luck! I really like the marble choice it has great interest!
ReplyDeleteJust beautiful! Love the hardware selection and looking forward to seeing the wall tile installed--its fun to step outside of the box! Loving that Hex tile...
ReplyDeleteoh my word the backsplash will be absolutely stellar against all of the white! and, of course, i'm all for the brass hardware. your selections are stellar, per usual. really excited to see this come together! maybe i'll be doing a kitchen next.... :)
ReplyDeleteGo for the brass on that hardware girl!!!! You will love it!
ReplyDelete