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House Renovation Update #4 – Our Kitchen Choices

Since we’re still in the drywall/floor finish/boring phase, I thought I would answer Katy’s question from last week’s post.

I read a lot of home remodel blogs and love hearing about all the details on the process, would be interested in learning specifics on what choices you make – such as what countertops/backsplash options you considered and what you end up choosing, paint colors, appliance choices, love any and all details!

Well, Katy, we’ve made most the decisions for the kitchen, so here goes!

Kitchen countertopsCaesarstone in Blizzard. First and foremost, we chose Caeserstone for its looks and durability. I’ve been known to be a little bit of a klutz in the kitchen (whatever…pots and pans are slippery), and that combined with our crazy kids led us to purchase a material that was durable, BUT still had a modern and clean finish. D has used Caesarstone for many of his clients, and it has always been well received.

Backsplash – White marble. Now in a perfect world, I would have white marble countertops, but considering the above-mentioned facts, marble countertops are a no-no for us. But I just loooooove the look of white Calacatta marble, so we decided to use a slab for our backsplash. We found a beautiful piece with a really bold gray vein, and we are super excited about it. It really is a piece of art.

Cabinetry – D uses a great cabinetry company on his client projects, and I’m so pumped that they will be custom-making our white kitchen cabinets and island. The cabinets will be simple and slab-front – no raised panels. We will also have some open shelving. We haven’t bought the hardware for the cabinetry yet, but are leaning towards linear, chrome handles like the one shown in the image.

Paint colors – We haven’t started swatching yet, but the entire house will be painted white. We have a lot of art and accessories in bold colors, so we want the house to be as clean and simple of a canvas as possible.

Appliances – Well, after reading your glowing reviews, we went with Bosch for our dishwasher, cooktop, and oven. Plus, it didn’t hurt that they are doing a 15% rebate for 3 or more appliances right now. Sold! As for the refrigerator, we really wanted a built-in with panels, but it wasn’t in the budget. Instead, we went with a stainless, freestanding Viking because it was the only one that had the looks, measurements, and trim kit that we wanted. We had heard mixed reviews on Viking refrigerators, but it turns out that the Viking built-ins are the ones to look out for, trouble-wise. The freestanding units are actually made by Kitchen Aid, and are great. (Fingers crossed.)

We are also using an Elica built-in range hood, a Lenova zero radius stainless steel sink, and the Grohe pull-out faucet pictured above. Most of these choices were based on D’s experience with the products and companies.

Hmmm…I think that’s all of it for now. Let me know if you have any other questions. Have a great weekend, everyone!

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18 comments
  1. Danielle (elleinadspir)

    October 5, 2012 at 6:37 am

    Love all of it. What type of floor is in the kitchen?

    • whoorl

      October 5, 2012 at 6:43 am

      The floor is oak, just like the rest of the house. :)

  2. linette

    October 5, 2012 at 8:43 am

    Gorgeous! I’m totally bookmarking this for when I win the lottery and can do my own kitchen revamp. Look forward to seeing the completed space!

  3. Liz

    October 5, 2012 at 9:07 am

    So we just finished out kitchen in June. Almost looks like yours did and our finishes are almost identical to yours.
    We were going to use Caesarstone but were not pleased with the premium the the name brand came with, it was quite a bit more than other quartz. I still wanted it bc I looooove the look but we found a product called HanStone that was just as awesome and waaaaaay better on the budget. We love love it. I think it’s artic white or something along those lines. So awesome.
    We have that faucet, love it. We have a single bowl Blanco silgranite sink in a gray color that goes perfect w the specs in the quartz. We have some flat front cabinets and some w a very simple square trim as well. Awesome hardware from IKEA. My fridge and DW are kitchen aid, sharp under counter microwave looks awesome in my huge island. Also got a freestanding range from IKEA. Im not a chef so it works for us! Clear glass subway tiles on backsplash with no grout in between.
    We used Benjamin Moore titanium on our cabinets and grey owl on the walls and decorators white on all trim and ceilings. The raw red oak floors were so pretty we opted for just clear sealer. Love it! We still stand and stare and can’t believe it’s our kitchen. So awesome. But we lived in the house he whole time and at times I thought we were going to kill each other. So glad it’s over!

    • Liz

      October 5, 2012 at 10:17 am

      Could I say awesome any more in one post? Yes, probably.

      Also our project started in February and ended, sorta, in June but I just had final city inspection this week. Granted we had new windows put in the whole house too but that’s still tooo long. So… Your level of progress in such a short time is enviable. November 20 will be there in a blink.

      • whoorl

        October 5, 2012 at 12:36 pm

        Hey, awesome is a great word. ;)Loved to hear your details – you should email me a pic!

        I hear you on the Caesarstone – luckily, we get D’s designer discount on almost everything, which is a huge help. Also, same goes for the swift pace of the project – since D works on really upscale projects, most of the vendors and contractors want to do a great job for us so that he will refer them down the road on much bigger projects. BONUS. It is such a win-win for us!

  4. GreenInOC

    October 5, 2012 at 9:30 am

    Totally on my list today to come over for the “World’s Cleanest Reno” update!

    I hate to say this but, I just don’t think any of your choices will go well in your new house, BUT – BUT – BUT, they’ll all look fabu in mine! Just divert everything this way and I’ll help you save the day!!!!

    Everything is gorgeous! Can’t wait to hear more about the cabinets. Are you going to have any fun stuff going on inside the cabinetry – lazy susan, drawers inside or those drool worthy slide-out and then liftable shelves for the heavy duty stuff?

    • whoorl

      October 5, 2012 at 12:37 pm

      I don’t think we’re doing anything super cool, but NOW YOU’VE GOT ME THINKING. ;)

  5. laura @ hollywood housewife

    October 5, 2012 at 9:47 am

    So fun! We just finished our kitchen remodel, but I love reading about other people’s process.

  6. Home Sweet Sarah

    October 5, 2012 at 10:49 am

    I’d love to know what kind of lighting you end up choosing. We re-did our kitchen about 6 months ago, but unfortunately the ugly monstrosity lighting fixture remains until we figure out/have money for what we want. But I don’t know what I want! Track lighting is so boring. And yet…So practical and inexpensive.

    • whoorl

      October 5, 2012 at 12:40 pm

      I’m pretty sure we are doing recessed lighting, and will one or multiple pendant lamps hanging over the island. I am really loving these Jonathan Adler ones – it would add a great pop of color to the mostly white kitchen.

      http://pinterest.com/pin/201887995767017395/

  7. Alissa

    October 5, 2012 at 11:35 am

    We have linear handles like the ones in your pics but we would change these if we could as they are very sharp and our little ones have been hurt on them :(

    • whoorl

      October 5, 2012 at 12:41 pm

      Very good point – I’ve been thinking about that recently. I think Wito is out of the woods, but the little one concerns me.

  8. GreenInOC

    October 5, 2012 at 1:26 pm

    With regard to lighting, you probably aren’t even considering them but just in case I would highly recommend staying away from anything using Halogen.

    They are HOT, which you know in a kitchen is really appreciated!

    If you can’t tell, I chose Halogen for my kitchen. Big, hot mess, of a mistake!!

  9. Becky

    October 5, 2012 at 1:57 pm

    YAY! I love all your selections and can’t wait to see the final results. Carrera marble is SO lovely and will make a great backsplash. All the renovation posts make me happy! :)

  10. whoorl

    October 6, 2012 at 6:54 am

    Updated to add: I’m sorry – the marble is Calacatta, not Carrara.

  11. Rhi

    October 8, 2012 at 4:00 pm

    That hood is DREAMY. Also: we have a Bosch dishwasher (Bill likes to tell people it was my push present. NOT FUNNY) and it is fantastic.

  12. Mallory

    October 25, 2012 at 12:40 pm

    I’ve had (an earlier version of) that faucet for about 10 years, and I *still* love it, and that is saying something because who loves a faucet, let alone loves it after 10 years? Tho, 1 prob = outsiders can never figure out how to work it. I figure it is an Apple/PC sort of thing because I find it totally intuitive!

    Love everything here, including the sink in particular (what I would switch ours out to, if I could)!