Renovation Diary # 2: The Ranchburger's Kitchen

Traditional Kitchen by Long Beach Architects & Building Designers Sennikoff Architects

Ever since a Ranchburger came into my life, I've wondered how to enhance its most striking feature: the view. I also wanted to brighten the rooms, especially the kitchen.

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Renovation Diary: Kitchen Lanterns

 

The lanterns arrived!

My contractor put them up (temporarily) to see if they were keepers. Looks like they are!

 

 

Here's a side view. The island will get a deeper counter.

The cabinets will be trimmed with moulding, making them seem taller and more substantial.

 

 

 

Remember my inspiration photo?

 

source: Houzz

 

I enjoy using inspiration photos as guides, but I also have to stay within my budget and be honest with my needs.  

My kitchen won't have double-decker cabinets or an antique table for an island. I seriously love the idea--and I wanted to remove the island and replace it with my old farm table. But I had to be realistic. When I'm cooking, several projects are going on at the same time. I need counter space, not to mention storage. The present island offers both. Double-decker cabinets will look pretty, but I'd never use them, and it would be expensive to have them made and installed.

 

 

I still don't know what to do about the wall beside the refrigerator.

Now that the ceiling has been blown away, the wall doesn't seem to fit the space. Now, it's a dust catcher. I hate to keep chipping away at this kitchen, but I really think the wall needs to be removed or modified in some way.

What do you think? Any suggestions?

 

I'll return with an update.

This week, dry wall is going up in the kitchen:

 

Fingers crossed that the front door and accent window will be installed. I'm trying a lighter paint color in the powder room (just a swatch); the pedestal sink will be removed (hope it doesn't break so I can repurpose it!), and the little Restoration Hardware vanity will be installed. 

Thanks for keeping me company during this renovation!

 

 
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Renovation Diary: A New Kitchen Window

Remodeling a house is like drawing a picture in the dark. You can't know how it will work out.

For the kitchen make-over, I used an inspiration photo from Houzz. The kitchen was laid out like mine, but it had a higher ceiling, and a large focal point window. So we blew out our ceiling. I'd had disappointing results with the window in the entry hall, so I decided to use Marvin Windows. 

Shortly before Christmas, their rep came out to the house and showed me several ideas. I'd planned to use a round top window like the one in the inspiration picture.



Source: Houzz: Traditional Kitchen by New York Interior Designers & Decorators Anthony Baratta LLC

But I'd always loved Gothic arches. I wasn't sure how it would look, but I made a leap of faith. The rep and I decided on the height of the side windows, and I placed the order.

The window arrived, and I just love it. The kitchen had been dark, but even at dusk, the room was bright. (And I'm all about sunlight.)

Here's an exterior peek.

Now, work will begin on the cabinets and trim.

A new foyer window was ordered in early January--and double front doors. The glass will be edged with simple, beveled glass. I'll use the old front door on the glassed-in porch or in the garage make-over. So now, Gothic will rule at Rattlebridge!

Let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful Sunday!

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