PHASE 3: kitchen remodel

We are currently kicking off *Phase Two* of our home renovations. I think that bundling the work into phase terminology helps me feel organized but it is anything but organized. Our first phase included painting of the entire home, creating a family room off the kitchen, replacing most of our lighting, and creating a large primary bedroom by building out a closet and installing window treatments in the former family room. Phase Two will tackle a long list of items that we have been noodling on for months: the powder room remodel, final touches to the family room, updates to the primary bath, and completion of the deck. And then Phase Three, if and when we get there, is the largest investment yet - a kitchen remodel. I have spent many hours thinking about the best way to remodel our kitchen, measuring, researching, and formulating a plan. So while we wait for completion of Phase 2 and the fun before and after photos, I will share the tentative plans for the kitchen update. To get us started, the current layout:

I have shared some photos of the kitchen before but here's a few snapshots of what we are currently dealing with aesthetically.

The kitchen is a wide galley with black gloss shaker cabinets and dark granite. As I have mentioned before, this is very much not our style and we are looking to do something more sleek and modern.

The fridge sticks out about 8 inches from the counter, we would like to replace the fridge with a counter-depth European style quad fridge and remove the cabinets above the fridge, perhaps adding in open cabinets.

The sink is nicely positioned under a window but the double sink is limiting and we want to replace the sink with a single wide, ceramic sink with a tall, expandable faucet (similar look here).

If only I had cleaned before this photo... we are aren't a fan of the hardware and would like to install cabinetry with hidden handles. The microwave requires one to bend down so we would elevate this appliance and create more hidden storage for all of these items littering our counters.

I have developed two layout options for the kitchen and we will make a decision once we have calculated the cabinet and contractor cost sometime in the fall. The first option would be the most expensive as we would be demolishing the entire kitchen and reorienting it around an island. We would move the doorway all the way to one side to accommodate a walkway to the family room and relocate the cooktop, sink, and fridge. Since the powder room is on the other side of the sink wall, we should be able to us that plumbing line. I also love this option because it allows us to install a pantry, which we currently do not have.

The original idea for this layout came from one of my favorite, innovative cabinet designers, Naked Kitchens in the UK. (As a country, they seem to be far beyond us in inexpensive kitchen design, minimal options, and energy-efficient appliances. Oh Europe..). Based on my measurements, the below design is possible for our kitchen with some demolition and reorganization.

I have also created a few renderings with my minimal graphic design capabilities in PowerPoint:

We would open up this side with open shelving and condense the oven and microwave onto one side.

This side is where the entry point would be and the fridge, flush with the cabinetry, pantry and coffee area.

The second option below would be far less costly as we would keep all appliances in the same location but replace the cabinetry with smart storage.

Some visual renderings of this option:

Admittedly we are not as excited about this option but it would still solve many of our storage issues and look very nice.

Thoughts on these initial plans? Have you done a gut reno on your kitchen? Share in the comments!