Thursday, May 1, 2014

Kitchen Goings-On



Hey, long time, no see!

I made it though my big project.  It was a lot of hard work but we really rocked it.
It seems like so long ago, but I really enjoyed reading all of your comments
about the in-the-ground garbage pails.  It seems to have brought back a lot
of memories for people and it was fun reading about them.

I've moved my dining room table into the kitchen and it fits perfectly!
The chairs are Ligne Roset Calin chairs that I've had for a long time.
The room needed something modern to keep it from getting too stuffy
and I think these work well.  They also have slipcovers that come off
and can be machine washed which I love.  So they're not only practical,
they're as comfortable as any upholstered  living room chair I've ever had.
I'm missing one of the slipcovers, though, and it's driving me crazy!


Even with the chairs pulled out, there's plenty of room for me to
get around the table to the sink and stove, dishwasher and armoire.

I've finished painting the cabinets and I'm still liking the drawers unpainted.
The drawers look a lot more orange in the photos than they do in person;
I'm not sure why that's happening.  Still need to paint the windows but it
needs to be a little warmer so I can leave them open while the paint drys.

It's been so cold here!


I bought these stemware racks from The Container Store.  They're made for
under-cabinet mounting and I've mounted them up in the top of the armoire.


Their design isn't the best I've ever seen.  I didn't feel they were very
secure so I added a washer to the screw which will work much better. 


I used two triple racks, one on each end for champagne and wine glasses and two single racks
in the center to give more room for the martini glasses.  The thing I love most is when the armoire
doors are closed, you can't see the glasses at all.  



I bought new baskets for the lower two shelves.  Also from The Container Store, these are their
large Hogla baskets.  All or most of my cookbooks will eventually be moved to an upper
cabinet next to the refrigerator, but for now, they're out of the way.  I'll still have lots of
storage space in here once they find their new home.


Since I'm storing some food items in the baskets, and I wanted to keep the
bottom of the baskets clean, I found two plastic trays (also Container
Store) that fit perfectly in the bottom of each basket.  These will easily
come out for washing whenever necessary.



I still have a few cabinets and drawers to organize but I'm loving
my baking drawer.  Everything I need  for the task all in one place.


The maiden voyage of my new stove was to whip up some blueberry scones
for an Easter brunch.  I loved having marble countertops to roll out the dough.


These scones are from the America's Test Kitchen recipe...and they're killer!

You, too, can make these and won't believe how awesome you are!

Here's the video on how to do it.



70 comments:

  1. NICE!!!!! Well worth it! Love everything about your "unfitted" kitchen. Can I stop by on the way up to Maine and make pho?

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  2. All of your wonderful fittings provide an example of why I should NEVER darken the door of the Container Store! Never been to one, but I know enough I be certain that I would lose my mind in there, with all the tempting baskets and bins and handy gadgets. Fortunately, the closest one is an hour away from here (without factoring in the northern Virginia hellish traffic), so it's easy to resist the urge to check it out.

    I understand what you mean about the color on your drawers and how it's orange in photos. Our cabinets do the same thing. They're natural cherry, which is orangish anyway, but they photograph ORANGE ... which isn't appealing. One day I hope to bribe a photographer friend to come over to show me how it's done. Gotta finish the backsplash grout first, though ... and the baseboard ... and paint the window. It's gonna be a while.

    Your kitchen is really lovely.

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    1. I know, I've spent a small fortune in there. They also have really nice wrapping paper, gift boxes/bags and ribbon.

      I didn't trying tweaking my colors in an edit software but that might do it. Maybe some filter is needed? I can't photograph red flowers either. They come out way too saturated.

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  3. Spectacular, Steve. Looks like it was worth the wait. What a wonderful place to cook and enjoy a meal. Bravo!

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  4. Wow... your place is the epitome of coolness. Love everything about it. The table goes perfectly in the kitchen. Love the chairs too. Have a wonderful weekend.

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  5. Hi Steve, I've been wondering how your new kitchen was working out. When you told us you were planning on keeping your dishes in your armoire, I thought that may not workout. I thought it might be inconvenient. Glad it's working out.
    Love your chairs. They add that "cool" element to your space. (Cool as in edgy)
    America's Test Kitchen is one of my favorite shows. Your scones look show worthy.

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    1. I'm pretty happy with the dishes all in that one place. Even if I had upper cabinets, they wouldn't all fit in one cabinet anyway so there is a certain convenience factor having them all there. It's very close to the table and not far from the dishwasher so it's working as well, if not better, than my old pantry which was really far from the dining room.

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  6. Looks absolutely fabulous! You have done an amazing jog- I have kitchen envy!

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  7. looking so good steve. love the unpainted cabinets. i think they add an incredible amount of character. everything looks amazing and SO well done.

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  8. Everything looks great! Well worth the time and effort.

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  9. A blueberry scone walked into a kitchen...finally! It all looks beautiful, functional and personal. Envy your having a Container store. We lost our in Kansas City years ago. Still get a little sad about that! Great score on the liners for the baskets. That's the kind of thing I could spend hours working out. Personally, I've been eyeing the stainless steel pans for steam tables!

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  10. S... moving the table in there was genius! It looks fantastic, and does lighten the space up. Now I know a young person lives there ;)
    k

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  11. Love your kitchen and the open shelving. Thanks for sharing the blueberry scones too!

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  12. Congrats on the project completion! The kitchen is awesome and your scones look delicious!

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  13. The kitchen looks like it's always been this happy!

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  14. Well done. You must be so happy in the new space. It is absolutely beautiful.

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  15. It's all perfect! The table looks awesome in there - and now you have another project of finding something to replace it in the dining room! : ) Love the unpainted drawers and I'm so happy you chose the white grout. I know the dark grout is all the rage right now but I still don't like it! It'll be a trend that will go out soon enough I think. Your choice is classic. You must be so happy and proud! Congrats! Anne : )

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  16. Love your kitchen! The table is great in there. Nothing better than a table in a kitchen. The ceiling looks fabulous too.

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  17. Perfect. I love everything about it.

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  18. Your kitchen looks wonderful. Congratulations. Your scones look amazing. So glad you're enjoying your new kitchen.
    Claudia

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  19. I just can't tell you how much I love it. Every detail was so well thought out and planned and it is so fun to see it all come to fruition. LOVE!!

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  20. Steve, it's absolutely stunning! I love the table and chairs, I really like how you have that modern meets the old world element, it just blends beautifully!

    The scone recipe looks fabulous! By any chance did you use wild main blueberries? ;)

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    1. When they're available, Mary, the wild Maine blueberries are the best. The little ones seem to be sweeter and have much more blueberry flavor.

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    2. Wyman's wild Maine blueberries in the frozen section of your market are from Down East. My husband has been to their farm! Check them out when you can.

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  21. Is it weird that as I'm scrolling through your post I want to tap your photos to "like" them? They are all fantastic. Love your new kitchen and how lovely you've organized everything!

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  22. It is all a miracle of loving organisation Steve! May I ask though if you have considered velcro ties to manage appliance cords, like the mixer in your baking drawer? http://www.velcro.com/Products/Ties-and-Straps/Ties/Assorted-Color-Ties.aspx#.U2Mqia1dWGQ
    You might come to love them as I do!

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    1. That's a great idea. I use them at the office for all the computer and video cables but I never thought to bring them home.

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  23. What a surprise to see your dining room table in the kitchen! You are right, it totally works -- as do the chairs. What will you replace it with in the dining room?
    You must be so pleased to be mostly finished and to be able to cook in such a beautiful place. Tell me, was it worth it to go with unfitted, or was the time/expense just the same? Certainly, without a doubt, your kitchen has personality and no one else in the world has one like it.

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    1. I've considred turning the dining room into a keeping room, or a small sitting room where I put the TV. The living room would them be a more formal living room. I haven't figured it out yet.

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  24. Your new kitchen is fabulous! I love the mix of old & new. Your vision to reuse the old store counter was brilliant.
    Your scones look delicious! I love America's test kitchen. I just made their Challah French toast & was told it was the best ever.
    Too bad the cover for your chair has gone missing. Maybe Ligne Roset could provide another? Or could you have one made? Do you know of a slip cover fabricator? A good one is a real gift. My favorite has retired - she made slipcovers like couture gowns.
    Have a great weekend!

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    1. I think the cover will turn up but Ligne Roset still makes the chairs so I can get new covers made if I need to. Hoping it's not necessary though. Thank you for kind comments and encouragement as always.

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  25. Hey, welcome back! Sounds like your project went exceedingly well. Congrats.

    Congrats too on your kitchen. It looks fantastic. I think the unpainted drawers look perfect. The baskets really make for a great look. My better half has been stalking the new Container Store Cranston, RI hoping that its opening date of mid-May will be moved up. I swear she gets that crazed look as we drive by.

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    1. I'm sure you'll be making trips as you finish up your new beautiful house. It's not difficult to fill your shopping cart (and empty your wallet).

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  26. Everything looks fabulous. You are a very detail-oriented person: the baking drawer is genius. I love the mix of modern furniture with the vintage cabinets...love the unpainted drawer fronts too. Sounds like you are having lots of fun in the new space you worked so hard to achieve,

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  27. That armoire setup is a dream - beautiful and highly functional. I am envious of how organized you are. I'm working on it, trying to over come the challenges of a five-year renovation project still in progress and a toddler running around the house. Thanks for the motivation. Your kitchen is lovely, and I like the drawers unpainted too.

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  28. Gosh Steve - that all looks so fabulous. The chairs are the perfect counterpoint to the space. Great job, you must be loving it so much!

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    1. Wow, thanks so much, Linda. That's a great compliment!

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  29. Well, your first photo got a loud "WOW!" from me. Love it, it all looks fantastic. Congratulations!!!

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  30. I almost clapped when I saw email from you ! Restraint clearly needed here.

    The kitchen is so fab! I do love those edgy chairs. karen m

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  31. I love how you set up that armoire you have really maximized it's potential. Still loving those drawers au natrural!!

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  32. I watch ATK all the time and get their annual cookbooks. I haven't tried the scones yet but they look great. There is a guy that blogs about ATK --> my year cooking with chris kimball. He tries the recipes from the magazine and rates his success or not. I just made their baked ziti with cottage cheese for someone that just had a baby. Everyone said it was great but I didn't get to taste it so I'm making it again next week for ME!

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  33. Oh my - love your wonderful new kitchen!! Every little element is so perfect. The Ligne Roset chairs are such a wonderful counterpoint to the more traditional elements. You must be sooooo happy in there, baking scones. I'd be happy in there with you baking scones!!! I adore Americas test kitchen. Love it. Also love Cook's magazine. I like all the technical aspects of recipes!!!

    Can't tell you what thing I love most about your new kitchen. Marble counter tops! Check.

    Thanks for your kind comments on the wedding post. When she got my makeup done I said "I look like a drag queen!" Not what she was expecting. Those lashes were serious business. Think I'll leave those at home. Xoxo

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  34. The tile is amazing Steve! I followed all your posts about installing it, but the view from across the room really brings home what a great job you made of it! Love all the rest too which goes with out saying :-)

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  35. What a fabulous place in which to cook!

    You have merged use and art in such a wonderful way-love it.

    As the Aussies would say, "Goodonya, Steve-o, well done, well done..."

    Surly there is a magazine courting you?

    You should also do a video tour :)

    P.S.-Please don't EVER paint those drawers-they are fantastic as is.

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    1. Nope, I'm pretty confident the drawers are staying the way they are.

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  36. Well I was one of the ones that voted for leaving the cabs natural so the fact that they almost are is very pleasing to me. They look great! Do not change one thing. Now slow down and just enjoy your lovely place.

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  37. KITCHEN BOY! Are you done? Bittersweet, no? Have to tell you I LOVED the entire journey. It surely was blueberry scone worthy. Can you tear apart one of your bathrooms now? At least for my edification? hmmm? And since you were asking....leave the cabs. They are fab. Original. Like you <3

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    1. Nope, not done. I still have the upstairs bathroom and master bedroom to go. And a few other cosmetic tweaks.

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  38. Congratulations on a job well done! I have followed this project off and on and have been so impressed with your patience and deliberate debate on different aspects of the stages ... so often, one makes snap decisions that they later regret because they were overeager to get things done ... not here. Your results are wonderful! Enjoy the new space ... cook up a storm!

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  39. Fabulous! The kitchen looks amazing and that table and chairs fit perfectly. I wonder if you took one of the chair covers to a seamstress after finding matching fabric, they might be able to custom sew chair cover/s for you that match the ones already there.

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  40. What a great space and I'm a huge fan of the drawers just as they are! Excellent job overall.

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  41. Glad to hear you finished your big project, I'm almost done and hope to be back on the blogosphere soon. The kitchen is magnificent! You've done a tremendous job of it. I'm in love with those chairs, what a color! Congratulations.

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  42. This kitchen is perfection.
    -Suzanne in Illinois

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  43. What a space you have created. The light, the details, the comfy yet chic chairs.

    What I wouldn't give to be sitting there, Zuzu on lap, drinking an iced coffee and eating a blueberry scone.

    It was totally worth all the angst. Patience and creativity, what a combo.

    xo J

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  44. Wonderful job without sacrificing the spirit of the house. Congratulations. Ann

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  45. Ok, so the kitchen is just as gorgeous as I knew it would be! Love the table and the chairs. So are you not going to do an island? I love the drawers unpainted. I would not paint them. Love love love all the white...subway tile and countertops. It is all perfection! I hope you find your other slipcover. I'm having a hard time getting anything done at the house with my new job. I have bought a few things I need to show and hope that happens this week. Just love your blog!

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  46. Congratulations! Your kitchen looks fantastic. It seems like only yesterday you were choosing paint colors...

    Deborah

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  47. Hey, friend! So glad you are back, although I'm a little late to this post ;-/ I'm glad your project went well. The kitchen looks simply amazing, and soooo you. Worth every bit of time and investment.

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  48. I love your style... awesome!

    Cielo

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  49. That first photo there is a money shot - so so good. Enjoy it (it sounds like you are). And I enjoyed reading about the different items that you've used to organize.

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  50. The kitchen looks amazing! Great mix of finishes and digging the modern chairs.

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  51. Steve, I just noticed the two baskets stacked on top of each other between the counter and French doors are they antique or did you get them someplace like The Countainer Store? I have been looking for something like that.

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    1. Nathan,
      Those are antique English fishing creels. They're not that easy to find. I've gotten all of mine on ebay. Usually about $100 each but I've seen a few locally for $150-$175. Great for hidden storage. Right now I keep all my garden gloves, pruners, bug sprays, etc. in there so they're handy to the outside. Another one next to my front door for a few pairs of shoes and umbrellas.

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  52. Totally One of a Kind.
    I absolutely LOVE it.

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  53. So exciting Steve! I know you're loving having your kitchen back! Love the drawers and the shelves in natural... perfect! Enjoy!

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  54. Steve,
    Congrats to and your stunning kitchen. I can smell those freshly baked scones all the way here. Thanks for sharing all the steps along the way and your attention to all the details. You should be incredibly proud.
    pve

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  55. So just when is that puppy being photographed????

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