Kitchen remodel!

[Frozen Smoke]

We are in the first stages of a kitchen remodel. We got a little sticker shock on cabinets and counter tops so we are still trying to find a balance between custom made cabinets and big box store cabinets. We want something better than the big box store stuff but can't pay the price of custom made solid wood cabinetry.

But we could pick out appliances which we did yesterday. I wanted to convert our electric to gas but the wife wanted her smooth top electric. The gas would have added more cost to the overall project so I relented on that.

But I did negotiate one thing out of her. I got a double oven! Always wanted one. Like the idea of having the flexibility of two different temps and not having to heat a big oven up for doing pizzas etc.

We actually spent less on appliances then we had budgeted so the savings go into cabinets and counter tops.
Here's the stove she went with. The appliances are largely her call so I was a little surprised I got the double as she didn't want it. The bottom oven is convection which is also new to me.

[smokenoob]

That looks great, we had a glass top in our previous house. Don’t do what stoopid me did: place a hot dish from the oven on the glass top and crack it! It was cheaper to replace the whole oven than replace the top! Doubt if that would be the case for your oven but that top I’m sure is expensive! Kitchen upgrades are the most rewarding!

[Frozen Smoke]

I've done that and never cracked the top but thanks for the warning! I will remember to use cooling racks or cutting boards in the future!

[Donw]

Interesting oven. What brand is it?

[Frozen Smoke]

GE

[Jerod Broussard]

Love our double ovens, wall mounted. Gas top range by its lonesome.

[jgreen]

We have the double as well and love it. Not a fan of the smooth glass top though as I find it real hard to keep clean. Maybe that just means I am a messy cook. Nice stove!

[EdF]

The endless kitchen remodel. Tell me about it!

[ComfortablyNumb]

I wish I could, but it is still in progress......

[lonnie mac]

Oooohhh nice brother! Yea, I am knee deep in our kitchen now. I too wanted something better than box store cabs. I looked and looked. Last week I plopped down for a new kitchen, all new cabinets in Walnut from Barker Cabinets to the tune of 8 grand. (lucky we gotta very small kitchen!) Huge lead time, so about the end of Apr I'll have them I hope. For all appliances I went with Kitchen Aid. Ton's of research. The ice box was brand new when the floods came in, but it was not damaged really. Samsung. Dang thing was not cheap. But I didn't do my homework, and although all the Samsung ice box reviews are pretty good, their dang dang matching black stainless dish washers, microwaves and ovens are horrible. So Kitchen Aid it is.

Good luck brother!!

[EdF]

I tried to do it myself. Sort of a distraction from cancer at the time. And I got pretty far along. But afterwards, I just lost my initiative. We brought the pre-machined parts along when we moved, but haven't quite figured out what we can reuse in the current config that needs a redo. Guess that's life.

[jerrybell]

Is it too late to apply those appliance savings to a new outdoor cooker? You know, so you have a backup place to cook if the remodel runs long.

[Frozen Smoke]

I'm covered on the cookers!!

[Frozen Smoke]

The wife liked the slate color of appliances and so did I. That locked us into GE because they are the only ones with that color and they have it locked in. So it made it easy. We are going a bit smaller on the fridge 33" instead of 36" so you lose about 3 cubic feet. We didn't want water or ice in the new fridge. Yeah right, impossible. So luckily GE had one in slate that didn't have it in the door but it was internal. We just won't hook it up. We plan on living in the motor home in the yard for 2 or 3 weeks while all this is going on.

The contractor that we are working with is hooking us up with a manufacturer that does semi custom cabinets that still have some veneers and press board in so they won't blow out the budget. The wife is set on granite or quartz counter tops so we will see what happens. Takes time to move this whole process forward. Each step takes weeks!

[lonnie mac]

The wife liked the slate color of appliances and so did I. That locked us into GE because they are the only ones with that color and they have it locked in. So it made it easy. We are going a bit smaller on the fridge 33" instead of 36" so you lose about 3 cubic feet. We didn't want water or ice in the new fridge. Yeah right, impossible. So luckily GE had one in slate that didn't have it in the door but it was internal. We just won't hook it up. We plan on living in the motor home in the yard for 2 or 3 weeks while all this is going on.

The contractor that we are working with is hooking us up with a manufacturer that does semi custom cabinets that still have some veneers and press board in so they won't blow out the budget. The wife is set on granite or quartz counter tops so we will see what happens. Takes time to move this whole process forward. Each step takes weeks!

It sure does take time brother! We have been camping in this house for almost 8 months with studs throughout. We are finally seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Just finished another room today. One room per weekend. I LOVE GE! that thing is going to rock!

We are going with GEOS recycled glass counter tops. Not dang cheap really, but after seeing them I was blown away. Can't seem to find an installer in our parts. So I may be cutting some glass myself again.

Kona, looks pretty dang nice!

http://www.eos-surfaces.com/geos/residential/geos-colorsamples/

[ComfortablyNumb]

Best wishes to both of you. I gutted and remodeled a house while living in it (by choice, a storm didn't force me, that alone shows I smart I am!) and it took over ten years. Hopefully you'll both be living construction free soon.

[RonB]

Very nice! I'd also like a gas stove, but my wife also likes that smooooth top.

[Frozen Smoke]

So you feel my pain. I like the heat control of gas so much better but these new electrics have come a long way.

[Frozen Smoke]

Thanks for the link lonnie mac on the counter tops. I will ask the contractor about them. I don't know enough to do any of this myself and am happier that way I think! I do like that Kona color! Seems every time we go somewhere and look at cabinets and counter tops and flooring material we get overwhelmed with all the color and pattern choices and just get frustrated. That's why we were so excited to get the appliances picked out and payed for seemed like a big step forward! The guy we are working with has built hundreds of homes and more remodels so he knows what works. We may just dump it in his lap and say let us know when we can come back in the house!

[lonnie mac]

That's the way brother! Just post up pics! Funny this go around on the house rebuild. We just did this 4 years ago in the last flood. This time I really can't remember what room I am on. The new kitchen will be the icing on the cake finally!

[Frozen Smoke]

Good luck lonnie mac I admire you guys who can do all these things on your own because I wouldn't have the first clue where to start! My worry is not floods but tornado's and snow avalanche's!!

[Baltassar]

We did our kitchen a few years back, and yeah, it was a bit more than intended. But in retrospect it was such a good move. We were really overdue -- you know it's time to remodel the kitchen when you discover that the cheapest appliances out there are way better than the one's you are using. Anyway, people spend a lot of time in the kitchen -- and people who frequent this site probably more than most. So it's worth it to make it a nice, functional space.

[Oakgrovebacon]

Quartz tops are less subject to stains and cracks than granite. If choosing between those 2 materials the quartz is the best choice. The recycled glass is a good choice if you can find it in your area. Laminate countertops are about 1/5 th the price of stone-so if you need to save on th3 project- look at them. New laminates look amazing-start with a nice looking one and after healing up financially, upgrade to quartz.