Details of new kitchen layout.
We’ve axed all kitchen cabinets on the wall housing the new mirror.
We are not moving them elsewhere.
They have ceased to exist.
I know this will not appeal to everyone… anyone?
But for me, once I visualized it this way, everything else stopped being a possibility.
It opens up this space dramatically.
If you missed it… we hid the refrigerator… if you want to see what the plan was before.
The mirror’s total height is 4” short of our 9’ ceiling. We are going to mount it all the way up… resting on a narrow base, same way we have mounted our other giant mirrors, and the entire thing will be flush against the wall.
But this time the base will be fancy! MADE OUT OF MARBLE! (shh, don’t tell Paul! a surprise for him!!) Also because we have 57,000 tons of marble in our garage.
Right now, because the glass of the mirror is sitting on the floor and leaning back at an angle, it reflects a lot of the ceiling… once we’re ready to put the mirror in place, it will reflect the room straight on; the piano island, and some of the living room windows.
the piano island will be lengthwise!! NOT this direction!!
Now… before I get to what we ARE doing, I must acknowledge an idea.
A version of Pilar Guzman’s kitchen which is was! my end-all-be-all-kitchen-of-all-kitchens.
I feel so sad for her now!
Poor woman.
So we could do similar by using our mirror frame (sans glass) and bump it out like a built-in bookcase… line it in subway tile and add shelving.
Do I love that idea?
Sure!
But.
Self directed otherwise— we will use this as it has existed since 1875.
MAGNIFICENCE DOES NOT EXIST TO BE REPURPOSED.
MAGNIFICENCE STANDS ALONE.
*twitch twitch*
So.
What can I say?
I just work here.
If you are sad to see me abandon this idea! Consider this: floor-to-ceiling storage there loses appeal when I think of the view from any other angle… keeping that exterior wall/footprint streamlined/uninterrupted, I think for ME, is most appealing.
When I consider the visuals from the fauxsunroom area, I prefer keeping the entire room as open as possible.
Also, for REAL that would be an INSANE amount of storage! Far MORE storage than I need… but I’m going to leave that untouched for today because A- I’m going to do a post about storage… and B- I haven’t even gotten to the point of THIS post: inviting the internet to inform me of my stupidity and poor planning.
That’s it.
(plus island.)
I don’t know if half of you just died from how much you think this is a terrible idea… so I guess I’ll give you a second to resuscitate yourselves?
We will put an induction cooktop in the island.
Cabinet wall (pictured above) left to right:
22” base cabinet
27” base w/ wall oven <—super pumped to hear how much everyone loves this
30” apron front we already have our sink I did sort of revisit going down in size… but I have plenty of counter space, so it would only be to go bigger on the oven… which, is already big enough AND I want to stay as close to symmetry as possible.
24” dishwasher <— I would prefer if this were symmetrical to the wall oven cabinet, but I do not want to go any smaller with the oven… if you see some reason to swap, the current location is based on nothing but preferring to load the dishwasher on the right.
22” base cabinet
Obviously, there is still a lot to figure out but I am EXCITED!
And I know it is going to make you itch to not STORAGESTORAGESTORAGE. But maybe wait until I tell you my thoughts? or not… you know… whatever works for you.
The End.
This post lacks a conclusion… but there is none. yet. I’m just giving you information as I’m processing it. a,lso I am doing too many things at once and I still have one more thing.
BEFORE I GO I have something REALLY IMPORTANT to bring attention to… you all know that I am an ANIMAL LADY… and that CIRCUS ANIMALS HURT MY HEART SO MUCH.
This event begins tonight in Philadelphia… past years have included TIGERS AND ELEPHANTS… ELEPHANTS! IN 2018!
Contact the Potentate, at the Lulu Shrine temple and urge him to replace the circus with non-animal events!
Douglas H. Fink, Potentate, LuLu Shriners
5140 Butler Pike Plymouth Meeting PA 19462
Phone: 610-828-9050.
When I called a month ago they weren’t able to tell me exactly what animal events were coming… but I just called, and they have an elephant… a solitary traveling elephant.
The person who answered does not think there are tigers but they had them last year so we will see… I HAVE SIGNS FOR THEM TOO.
I truly believe that we humans are CHANGING and that if the people managing these events UNDERSTOOD this, they would reflect our evolving values! There are SO MANY amazing dance and acrobatic troupes in this area! Everything from salsa to aerial stuff! Many of them are talented KIDS!
But I think the people running the circuses don’t yet HEAR that there is a public desire to STOP seeing wild animals in cages pushed by humans dressed as clowns.
This is NOT entertainment. That is sick. Foul.
Not to mention idiotic.
No one wants to watch an elderly arthritic elephant proded around a ring.
We understand what we are seeing: grotesque cruelty.
If we use our voices, we can help… case in point: Nosey the elephant!!! THIS has haunted so many animal lovers for SO LONG… and because of VERY DEDICATED HUMANS, they freed her. Nosey hadn’t been allowed to walk free or socialize with other elephants in over three decades! Now she is safe.
But so many others need our help.
Here is a post I wrote about one traveling tiger act: Mitchel Kalmanson… I wrote an entire post about his grotesque heart-wrenching treatment of the big cats… NINE MONTHS ON THE ROAD AND THEY NEVER LEAVE THE TRAVEL CAGE. rotten food. open sores.
Here is another post to understand ways that BIG CATS SUFFER IN CAPTIVITY AND HOW WE CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE!!
In the wild, tigers can travel up to 20 miles a day… In the circus, they live in tiny travel cages.
The unmitigated despair of this existence is horrifying to me.
LOUDLY for the animals,
🐯❤🐒🐾🦁
xoxo,
VEB
Thedogatemyhomework
May 17, 2018 @ 1:59 pm
I’m very afraid that you or your beloved is going to come down in for a midnight snack, forget about the floor to ceiling mirror, see one of yourselves in the reflection and SCREAM because you think it’s a prowler (but it’s really you). The other half up in bed will be awakened by the mayhem. I worry about your loss of REM sleep.
Joanie Cottrell
May 17, 2018 @ 2:02 pm
….aaaaand if you want to consider supporting a great organization that rescues retired and abused elephants, please check out the compassionate work of Carol Buckley at Elephant Refuge North America http://www.erna.org
Melanie
May 18, 2018 @ 7:20 pm
And ThE Elephant Sanctuary in Tennessee!!
Anne Elise Hudson
May 17, 2018 @ 2:07 pm
Have you considered an 18″ dishwasher? For just the two of you, it should work well; instead of waiting for it to fill up, you run it immediately. Then you can have a larger base cabinet…do not forget the drawers!!!
Of course, I think symmetry is over-rated, as long as you have balance.
Enjoy the process. Your kitchen, your rules.
Anne Elise
Robin Leah Howington
May 17, 2018 @ 2:08 pm
Fewer cabinets will give you more room for dancing.
Cris Connelly
May 17, 2018 @ 2:08 pm
I love following the evolving plans. The only thing that has ever bothered me is the uncased opening (to the ceiling) of the diagonal entrance to the kitchen. Considering all your other openings are probably cased, the sheet-rocked opening seems…..new and not up to the fanciness factor of your home. Casing it to the same height as the windows would tie the room together. Just my humble .o2. Meanwhile, carry on!
Ryan
May 17, 2018 @ 3:22 pm
It could have a transom too!
Allie
May 17, 2018 @ 2:12 pm
I like your philosophy of showcasing magnificence > storage. 90% of the stuff in a kitchen (or at least my kitchen) is only used 5% of the time. If you can part with it or store it elsewhere to show off an amazing mirror go for it!
My only question is, how fancy are the light fixtures?
xAllie
http://www.theallthatglittersblog.com
Shaz
May 17, 2018 @ 5:10 pm
OMG – yes! What is planned for the light fixtures? 😍
Darling Lily
May 17, 2018 @ 2:23 pm
Your storage situation will be fine. I have been in European kitchens smaller than my walk-in closet, with hardly any storage to speak of, and the families all seemed to be perfectly normal and well adjusted.
I am a trifle sad that the NWoF will remain a mirror, because I was on Team Repurpose, but I have every faith in your vision. Even with the induction stove in the island now, which seems almost sacrilegious to me, but again my faith in you is unshakable!
And yes.. LOUDLY for the animals, always!
Gennielee
May 17, 2018 @ 2:38 pm
Oh…Perhaps I am missing something here, but why all of the mirrors? I couldn’t stand looking at myself every time I turned a corner. A giant mirror in my kitchen reflecting my enraged chicken bed head first thing in the morning, BEFORE coffee, would be enough to send me over the edge.
Get some cabinets girl. Forgo a a big fancy mirror in lieu of a big fancy FUNCTIONAL kitchen. If you don’t cook, only use paper plates, never have dinner guests, eat in front of the TV and never shop for groceries your kitchen plan might work.
Go back and look at all of the AMAZING photographs you posted of your dream kitchen? Do any of them look like they came from a college apartment? They do not.
Sarah
May 17, 2018 @ 6:02 pm
To be fair, most college apartments don’t house monumental, historically significant, museum quality examples of fine Victorian craftsmanship. Also, I have 6 bazillion cabinets (we moved in and the kitchen had been done already) and they’re filled with items I use maybe 8% of the time, and even that’s being a bit generous. I think it would be hard to be dissatisfied with a kitchen filled with beautiful, special things you love, but what do I know.
Darling Lily
May 17, 2018 @ 7:18 pm
You must be new around here…
Nikki
May 19, 2018 @ 4:56 pm
The current plan is still bigger than the kitchen that I’ve fed a family of 4 in for a number of years. Aside from the sink there were only two base cabinets. Two! And yes I cooked bolognese and quiches and cakes just fine 😉
More cabinets does not mean more functional… Can you imagine how many would end up as simply clutter/junk storage? It’s wonderfully personal with the awesome mirror and the piano island. This is a historic home, not a mcmansion.
fixitchick
May 17, 2018 @ 2:48 pm
The cooktop in the island you say? hmmmm. What will you do about the hated vent situation? Also, I had forgotten about how open the bottom of the piano island is, and to both increase storage and fanciness have you given thought to what kind of beautiful chest you will put there?
As for forgoing upper storage, as long as you have figured out where your dishware/other crap will live, I say go for it. I think it will make the space look much larger, enjoy!
and lastly, after not hearing from you regularly for so long, I thank you for coming back full force – especially as we are finally going to start our own kitchen reno [by moving it across the house]. it has reinforced my desire to go unfitted. In fact the guy is coming for a plumbing quote this afternoon.
Erin
May 17, 2018 @ 2:50 pm
All. The. YES. You will be so delighted with this plan, I know it. How do I know it? Because we did similar in our MUCH SMALLER kitchen and everyone was all, “What do you mean you are going to have NO UPPERS in the entire kitchen??? Have you gone totally mad?!” But I held firm and I do not miss the hideousness that is upper cabinetry at all. I have open shelving and then I have a teensy pantry area with very narrow uppers, separate from the main kitchen space. It is perfect. We have tons of storage and the added bonus that our kitchen is actually pretty! Onward, Victoria! You are doing everything right. xo
(Nope, not at all biased….)
Jennifer
May 17, 2018 @ 3:12 pm
I really like this plan. It definitely makes the kitchen more like a room that you happen to cook in rather than a full on kitchen onslaught. And, you didn’t mention the best part of your plan…no corner cupboard!
I’m always on team small kitchen means less to clean. I am curious how you will address storage, and even more curious about repurposing the piano island into housing a cooktop, but that may be more straightforward than I think.
JeanFB
May 17, 2018 @ 3:13 pm
I love it. The mirror is so YOU. It’s gorgeous. No one else has one. Your kitchen will not look like a Pinterest kitchen and that’s okay because every kitchen on Pinterest will be wishing it looked like yours! 🙂 And here’s the thing…. if it ends up that in a year’s time you and Paul are driven to drink due to the lack of uppers….. it looks as if you could actually put some sort of enclosed storage up on the wall housing your sink, etc…. I won’t say cabinets, because I envision you being able to find a pair of marvelous, antique, fancy pharmacy cabinets or some such thing that will work beautifully. Thanks so much for letting us follow along….
And it also mystifies me as to why there are still traveling animal shows anywhere. And it breaks my heart to think of a solitary elephant! I do not go to any event that has this sort of stupidity. Thanks for your activism.
Jayne Zabala
May 17, 2018 @ 3:21 pm
Once a while ago, we had neighbors who had their kitchen built on the European idea that refrigerators and majority of their staples are in the pantry — not in the actual kitchen. I also just toured a model home and in addition to a beautiful kitchen, they had a separate sink, convection cook top and refrigerator in the pantry area with a door, so they could close it off if they didn’t want anyone to see a mess, keep the odors in that area or serve as a kosher kitchen. Hopefully you have a pantry area — maybe where Paul closed up the stairs down to basement — you can line with shelves and have more than enough storage. No matter what you decide I’m sure it will be stunning! I completely agree with you about how atrocious circuses and in most cases zoos are! I will not patronize either. Makes me sick, literally sick, how too many humans mistreat animals!!!
Vickie H.
May 17, 2018 @ 3:22 pm
I am on board with the kitchen so far…..can’t wait for more…and thank you for your commentary about the circus and the animal cruelty…..slowly but surely….this MUST END.
Perfectly Perfect
May 17, 2018 @ 3:25 pm
I LOVE IT! TRULY LOVE IT.
And my 1924 single story Spanish Colonial Revival train car kitchen sans partner/master craftsman in L.A. is trés jalouse. That’s fine though because I have lemons and finger limes ready for picking in my unglamorous urban garden. And lettuces outside the kitchen door.
As for caged animals you can help promote understanding and admiring of wild animals in their NATURAL HABITAT in Africa, twice a day on an INTERACTIVE program called SafariLive on YouTube, et.al., where they take viewers on safari, teaching respect for animals and all nature by educating not only about individual animals but also about the interconnection of nature’s systems and species. They also do school drives engaging with classrooms directly during the show, answering questions from the kids. The show is a marvel and WildEarth, its creators intentions are of the purest focus : to help save animals/nature/the planet through education as firsthand as it can get without actually being there. Word of warning: it is initially addictive; lion prides and leopards with baby cubs playing, while we are learning from educated caring guides is phenomenal. Watching cats stalk prey and seeing elephants chase away lions, amazing. Seeing a newborn elephant they’ve happened upon take first steps, breathtaking. I hope you have a look. I happened upon it 2 years ago. It is life changing for the understanding it provides to anyone tuning in.
I’ve just written more about nature than your kitchen! And I LOVE your ever transforming kitchen…but mine is smaller : l, while Nature is EVERYWHERE. 😀
Love your rants, I mean rambles…I mean WRITING. Cheers!
Lora
May 17, 2018 @ 3:25 pm
Confused. Is there still going to be a smaller mirror over the sink? Open shelving for drinks of water, coffee cups, and more room for decorative stuff? This is where you’ll come to check the length of your skirt before you dine with the Markles, I mean Windsors? Whichever Duke and Duchess they end up being named this weekend? Have to say I don’t understand the use of this very GFT in this location, but I’m excited that things are merrily rolling along.
Kiki
May 17, 2018 @ 3:35 pm
Whoa! So exciting. I’m always of need of more storage, but I’m sure you know what you need. My thought would be to make the mirror swing out on hinges and have secret storage, but that’s probably crazy considering the weight of the mirror. Or roll like a barn door? But of course you could always decide to add more storage later if needed. Can’t wait to see how it all turns out!
Laura Lind
May 17, 2018 @ 3:43 pm
Toronto Architect Donald Chong has been writing and researching a project called “Small Kitchens Make Better Cities” for some years now. The notion is that small kitchens (typical of European residences) reorient their users by encouraging them to shop for small items daily – resulting in more support for neighbourhood grocers on the nearby main street. Since there’s no room to store items bought in bulk from the big box stores with such compact spaces, people with smaller kitchens are more likely to have healthier diets, walk more, interact more and have companionship.
One has to ask, how much of super bloated kitchen design is related to the cabinet sales industry? In any event, your current kitchen design has a proper work triangle, space on either side of both the sink and range for prep and a landing spot on the island for fridge contents. It includes, a dishwasher, storage under the island so it ticks all the boxes for a fully functioning room. It is stunning already! And it will never go out of style. Bravo!
Katie
May 17, 2018 @ 3:53 pm
It’s a gorgeous plan, will work beautifully. BUT, HANG ON, wasn’t there a giant fancy cupboard/cabinet you were going to use as storage? Did it get sold and i missed it?
NevadaNy
May 17, 2018 @ 4:03 pm
I think the big mirror is the kitchen is a great idea. But what has happened to the Woman Carved Mirror?
Are you still going to put that over the sink? I hope so.
Animal Rights Now! An idea who’s time has come. And while you are at it-The Environment of our Planet -must become a priority. No point in saving animals if we are going to destroy the planet.