Extra-deep kitchen countertops.
Paul has been infected by the kitchen ideazzz.
It is glorious.
Or Stockholm syndrome.
If you ever wonder why bloggers repeat themselves.
It’s because whatever we don’t repeat, is the thing we needed to repeat.
So.
Extra-deep countertop on wall A.
Paul added 10” to traditional-counter-depth— this space is already defined by the two side walls, so we are just maxing out the usable square footage; not intruding further into the room.
He built a mockup because I am deficient in being able to feel “right” about something until I can TOUCH IT and SEE IT.
I need to know that things will be EXACTLY as I am imagining them.
Also, I thought the countertop might be “too deep.”
Now?
Now I don’t even know what “too deep” MEANS.
Has anyone, in the history of ever, been using their perimeter countertops, and thought– GEEZ I WISH THIS WERE NARROWER WITH LESS ROOM!
After living with this for five seconds, I am mystified why the other way.
This could be MORE.
NOT less.
If the entrance wall was not dictating– I would go deeper.
I’ll get to see, in the comments, what particular brand of idiot this makes me.
The most exciting part of this extra-deep countertop is that it gives me ALL THE SPACE to build a proportional base (obvs fancy) for the lady mirror.
Then we will incorporate the bumped-out part for the wall-mounted kitchen faucet… if you cannot visualize this, see my post about my favorite faucet options.
I’m not yet sure about the faucet/mirror-base/backsplash amalgamation.
57,987 ideas.
One wall.
Here is our sink.
Here are our possibilities for countertop/backsplash:
salvaged antique marble shower wall slabs
salvaged antique marble wainscoting
load of slate
Go nuts.
PS– I sold that Renaissance Revival mirror, leaning randomly in the background above; just yesterday, because money… I hated to do it considering how thine eyes now see the glory of the future of my bath.
PPS- one of you reminded me of The Rules of Civility, by Amor Towels… which I own and started re-reading on your reminder… THANK YOU! At first, I was iffy if I was loving it all over again but then got past the intro chapter, and was like– ah! here it is! He has a new book, A Gentleman in Moscow, I am as usual, 57th on library waitlist.
PPPS– I took the babies this morning for fix day, and Webster is bereft! He is alternating between wandering the house HOWLING and staring at me accusatorily… I told him– they are coming back! do not worry! YOU CAN GO WITH ME TO PICK THEM UP IF YOU WANT… no response.
Before I fostered him, the shelter thought Webster hated other cats! and it has turned out that not only is that wrong, it’s OPPOSITE. Webster loves other cats. He has come out of his shell SO MUCH since the kittens have been allowed with him– he is a brand new man!
My peoples! if you cannot do kittens, fostering an adult cat IS NEARLY NO WORK and it feels SO GOOD in your heart– the gratitude/happiness to make true and enormous change in the life of a living being! That is an amazing feeling! And it’s slightly way easier to enjoy the feeling with adults, because you do not have to literally give away babies.
Anyway, I cannot wait to see Webbie’s face when he realizes they are back! He is going to freak out.
July 10, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
Ok, first let me just say it’s been a long day, and I’m tired, so I get a pass on this one ok?! But when you were talking about “fixing” day and how you told Webster not to worry because they were coming back I totally thought you meant his dingleberries. And then you said you were going to pick them up and he could even come along and I momentarily had visions of you displaying them in some fancy schmancy cloche or something. Oh man! It may be time for me to get off the internet for the night 😂😂
July 10, 2018 @ 9:26 pm
I thought the same thing,not with the extrapolation to displays in cloches but that Veb was reassuring Webster that they would grow back. That cracked me up, because cats are so snobbish that I suspect Webster would maintain a complete air of insouciance and wander off tail held high with a sniff at the silliness of humans.
July 11, 2018 @ 12:52 pm
I did the same thing! My excuse is that it’s the morning and I’ve only had one cup of coffee!
July 11, 2018 @ 8:40 pm
Ditto. I have no excuse.
July 10, 2018 @ 7:53 pm
I could not put A Gentleman in Moscow down once I started, and I resented life interfering with my reading. You will love this book!
July 10, 2018 @ 8:03 pm
I think a deeper counter makes incredible sense so that you can have maximum storage underneath the counter. Just be sure to install pull out shelving so that you can reach the things that otherwise would be lost in a dark cave. I can’t tell you how refreshing it is to see a kitchen done with and personality and uniqueness!
July 10, 2018 @ 8:05 pm
Ohmygod. Extra deep countertops are a thing?!? *exits to sledgehammer entire kitchen.
July 10, 2018 @ 11:00 pm
Also: extra deep countertops =opportunity for new, extra fancy stool https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F183219630585
July 10, 2018 @ 9:16 pm
The deep counters seem sensible. As for the compost…we follow a tip we heard on the radio – keep the wet waste in a closed-lid container in the freezer – and obviously empty when it’s full and then the smell is never an issue. I don’t know if that would work for compost? Because it needs heat right? But it’s a suggestion.
July 10, 2018 @ 9:21 pm
I don’t think you are using upper cabinets, but make sure you can reach in them if you pull your counters out further. Otherwise, if you have the space why not use it?
July 10, 2018 @ 10:40 pm
Timely question as we are contemplating what back splash we will use, and I wondered how hard it will be to put up tile over my new quartz top! Will they spill grout on it? Better not, and if it was an extra deep counter the tiler would have a hard time reaching back there. Also you must consider how hard it will be to reach over the counter and wash up behind for any splatters and such.
July 10, 2018 @ 11:12 pm
Consult Paul on this one, but it occurs to me that he might be able to plan something I had in my last living room, a Craftsman home (much loved in our area).
Suppose your extra-depth countertop on Wall A sits on base cabinets of standard depth (I think usually 24 inches deep). There’s some space behind the base cabinets to the wall (the depth of your appliance garage cabinets, whatever that is). From the next room, on the opposite side of Wall A, Paul installs base cabinets opening on that side, to take up the space under the countertop, between the back of the kitchen base cabinets and Wall A. You don’t waste any space, you have extra storage in the next room — bookshelves, your collection of china squids, kitten den and gym, whatever).
Having base cabinets a mile deep sounds better than it is, especially if you have to reach all the way to the back to clean . . . .
July 11, 2018 @ 12:43 am
Sorry about Elvis.
July 11, 2018 @ 9:38 am
A GENTLEMAN IN MOSCOW is one of my favorite books. It won’t disappoint!
No worries for those pathetic ones who cannot grasp a new concept, such as deeper countertops. Standardization was simply invented to make things in an easier and faster way, not because it’s better. We did all our own dimensions according to how best to use our space. We used a antique soapstone sink that is 42″ long (the best thing ever!), made our island countertop out of 2 1/2″walnut from some dead trees my brother found in NC, figured out how to install floating 2″ walnut shelves on two walls, found someone who would take our shiny granite slab and hone it down to a marvelous “natural” but smooth matte finish. The harder stone within the granite withstands the honing while the slightly softer stone is eaten out, resulting in a very soft and satiny looking counter – NO shine! Easy to get engrossed in the lovely texture while gazing out the window, not chopping my vegetables.
It’s a pleasant hit to my day to read your post of decisions, indecisions, options, recriminations…a bit like reading my own journal. You’re having a blast and making a life that’s your own; can’t beat that even with a Victorian fairy wand! Keep going.
July 11, 2018 @ 9:55 am
YES, yes, yes to compost. I have coworkers who have enormous suburban lots and can’t find room or desire to compost. I have a small city lot and have vowed to put no food waste in the garbage, and definitely not down the drain. I have been composting for years. Love you, love the blog.
July 11, 2018 @ 2:21 pm
A Gentleman in Moscow- superb. 🙂
Looking forward to the amalgamation of all the fanciness.
July 11, 2018 @ 5:22 pm
Just want to let you know that we also have a induction stovetop on an island with no vent hood. We have a little downdraft vent and it works just great! Also my husband also built a mock-up of the kitchen so I could “feel” myself in it.
July 11, 2018 @ 7:08 pm
Please be sure to video the Webster and Kittens reunion! 😀
July 12, 2018 @ 10:25 am
It’s hard to imagine anything like shelves or cabinets next to the lady head mirror that won’t distract and detract. A set of beautiful containers seems like it would be the most elegant addition.
But, what do you need to store or keep handy on that wall for your kitchen to be functional for you – if anything? Honestly, do you need to put anything else there?
I can see either standard subway tile or marble slabs as a backsplash, covering that whole wall behind the mirror, no problem.
July 12, 2018 @ 5:01 pm
Love how it is coming together. I have the Koehler Whitehaven cast iron sink in the 36” size in my kitchen and have to say it was worth every penny! Looks great and I absolutely love seeing it (and using it) every time I walk into my kitchen.e
July 12, 2018 @ 6:57 pm
LOVE the LOOK of extra deep counters!! However, I am 5’4″ with average arm length so cleaning would be a challenge. READ: grunge and dust bunnies and EGAD… spiders will inhabit the corners. So what?? They look good. I compost. I am the patron saint of my pipes. Mr B is highly allergic to cats, as in CANNOT breathe, I threatened to leave him, his breathing did not improve. So we rescue dogs, to which he is only mildly allergic, can still breathe and must wear breathe right strips at night on his nose. I find that charming and sexy. To soothe my kittie needs I volunteer and then come home to disrobe in the garage and shower immediately. And I preach, yes preach!!! Obnoxiously I might add on the benefits of rescuing kitties, doggies, horses, burros, bunnies and pigs and cows. I am the veritable preacher of the animal world. I deserve oodles of awards. But I will settle for my beloved’s horrendous snores at night which let me know he is still breathing.
July 13, 2018 @ 2:24 am
We have extra deep AND extra tall counters. LOVE them. And I’m a 5’3 shortie, so a tall person should have no problems at all with either.
Regarding your faucet options – I too went on a search for a wall mount with pull down sprayer. The only option I found was from Jaclo. Which does have some pretty vintage handle style options. But unfortunately does not come in brass.
July 13, 2018 @ 8:54 am
“WHAT KIND OF DISGUSTING FOOL STUFFS FOOD INTO THEIR PIPES” OMG…. priceless. And agreed.
I have chickens. They eat the leftover food scraps (not spoiled or moldy though), and make beautiful eggs and dirt. It’s a great system – almost as good as just regular composing. But I have to put up with copious crowing by the roo, and garden thief hens. So not quite as quiet as regular composting.
July 13, 2018 @ 9:56 am
I have extra deep counters to allow cabinets on each side of my deep something like 28 x 48 Kohler sink. I love the results. I chose to have custom cabinets made (Super Paul could easily do this) with all drawers with no hardware only half moon cut-outs. One cabinet holds the dishwasher and the other cabinet is a cooking area. The extra deep surface allows me to use the space in multiple ways (I’m using induction). It’s a practical solution that worked for me. With your two brains in a blender, you will be a spectacular solution.
ps About keeping compost materials in freezer, I do that. If I’ve used the blender or food processor, I’ll give the stuff a whirl before freezing and when I need to clear the room, just dig a hole in the ground and pop in the compost popsicle in and let nature do her trick. Works for me.