Before I show you the "after" photos, let's take one more look at the dated old kitchen that Andrew inherited when he bought his house:
Those cabinets! That ceiling fan! Oof! Andrew knew all along that he wanted to update the kitchen ... he just didn't know he was going to gut it and start all over. Now that he's on the other side of the renovation, he's happy he did. Ready for the after?
Originally the plan was simpler: paint the light oak 1980's cabinets grey, replace the countertops with something less plastic & blue, and install an inexpensive cork floor in place of the peeling peach vinyl. But then I wanted a dishwasher. Adding a dishwasher meant re-configuring cabinets, and the stove was gross. I suddenly decided I didn't need upper cabinets. Before you know it, the whole kitchen was basically gone. For about a year I lived with it semi-functioning with a fridge, stove, small section of cabinets, and sink. In an effort to try and move forward, I finally tore out the sink in August of 2011 and gave the old stove to a neighbor. The room then sat virtually empty for an additional year.
In order to make this financially feasible, components were purchased as I could afford them and they would sit, unused, waiting to be installed. The light fixtures, sink, and faucet had been in the attic two full years, the stove and dishwasher on the back porch for about 18 months.
The cabinets were delivered in July of 2012. I stored them in the dining room where they sat taunting me, a reminder of how ridiculous this renovation had become. I knew I had to forge ahead, but finances and my busy work schedule (and side business) got in the way.
On August 20, 2012. I was contacted by the Berwyn Historical Society. They were hoping I would consider being a last minute addition to their September 23rd Bungalow Walk. Because I am insane, I said yes. It was the impetus I needed to get this thing completed, and with the help of my amazing friends was able to pull it off in one month... barely. The hood was wired and installed at 2 AM the morning of the walk, and the tour volunteers helped take the plastic off of the appliances. I was still finishing when the first tour attendees entered the front door. Realizing I had done everything I possibly could, I grabbed the dog and a change of clothes and headed to the basement, bathed in the laundry sink (the only bathroom was "on display"), and spent the rest of the day in the back yard. I was so happy it was over.
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Lovely! It's so refreshing to see a kitchen with no upper cabinets!
I love this. Love the gray painted wood floor, love that you got rid of the soffit and took the tile all the way to the ceiling. Good job.
Great change.
I have the same ugly cabinets in my rental. Why on earth do landlords install those cabinets?! This issue comes up on AT all the time: don't they know?
Since the landlord is a big corporation, and since I plan to stay here for many years, I am itching to paint mine, but I am still hesitating.
Although the cabinets were horrendous, would anyone else but me mourn the loss of overhead cabinet space? I would have at least done some sleek shelving to make up for the lost storage space.
Best background story of a remodel EVER. "Because I am insane, I said yes" = this made me laugh and at the same time think "How brave!" It's inspiring, really. Especially for people like me who look for excuses for not getting things done and sit on our behinds all day.
And I agree with MonicaK, it's really refreshing to see a kitchen without upper cabinets. That armoire (hutch? what's the proper term) is perfect for storage and looks tons better than cabinets.
Looks great! Oh I long for that kind of sleekness in my own kitchen. And what a brave man for completely nixing the uppers.
Ah, Youth. When you're over 30 and no matter how hard you work out, it becomes not so easy to crawl around on the floor, you'll regret those upper cabinets. How about nowhere to "hide" stuff from the little darlings? It looks beautiful. It is utterly impractcal.
MAXB - If you're able to keep things tidy, you might consider removing the doors to your cabinets. You can stash them under the bed/in a storage unit. Not only will you lose the sight of all those ugly door fronts, it will make your kitchen feel more open. Just a thought. :-)
It looks really lovely, but I too would want some upper cabinet. If not for more storage, then at least so that I don't have to always bend down to get a plate.
lauren.fitting: I think this looks great, but I could not give up upper cabinets either. I've got a tiny kitchen, and accordingly not all that much Stuff, but I still don't know where I'd put all the stuff I do have without the upper cabinets.
Your kitchen looks great. I'm in the middle of semi renovating my 1926 kitchen. My stove doesn't have a hood and I like the way yours looks. This may seem like a dumb question but is your hood vented out of an outside wall or did you have to run the duct work through the ceiling? The tile work in your bathroom fantastic.
I love this! It's simple and serene. The feeling of openness is more important to me than having a few more cabinets. I would probably add an open shelf or two for everyday dishes, and leave it at that.
Aesthetically I think it looks amazing! I love the painted floors, countertops, hutch and subway tiles. I also applaud you for not feeling the need to add faddish stainless steel appliances. The white looks great and in addition to being cheaper will be WAY easier to keep clean (I've given up on mine.)
I have to agree with some of the others about the lack of upper cabinets though. It seems like you lost a lot of storage space. As someone who's 6'1" suffering from major back problems it would be a pain (literally) for me to have to bend down to get anything out of the cabinets. I appreciate the feeling of openness up above, but am not sure it's worth paying the ergonomic price.
I briefly thought of tearing out my upper cabinets when we redid our kitchen, but decided that I couldn't live without them.
Very nice - love the simplicity and feeling of openness. However, I personally would need a few upper cabinets...
Great reno back story! Sounds like you needed a kick in the pants to get things finished but what a blessing! Your kitchen looks great Andrew.
This is nice, but I'd prefer more color in the space. To be honest, I found the before not too bad, though I'd have definitely given the room a makeover with fresh colorful paint and replaced the counter tops. I find that these cabinets aren't bad, but it's how you decorate the room that can emphasize, or De-emphasize their color a bit, making them not so bad.
I will agree they are not the best style to have but with a little thinking of other colors, you can mitigate their stamp on the room if on a budget.
That said, if I were to go without upper cabinets, I'd max out the lower cabinets with drawers to hold what would have gone above in the upper cabinets. However, some shelves to add something to the walls will help add personality to the room, and he did the right thing by using a hutch to store dishes and glassware.
Nice job overall.
Andrew lived for a year without a functioning kitchen, I think he can easily live without upper cabinets. Beautiful remodel!
I love it! Very clean look with a nice contrast between the dark cabinets and hutch and the white tile!
Do you have a pantry? I too am wondering where you keep everything. Like food.
Great story though! I love the finishes you chose.
I could care less about "upper cabinets" in regards to storage space as long as I have an alternative. Looks like Andrew has already figured that out for his kitchen (which looks fabulous, by the way). People are uncomfortable with a kitchen without a typical cabinet layout, I suppose. This kitchen does not need any fillers (i.e. shelves, cabinets, etc). It looks fantastic just the way it is.
The armoire/hutch is great alternative storage - I love the no upper cabinets look!
Hi Laura, This is not a dumb question at all! I searched for a chimney style hood that did not require outside venting and there are only a few options out there. This is from the Broan Elite line, and has an optional ventless recirculating kit that uses a charcoal filter. I think it added about 75.00 to the total cost, but it was worth it. I didn't want to run a duct across the room to vent it to the outside, or bust through the brick exterior to do so.
I agree with the need for more color. I think the tile all the way up the wall was a bit much, I feel like it needs a few more cabinets or atleast some shelves. Also the center island is a bit small in my opinion
I love your kitchen! I don't think it's important to have upper cabinets. People have different lifestyles that suit their needs. I removed half of my upper cabinets and increased space in other areas where it made more sense. As a result, some of my upper cabinet shelves are empty.
I don't think bending down really qualifies as "crawl around." I'm short so upper cabinets are a hassle for me. I can't reach the top shelf without a stool to step on.
PalmBchPrincess: I love all the comments, but especially yours! So nice! Thank you.
Another short person here! I would love no upper cabinets - not having to drag my stepladder out several times a day would be great. Plus, this is not a super bright kitchen, so I think the lack of upper cabinets really helps take the most advantage of the natural light.
What a GORGEOUS change and great story - testament to the value of SLOW design and taking your time. When we rush and DO it as fast as someone else wants us to, often the results are not as good as when it takes forever. Also, the value of light, unobstructed, and the beauty of a full wall of white subway tile, trumps the value of storage and eye-level access to drinking glasses and the like. Bravo.
What a story :) so true to life and hilarious!
And what a transformation, the kitchen looks great, if a little bare. A million miles from what it was before though.
Personally, there wouldn't be enough storage here for me, and I don't even store that much stuff in the kitchen. I also second the comment about storing things away from children's reach - then top cabinets come in really useful.
I would also push the trolley from the middle of the kitchen to one of the walls - it doesn't look like an island and is a bit silly - it might be easier to move around without it.
Andrew,
I love everything about this kitchen. I think the subway tiles on the wall help make the kitchen look bright and clean.
Were the wood floors that you painted under the linoleum you removed?
I don't think the cabinets were horrendous - I think they were perfectly fine and nothing that a few licks of paint could not fix. But I, too, would mourn the loss of overhead cabinet space. I don't know how big the kitchen is and how much storage there is; I could not sacrifice overhead cabinets in my kitchen.
I only wonder if anybody is donating the old cabinets to Habitat or thrift stores. I frequently watch shows like House Hunters etc. and it upsets me that everybody opts for the easiest way out, i.e. complete demolition (and everything goes into the landfill).
We did a kitchen remodel very similar to this. We love not having upper cabinets, it forced us to keep only what we really need and use and was very liberating!!
I ripped out my kitchen, so I can say that just because a cabinet front doesn't look bad doesn't mean the inside isn't horrible. My cabinet fronts were dated, but still clean, while the cabinet boxes were peeling and the shelves were warping. We couldn't donate ours at all. They were in really bad condition on the inside.
Upper cabinets, schmupper cabinets. I'm just ecstatic that someone else took as long to make decisions and gather materials for their kitchen reno as I am! SO beautiful, btw! And yes, the painted gray floors too are a great inspiration.
How wonderfully refreshing to see no upper cabinets and using furniture instead to store plates, platters and what not.
For everyone worried about bending down, you purchase drawers that have plate holders in them so your top drawer can be the plate holder. We are considering doing this instead of all upper cabinets. [houzz=http://www.houzz.com/photos/258206/Our-New-Kitchen-traditional-kitchen-boston]
Part of design that is interesting is that after being inundated with images over and over, we all expect things to look a certain way and it jars us when a kitchen does not follow the norm. Like someone said, we all have different ways we use our spaces and this is just one example.
YES!!! What a great renovation!
Everything about this is fantastic. Including the lack of upper cabinets. One of the things that tends to happen is the storage people have becomes "necessary" simply because it's there and we're accustomed to having things we don't always need as a result. Living without a functioning kitchen might have helped determine what is really needed versus what is percieved as essential. The open space above the counters makes the kitchen look huge and clean. That beautiful cabinet by the door has everything neatly on display that I would put in upper cabinets anyway.
Oh, and "Because I am insane, I said yes. It was the impetus I needed to get this thing completed..." made me wonder if we're related. I work better under pressure too. ;)
I LOVE this kitchen! Love the openess that having no upper cabinets brings to the kitchen. AWESOME!
Your end result is fantastic! We’re gearing up for our old-house’s kitchen remodel, and while we won’t be able to get rid of our upper cabinets, I do think that it makes a huge difference in how open the room feels… great for smallish kitchens.
Your marble is beautiful… I looked at slabs last weekend, and everything was very hectic. Yours is very quiet and subdued. Lovely!!
P.s.- what vendor is your subway tile? I’ve become something of a shade-of-white-subway-tile fanatic…
I think more people than you'd imagine try to donate old cabinets (or even old wood to art from scrap programs in their cities.) It's not always feasible (or even possible) to demolish cabinets or counters without ruining them in a way that means they can't be salvaged as a workable cabinet or counter. Depends on the way they were put in to begin with.
You also have to consider the shape of the inside of the cabinets. Ours looked fine on the outside because the doors had been made from real wood, while the insides were literally rotting away because they were made from particle board. This is common in homes that were quickly built on the cheap in the early 1970s.
But the before was so much better!!!
Just kidding, this looks so awesome, you did a really great job. I don't have any upper cabinets in my kitchen and I'm not upset about it. You have a beautiful kitchen!
So lovely, it's like a breath of fresh air!
The before makes me itch. What a great transformation - it's like a breath of fresh air. Love the white appliances with dark wood and marble counters, love the hutch, love how removing uppers gives so much space and openness!
Unfortunately, my out-of-control dish fetish and tiny galley kitchen wouldn't allow me to go upper-less, so I went with glass fronted uppers as the next best thing.
Wow. This is a great reno. Well done!
@Andrew: this comment made me chuckle to myself quite a bit: "the tour volunteers helped take the plastic off of the appliances." I love peeling the plastifilm off appliances. I bet those volunteers had a great time, they'll be talking about your home long after all the other tour homes have blended together in their minds :)
This kitchen is beautiful. Very much like the kitchen I dream of for my own home.
I'm too tall to live without upper cabinets. It would make putting dishes away a back-breaking exercise. It does look lovely, though!
The lack of upper cabinent space or shelving is really unfortunate. It's lovely now, but once there is no where to put stuff up on the kitchen won't look so great. It's a big improvment but adding some shelving would really help the kitchen function. Afterall the kitchen is a function driven room and storage is a must.
Beautiful renovation that seems to meet the owners needs and budget. The white tiled walls and lack of upper cabinets make the small space seem really open and bright. I also really like the white appliances which I prefer but it is hard to find design inspiration that features white appliances.
Hi, what is the brand of faucet?
Looks as if this kitchen has a pantry (see door to the left of the hutch), so y'all can relax about having to squat to get all things, or having enough storage space.
Great job, neighbor! (I live in Oak Park.) And thanks for sharing your hilarious story. That could be my story as well, but I'm glad it's not.
@JenM The faucet is the Kohler Parq Deck-Mount Bridge Faucet in Polished Nickel
http://www.faucetdirect.com/kohler-k-6130-4-parq-deck-mount-kitchen-bridge-faucet/p668269
Rats, I was hoping it was a cheaper look alike!
This looks amazing, well done! I would agree with the others that posted they would have preferred more upper cabinetry. Although if you don't feel you need them, then no need to do it.
Adore. Very handsome yet sweet. Love the stand alone vintage wooden cabinet.
I would miss having the ability to just reach up and grab a plate by the stove instead of walking to the china hutch. But, that said, the kitchen is nice and airy. All it needs now are some of those vintage posters as accents!
All the people complaining about the lack of upper cabinetry is killing me. Get over it people! You don't live there. When you live in a old house with kitchens that are 10x10 you have to get the feeling of space from somewhere. Also, they make all these awesome things now like drawers that hold your plates and glasses. My upper cabinets require standing on a step stool for anything past the second shelf. Such a drag when you are only 5'4. Pretty much renders the top shelves useless. My kitchen has only one drawer and very few cabinets. ( I need a remodel myself) When you have minimal storage you realize that half the stuff you own is not really needed. I LOVE your kitchen Andrew and when the time comes that I get to gut mine I am calling you for some advice :)
I love the after... it's so open! My grandparents lived in a bungalow in Berwyn when I was little, and this totally brings me back :)
I was thinking the same thing! I'm freaking out over here thinking "where do the spices go? what about the glasses?" It does have a nice clean feel though so I do like it much better.
Looks great, but I think I'd want a bigger "island" space.
It's stunning. Overhead cabinets are over-rated.
great job! Love the honesty of your story!
I just love it! Usually I can find something Id change,but in this one I wouldnt touch a thing!
Hi Andrew,
Love the kitchen renovation, had a great old giggle reading you're story, totally relate, I've got appliances sitting in my lounge room.
( been there awhile now ) ...I'm in the middle of my gut reno...if you read this post, could you please let me know the floor paint color used ?
Thank you....
@Vivacites: Best of luck completing your renovation! The floor color is Benjamin Moore's Amherst Gray, HC-167. I used three coats of the porch & floor paint.
@Vivacites: Best of luck completing your renovation! The floor color is Benjamin Moore's Amherst Gray, HC-167. I used three coats of the porch & floor paint.
Love it! I agree - upper cabinets are over rated, it's much lighter and airier without them. Love the hutch and the center island is perfect. Where did you get it?
yes, i noticed that. It's hard to imagine where stuff goes. maybe he pared back a lot. i need to read on.
Just a reminder to everyone, if you want to get rid of your cabinets, it is possible for HABITAT to come and get them to take to their Restore stores. It is a win win.
It's a throwback to the early 1900's when the dish chiffoniers or pie cabinets were the only storage in the room that served as a kitchen (for indoor cookery). Andrew can add open shelving to the left and right of the stove when he's tired of shuffling back and forth to wherever he keeps spices, serving dishes, and cups for a pot of tea or a plate for toast. The tile and countertops will be there for another century!
It's not about being afraid to stray from a standard layout. I did, forgoing uppers, and am getting ready to add them because we have no room for storage. For us it's strictly about practicality. But we are 8, not 1. If I were to live by myself, I'd do the same as Andrew. I love that you chose texture over color. What a calm environment in which to cook.
Beautiful. And totally could be my story because I am a "yes" girl and I love showing off my space and then think "crap. now I have to work on xyz!"
Gorgeous but you can tell this is a man's place b/c I don't think many women can live without upper cabinets or at least open shelving! I'm glad you finally got the fire under you to make your move!
Besides the refrigerator and a few veggies on the counter, where is the food?
Thanks so much Andrew :-)
What the...you turned it into an insane asylum kitchen. o_O
I really appreciate constructive or positive comments but at some point I'm kind of regretting my decision to have my place on here. This space works really well for me, my renovation abilities, and my budget. I'm an avid cook with dishes that could accommodate a dinner party for 12, with a huge pantry stocked with food. I increased counter space, maximized the practicality of my under-cabinet storage with more drawers and a lazy Susan, and donated or reused existing cabinets and appliances. I am not naive or youthful, and this is not the first kitchen I've designed. I realize you put yourself out there by being on these types of blogs, but honestly, back off with the snide remarks.
i love this transformation! the before kitchen feels suffocating, but when i look at the after, i breath a sigh of relief - spacious, sleek, unique, beautiful. and i just checked out the rest of your house - this kitchen fits perfectly with your aesthetic. i love the back story, too, as i've lived in my house for many years without a functioning kitchen while i decide what to do with it. there's hope! though i wish i had your nerve to just up and start renovating! nice job - love the freestanding wooden cabinet. gads - can't believe that "no upper cabinets" could create such an uproar - not sure why people can't appreciate others' different approaches to style even if the choices are not something they would choose to do in their own spaces. thanks for sharing!
@Unegen I have to say your comment seems unnecessary and rude. If by "insane asylum" you mean pared-down, clean, and uncluttered, then many people would see that as positive. These are people's homes, for crying out loud. I don't understand people who think it's okay to be so harsh. Andrew doesn't seem to be looking for advice, and this space doesn't need improving.
I'd echo some other comments here about the huge loss of kitchen storage space. Some open shelves, either in white or glass might recover some of that without sacrificing the illusion of open space.
You are not alone :-)
What a beautifully elegant and refreshingly uncluttered kitchen! It has a minimalist feel yet upon close inspection does not sacrifice function. It is an inspiration to those of us with small kitchens who long for an environment that is more airy and stylish. I also love all the small details that add artful personality to the space.
*Admittedly, if you have 15 kids and/or hoarding tendencies, this kitchen might not meet your storage needs. I am surprised at some of the malevolent and malicious comments out there. Makes me realize how sadly attached people are to their plastic containers and other gadgets that will eventually fill our landfills.
Refined, gracious and distinctive expression are evident in your kitchen space. You have successfully arrived at your goal. A kitchen obviously creating conversation and marvel. Flaunt your talent!
@Andrew Schultz - My heart broke a little when I read your comment about regretting to post your space on a blog.
I get what you mean, totally. You're putting up a personal space that means a lot to you. You designed it, worked hard on it and you LIVE in it.
It makes me sad that so many people can't just respect that and hide behind anonymity to voice their opinion (often which just turns out to be unmitigated snark.)
I'd just like to say that while I can only speak for myself, I LOVE this space and I am really glad you posted it.
love this kitchen! I'm inspired to subway tile my small kitchen and immediately rip out those tired old cabinets! @stgertrude- totally agree with you. I see no need for excessive storage space unless you are part of the "19 kids and counting" Duggars cult.
Nice work Andrew! I probably wouldn't of made it past the idea of just throwing some interior paint on the old cabinets.
I'm sorry that Andrew regrets sharing his space but unless a bunch of mean comments have been removed, I'm not sure what has left him feeling that way. Out of 86 comments only three are what I would consider rude and not helpful. That's pretty decent by AT standards (...unfortunately). Most of the people who aren't gushing over it have been careful to clarify that it wouldn't work for them personally. I guess when you make a dramatic and unusual choice in design (like no uppers and no shelves in a kitchen) then people are going to have an opinion.
Having said that, I'm not lining up to put my house on AT any time soon, because my skin is definitely not thick enough.
@tequila red Comments have been removed, FYI.
Love it.
I'm pretty certain we bought the exact same sink, which we also installed in carrerra marble, despite all the dumb warnings against using it for a kitchen surface. Having a sink big enough to wash the wok, an undermounted, is priceless. And lo-and-behold the marble has stood up to 5 years of serious use without any toxic sealants.
I applaud your sticktoitiveness. Great job.
Wow - both to the fugliness of the before and the awesome transition to aesthetically pleasing after! The open design not only flows, but appears expansive in comparison. The decluttering must leave room for thought. The color scheme is certainly in. I love the subway tile, and the hutch more than makes up for the loss of the upper cabinets. The painted wood floors yours flows nicely with the design and adds to the color scheme.
I can only hope a similar fire gets lit for our kitchen remodeling and comes out anywhere near as nice!
Honestly, there are some miserable gits on this site.
This is a kitchen I'd like to hang in. Great space!
Gorgeous remodel. Love the white backsplash. Classic. And if you want more kitchen remodels, check out my IKEA kitchens. http://chezsabine.com/2013/03/16/for-the-love-of-ikea-6-kitchens-you-should-see/#more-4371
Thanks!
Looks great we are just starting on our kitchen, getting some ideas on the subject!
Beauuutiful. Dream kitchen. A++
Ferren
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