apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Gorgeous! love the color and the clear usability! I'm in the midst of a gut kitchen renovation myself and I am debating what if anything to bracket to the backsplash. What are those things you have on the wall in the second picture?

I want the bookshelves.... I am so, so jealous.....

I second the question about what you have on your wall in the second picture. Are those IKEA Grundtal kitchen accessories? I was looking at those this weekend and am seriously considering them, so that's why I ask. Are there any problems with those hooks the coffee mugs are on sliding around? Is the paper towel holder hanging from that shelf or attached to the wall? *insanely curious about these details*. Lovely kitchen by the way, my favorite so far.

How are your SS counters wearing?

Hello there -- those are indeed Grundtal kitchen accessories. There's a shelf and hanging from it is the paper towel holder, which is great, and hooks w/ coffee mugs and measuring cups and a bottle opener. The cups slide a bit, but nothing too bothersome. The thing on the wall next to the sink is our dish rack, which is almost always in use (we don't have dishwasher), but it can be folded up and out of the way when it's not. Thanks for all your comments! I'm glad you like our space.

Do you have a pix of that Ikea island made from wall cabinets? It sounded fantastic but I can't totally imagine it. Thanks!

Tina

A really amazing transformation, showing real vision and ingenuity. I am a total sucker for anyone who uses IKEA this way... as a resource and source of inspiration, not a one-stop shop.

I would love to see more pictures! I am planning my new kitchen, and would really be interested in learning more about the plexi backsplash. Is it prone to scratching? I was thinking of frosted glass, but the plexi sounds much more inexpensive. Also, I previously did some brief searching and found that SS countertops are way expensive. Was this the case? Lastly, are the cabinets Ikea too?

The stainless trim detail on the overhead cabinets is a wonderful finishing touch. Congratulations on a great renovation!

Tina, I think the Ikea island is pictured in photo one on the left.

Wow. Such warm thoughts... I should invite you all over for snacks in the kitchen! I do have more pix of the island, but not with me -- I'll try to email those who asked about it later. You can see the top of it on the leftside of the picture above. It really is ingenious and only cost about $300... The plexiglas doesn't really get enough contact to scratch -- since it's just on the backsplash and the closet door. The most important thing is to make sure the paint underneath dries COMPLETELY and the that plexi is clean of smudges on both sides before you drill it on... Also, the SS counter is a joy to work with it. Durable and easy to clean. I use Method's Stainless Steel Cleaner; smells great.

I love this kitchen! Very inviting - and I totally agree about the computer. My laptop is usually somewhere nearby when I'm cooking. Does anyone else like using online recipes better than cookbooks, sometimes? It's so helpful to see people's comments and reactions - I depend on those, especially for tricky recipes.

Anyway, the color, layout and proximity of those massive bookshelves really make this kitchen for me. Although, having seen the before pics, I can't quite visualize how it is laid out in relation the rest of the apartment now... Did you build a wall? Where is the window?

A great kitchen design - I love the way the orange warms the room, and having the "resources" close by really makes it a practical kitchen.

Is there a window in the kitchen? Being able to look outside is a bonus in my book, as I spend little time actually cooking (I'm more of the marinating type)

A dish drainer that folds up onto the wall--you just blew my mind! My kitchen is both tiny and hideous, and the post about the cost of kitchen renovations just blew the fantasy I had been having about proposing splitting the cost of some new cabinets with my landlord. But if I can reclaim that portion of counterspace permanently claimed by dish drainer, I will feel as though I have had a major renovation.

I'm sorry you can't see the whole kitchen in these pix... I had also sent another photo that showed the opposite wall -- including the window which houses the desk now. If you had your back against the "before" kitchen, you'd be facing the bookshelf wall.

I love love love this kitchen... it's in a NYC apartment so it automatically gets points from me there. It's big, and you in a sense "sacrificed" an extra bedroom to have it, but you also have home office space as well which is great. I love that you use it and that it has great style as well as looks very welcoming and usable. The orange w/ the steel works so well and I like the yellow/white placemats and the lime citrus cutting board/trivet you have, that w/ the doormat under the sink keeps things fun. I have a short Grundtal bar that I have the utensil holder hanging from to dry my silverware in, along w/ some hooks for measuring cups etc and I love it. It's a great line- great value- if I had more space I would have more of it. I have an in-the-sink stainless dish rack, since I have so little counter space in my rental micro-kitchen, that I might take pictures of tonight.
Angela- you did a great job and it looks like you use and enjoy your kitchen- that's what it's all about.

Angela -- Great job. With all the classless yuppie gentrification going on in OUR neighborhood, it's great to see your excellent taste! Now, let us pray and chant that Westside Market re-opens on 110th St. so you'll have wonderful things to cook in your great kitchen!

What? Westside Market is closed? I leave and the neighborhood goes to pot?

Westside claims it will return when the new building is finished on the NE corner of 110/Bway. You ain't kidding "gone to pot" -- this has practically ruined my life. Garden of Eden opened on my corner, but you need to rob a bank on the way there! The big mystery is -- Where does everyone get groceries now -- the other markets (Eden, Dag's) are no busier. Then again, I do see a lot more Fairway bags on the M104!

Yeah, Garden of Eden, feh. And if I remember correctly, Mama Joy is no longer Mama Joy.

I do often stop in at Fairway on my occasional trips in; I'm happy to see that do well.

I think that wall of open storage would take its toll on me eventually, but you've really got it organized. And if it works for you, it's great.

ps-- what's the orange/striped painting on the left wall of pic 1? I like it.

Hi Patrick (the other one) -- Thanks for your comments. The orange thing is actually our closet door. It's painted wood w/ rows of plexiglas panels on top that are separated by thin steel dividers. It's on a track and slides to one side when opened... Hard to visual with this picture, but it really is a work of art in its own right... Angela

Angela--
Very cool.

I've resisted commenting on the most recent kitchens because I thougt my comments were becoming a bit samey but I do like this kitchen a lot for its clean look, innovative design solutions, details such as the aforementioned SS trim and the backsplash, SS countertop, and the fact that it is so completely transformed from what was there before.

To be honest, my favorite part is the closet door. I've got a thing for large sliding doors and really like the deisgn of this one. Orange not a color I would have thought of but it looks great and encourages me to try it myself.

Fabulous kitchen, Angela. Was wondering about the Plexiglas Backsplash. After you painted the wall, how did you apply the frosted Plexiglas on top?

Karina -- we had the Plexiglas panels precut to be the exact sizes we needed (though in retrospect I would have divided them in smaller pieces because it makes taking them up and down easier). First we measured and drilled holes in the Plexiglas, and then mounted them on the wall w/a powerdrill. It's definitely a two-person job, and can get a little tricky if the wall/surface area isn't perfectly smooth. The idea is that if we ever got sick of the orange, it would be relatively easy, and certainly inexpensive, to change the color. Our paint was a little sticky in some spots though, I suspect if I took off the Plexi, it'd peel a bit. Learn from my mistakes and go forth and decorate!

whoops... I mean, KARENA. sorry!

FAB design! You created a slick, modern, highly functional kitchen that is at the same time warm and inviting. Not an easy thing to do, especially in a relatively small space. Like you, I love to cook, bake and entertain and I am envious of your kitchen! I love that you incorporated flexibility within the design so you can move the island, change the wall color easily (per your response to Karena), check the internet for recipes (or do a little work while your cookies are baking), etc. I would love to see pictures of the island beacuse I may copy your idea. Also, where did you get the plexiglass?

Angela, your kitchen is so beautiful! I too wondered about the Ikea island and would love to see some photos. It's genius but then how you reinvented that space is genius too!

I vote for seeing more of Angela's apartment! And a close-up of the cool orange closet door. . .

However, I'd also like to see more of Aida's apartment. . .

I may even change my opinion about IKEA. Nah, still hate it. But I love, love, love what you've done. THIS is what a kitchen should be--warm, welcoming, stamped with personality, and did I say welcoming? Two thumbs up, three if I had 'em.

Angela;

I suspect the orange is for Syracuse U?

Yum. I realize looking at your pictures that my kitchen could really use some color--I like the glowing color of your backsplash. I often wonder why different images of interiors work or don't work. The photo itself of course is very critical. Colors, lighting. Here's an architect's quote from a magazine, "once you have a grid, everything works." I've been thinking a lot about that as I look at things and how to improve my own space. I think the grid of the bookcase in the first picture, in addition to other details of course, is so appealing to the eye. I just noticed --is that a cat in front of the bookcase?

That is indeed my cat in front of the bookcase. Gnocchi. Ideally all photos of rooms should have something living in them. I was just admiring John's gorgeous kitchen on another page and was thinking that all of these kitchens really fall into two categories -- those with stuff and those without stuff. These competitions are compelling because we like seeing how other people live. When everything is neatly tucked away or perfectly clean you feel somehow.... cheated.

Angela- beautiful, beautiful design. My favorite things-

-The fact that you hired a designer/architect. You saved time, stress, and probably in the end, lots of wasted money. Everyday I sit in my apt. and think of how great it COULD look. I spend $20 here and $30 there to slowly improve it. You decided to spend all the $$ up front and actually enjoy living there.

-The fact you let your life dictate your design, not the other way around. So often (expecially in NY) we settle for what is given to us or what is easy to get. Your kitchen proves that with a little investment, an everyday person can live in a space that emulates THEM, not some Crate & Barrel prototype.

Thanks a million for the inspiration. Keep the photos coming!

Oh, on the grocery store topic-

If you live in Brooklyn, or have a car, make you check out Sahadi's on Atlantic (for dried fruit & nuts) and Circus Market on Ft. Hamilton Parkway (for produce).

You won't regret it!

Angela,

I love your kitchen, and I think it's absolutely great, but I don't feel at all cheated when people show spotless kitchens. I think it's fantastic, because I hate clutter, but seem to accumulate it everywhere but in the kitchen (although mine is by no means spotless).

how is the folding dishrack holding up? do dishes fall off of it? seriously considering it for my kitchen renovation. your kitchen is adorable!

I like those shelves! Iordered from Drimmers because it was $200 cheaper than Best Buy and Sears but he charged me more for shipping instead of waiving shipping. Because of the shipping charge, I chose to not order another appliance from them. I liked ordering from the big box stores because every one gets treated the same but Drimmers came through with availability and the price savings was a nice extra. If he doesn't cruel me over with a bad appliance, then I will consider ordering from Drimmers again.

I have owned this fridge for less than a month and the temp won't go below 40 degrees (unsafe). I have a fridge thermometer which I usually keep in my Kenmore by Whirlpool fridge so I know the thermometer is working fine. Food smells when I place it in this fridge. I bought it from AB Drimmers in Brooklyn and have emailed them as well. This is my second whirlpool purchase from Drimmers. The very expensive clothes washer is delightful but if my experience is not positive with regard to this fridge, I will retract my previous positive review and boycotting Drimmers and Whirlpool. I won't care if my dryer doesn't match!

Drimmers is faxing me a receipt in "two minutes" because Whirlpool needs dated proof of purchase to send a repair ticket out and Drimmers did NOT give me a receipt at delivery just a delivery stub. Whirlpool tried to do the same thing that Sears did on my GE fridge for eight years i.e. "Jennifer" said that food is okay between 30 to 46!!! degrees so forty degrees at maximum temperture is just fiiiiiiiiine and I wouuld have to pay for the service call if there was nothing repairable on the fridge because my warranty only covers repairs and if they decide there is nothing to fix then there is nothing to fix so what if my meat is spoiled, my milk is warm! It was EXACTLY the same spiel as Sears. I told "Jennifer" to look on the internet to learn that 40 degrees is not SAFE for meat and that I have fridge thermometer that tells me that the fridge is stalled on 40 and has yet to enter the "safe" zone on my thermometer AND food smells in the fridge. I told "Jennifer" that if maximum temp according to Whirlpool is 40 degrees that I will go on every internet site that allows reviews of Whirlpool and write that Whirlpool stands by 40 degrees as safe for meat. I've read Fast Food Nation and I own a fridge thermometer. I am in no mood to be diddled! It's already been two minutes and I don't have a Drimmers fax yet. I will post again!

p.s. "Jennifer" put me on hold for five minutes and then told me that maximum cold in Whirlpool fridges is supposed to be fifteen degrees. I also told her I was going to take a picture of my 40 degree thermometer every day and post it on the internet!

got the drimmers fax

Jennifer then left a message on my voicemail saying that the repair was cancelled and I would have to call back. When I did knowing that Whirlpool must have my phone number in the system, I was told that I should place a glass of water on the second shelf to test coldness as the proper method. I told her that I was using a PROFESSIONAL thermometER i.e. SCIENCE not emotion and if I had to go through the same hoops as with Jennifer then direct me to somebody who is authorized to deal with me. They are sending "factory service" out to me tomorrow. There's no way that the methods used are the same as Sears to avoid fixing uncold fridges. It's an industry wide scam.

Well, it is back to sears and no more drimmers for me. I figure that I have a lemon on my hands and if Whirlpool replaces this two week old fridge then that new fridge will also be sucko so I asked Drimmers if they would let me trade it in for a more expensive model and they could return this piece of crap to Whirlpool and be reimbursed. The man on the telephone told me that Drimmers does not have a return policy on refrigerators and they would be incurring a total loss if they did. What bullshit. I've purchased from Jackson Eng Appliances at Confucius Plaza for decades and they are on the phone daily with the manufacturers ordering refrigerators and returning bad stock. I don't believe Drimmers at all. And therefore, I will not be patronizing them again.