apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

I really like the "before"!

Very nice! Your countertops look lovely too. What did you end up using there?

sorry but i prefer before too!

I think you guys did a great job with the remodel. the mosaic tiles looks beautiful. We considered doing something similar but ran out of money so may be we will go back to it in the future. Thanks for sharing.

Nice work! I bet the food tastes even better having done the kitchen remodel yourselves. Putting your blood, sweat, and sometimes tears into something can increase the satisfaction level a whole lot. :) Enjoy

what a lovely transformation! I very much prefer the after. The tiles are great.

Man, I wish my kitchen was as nice as your "before"! The "after" is definitely an upgrade though. The backsplash tile you chose is beautiful.

I think the after looks great. Where did you get your cabinets? The tile looks really nice. Great Job!

wow, I think it looks fantastic! the before was so blah...

color me impressed. great job!!

beautiful! the layout seems more spacious now, too.

It looks very nice...

...but what's up w/ the "Protect Marriage, Vote Yes on Proposition 8" ads on here today?

This isn't the place for that hateful crapola.

It's *gorgeous*--are the cabs Adel Medium Brown? Congratulations on work well done, and a flow much improved. Having the cooktop in a corner must have been a bother, esp. that close to the sink. Now two people can be in there and not in each others' way. I haven't bought from Susan Jablon, but I hear much good about her at another website; sounds like she has more happy customers here. Great choice on the tile. (small question: what's the gap between the bottom corner cabinet and the sinkbase?)

Beautiful remodel! I really like the cabinet hardware you chose.

"(small question: what's the gap between the bottom corner cabinet and the sinkbase?)"

It appears to be a gap built in for a cuttingboard - a very smart solution for vertical storage rather than just wasting the space with a filler panel.

your makeover is quite impressive.

but i would love to have your before, to replace my now.

I think it all looks great, but even with a hood, those hanging racks and pots are going to get greasy. Having them so close to the stove is just a big pain.

bepsf, thanks -- that would be a good use, but I'm wondering what the horizontal wood-looking-cover up about 2/3 of it is, then...? Is it a board leaning? Can an owner help us out?

diyordie --

To me it appears to be a butcherblock cuttingboard stored in the slot - We're seeing the edge of it...

I think you made good choices all around. Your kitchen looks lovely. Thanks for the info on the tile, good to know. Enjoy cooking in your new, beautiful kitchen. :)

Wow, stunning!

very nice!

Wow! My jaw literally dropped - I was so not expected such a drastic change. It looks beautiful.

I love it !!! Great job.

*not expecting

i love the re-do. the before had absolutely no counter space and from my experience living in apartments and houses with those exact cupboards and drawers, they stick when you pull on them and some of the cupboard doors don't stay closed (from wear or warping or both?). all around an amazing and impressive transformation.

how in the world did you do this yourself?

Very nice in general, beautiful back splash, but that over-priced restaurant-grade stove (is it a Viking? yechh). When does anyone ever use 6 burners at a time (and I speak as a pretty regular cook)?

Hi Everyone,

Thanks for the comments. I not only love cooking in this kitchen because it so functional now, but also doing it all ourselves made it *almost* exactly how we wanted it (and super cheap: less than 27K for a total, down to studs remodel and all appliances). It my dad, my partner, and I about 6 months. It was a lot of work and a lot of learning, but it was also a lot of fun.

To answer some questions:
(1) The counter top is Paperstone 100% recycled paper. Functionally, much like butcher block.
(2) We used Ikea Brown Adel. I was hesitant to get Ikea cabinets, but now I am another big fan of the cabinets. They are easy to put in, super functional, a good price, and fairly "green".
(3) The gap on the left side of the sink was a space between the cabinets that originally was just going to be dead space filled in with trim (drawback to prefab cabinets), but it fits a cutting board perfectly, so we just left it.
(4) The stove is actually Thermador and yes it is too big. However, to get one good size oven you have to go with six burners. It is actually great for the long grill pans.

Thanks for all your comments and helping us pick out the tile!

Robin

Opps... It *took* my dad...

fantastic job!!

I agree, Sassydo -- her before would be great for my after. My current kitchen is a hot mess.

Robin,

So great to see the results of your remodel. The backsplash came out great! It was my pleasure to help you with the installation.

To check out this Tile Blend, and many more to customize your kitchen, bathroom, pool, fireplace, or bar come visit us at Susan Jablon Mosaics where I will personally be glad to assist you in designing your dream project.

Regards,
Susan Jablon

I'd love to have six burners! I'm an avid cook and sometimes four just isn't enough.

Gorgeous remodel, btw!

Thanks for the extra information, Robbybird. I am already looking into Paperstone.

I prefer the before, the after is too cookie cutter.

I loved the before :) Wish my kitchen looked like that!

I loved the before, but the after is very well done, the countertops are nice.

I love how you opened up that area by the stove. It looks beautiful and breezy.

beautiful job!

I love the tile and would like to replace mine. I would want tile on the counters as well. Otherwise, your layout is much like what I have now and I find it very workable. I could not give up my big builtin oven for a drop in stove, though.

Robbybird -

I've finally found my doppleganger kitchen! Yours looks just like mine (right down to the Thermador stove and open shelving) and we've been looking for backsplash ideas - love yours. If you'd like to compare photos - email me and I'll send them.

Maggie
maggieATeatboutique.com

I would rather keep the perfectly functional before kitchen and spend the money on books, films and travel.

Even though the before looks lovely, I'm sure she had real good reasons for the remodel! I have a "before" and hidden behind cabinet doors and appliances can be all sorts of previous owner damage and inconveniently designed storage that makes it difficult for an active cook (and proud homeowner). While it is nice to try to restore, sometimes it is not possible or just too expensive.

I think the after is much better!

Wow, what a difference! It went from rather kitschy to a beautiful, restful looking place.

Don't feel bad for getting such a lovely stove - I grew up with a restaurant quality range, and dinky little regular stovetops really can't compare.

I have your kitchen photo saved in my decor file as 'Best Kitchen Ever'! Lovely lovely.

wait - they said it took them 6 months - I thought this contest was supposed to be something you could complete over a weekend?