In 2004, I designed a floor plan for my dream kitchen. In 2005, we added on to our house. In 2006, we moved back in after living in a rental. When we moved back in, the kitchen had only cabinets and appliances, and plywood countertops. There were none of the finishing details. It took two years after moving in to finally get it done. I scrimped and saved to get what I wanted. In some areas I chose inexpensive materials, in other areas, I went with custom features.

We live in Sonoma County in Northern California and our home’s exterior is French inspired. So in the kitchen, I wanted a similar feel, in a space that was warm and inviting, and made guests feel like sharing food with family and friends. White cabinets were a must. I incorporated glass upper cabinets for display. I saved money buy ordering semicustom cabinets. I hunted everywhere for white marble, and found some on “clearance” at a marble yard. I had the walnut countertops specially made by a local craftsman.

This is my dream kitchen – I hope you enjoy your visit.

The kitchen island measures 6 feet by 4 feet

Storage:

This kitchen has plenty of storage. Next to the range is a spice drawer, pull out drawers for pots and pans, and three drawers for utensils. The cabinet hardware is from Target.

On the other side of the range is one of two corner cabinets that hide baking sheets, chaffing dishes, extra oven racks, and roasting pans.

Under the breakfast peninsula, I hide all of my small appliances.

Hidden inside the island is more storage, and a double bin for separating trash from recycling.

At the entrance to the kitchen is a phone station and display cabinet. The adjacent French door leads to our rear courtyard.

Here is the breakfast peninsula where we share many meals. It also has a complimentary walnut wood top. The family room is on the opposite side so the two rooms function as one large open space.

Appliances:

All of the appliances are GE Monogram. [My father works for GE, so I got all of my appliances for wholesale and saved thousands of dollars.] I love the custom refrigerator panels and the acanthus detail. The door pulls are from Top Knobs.

Mr. CG’s favorite appliance is the GE Monogram icemaker, which makes the smaller restaurant style clear ice. This is great for all chilled drinks, and especially functional when entertaining.

There is a GE Monogram wine fridge hidden in the center island, which we use to chill not just white wine, but also sparking mineral water, beer and soda.

There are two GE Monogram ovens, one with the range, and another hidden in the kitchen island. These both come in handy for holiday baking and family gatherings.

The six burner professional range is a dream to cook with.

There is a convection microwave which can be used as a third oven if necessary (although I’ve never used it that way).

There are two Kohler sinks, both from Home Depot. The first is below the garden window. Those are Price Pfister fixtures in brushed nickel.

The secondary sink is next to the icemaker and the back door. There’s is a soap pump, regular faucet, and water purifying faucet at this sink. The fixtures are Rohl (another splurge). Here, the children can easily wash their hands when they come in from the backyard, or get their own drink of water. I often put ice in this sink, and keep wine or champagne chilled here.

Favorite Elements:

These corbels under the display cabinet above the phone station are a favorite detail.

I really love the thick corbels under the mantle above the range. Mr. CG built that mantle for me after I bought the corbels, then I painted and glazed the whole thing myself.

I picked up these antiqued brackets for the entryway to the kitchen before it was built, and had them incorporated into the archway:

The pear theme is repeated throughout. I bought this one from a shop in nearby Sonoma, made by a local artist.

I keep a rotating display of seasonal fruit

The walk in pantry stores all food items, and I love its beveled glass door, and especially the little guy inside

The accent tiles are custom, but the brick pattern white tile is inexpensive Daltile right off the Home Depot shelf. I saved so much money by choosing this inexpensive tile !

The pear plate Pratt and Larson backsplash was a splurge

I keep my olive oils next to the range.

This is the kitchen window view of my rear garden where I watch my Petite Syrah grapes grow in our hobby vineyard. I start most of my seedlings here in this window every spring.

I love to grow flowers outside my window that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. It’s a magical spot because I get a botanical show all summer long, complete with feathered and winged visitors.

We acted as general contractor through the whole process to save money. Here is the inside of the kitchen in 2005:

And finally finished in 2008:

What I’ve Learned:

In here, we say “Bon Appétit.” Until it gets messy and I have to clean it. If I am keeping it real, I will tell you, this kitchen takes close to an hour to clean. Everyday. So I have one word of caution to anyone contemplating expanding their kitchen: Having a larger kitchen is the same as having a gigantic home. You can become a slave to cleaning it. Bigger may be beautiful, but it is not always better.

Measurements: 18 x 16 feet; Cabinets: Semi Custom by Kemper. Color = Toasted Almond. Island color = Butternut; Appliances: GE Monogram; Countertops: Kitchen surround – Marble; Island and Peninsula – custom Chestnut stained and Ebony glazed Walnut; Tile: White 6 x 8 brick pattern Daltile. Backsplash: custom Pratt and Larson; Sink fixtures: Rohl (small sink) Price Pfister (double sink under window); Sinks: Kohler from Home Depot; Refrigerator Pulls: Top Knobs; Cabinet Hardware: Target; Paint color, custom blend by homeowner

Tags: kitchen, my spaces

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