My Own Dream Kitchen
May 8, 2009
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
What a pretty kitchen! It’s so well thought out, and functional also!
Great job!
Hugs from Eventually Cottage!
Oh. My. God. I’m sorry.. have I died and gone to gorgeous kitchen heaven??? That is the most beautiful kitchen I’ve ever seen!!! What an amazing job you’ve done- I love absolutely every detail.
Congrats and enjoy!!
BEAUTIFUL! I love how organized you are!
A-freaking-mazing.
You have officially taken over the top spot in my dream kitchens category. I love everything – the white marble countertops, the (OHMYGAWD) garden window, corbels…
I’m freaking out looking at your photos. It’s like a dream.
Holy crap!
I know that isn’t the politest thing to say, but it was all I could muster after looking at all those pictures. That kitchen is freaking amazing! It makes me actually want to cook. Your blog (you) are so incredibly inspiring to me, almost all your entries have the same ending, which is me with my chin on the floor drooling.
wow 3 years in the making, I would go crazy. Were sis you cook during the construction phase? It looks great!
That is one super gorgeous kitchen. I love the white cabinets. And the yellow. You did a fantastic job. You waited a long time to get your dream kitchen and it looks fabulous!
THANK YOU for providing all the detail that you did, including the room dimensions. I’ve been dreaming of a kitchen remodel/great room addition for 2 years now and thought I had worked out a plan I loved – you have packed SO MUCH into that space, I need to revisit my thoughts. Of course, I’ll never have that view from my window!
Warm and inviting…achieved! STUNNING!!!
I love it! I am a huge fan of anything French. You have great taste and a wonderful sense of design.
Oh you lucky, lucky (and might I add incredibly talented!) girl. Gor-geous. I am adding this whole post to my inspiration file for the new kitchen in our new house. Amazing job.
Stunning. That island is absolutely gorgeous. And I noticed you did rearrange the “ella” display.
p
Holy Gorg! LOVE, LOVE, LOVE and am insanely jealous.
How absolutely beautiful!!! The colors are so soothing and the layout seems just perfect. My favorite bit – the icemaker with restaurant ice. So awesome!!
Kitchen perfection! You must have the best kitchen view, your own vineyard. WOW!
i’ve never commented on your blog, but that is amazing! i love every detail. you planned it out so well.
GORGEOUS! Thanks so much for sending us the link. That's one fiiiiine kitchen. Fabulous job- it
s delish!
xoxo,
Sherry (& John)
WoW! Dream kitchen – no kidding. It turned out so fabulously! Absolutely amazing!!!
Absolutely stunning! It looks like it came right out of a magazine; every detail is perfect. Love it!
Beautiful kitchen! I love that you customized everything to fit your style. I’ll be working on the chair upholstery this coming week and will let you know how they turn out:) xo, Grace
it’s amazing. well done!
You did good! Very pretty french country kitchen!
Kate, this is absolutely stunning!! You know what is sad?? I think of all the beautiful things in here, I am most in love with that ice maker! That is soooo so sad. Fantastic job. Wow.
You have done a really nice job. Tell me, how are the wood counter tops for maintenance? Is there a special durable coating on them? They’re beautiful. And, uh hem…..is that a vinyard? Sweet.
Denise,
The wood countertops are not low maintenance. I have to “oil” them every 60 to 90 days with a beeswax/orange oil combination to prevent them from drying out over time. I use Method’s ‘Wood for Good’ almond cleaner (available at Target) to wipe it down everyday. Both products are non-toxic. You can’t put anything hot on the wood of course, and you can’t leave any liquid on it for a long period of time. But our family has adjusted to these habits, and the wood continues to look beautiful. Great question !
Truly beautiful! I am jealous!
Fabulous!
Hey Girl I’ve already told you what an awesome display of artistic creativity and fundtion. You are amazing!
Love MacQ
Simply stunning! The time and thought you put into it is amazing.
In all of my travels and home shows I have NEVER, EVER seen a more beautiful kitchen. You are amazing and I wish I had your creativity… and your icemaker.
wow! this looks ammmaaazing!
Wow! This is beautiful. The garden window is fabulous (and the view is even better!). I love the island, all the cabinets and the icemaker is fantastic. Great job.
oh, my, your kitchen is exquisite!! I love your style!
suzanne
What I love most is that while your kitchen is warm and pretty space, there is SO much function and organization built in. I also really appreciate what you said at the end about the cleaning and maintenance. I have often wondered about that aspect of having a Martha or Ina-sized kitchen, but have never seen anyone discuss it honestly. Congratulations on having the kitchen of your dreams, three years in the making.
What an absolutely STUNNING kitchen! I think it’s just amazing that you designed it all yourself–down to the very last detail. Good for you! I love all the appliances–especially your wine fridge. What a dream!
I can see why this is your dream kitchen!
I absolutely love the color and all the decorative accents, including the mantel and decorative corbels above the stove! Very unique and pretty. If I had a kitchen like this I would never leave!
Great job.
Mary
I love your kitchen ! Your stove is amazing, I bet my food would taste soooo much better if it were cooked on that !
Seriously… I don't even know you and I'm happy that you have gotten your dream kitchen. You are so lucky. Isn't it such a great feeling! I would take cleaning for an hour… for my dream kitchen! ahhhh. lol.
Congrats. It's beautiful!
Shelley
You did a wonderful job! Simple elegance says it all!
Hi! I came across your dream kitchen and its absolutely beautiful! Did you paint the cabinets? If so, I couldn't tell from the details what the paint color was – we are getting ready to paint our cabinets white or cream and i am trying to decide a color palette..thought yours was gorgeous!
i would like to live in your kitchen…
i'm sure there's a nice little cabinet i could set up shop in <33
i'll pay rent and everything!
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I bookmarked you from some linky party to come back & visit. I am so glad I did. It was like seeing my dream actually fulfilled. I have just spent seven months acting as GC for our main floor remodel that I designed myself. To save money the kitchen was the only area we added on (all we added was a 2 1/2 foot bay eating nook)the rest of the rooms I just reconfigured. the kitchen went from 8×8 to 12 x 14 . As of right now it is painted a yellow similar to yours & and waiting for the cabinets which are scheduled to arrive on Saturday. They are coming in natural & I have different white paint chips attached to my fridge to decide which white they will be painted. By waiting for the crown mouling & painting myself I was able to get the better cabinets. I too will have plywood counters for a while till I save for the ones I want. that plywood was really bothering me & your post helped me to see beyond the next couple of years. Thank you!
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