Browse Forums Kitchen Corner 1 Dec 08, 2010 8:01 pm Poll choices and opinions will be greatly appreciated. This is only 2 of the dozen layouts i'm choosing between- I think i'ev done well to get it down to 2. I'm leaning towards one of these, but I always like to get outside opinions to point out things I may not have noticed or thought about. Thank you in advance for your time and honesty (yes please be honest, if you hate something, tell me!). Ignore the lights in both of them. We have a dropped ceiling and will probably cover it with LEDs, doubt we will add pendant lights. The dark/light ration will be about the same as what's in these images. Will most likely go for a smoked mirror splashback and possibly under bench (or this will be the same white as the cupboards in a design to match the drawers). The pantry door is intergrated in both even though it isn't shown that way in the 2nd option. Benchtop is undecided, possibly a white engineered stone, or a brown/cream-white granite. I didn't mean to make the images so small... but I don't have time to change them now. OPTION B Cupboards from left to right are small appliance cupboard (bi-fold door at this stage), large appliance cupboard with shelves and pull out drawers, then the other 2 doors are the intergrated fridge/freezers, and the intergrated walk-in-pantry door. There isn't 4 ovens, it is 2 ovens below and microwave and coffee machine on top- which is shorter so I believe it will be in line with the bottom of the overhead cupboards. Not sure if I can do something to make the cupboards above appliances blend in a little more with the overheads? Maybe just make them horizontal the same as overheads, or possibly keep them as they are so they're different from them? Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ OPTION 2 Fridge/freezers switched places with appliances. Only 3 appliances will fit in this one and I lose the extra large cupboard door. Of course it looks nice with the full appliance wall, but the fridge is also futher from the 'prep' part of the bench space. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 2Dec 08, 2010 8:14 pm I like the last model the best (can't vote as am on phone!) Ok am on the computer now and can see more clearly. I still like the second option better. To me it isn't as cluttered. The first option looks like you are trying to fit too many things into one space. I prefer uncluttered kitchens - hence my 5.5m pantry so everything goes in there rather then out in the "public" area Some things are worth waiting for. Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 3Dec 09, 2010 10:52 am Lol thanks Kyton... we also have a large panty, well not 5.5m, I think it is only 4m long. I wasn't sure it was practical but the designer loved it and didn't want to remove it! Now I have to decide whether to intergrate a coffee machine or a microwave- i'd like to do the microwave, but without the extra appliance cupboard there is nowhere to store a standalone coffee machine. I only just noticed that there is drawers under the ovens, not cupboards. Wouldn't it look better to match the cupboards above the ovens, esp since the drawers wouldn't be quite the same size as the one on the other wall? Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 5Dec 09, 2010 11:35 am Hi Mrs Green - I like #2. I love the way its set out, seems practical to me Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 7Dec 09, 2010 11:54 am No. 2 for me aswell. Whichever one of the microwave or coffee machine, that u dont use - I would tuck away in that massive pantry. If u use say the coffee machine more than integrate it MrsGreen I only just noticed that there is drawers under the ovens, not cupboards. Wouldn't it look better to match the cupboards above the ovens, esp since the drawers wouldn't be quite the same size as the one on the other wall? It may look nicer with top and bottom cupboards to match but imo, pot drawers are the bomb Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 8Dec 09, 2010 12:32 pm Yep stick the microwave in the pantry - that is what we did. Just remember to include an exhaust fan in there to get rid of any smells. Re the pantry being practical depends how you are going to set it out. Ours is 5.5m long and just under 2m wide. We have shelving along the longest side and then the short end return. 4 shelves with the bottom two being wider then the top two - that allows for the microwave and all my other electrical appliances to sit comfortably on the bottom two. Along with baskets for things like little packets of snacks for the kids / cereal boxes / trays with sauces etc. The lower of the narrower shelves hold normal canned / dried items whilst the uppermost shelf has 15 large glass jars holding flours / sugars / rice / all my baking paraphanelia. I love being able to walk in at any time and see everything that it available - both food and appliance wise. Means you very rarely have food expiring / appliances not being used. Some things are worth waiting for. Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 9Dec 09, 2010 2:12 pm Our pantry is not as long or wide, we have shelves on longest wall then at the end of that. The doorway entrance feels like such a waste, a small hallway just for a pantry door! But we can't exactly swing the pantry around. Do you have that shelf arrangement all the way around? I don't think our shelves are very deep and we don't have room to make them deeper, but was thinking I could make a setup at the very end of it. I'm not sure which appliance we would use more, i've not used the coffee machine to know if it's any good. I'd just stick the microwave in an above cupboard like Moogles has done, or below if it is a cupboard. I use my microwave quite a lot for the kids as I cook A LOT to stock our freezer, so it probably makes more sense to do put the microwave in the wall for use. If I don't like the built in coffee machine idk where i'll put a proper one. TG if I made them cupboards they would probably have slide out shelves so not too much of a pain. I think i've got quite a few pot drawers? IDK, i've never really had them before so I won't be missing out if i've got half an half I guess. I'd hate to make it all pot drawers and then wish I had some normal cupboards- not that I know why I would want that other than to put the microwave in. Okay, so whether it be microwave or coffee machine, it will be shorter than the ovens.... so fill the space under it with a warming drawer (stainless steel strip that will run under if), or the same gloss white as the cupboards as a little drawer? Also, which end do the ovens go? Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 10Dec 09, 2010 6:50 pm Just to throw another one into the mix... what if it were option B but with just the 2 ovens at bench height, then microwave and coffee machine can go into the large appliance cupboard next to the fridges- easily accessable from kitchen but compeletely hidden. Or is the appliances breaking up the wall nicer than one long white glossy wall with full length panels/doors? Ignore the pantry door- it will look the same as the other panels only a little bigger. Also ignore the style of overheads. Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Like ⋅ Add a comment ⋅ Pin to Ideaboard ⋅ Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 11Dec 09, 2010 9:10 pm Great to see the 3D pics!! - It's all coming together really well!! I've cast my vote - no surprise to say I voted for the second option, Also like to add a +1 (or was that +3/4...?!) to go for integrated coffee machine over a microwave - unless you can come up with a space - separate trolley or similar - which will be near the kitchen - although not entirely ideal with little ones around... My make-shift 'microwave in a cupboard' works fine - but its really just about what will work for you... Either way it will look great!! So many decisions though....!!! Building on the Sunshine Coast - Land settled 22nd July 2009 Building contract finally signed (after much deliberation on our part) 11th November 2009 Building commences 25th January 2010 - small local builder End of June - almost completed fit out 26th July - MOVE IN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 12Dec 09, 2010 9:13 pm Although in saying that I do love the 3rd image also! Building on the Sunshine Coast - Land settled 22nd July 2009 Building contract finally signed (after much deliberation on our part) 11th November 2009 Building commences 25th January 2010 - small local builder End of June - almost completed fit out 26th July - MOVE IN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 13Dec 09, 2010 9:46 pm Moogles we intend to test out your coffee machine before we make our decision Do you find the microwave is too high for safety reasons though, is it in the above cupboards? I've found a use for my cupboards inside the fridges too, going to put those square wine holders in them. What's your opinion on drawers vs cupboards at the bottom in my plan. I was wondering what you had on the other side of your island, I cant find pics... is it drawers or cupboards? I'm struggling with that side, it's all a bit awkward. Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 14Dec 10, 2010 1:47 am I prefer option 2, I think it looks bette. I would have a built in microwave, with a plate wamer or matching black glossy or stainless drawer to match the oven dimensions. I think coffee machines need more repair and maintenence and cleaning than microwaves, and I would prefer a free standing one on the bench or appliance cubpoard or pantry so it can be easily fixed. I also prefer a more manual type machine where I can froth my own milk that the automatic machines, personal preference from having different machines. We tend to use the microwave for very short bursts so it would be fine to have it in a pantry. Recently moved to a 60's home in need of some improvement! http://s797.photobucket.com/user/leenii ... ch%20House Old house: http://s797.photobucket.com/albums/yy25 ... loo/House/ Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 16Dec 10, 2010 9:35 am I'm going against the grain here. I like Option B from a user-friendliness POV. The fridge and pantry are close which makes unpacking groceries and gathering ingredients easier and then the sink, stove and oven are grouped which makes cooking easier. From an aesthetics POV I probably like the look of Option 2 but to truly love a kitchen I think it needs to be user-friendly. I like your final suggestion best of all with only the ovens visible. Have you thought of making one of them a convection microwave and then it is doing double duty and you can get rid of one appliance. I never used to use my microwave except for reheating until I bought a convection one, but they may be out of fashion now that there are all the other fancier types available. Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 17Dec 10, 2010 8:32 pm Yes, you are definitely welcome to test it out! I do agree though - if you are looking for a hands-on/more manual approach to coffee making then an integrated wouldn't be the way to go... I just like the look and how it ties in with the rest of the kitchen - and I can't complain about the coffee it makes. That's great you've found a use for the space above the fridge!!! Always good to have that bit of extra storage space - can almost never get enough, lol! We've got drawers and cupboards on the island - two sets of three drawers then two cupboards (for where the sink is), and then the dishwasher next to that on the edge... Opposite -on the back wall next to the fridge/freeze we have 8 pot drawers - 4 across, 2 down - then the pantrys... As for the height of the microwave - I find it okay - but then I really don't use it a lot - it would be at head height for me (I'm about 5.5), so I can still see easily into it and could take hot things out okay but I do think if you use it a lot it may be easier/more user friendly to put it elsewhere.... Building on the Sunshine Coast - Land settled 22nd July 2009 Building contract finally signed (after much deliberation on our part) 11th November 2009 Building commences 25th January 2010 - small local builder End of June - almost completed fit out 26th July - MOVE IN DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Re: Kitchen POLL - 3d pics 18Dec 10, 2010 10:06 pm I'm absolutely no closer to making a decision I thought this poll/thread would help with the decision, it hasn't, but the different points of view are very helpful. I got back the email with the 4 stacked but with closer sizes (ie it isn't 4 full sized ovens) and it doesn't look nearly as big and bulky. Fits nicely between under the overheads and on top of the bottom drawer, and it has the cupboards above horizontal to match the look of the overheads which looks a lot more streamlined as well. I'm torn because I don't mind all of them. Look wise I probably prefer the 3 appliances across, BUT it does make sense to have the fridge opposite bench space... hubby thinks the ovens need to be near the bench so you can turn around and put the hot sutff on it I would really appreciate if if you can complete the poll about windows, if you have a story I would love to hear it. Please share… 0 372 No. It's not original. Circa early to mid 90s would be my guess and maybe even as late as early 2000s 1 6636 2 4688 |