Jackson Heights Life

Get Connected => Real Estate & Home Improvement => Topic started by: Shelby2 on July 20, 2014, 01:12:17 PM

Title: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 20, 2014, 01:12:17 PM
So, about 7 years after I posted here on this board about my plans to renovate my kitchen, I finally did it!!  I had a really wonderful and reasonably priced contractor who guided me through the entire thing and did careful, tasteful, accurate work.  If you would like to contact him about your own jobs, his name is Robert Roses and he can be reached at (deleted) 

He does all types of interiors.  I was lucky to find him -- I first heard of him here on this board, but I also found an architect's blog that credited him for contracting work and that's what inspired me to contact him.  Frances Temple-West Architect, Jackson Heights Kitchen (http://templewestarchitect.com/jackson-heights-kitchen--bath)

I am attaching some pics of my own kitchen.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 20, 2014, 01:13:01 PM
two more pics
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 20, 2014, 01:15:54 PM
Last pics (includes one before shot)
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 20, 2014, 01:19:09 PM
Also, I'd like to thank another member I met here on this board who helped me so much initially with basic advice and encouragement.  I was a newbie renovator and the advice really helped. :)
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: itsjustme on July 20, 2014, 11:58:42 PM
It looks fantastic @Shelby2! Hope you enjoy many happy meals there!
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 21, 2014, 12:13:52 AM
Quote from: itsjustme on July 20, 2014, 11:58:42 PM
It looks fantastic @Shelby2! Hope you enjoy many happy meals there!

Thank you! 
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: wooden_soldier on July 21, 2014, 01:06:31 AM
Nice!  :D
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Chuckster on July 21, 2014, 10:11:57 AM
Your kitchen looks amazing!  I love the sleek look of the cabinetry.  I've visioned similar choices for a possible a kitchen renovation, including the refrigerator.  The freezer drawer just seems so much more practical than traditional styles.  Great look overall!
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 21, 2014, 10:35:05 AM
Quote from: wooden_soldier on July 21, 2014, 01:06:31 AM
Nice!  :D
Quote from: Chuckster on July 21, 2014, 10:11:57 AM
Your kitchen looks amazing!  I love the sleek look of the cabinetry.  I've visioned similar choices for a possible a kitchen renovation, including the refrigerator.  The freezer drawer just seems so much more practical than traditional styles.  Great look overall!

Thanks!  Most of the kitchen is Ikea.  The fridge is a Fisher Paykel.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: hestia1920 on July 21, 2014, 02:34:40 PM
It looks amazing! I'm just starting my kitchen reno so this gives me hope that it'll all be worth it :) Did you get your counter top at Ikea as well? Also - just out of curiosity - why did you choose the hard wood floors over tile?
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 21, 2014, 03:37:24 PM
Quote from: hestia1920 on July 21, 2014, 02:34:40 PM
It looks amazing! I'm just starting my kitchen reno so this gives me hope that it'll all be worth it :) Did you get your counter top at Ikea as well? Also - just out of curiosity - why did you choose the hard wood floors over tile?

Yes, I got the quartz countertop at Ikea.  If you purchase during one of the kitchen sales (there is one through August 24), then you can also get 20% off the counter and installation as well as all the cabinets, etc.  I was really confused about what I should do about the floors, but the JHLife member I met at the beginning of the process encouraged me to keep the wood floors...so that is what I did!  I'm sorry I can't really be any more helpful than that on the floor issue.   Maybe someone else can chime in on the pros and cons of various types of floors.

Also, regarding the Ikea sale-  my contractor assisted me in purchasing everything before the end of the last sale in April, even though the demolition hadn't been started yet.  He told me you can postpone delivery of items for one full month without paying a storage fee, so that's what we did.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: hestia1920 on July 21, 2014, 09:19:16 PM
Thanks for all of the info! One last question - how long did the entire reno process take?
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 21, 2014, 09:28:34 PM
Quote from: hestia1920 on July 21, 2014, 09:19:16 PM
Thanks for all of the info! One last question - how long did the entire reno process take?

About 6 weeks, which included an unexpected delay with the countertop installation.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: MetroJNY on July 22, 2014, 05:35:55 AM
Your kitchen looks amazing! Thanks for sharing the pics and the process.  :)
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Chuckster on July 22, 2014, 09:56:34 AM
Quote from: Shelby2 on July 21, 2014, 03:37:24 PM
Quote from: hestia1920 on July 21, 2014, 02:34:40 PM
It looks amazing! I'm just starting my kitchen reno so this gives me hope that it'll all be worth it :) Did you get your counter top at Ikea as well? Also - just out of curiosity - why did you choose the hard wood floors over tile?
I was really confused about what I should do about the floors, but the JHLife member I met at the beginning of the process encouraged me to keep the wood floors...so that is what I did!  I'm sorry I can't really be any more helpful than that on the floor issue.   Maybe someone else can chime in on the pros and cons of various types of floors.

I've heard that wooden floors are easier on your feet, thereby reducing stress on your back.  This is helpful if you plan on spending a good amount of time in your kitchen, of course.  I think it adds a touch of original charm also.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Minimal4me on July 23, 2014, 07:39:03 PM
What a transformation! I love a white kitchen. And the black countertop really adds dimension to the space. I'm so envious of your floors. I often wonder what my beige porcelain tiles are hiding.

Enjoy! So worth the wait.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 23, 2014, 08:27:07 PM
Quote from: Minimal4me on July 23, 2014, 07:39:03 PM
What a transformation! I love a white kitchen. And the black countertop really adds dimension to the space. I'm so envious of your floors. I often wonder what my beige porcelain tiles are hiding.

Enjoy! So worth the wait.

Thank you!  :)
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: dssjh on July 25, 2014, 12:27:35 PM
i'll chime in as well....this is really nice. i had awful lineoleum floors when i moved in and (on my own) re-did with marginally less awful home depot replacements. the wood is great looking, as is the rest of the kitchen.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on July 25, 2014, 01:02:52 PM
Quote from: dssjh on July 25, 2014, 12:27:35 PM
i'll chime in as well....this is really nice. i had awful lineoleum floors when i moved in and (on my own) re-did with marginally less awful home depot replacements. the wood is great looking, as is the rest of the kitchen.

Thank you!  I was lucky that the floors had already been well preserved and didn't need any layers of linoleum removed.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Grabey on August 14, 2014, 09:14:12 AM
This is absolutely amazing! The floors look great. I love the cabinetry. There is so much storage! Can you give a ballpark figure of the cost? (If not that's totally fine)

You should submit your reno to the kitchn next time they do one of their reno or small/cool contests!
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on August 18, 2014, 04:11:46 PM
Quote from: Grabey on August 14, 2014, 09:14:12 AM
This is absolutely amazing! The floors look great. I love the cabinetry. There is so much storage! Can you give a ballpark figure of the cost? (If not that's totally fine)

You should submit your reno to the kitchn next time they do one of their reno or small/cool contests!

Thanks!  I will PM you some additional info.
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: NYC Native on September 25, 2014, 12:51:36 AM
Quote from: Shelby2 on July 20, 2014, 01:12:17 PM
So, about 7 years after I posted here on this board about my plans to renovate my kitchen, I finally did it!!  I had a really wonderful and reasonably priced contractor who guided me through the entire thing and did

It's nice to see good use of space - I think the kitchen looks top notch!   ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY!!!
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: Shelby2 on September 25, 2014, 10:05:21 AM
Quote from: NYC Native on September 25, 2014, 12:51:36 AM
Quote from: Shelby2 on July 20, 2014, 01:12:17 PM
So, about 7 years after I posted here on this board about my plans to renovate my kitchen, I finally did it!!  I had a really wonderful and reasonably priced contractor who guided me through the entire thing and did

It's nice to see good use of space - I think the kitchen looks top notch!   ENJOY ENJOY ENJOY!!!

Thanks, Native.  High praise coming from someone like you who has renovated dozens (or maybe hundreds?) of kitchens!
Title: Re: Kitchen!
Post by: NYC Native on October 02, 2014, 10:01:24 PM
I have to admit, I haven't done a white kitchen in while unless I was asked to...so I decided to do one after seen yours.  I guess I found new faith in white kitchens after seen yours.  I think we have done close to 200 kitchens.  Most of them cookie cutters I admit but we try to do what we can with whatever budget the landlords allows.

(http://i.picasion.com/pic78/73a1033c4cb0ff92d9acc40c2a365a82.gif)

(http://i.picasion.com/pic78/b4d3e0389c5fce71a29146a996f84bc0.gif)

This Picture doesn't show the finish product I just noticed.  I put a Grecian bull nose a few days ago to give it a cleaner look on the side walls.
(http://i.picasion.com/pic78/b07b3f3b10d9abbec5c6fdab39d05f1a.gif)
The steel Beams didn't allow me to fully open the top of the room so we did what we could with them. I prefer the taller wall cabinets of course..

(http://i.picasion.com/pic78/3f72240e74271b9d9015c6e81d2fdd1f.gif)

I added an under the counter water filtration system which I recommend to anyone redoing their kitchens.  The filters last 2 or 3 times as long and the water flows twice as fast vs the fridge.  I still hooked up the fridge one because of the ice, but I think I'm doing this from now on.