Microwave Cabinet
Microwave Cabinet
I mentioned before, we took out the chimney in the kitchen and now we have the perfect nook for the microwave.
Here is the microwave cabinet in relation to the rest of the kitchen.
Here is a close-up of the space.
We need to put in a header and get a vinyl flooring installation but it’s a nice open space for a built-in to house the microwave and any other small appliances.
The nook can be as tall as 8.5 feet but will probably be more like 7 feet tall. I’m thinking something like this for the bottom section. We have enough flooring for the nook so a cart on wheels would be a great little extended work station.
Instead of the table pulling out, I think the whole cabinet will pull out. I’m not sure if I want to use a cabinet base or just a rolling kitchen cart. If we just plan for it, we can figure out what works in the space later.
This was what I was originally thinking. I think it would look better with the pairs of cabinets.
But something more open like this wouldn’t be bad either.
Here’s my sketch.
The cart should come up to 36 inches plus a couple inches of clearance. I’m thinking then we’ll do a wire “produce” drawer. I think these are kind of silly but it will fit well there, a wicker basket type will add some texture, and you do need a place to keep potatoes. They are also super easy to install etc. That will be about 8” tall. So we’re up to 4’ which seems like a good height for a microwave. Just slightly lower than an over-the range microwave would be. I’ll give the microwave about 18 inches for height and we’re up to 5.5 feet. Then I’m thinking just shelves for less used goods up as far as we can go. I may want to upgrade to slide-out shelves depending on how the construction goes, just to get a better reach into the cabinet since things tend to disappear into the backs of tall cabinets and these will be deeper than most.
Another option for the bottom of the built-in is to do a skirt. I can get a super ugly but functional kitchen cart and hide it behind a curtain. That may add a much-needed dose of color to the space and provide a place for some ugly storage.
Kitchen Cabinets are coming in!!
The big kitchen cabinet order will be here on Saturday! I can’t wait to see them.. so exciting!
I’m glad I thought to get the dining room cleaned out last weekend. Otherwise we wouldn’t have anywhere to put what is going to be a huge volume of cabinets! All those 18″ cabinets are going to take up so much room. I’m so excited!
You can refresh your memory on the kitchen design here: Kitchen Design
Sarah
Stairs into kitchen
I’ve talked about my kitchen stairs before but we pulled down the ugly old banister when we re-did the floors so I’ve really started trying to figure out what we’re going to do.
I’m pretty set on wood treads, wood railing, and white spindles. Something like this from Better Homes and Gardens
There is a deep shelf that reaches under those stairs from the basement. It’s the perfect litter-box perch. It’s about waist high from the stair landing for easy clean-up and is out of the way for guests, smells, etc.
You can see the back of the plaster and lath from the kitchen side now that that wall has been removed.
We are going to do wainscoting around the kitchen so that will cover the side of the staircase. I would like to have a little cat-door peaking out from under the staircase to allow kitty access to the litter-box. My initial idea was to put a cat door in the basement door but I don’t love the idea of cutting into my doors. A little cat-door in the wall next to the stairs is perfect.
I have a couple ideas.
I love the idea of a cat-shaped hole but I don’t think I want a hole that large though it would be very cute. Here is a smaller cat-silhouette.
I could also just paint a cat silhouette on the wall and have a smaller hole in it.
There is also a small triangle of space under those stairs that isn’t being used. It is a dead space that hasn’t been cleaned in 100 years and is a bit of a mess. I’ll have Stefan clean that out and then I can either wall it up for another 100 years or I can do something functional. I love this concept:
There is also the stair treads themselves.
I’m not sure how much these would be used though. Also, what would I put in them? Canned goods come to mind as does shoes/scarves/gloves etc. They would also make good kid storage areas for toys etc. I really just think they are super cool but I’m not sure if it’s genuinely worth the effort. Part of me thinks that while we are replacing the treads, we might as well and part of me things it’s just a silly love of secret compartments.
What do you think? Cat passage and stair storage? Any other great ideas.
Sarah
Deck- Before and After
Before
After
I will post a more thorough discussion of the deck later but I wanted to post a quick picture for anyone who was anxious to see it! I love the transformation.
Sarah
Marianne
10/5/2013 | 6:00 pm Permalink
How about a slide-out step at the bottom? It ciuld help you see to the back of the top xabinets? I always like a step-stool for this purpose, but usualy theyre awkward and ugly. Built in could be a nice way go. (If you want to use absolutely ALL the space, the pull out step could have a removeable top so you could use it as a drawer too!)