Kitchen Tales Update

Following up on the previous post …

The sink is hooked up and things are getting into better order. It’s nice to have the sink and that counter space in a different position. The counter is to the right of the stove, and that makes for something I’ve never had before here, counter next to the stove directly connected and useful. Originally the stove was next to the garage door with just 12 inches of counter on the right, the door next to that, and on the left side of the stove was a counter that ran perpendicular to the stove, so the left hip easily hit those cabinets, and all that counter next to the stove was virtually inaccessible to me, a shorter person (just under 5’2″ working with “standard height” counters.) The space right next to the stove bothered me, only was I able to put stuff there, having to stretch to get at anything, so it was a dust gathering place to stack stuff. Horrible. To the right that 12″ was premium, but hardly useful beyond much. It’s minimum to put by a stove, and it’s just that it was the only “stove only space” and therefore not enough. All that counter to the left was perpendicular, as I said, and really in the sinks region, it wasn’t too far away down the line.

So now that “unuseful space” that was to the stoves perpendicular left originally, is now right next to the stove on the right. The little 12″ counter space is on the stove’s left now (all the cabinets were built on site but very modular and able to be moved around thankfully). This is a flipped position for all the pieces. The stove faces the same way, but the counters are facing the opposite flip flopped way. In any case, these things are all on the other end of the kitchen, in the middle though. Once we finish things up we should have the countertops a nicer sort, wider, and the stove will be a slide-in sort that is accessible to stir pots, tend the stove, from either side.

As things are now the sink is out of triangle region, but later on it will be sort of next to the stove, across the way. The slide-in stove will have a dual use with the stove-sink-fridge triangle on the end, and in the middle the stove-fridge-vegetable sink triangle. So the Dual L layout will be useful for two people to work in, more really. There will be space on the outside and inside in more than one spot each to chop or do whatever on the counters. There will be space to have seating on the outside, and well, full functionality that this house has never ever seen in the kitchen.

It’s very noticeable now how it all will work, when the counters are changed out, serving meals will be easier, a buffet-like area will be the side of the outside L. That will serve as a breakfast and lunch sort of area too. Making everything easier.

Later when we get sliding doors installed to the back yard we’ll get a nice little round table to put by the doors, and that will be an alternative eat-in area.

Through this whole kitchen change I’m gaining counter space, I may or may not gain much more cabinet space. I’ll at least get more shelving somewhere … as cabinets with doors aren’t necessary in all spaces, open shelving can have country charm.

DH is more motivated with the changes going on now, since completing the temporary sink move. He sees how nice it is turning out, what a better layout this is, how great it was to use the sink counter as the second L counter for now, it really brings the changes to life. I myself am seeing how great it is too, seeing more counter space, having more places to put things without actually having more furniture or counters installed. It’s all the same stuff, just so much more useful in a different position.

I’ve learned that I truly do love the sink with no cabinets above it at all, or by it. Where it is now it’s totally just a sink on a counter, no walls or cabinets above counter level. So my idea for a corner cabinet by where the sink will be on the wall is a good one, with a big garden window in front of the sink, which will be a deep space out into the back, expanding the feel of space. To the right I don’t want anything on the walls but maybe some free hanging shelves. I don’t like having tons of places to stash stuff. Just enough is good. Too much means too much stuff can be saved and stashed, more than you need.

My cabinets have been not as useful as possible due to placement thus far, and with these changes the spaces are liberated to be useful finally from all angles so far, and the rest of them we have to add-in will be done in a non-constrictive way, so the few things left to put in will allow enough space for everything, and allow that back wall to be free for adornment instead of storage. Hurray!

I need to do a bit more organizing, re-organizing, putting displaced things away … then I need to get going on Thanksgiving prep. We are probably getting the turkeys tomorrow, (2 about 12-lbs each) and I’ll do them then or the next day, or one each day. Pre-cooked, and sliced, and then just what we want for dinner re-warmed with the pre-made gravy … it really makes it easier.

I used to love the “bring the whole bird to the table” thing, how richly traditional and special it was. We just never have guests on that holiday, and even if we did, I do not care to continue that stressful tradition. Cutting it up in peace in the kitchen, no pressure of eyes or time, ah… it’s an introverts dream, and I brought it to life last year for the first time, and know it’s definitely “my true style”.