Our twelve-week apartment face lift is finished and the new kitchen is complete. I love it!
The contractors have left and my new kitchen is ready. The 110 packing boxes plus assorted furniture came back to freshly plastered and painted walls, well-lit rooms, and a budget-remodel that gave us a more comfortable apartment with a new color palette, additional closets and better lighting. After twenty three years of Pepto-pink peeling paint, groaning appliances and cracking tiles on the kitchen counters and back splash, everything is fresh, new and energy efficient.
As an interior designer I was thrilled to see my vision fulfilled – especially in the kitchen. The virtual design I posted when the project first began closely resembles the finished result and is a testament to our friend Anne’s work (virtualroompreviews@gmail.com). While it’s true that replacing the cabinets would have produced a more dramatic transformation, painting the old ones and preserving the footprint was a major cost-wise tactic and an acceptable compromise.
I also want to acknowledge the great job by our contractor Yves Duboin, his number two the fabulous and artistic Stephen Ford, and their team of pros. We are indeed fortunate they were available to us. Team Duboin (top row, above): Mike (electrician) and Yves (contractor) , Stephen Ford (project manager). Row two: Pete (plumber), Tony Giliberto (stone & tile). Row three:, Jorge, Raj (painters) .
As we get resettled the additional design challenges become clear: modernizing our window treatments, adjusting upholstery to the new color scheme, finding the right carpets (or moving old ones around) and filling in furniture we’ve sold or swapped-out — though my husband says he likes the emptier feeling.
Meanwhile, the floors are still partially covered with protective paper and dishes are not yet back in the cabinets — I need to unpack and run them through the new dishwasher first.
The new counter-to-soffit back splash is 2 x 4-inch glazed subway tile — Barbara Barry’s Fog Gloss by Ann Sacks. The café-au-lait color closely matches Farrow & Ball’s Stony Ground paint, though it looks lighter (and more vanilla-colored) in photos and in person when the fluorescent under-cabinet light is on.
I chose the Bertazzoni gas range for its good looks and great price — it also has adjustable legs so it sits flush with the counter top.
The old kitchen had a mishmash of appliances — black and white. While it was difficult to give up the black-glass vintage Modern Maid gas stove, which still worked beautifully, it found a home and a new owner who is thrilled with it.
I was able to replace the old GE refrigerator with a counter-depth, freestanding 30-inch, blissfully quiet Liebherr, enclosed in a panel. Removal of the old, over-the-fridge cabinet left a 10-inch storage space on top, filled by linen-lined baskets where seldom-used utensils now reside. Our large trays slide handily on top of the refrigerator in the ventilation space. Stephen was able to install the unit flush with the other cabinets because it has a zero-clearance door which opens easily against the wall (the old fridge had been pulled forward).
The door to our laundry closet was enlarged to accommodate the new pair of front loaders plus the ironing board. The stacked Bosch Axxis washer and condenser (self-venting) dryer are very quiet when running, in contrast to the old top loaders.
Both the old mauve tile counters and butcher block on the island were replaced with honed Castle White Canadian marble sealed with an amazing product — Akemi Nano sealer — recommended by marble restorer Michael Boris at Tripointpro.com, who also sells Akemi products. Liquid literally beads up on the marble counter and the sealer is breeze to apply.
The base cabinets and island painted with Farrow & Ball Dauphin, which blends well with stainless steel and I’m so happy to never again see the old butcher block counter that was a dirt and grease magnet — outside the basement of our house where it now serves as a work bench. Old in my new kitchen is new for me down in the basement.
You might want to see the 7 Upgrades that Transformed My Kitchen and how I planned My New Kitchen.
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Are you happy with the Bertazzoni? I read that the oven is uneven, bakes poorly and that it overheats the kitchen. I have a small NYC apt. Also, happy with the Liebherr?
Thanks very much, if you can reply to my email address.
Renovating is kind of stressful!
Judy
I agree about the reno stress. Not the easiest thing, especially in NYC.
Super, super happy with the Liebherr. It’s an excellent fridge and keeps everything in great shape for so long it’s a huge surprise. It’s been great for us.
I have a soft spot for the Berta. It has some quirks but I’m not trying to run a restaurant in a NYC apartment. No idea where you got the negative opinions but I don’t really agree. For the cost, I don’t know of a better range. I’ve been happy with it.
Thanks for visiting. Jane
I don’t see a color ‘Dauphin’ in the Farrow and Ball range. Are you sure that’s the name? It’s a beautiful color choice!
Yes, absolutely certain of the name. I used a lot of it! I also loved the color which blended perfectly with the stainless steel. F&B don’t list every color — depends on whether you’re looking at a current card or the deck.
Question…I’m purchasing some of the Akemi sealer. How much did you use? I have a fair amount of sealing I will do on a new home and curious if I should assume that 1 Liter will cover a grout intensive bathroom, or possibly 2-4 bathrooms. (This stuff is pricey and I hate keeping extra chemicals – 5 Liters is the next size up.)
I bought 1 Liter and didn’t even use it yet on two houses. I sealed counters at least twice and a shower once and there’s probably half a bottle left over. I’m about to seal again. It’s very stinky a la Waterlox but once a year is all that’s required. Once it dries down the smell goes away. It also is food safe.
The base cabinets are Dauphin, what color were the upper cabinets painted?
Hi Sandy,
The top cabinets and walls were painted in Farrow & Ball Stony Ground. It is a color I have come to love as it was wonderful to live with. It also looked exceptionally good with the White Tie trim — I got a huge number of compliments on that color in particular.
I love seeing this remodel. We are doing a similar budget remodel in our (very old) house. Our kitchen is small and we are also painting in lieu of cabinet replacement, and relying on paint for a big refresh. We’re adding a hood and replacing our stove with this same model of Bertazzoni. Interestingly, we have also settled on a Liebherr fridge, but a 24-inch wide model to save space.
Lovely to see how well your remodel came out. The new kitchen is beautiful.
Thanks so much for the kind comments about the kitchen. Not long after the kitchen was finished we gave a book party for about 50 guests. People swooned over the marble counters. I found the Berta range to have an excellent top and the oven was quick and hot. The Liebherr was silent and an excellent fridge for us. In sum, the reaction to the kitchen IRL was superb.
We have since moved and I miss the Liebherr and the Miele Optima (I presently have an older model) a lot! (I don’t miss sealing the marble every six months, however).
Good luck with your kitchen. I wish you and excellent result. Please return and post a photo for us!