I'm dreaming of a white kitchen!

There is just something about a white kitchen that draws me to it. When I tell people they think "sterile" or "80's", but when I show them pictures of what I like the tune changes. Joe was also against white, but I think he is slowly changing his feeling (aren't you honey?? ;o) ) My dream is white cabinets (some wood, some glass doors). Hardwood floors, dark countertops and stainless/black appliances. I just think it would flow with our house, not go out of style and just looks classic and clean. Here are some of my favorite pictures of white kitchens....and you can see why I just really like the look! What do you think? Yay or Nay?


Here I love the dark counters with hardwood and white cabinets, I also love the light fixtures.



Again, the cabinets and island....with the floors. NOT the counters!



I just love this one!


Not sure about the different color wood on the island, but the white!


Love the glass and wood combo on the cabinet doors.



Just another white kicthen!


I really want a piece of butcher block in my island!


I would love a desk area like this too.

Meeting #2

We met with Dan last week and he gave us a drawing of our house, how it is now...with measurements and the specifics of where we can/cannot build..after he spoke to the town. It was really interesting to see our house laid out on paper...and it just solidified that we are doing the right thing -- building. We have a nice piece of property and we should make use of it! ;o)



Here are some pictures of the drawings!


First Floor (existing):



Second Floor (existing):



Next we discussed our list....our combined list and came up with a grand list of what we want incorporated into his next drawing. We actually agreed on most of what we want, and it was much easier than I expected....

Kitchen:
Bright -- lots of windows and a small bay-type window.
Functional -- Easy to use -- G-shaped
Wood Floors
Able to see the kids in the yard from the kitchen
Desk area
Flows well from "old" house to "new" house.
Eat in area large enough for 6-8 people.
Island with partial butcher block and some shelves.
Entry into kitchen thru butler's pantry and also thru existing bathroom.

Mudroom:
Storage for jackets, shoes, hats, etc
Easy to clean
A seperate door to get into the house -- we always use our backdoor

Laundry Room:
Possibly connected to the laundry room or close to mudroom and bathroom.
Sink
Shelves and cabinets
Large enough, but not too big

Bathroom:
Full, but small
Basic sink, tile floor, small shower stall

Existing Bathroom:
Rip it out and have it be part of new kitchen???
Rip it out and create a hall way??
Rip it out and make it a desk area in kitchen??
Rip it out and make laundry room in it???

Existing Kitchen:
Butler's Pantry/Bar
Sink
Dishwasher
Flow with new kitchen

Master Bedroom:
Windows facing west must keep sound from main roads and restaurants out.
Small patio (to fit 2 people) with french doors
Large walk-in closet
Nice sized bathroom with double sink vanity with stall shower and seperate tub
Lots of light

Central Air

New Siding

Then Dan took a few more looks around, we talked a little more about what we want (some general and some specific) and that was that. Now we wait for a few drawings by him...which Joe and I are so excited about. I am assuming we'll meet with Dan again in about 3 weeks or so. He said he'd be in touch!!!

The homework continues......

Joe's list is below...we meet with Dan tomorrow morning. Now that we have our lists (individual) we will combine them into one list tonight.....Oh Boy! Stay tuned! If you don't hear from me it's because it didn't go very well.

Joe's List:
Kitchen:Bright (lots of windows)
Functunal
Kitchen table with room for 6
Wood Floors
Easy to cook in (sorry I know it's Joe's list...but it's my blog..and this one makes me laugh...b/c he doesn't cook! Good looking out for me - honey!)
Able to see the kids from the kitchen
Desk area
Area for small TV
Flows well from "old" to "new" house
Mudroom: Storage for jackets, shoes, hats, etc
Easy to clean
A seperate door to get into the house (since we always use the back door)
Small entranceway type room
Laundry Room :Possibly connected to the mudroom
Storage for dirty clothes
Large/Comfortable enough to stand and fold laundry and load and unload in washer/dryer. But small enough that it doesn't take away from the kitchen size.
Possibly in existing bathroom
Bathroom:
Full, but small
Basic sink, tile floor, toilet (use existing in new bathroom), small corner shower
Shower -- small and simple stall
Existing Bathroom:
Rip it out and have it be part of our kitchen
Put a desk in there, but only if there is room -- no squeezing by
Existing Kitchen:
Like butler's pantry idea

Master Bedroom:Nice sized with large bathroom and lots of closet space
Windows facing WEST must keep out the sound from the dumpster behind the house.
A small deck(for only 2 people)

MY LIST!!! MY HOMEWORK!!!

So Joe and I had some homework to do. We needed to sit down and come up with a list of things we NEED in our addition..which will make our house more functionable. Not wants, but needs....and needs to fit our lifestyle. After we made lists we are to come together and create one list! Easy right?? We'll see!!!!

Gianna's List:KITCHEN
Lots of windows in the kitchen -- lots of light
Desk Area in the kicthen
Eat in area large enough for a 6-8 person table and chairs
Island with partial butcher block and some shelves
Smallish bay type window
Entry into kitchen through butler's pantry and one other entrance (maybe former bathroom)

DOWNSTAIRS BATHROOM
Large enough for a toilet, sink and small shower stall.
Not too large

LAUNDRY ROOMSink
Shelves and a cabinet
Room for a clthes line
Close to mudroom and bathroom
Large enough to house above, but not too big.

BUTLER'S PANTRY (AKA EXISTING KITCHEN)Sink and dishwasher to remain.

MASTER BEDROOM SUITESmall Patio w/ French Doors
Large Walk in Closet
Nice sized bathroom with double sink vanity and either a tub/shower combo or stall shower and seperate tub
Lots of light in bedroom and bathroom

Just for fun

I stumbled upon some old pictures of before we bought our house! I thought it would be fun to show you the before we bought it (with the sellers stuff) and then after we bought it with our stuff (keep in mind I am trying to get similar photos..so some of the AFTER pictures were taken at different times since we've lived here).....FUN, RIGHT? OK, let's get started! PS -- if you click on the pictures you can see them in full screen!

Living Room BEFORE:


Living Room AFTER:


Fireplace BEFORE:


Fireplace AFTER:


Dining Room BEFORE:


Dining Room AFTER:




Stairs BEFORE:


Stairs AFTER:


Master Bedroom BEFORE (View 1):


Master Bedroom AFTER (View 1):


Master Bedroom BEFORE (View 2):


Master Bedroom AFTER (View 2):


One more AFTER:


2nd Bedroom BEFORE (View 1):


2nd Bedroom AFTER (View 1):


2nd Bedroom BEFORE (View 2):


2nd Bedroom AFTER (View 2):


2nd Bedroom AFTER (One more view):


Kitchen BEFORE:


Kitchen AFTER:


That's the end of the photos I took BEFORE we moved in!!!! Pretty cool to see..isn't it?

In another entry I will show you some other updates we made in our house, like the playroom full of toys, the girl's bedroom..now that they share and some bathrooms! But that's for another day! I am tired! ;o)