Tag Archives: Kitchens

Marble Counters: What Everyone Needs to Know {Part 2}

Posted on July 16, 2015 by Julie

I left you hanging a little bit when I began Part One of our marble counter tops story. I didn’t mean to leave you with such a cliff hanger! If you missed it, you can read it here.

The truth is, this is is long story and I wasn’t sure if I should shorten it up in to just two posts or give more details and write several. In the end, I have decided to share it all in several posts in hopes that our story can help someone else who is working with contractors and/or choosing and installing natural stone counters — not just marble.

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POSTED IN: counter tops, granite, Kitchens, marble, marble counters

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Living With Marble – Part 2

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Julie

It’s been awhile since I said I would tell you more about my marble counter tops. There’s a story behind them and I promise I will tell it all but because I get so many questions about living with marble I felt the need to write today’s post.

In my first post about living with marble, I gave you my view point of what it’s like to have this natural stone in my kitchen. I also alluded to the fact that we had some problems with the fabrication and installation. To partially resolve the issue, the island was replaced with something different — honed Vermont Danby marble. It was installed just before Christmas.

I’m not going to get in to all the details about how and why the island was replaced (I’m saving that for a future post because all the issues have not been fully resolved yet). But I do want to share with you what I have learned about various types of marble and how they perform on a daily basis (since I now have experience with two types of marble).

I know not everyone wants marble in their kitchens, so this information doesn’t pertain to everyone but I hope you’ll bear with me on this because when I write my upcoming post (it might even take two to explain it all), I will have information to share that will be helpful when choosing any natural stone for your home.

But, today, I’m helping answer my most asked question: “What is it like living with marble and is it right for you?”

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POSTED IN: counters, Kitchens, marble, marble counter tops

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Cool Kitchen Features: Inspire Me Sundays

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Julie

It’s been another busy week around here, but this time, the busy-ness has been all about Spring Break with my family.

This year we decided not to go on our usual ski trip and we stayed home. Best decision ever! It’s been so nice to leave our usual weekly routine and hectic pace of soccer practice, carpools, karate, dinner on the run, etc. and just get a few things done and also chill and relax at home. We’ve had pizza in front of the tv while watching movies together, we have shopped, gone to the movies and out for breakfast together, both kids have had sleepovers with friends, etc. It’s been nothing special, yet special all the same!

In the midst of all of this, we’ve continued to do research for our kitchen update. (If you missed that post, you can read about it here.) The cornerstone of our little renovation starts with some new appliances and what we’re going to do with our existing wall oven/microwave configuration. (As you may recall, our microwave is too high and I don’t like it’s current location.)

I’ve found lots of appliance inspiration, so I thought I’d share some of the cool kitchen features that are inspiring me today.

First up — a microwave drawer placed in a kitchen island:

Kitchen by Memphis Interior Designers & Decorators Anna Baskin Lattimore Design

I just love the fact that it’s easily accessible to both adults and kids.

The drawer slides open at the touch of a button.

Eclectic Kitchen by Pasadena Design-Build Firms HartmanBaldwin Design/Build

This is my favorite idea for re-configuring our current set-up.

Traditional Kitchen by New York Appliances Mrs. G TV & Appliances

We’re also looking for a new cook top.

I currently have a drop-in, but I am dreaming of a range-top with a griddle.

Traditional Kitchen by Ridgeland Interior Designers & Decorators Mandy Lawrence Interior Design

Aren’t they gorgeous?

Traditional Kitchen by Prospect Home Builders Wolford Building & Remodeling

I didn’t think it was an option for me, but after doing some research, it turns out that – for a price – it is an option.

We’re still researching the possibilities but this could be my big splurge and I’m excited!

Traditional Kitchen by Medfield Architects & Designers David Sharff Architect, P.C.

While my husband was poking around under the cooktop getting dimensions he discovered something…

a water line.

We’re a little excited because one of these could be a possibility:

Traditional Kitchen by Lake Oswego Interior Designers & Decorators Jenny Baines, Jennifer Baines Interiors

A pasta pot filler faucet!

Because my sink is at least 10 steps from my cooktop, it would be a real treat to have water right where I need it.

Traditional Kitchen by Millbrook Architects & Designers Crisp Architects

I never thought it was even a possibility in our existing kitchen, but now that we know a water line is there, I think it would be a really cool addition!

We are also looking at warming drawers.

Contemporary Kitchen by Sherman Oaks Interior Designers & Decorators Fran Kerzner- DESIGN SYNTHESIS

The reason we’re looking at warming drawers is because if we move the microwave to the island, we will probably have to tear out our existing island and replace it with a new one.

It’s a pricey option, so we’re considering just re-configuring the cabinet with the wall ovens and putting something like this in:

Thermador

It would get the microwave lower than it is now so the kids and I can reach it more easily.

The trouble is, I will lose my double ovens. And, I love my double ovens.

The warming drawer might help at busy times like Thanksgiving and Christmas.

If we go with this option, then I will probably upgrade my little counter top convection oven to a slightly bigger and more functional version like this one from Williams-Sonoma: