Troubleshooting for Moira

Cute kitchen. What's the trouble?

I got an e-mail from Moira. She writes:

My husband and I just bought our first place in good ole' North Carolina. It was built in 1900 and has beautiful hard wood floors in some rooms. The only drawback is that it only has 1000 square feet, and the washer, dryer, and hot water heater must stay in the kitchen. I was wondering if you had any ideas on how to incorporate those things into the space. Right now the washer, dryer, refrigerator, and hot water heater are all just lined up on a wall. (it really looks bad)!  I am currently in school to become a physician assistant, so we are living only on my husband's salary. We would love to renovate the entire kitchen, but that is just not possible at the moment.

 
 

Ok, so one side's good and the other one not so. Koli's cute though!

So, my first thought was to shuffle the units around and put the fridge in the left corner and switch the orientation of the doors. That would leave all the lower units on one side. Unfortunately it's not possible because of the positions of dryer vents, water hook ups and electrical cords so here's what I suggest.

I'd remove the shoe cabinets on the left. I'd add counter-tops on either side of the fridge/freezer. The appliances are at different height and above normal kitchen counter-top height but I think it will ground this whole side by adding them.

Because the dryer is the tallest appliance I'd make a cut out at the back of the counter-top to allow for the back lip to appear behind so the whole counter-top doesn't have to be another 4 inches up. I'm sure there are some really deep heavy duty brackets available in the DIY store to which the counter-tops can be attached to so they are suspended above the appliances.

Above the counter-top which is slightly deeper than the deepest appliance, I'd add narrower shelves. I'd go for the same  wood as on the chopping block next to the stove. I'd use white brackets so it will match what goes on on the other side of the kitchen. Another option would be to switch it around and have white shelves with wood brackets.

To hide it all away Moira can add a curtain in front of the lower appliances by adding a thin curtain rod or wire underneath the counter-top.

There. That's what I'd do. Any other suggestions for Moira? 
 

Comments

[Petra from NL]

WOW, Benita.
I already liked it when you suggested the countertop but with the addition of curtains, it can even look cheerful!

[Messy]

Wow, this is great. Before I read your solution, I thought of making kabinets all around, but that would be way too expensive. Those curtains will look cute, too!

I hope the appliance on the far left (water heater?) doesn't need to be opened from the top. If it does, you can always attach the countertop on that end to the side wall and flip it upwards when you need to, just like you see in some cafés.

[bec]

That is a great idea. Love it. It will look so much better and will be quite economical too.

[sherrieg]

I had to pop in from lurk-land and say what a fantastic solution you suggested! I can't wait to see the 'after' images if she goes with your suggestions. :)

[aurelia]

The makeover suggestion is really cute.

Butcher-block counter top is difficult to find at a reasonable price in the US, in my experience in the midwest, at least.

I finally found well priced birchwood butcher-block at IKEA. You have to buy it in-store.

[Tanna @ Complete Organizing Solutions]

That is perfect Benita! I love that idea. We have a local salvage place in Tennessee that has tons of butcher block. You just have to give it a good sanding and it is like new. We want to replace our island counter top with some.
The curtain idea is so affordable and I love recommending this to people because you can have fun with the color!

[p]

Just keep that adorable dog there and no one will notice.

[Patia]

You are so good!

[carol k]

Great solution for Moira's kitchen!
You have my vote! Good Luck.

[Susan]

Fabulous! You brought me out of lurking for this one!

[Lessie]

I am really super impressed. It makes me want to send you my kitchen! :) I'm scared of "building" which is why I'm so fascinated with your blog -- you and Martin are FEARLESS. I honestly can't imagine HOW to attach the countertops...I can't picture really "deep heavy brackets" that would work...I hope Moira will show us an after pic so I can figure it out.Thanks again!

[Susan]

If she goes through with your suggestions, I think Moira should seriously consider moving her microwave over to the new countertop area, so that she can have more valuable countertop next to the stove and sink freed up.
Does Moira need some tall space in a corner? It looks like maybe she has a broom or mop leaning up in the corner in the picture. If so, she could just not extend the countertop all the way to the wall by a couple inches. Then she could maybe put a few hooks on the wall, for hanging the mop, broom, dustpan?

[april]

Hey-I'm a NC girl too! And I recognize that Appalachian State magnet on the fridge-go Mountaineers! Also, check out IKEA for butcher block at great prices. Here in Asheville (not sure where the reader is but we're in the western part of the state), we have some good wholesale places that I utilized when re-doing my entire 1930 farmhouse a few years back.

[Jesse Lu]

Hey I think this is a great fix. Very affordable and doable. And it will look so clean and nice when it's finished... Also, Moira and her husband will have the fun option of changing things up every once in a while by switching out the textiles of the curtains and other kitchen linens. Fun!

[stove pipe]

Great post. I will have to bookmark your site for later reading.