When the new counter tops, with their undermount sink came on Friday, water was restored to the kitchen after a 2-month absence. I’ll confess, I was so pleased with the great big 24-inch stainless steel vat (same width as my previous stove!) I went on a cleaning binge.
For a good two hours, I soaked and scrubbed every ungainly item I could find. I’m please to report that as I type, my garbage pails are spotless, the dish rack practically sparkles and my largest pans are totally de-greased.
Best of all? At no point did I have to resort to wedging them under the faucet at strange angles or perform contortionist acts to rinse them. Perhaps it was the fumes from the newly varnished floors, but the wading pool of a sink left me buzzed.
I told my mother, my sisters and anyone who would listen to me about my new sink. I dragged them through the semi-finished kitchen and forced them to admire my new stainless steel best friend. Yeah, yeah, the counter tops look great, but the sink? Look at the sink! Have you ever seen anything like it? They all admitted to gut-slitting envy and politely backed away, all the while promising to bring over something gigantic and greasy for a nice soak.
Now that the euphoria of running water and an oversized sink has dissipated, let me tell you, they were right about the counter tops. They’re pretty nice, too. I couldn’t tell from the tiny sample chip, but the pattern includes teeny tiny black specs that look remarkably like scattered coffee grounds. See?
When Andrew realized the camouflage potential, he got uncharacteristically excited. Must be the fumes.
Does any of this sound even vaguely familiar? Is there a kitchen feature you’re disproportionately fond of? Any item or feature you deeply regret (I’ll confess to falling for and then spending 15 years cursing my oh-so-trendy and totally inconvenient appliance garage). Of course, I should have asked this at the start of our reno, but others might appreciate the heads up.
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{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }
You could also argue that those specs look like poppy seeds.
I adore my fridge. A French door freezer on the bottom number from LG. Pretty much the perfect style of fridge as far as I’m concerned. Why anyone ever thought freezers on top were a good idea is beyond me.
The end is in sight…
.-= Cheryl Arkison´s last blog ..Maintaining the Idea of Spring =-.
They do look like poppy seeds. Guess some of my baking is covered with these counter tops, too.
And I agree, the freezer on the bottom is a great design feature. Makes no sense to have them the freezer on the top. We didn’t replace our fridge but when we do, it will have a bottom freezer for sure.
How do you like the French doors? I’m of two minds about that feature. I imagine it’s a challenge when you go to the fridge with your hands full of food. Or am I wrong on that?
After our kitchen reno a few years ago, I insisted on blowing what was left of our budget on two small halogen pendant lights that hang right over the counter where my kids sit and eat breakfast. In a vacuum, the price was unreasonably high, but I swear, those little lights tie the entire project together, and I’m so glad I forked over the cash.
Plus, I opted for a normal stove instead of a professional grade Viking or whatever. I figured I deserved fancy lighting given how much I saved on more modest appliances!
.-= Cheryl´s last blog ..Piper =-.
Pendant lights? I love them. I wanted them badly, but Andrew was afraid he’s whack his head on them and knowing his track record, he’d find a way. No pendant lights in our kitchen
I am jealous.
I, too, opted for a residential stove, not a professional line — due to money. The rest of the renovation is costing enough, I can’t imagine paying double (or triple) for the stove.
Now I want to see the pendant lights!
Hooray for the return of running water to your kitchen! Sounds like things are moving along, Charmian. Yay! Love the looks of that fine sink and the countertops as well. Can’t wait to see the whole thing!
I will confess to disproportionate love of my big sink too. Its about 22 inches and much bigger than my original sink, so a vast improvement. Other than that, I can’t rave about much in my kitchen … we’re due for another reno!
.-= The Diva on a Diet´s last blog ..Happy Blog-o-versary! =-.
I can’t wait to see the whole thing as well.
Glad to know you share my sink lust. I figured I’d get straightened out but so far, people are in my camp. Who knew sinks were so pivotal?
I just moved into a house with a lovely 18 inch wide sink. Not a 24 inch whopper like yours, but still vastly bigger than the dinky one at my last place. I’m loving it.
.-= Frugal Kiwi´s last blog ..Spice It Up =-.
Dinky sinks should be outlawed — unless you wash nothing but espresso cups. I swear sink most sink makers have never seen a roasting pan. I understand your joy.
I laughed when you mentioned the camouflage capability of your counter tops because we have the same thing at home. Ours have a brownish-gold colours that runs through it and it looks just like the coffee splotches that someone in this house always leaves, lol. And yes, I love that sink!!!
Camouflage is very important in our house. The last counter tops were one colour and stained as soon as you spilled on them — so even when they were clean they looked dirty, which is so unfair. Not sure these counters will hide spilled coffee but the grounds? I got that covered.
Kitchen feature I’m disproprotionately fond of? That would be my Viking Range, which is still an object of my affection after nearly 15 years. I lusted after one for years before I bought it, and I’ve loved using it ever since. Your description of the deep sink mkes me lust after one too, instead of the regular double sink currently in my kitchen. That one might be unrequired love, however, since we are in no way ready for a total kichen renovation.
Wonderful to hear your love affair is still going strong. I hope to bond to my new stove in the same way.
I love the counter. I am excited for you.
I am unreasonably attached to the tiny counter beside my range. It is too small to really hold anything, but it is big enough to stop me from putting items onto the stove top … or worse, my hand on a hot element. It is one of my favourite parts of the kitchen.
I hope that all will be in order in your kitchen soon.
Isn’t it funny how you can love things that no decor magazine would think to cover. That little counter sounds like a life-saver! Thanks so much for sharing your “unreasonable attachment”!
When we moved three years ago, our new (old) home came with a top of the line gas stove. I was nervous at first: That lasted about a day. I will never go back to electric. Ever!
Jill
I can’t go back to electric either. However, I’m still learning how this one works. I’m used to each element being the same size and this one has variations. But the experimentation is fun!