Kitchen Upgrade - ORC Week 4
Decisions, Decisions!!
While we for the floors to be shipped to us, we have so many decisions to be made.
Progress
The kitchen countertop templating is done and the slabs are ready to be fabricated. I will be going in for a layout appointment, however, I don’t know what to expect truly. Maybe a learning moment and I will update next week on what happens.
For now, a waterfall countertop will be added to the new peninsula, while the lights are being worked on in the kitchen.
We would like under cabinet lights and add more recess lights alongside smaller pendants over the peninsula. We are also adding recess lights to the breakfast smaller dining and take the dated semi flush mount light away. At some point I will plan for some sconces or a bigger pendant over the dining area, when we are ready for it.
A reminder of our original kitchen inspiration, just to guide you through our decisions :)
Decisions
Let there be Light
The biggest decision has been the color of the light…should these stay the moody yellow lights or be upgraded to the white 5K lumens?
The more I have been involved in understanding home design, the more I appreciate the need for mood lights. It makes a space feel warm and cozy.
Growing up in India, we have only been exposed to the white 5K lumens lighting. I remember how bummed Vaibhav and I were when we first came to the US to find out that we had to study in those yellow light lamps. So we always chose to study in the college library with white lights…see 5K lumens is where we naturally get drawn to.
Following some youtube videos, I was leaning more towards the yellow lights. Whereas, to Vaibhav, white lights are a no brainer.
We consulted our contractors and all of them tell us, that not a single Indian client of theirs chooses yellow lights.
After a lot of back and forth guess who won the argument? Vaibhav, of course. 5K lumens it is for this household. I will get my way with dimmers everywhere, praying, that will give it a cozy vibe? Now will it…who am I kidding?
Kitchen Faucets
We are fans of Reverse Osmosis Filtered water. Vaibhav has done all his research and we’d like an RO filter installed. Design wise I want brass finish faucets. The brass finish against the quartzite will be so dreamy.
Now I have tried all major vendors, and I kid you not, all major vendors, and hardly any have a faucet that support RO filter, let alone brass finish. Don’t get me wrong they have filter faucets, but not RO filter faucets. Is there a difference? Yeah, the interior has to be a specific plastic finish to support RO filter, otherwise the RO water can eat away the faucet interiors.
I have scoured Build, Wayfair, Amazon, Houzz, visited local hardware stores, but nothing that has struck a cord yet. This is going to be tough one. No decisions made :(. We even placed online orders that are now going back. Cheers to Amazon’s supply chain, for handling these returns!
Cabinet Hardware
Thankfully, cabinet hardware was the easier one. We ordered 2 pieces and fell in love with the QogriSun solid Brass square handles. The brushed brass finish along with the square handles will give the shaker style cabinets an elevated modern feel.
These come nicely packaged, are solid brass, and look very elegant.
These are not a paid promotion, we really love the product. Although I don’t mind a sponsorship ;)
Kitchen Sink
I feel this was an easy one too. Design wise, the choice was between a ceramic farmhouse sink or a stainless apron sink. And while the ceramic or the white farmhouse sinks look absolutely gorgeous, those still have a traditional/transitional feel to them. Since we are going for a modern look, we decided on a stainless steel apron sink. We knew we wanted a single bowl, makes dealing with larger pots a breeze.
We settled on Ruvati Veroma 33-inch stainless steel sink. We love the workstation features and this will coordinate well with all the stainless steel appliances in the kitchen.
Peninsula Pendant Lights
This one again is going to be a tough one. The peninsula is on the smaller side. To add to it, we are keeping 2 out of the three cabinets right above the peninsula. We contemplated with the idea of adding open shelving, however, Paul really encouraged on not losing the storage space. I am following his lead on this one.
Should we buy an off-white metal pendant or a glass pendant…and should it be a 6-inch or an 8-inch? I would love for it to be the focal point, however, not too crowded. We tried a black 8-inch pendant, and did not like it at all.
It’s somehow difficult to envision how a light would look without the one cabinet.
I am absolutely in love with the Hudson Valley Lighting’s 9.5 inch Painted No. 2 pendant in white. Although these are not available until the end of May, which might not be too bad, however, I am unsure if this would be too much for our space. Others in consideration are brass finish, clear glass lights, although I am really not feeling the love.
So elegant!!! BTW, a sponsored peninsula light would really not hurt and will be much appreciated. :P
More updates next week.
Thank You for visiting.
Please visit the ORC Blog Page to check out all the other wonderful Guest Participants. Spring 2022 Week 4 updates are up!! Amazing transformations so far!!!
