Kitchen Refurb

[Stanley]

Now I have this image of the neighbours eating breakfast, a large window and a naked woman washing up.......
I'll look forward to it Wendy. (I mean your pic of course!) You'll soon get used to the kitchen when you start working in it and have to memorise where everything is in the new cupboards.....

[Sue]

You'll soon get used to the kitchen when you start working in it and have to memorise where everything is in the new cupboards..


I still am trying to find everything in my kitchen, after we changed it in January

[Wendyf]

I took this out of the kitchen window this morning, just after turning the ponies out. It's not very clear (probably because the window needs a good clean) and there is no nakedness involved at all.

[PanBiker]

I'm waiting for the pictures when it is back into working use with your "stuff" back in it. That is when it comes back to life and is no longer a building project. It's looking fabulous so far.

[Stanley]

Sue, I suspect that I might be unusual because I have a very good brain for constructing memory maps.



Most people would consider this to be a nightmare (And it is even more congested now!) but It's not often I can't put my hand on exactly what I need. My memory map must be excellent.
I also seem to have a very good sense of space and efficiency because when I moved into this house I =gave no serious thought to laying out the position of the elements in the shed or the kitchen when I built them. I can honestly say that after almost twenty years I wouldn't rearrange a thing, they are ergonomically correct. I think you and Col have this facility Wendy because I would have done exactly what you have done. (So it must be correct!)

[Sue]

My problem is that the cupboards are in the same place but all slightly smaller, therefore nearly everything had to have a new home. Finding everyday things is easy it's the once in a blue moon things that we can never find. First port of call is usually where they used to be, then it has to be logic...how big is it,,what did I use it with etc. Eventually said article is found and hopefully the place remembered..

Normally I too have a good memory map. In fact when I revised or indeed wrote lesson notes I used a memory map. I learnt these diagrams and was thus able to remember nearly all the details by one simple diagram

[Wendyf]

Same here Sue, most things are in the same place but the cupboards are smaller. We have gained a double cupboard (wall & floor) for crockery which is wonderful as before it was all in a my dresser in the living room. Must go and clear up more clutter!

[Whyperion]

I would have put two pull handles on the drawer fronts. Not saying they are not solidly constructed but pulling from two side areas can stop stresses ( Im probably more used to cheapy bedroom furniture of mums ! ) and it gives two hangers to put ones oven gloves and tea towels from when cooking or washing up. I also hang small bits from the car as I clean them from mine. The downside is if you only have one hand free, then it increases turning stress from pulling from one end more only. One nice alternative - but one loses the hangers, is the undercut polished ali , or routed wood, which gives a top lip to fit ones fingers under to pull. I think that is useful in the likes of church kitchens as there is less worry for handles falling off over time.

[PanBiker]

I think the chosen knobs in Wendy and Cols design are perfectly adequate for opening drawers or cupboards. Soft close drawer fronts are securely latched at each side of the actual drawer so there is no real worry of excessive stresses. I chose a different design in brushed steel handles which in effect are roughly 1/3 of the width of the drawer front. We don't hang things off them though. As mentioned after my build we have hooks which are much better suited for oven gloves and aprons and the old fashioned rubber push in capture cups for the hand and tea towels, all functional and made for purpose.

[Whyperion]

Ive got plywood against softwood, needs a hefty pull. I should have beeswaxed over the years, but not got round to it. Never quite got the hand of soft close drawers when trying them out in kitchen showrooms. Similar with doors on the car, my old car door final external shutting achieved with use of ones rear end (handy if hands full with trayfull of baked beans, etc, tried it on a nissan micra and dented the door skin.

[Wendyf]

Nearly everything moved back in, and looking more like home!





There are some more narrow cupboards and a bit of worktop planned to either side of the Stanley and round the chimney breast where the cardboard boxes are stacked, but those can wait till after Xmas now.

[PanBiker]

Looking good Wendy, always better when you have stuff in it. Well done to you both, time to enjoy all your hard work now.

[Sue]

Beautiful Wendy, love it and I am sure you do too

[Wendyf]

Thanks Ian & Sue, we are well pleased with it, and all the insulation means it is lovely and warm. Two very happy people here!
I just need to fill a bit of wall space with pictures...I have a couple of Alan Stones prints which I think would look good in there that are currently hanging on the landing. Cross Fell and Swaledale Sheep which are both much loved favourites.
(The links are probably to originals....I just have prints).

[Marilyn]

The fridge fits!

But where is the Beer Sphere??????!

[Wendyf]

We lost that somewhere along the way......

[LizG]

It looks wonderful Wendy.

[Stanley]

Funny how spaces shrink when they are populated. That's not a criticism, just on observation, I like human sized spaces! It's a credit to you both Wendy....... I'm so glad Col hit his target of completion in time for Xmas. He must be quietly pleased....... God knows he has earned it!

[Moh]

Looks so cosy - I am jealous!

[Stanley]

I know what you mean Moh but I don't think I have the stamina of those two! I like a quiet life.....

[Wendyf]

A few photos of domestic harmony preparing Xmas lunch then topic closed at long last!!





Mother & son trying hard not to fall out over cooking methods....



Rare harmony acheived....if slightly blurry...



What no potatoes!!!

[Marilyn]

Looks like a good time was had by all.
And I see you got your art work up too.

[Stanley]

Lovely...... And the Dear Lady took time off to come and check I was all right as well! I have fresh eggs.....

[Wendyf]

I knew you would be OK Stanley, I just needed an excuse to get out of the house for a while. That son of ours is a large presence in more ways than one....he never stops talking and turns every conversation into an argument, I feel drained after an hour!

[Marilyn]

Ha! My son and I can both talk the hind legs off a donkey when we get together! We've always been like that...and the subjects are many. No arguments ever, but nothing escapes our opinions!
Although hubby is fairly quiet by nature, he loves a good chin wag with my son too. We realised the sun had set on Friday (8.30 pm) and no one had cooked dinner because we were too busy gabbing.