AbbeyK — On Interior Design

Cambridge Kitchen finished at last!

A few issues to take care of: a disposal that sounded like it always had a spoon in it, a scratched refrigerator panel that the vendor took care for us.

But overall, a marked improvement! That pink floor was a disaster.
Scroll through the multiple views of before pictures....

What did we do here? Well with such a small space, it's all about details and maximizing storage.

• We added a second row of cabinets where only a counter was before.
We didn't have standard depth so we knocked the cabinets down to 18". Then we extended the length of
the counter so it covered the garbage can. We made sure to pick a model whose top would open.

• We put a self venting microwave above the stove to free up counter space in great demand.

• We moved the stove over just a tad so it wasn't right up against the wall. This allows space to put
something down on the counter on both sides of the range.

• We used open shelves over the sink and above the
new row of cabinets. Why open shelves? In a galley kitchen, open shelves make for a more open look.
(P.S. They are also more affordable than regular wall cabinets and we were on a budget.)

• The clients did not want a dishwasher and wanted to keep their stove so it stayed.
(In case you were wondering.)

• We kept the color palette warm and used the same tones as in the bathroom.

Can you believe it's the same kitchen?

Cambridge Bathroom finished at last!

Well, the kitchen and bathroom have been done for a while. These clients actually live abroad most of the year, so there was some delay getting the punch list done. Punch list items are those little check off items to be done after the installation such as: remove pencil mark on tile, install basket in corner, etc.

Here are before and after pictures. Pretty spectacular change!

How did we achieve this look?
• Simplify materials and color palette.
• Tile to the ceiling. This got rid of the distracting line that your eye follows around the room. For the price of a few extra square feet of tile, it makes sense to tile all the way up. Also because we could not install a fan in this apartment building, tiling to the ceiling helps deal with moisture issues. P.S. Contrary to popular belief, it makes the room look larger!
• Choose products with very clean lines.
• Maximize storage with a large medicine cabinet and shelving for over the ceiling and wall-mounted baskets for toiletries. Mount 2 towel racks one over the other and don't forget the robe hooks on the back of the door.
• Install a deeper tub since you cannot do a longer one in a fixed space.
• Use slab of solid stone around the window opening. Wood in time will warp and need maintenance.

Here are more close ups.

Got any small bath tips not included in this post?
Feel free to share them!

Progress in the kitchen, anyone?

Cambridge Renovation

Moving right along!
We thought wall cabinets would confine the space and we wanted to keep the budget in check, so we added some open shelving.

(Click on the images for a larger view.)

Finally there's plumbing

Cambridge Renovation

Progress makes me happy!

(Click on the image for a larger view.)

What to do with the Window

Cambridge Renovation

Here's a tip: when you have a window in the bathroom, use slab, or solid pieces of stone for the window surrounds. This takes away the issue of repainting wood trim, mold on the wood, or wood rot. Plus it just looks good!

The slab on the threshold should be pitched.

Local granite and marble suppliers can cut you remnants that are 3/4" thick.

(Click on the image for a larger view.)

Bath, almost done

Cambridge Renovation

We are almost there... we were shipped the wrong sink and the toilet tank was missing the screws, but it's taking shape. Please do note that we tiled to the ceiling. In a small bathroom, this makes the bathroom look bigger. There's no tile line ending at chair rail height (typically around 42" to 48" in a bath) for your eye to follow around. The cost difference in a small bath is not huge and no it won't look industrial. Try it, you'll like it.

Kitchen is coming along!

Cambridge Renovation

Could it be the same kitchen we started with? I cannot believe what a difference that second row of cabinet makes. We did not have room for full depth cabinets as the heater was in the way, so we knocked them down to 18" deep. This allowed us to add 6 more linear feet of storage.

(Click on the images for a larger view.)

Ah, tile

Cambridge Renovation

I can start to breathe easier already.
Tiling has begun.
6 x 6 machine cut ceramic. Matte finish gives a contemporary feel.

(Click on the image for a larger view.)

Cool tile floor

Cambridge Renovation

Love this floor! It comes in skinny planks that set like a jigsaw puzzle. Not a bad price point either.

(Click on the image for a larger view.)

Kitchen cabinet install

Cambridge Renovation

Not liking how they mounted the refrigerator panel and the cabinet above the refrigerator, so I'll have them fix that later.

(Click on the images for a larger view.)