Today is the big hanging-the-cabinets day! Unfortunately it's also find-a-dentist-quick day because Chris's filling and part of his tooth came out while brushing his teeth at work. And Greta has decided to continue her cranky streak because of her teeth, too. Except, in her case, they are busting through her gums--not out of her mouth. Luckily, I have been saving coupons for dentists since we moved here. So I forwarded all of that information to Chris and Greta is napping and I am browsing around the www for cabinet hardware trying to get excited about hanging-the-cabinets day again.
If you remember, our cabinets didn't have any hardware on them:
Which, actually was pretty nice when it came time to paint them. But now that they are all shiny and new (err...looking), it may be time to add the finishing touch of hardware to the doors and drawers. We're not sure. More on that in a second. First, as soon as talk of hardware starts the great debate arises: knobs or handles. Which actually wasn't much of a debate at our house, it went something like this:
Me--Honey, should we get knobs or handles for our cabinets?
Chris--Definitely handles. I hate knobs.
Me--You hate knobs? Have you seen this kitchen? (at which point, he leans over from his side of the bed and takes a look)
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| http://pinterest.com/pin/56814169/ |
Still Me: Maybe we could have some knobs and some handles.
Chris: I don't really like knobs.
Me: (I forget about knobs and start googling for the best handles out there)
Turns out, there are great examples of kitchens that are strictly handles. Here are two of my favorites:
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| http://pinterest.com/pin/47884278/ |
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| http://pinterest.com/pin/59784329/ |
And sometimes, when you don't have a hatred for a certain kind of hardware--it's just not worth putting up a fuss. I'm cool with handles. Since we have larger plans for the kitchen in the next year or so, we may or may not take the hardware plunge right away. We aren't even sure our current cabinets are gonna stick around. We plan to remove the corner pantry to give our kitchen more space and create a rectangle instead of it's current polygon shape. Add a double wall oven next to the fridge and a cooktop on the counter where the stove is now. Bring in a big hood over the cooktop. Add some backsplash. Open shelving. Lower drawers. Lots of changes. Painting the cabinets is just to tide us over, really. But there are some other things that we plan on doing before the big kitchen reno: making a punchy roman shade and getting a new countertop depth fridge and dishwasher. Both of those appliances are on their last leg and we pretty much keep all fingers and toes crossed that they'll continue working until we have enough pennies to buy new ones. So far, it seems to be working, although there are some days that our dishwasher scares us and doesn't drain. Yeeesh.
And now that I have gotten a little off topic, time to reel it back in: Are you a knob or handle person?
This utility sink is very close to the dimensions you listed and is inexpensive for a stainless steel sink. I like the backsplash because it will keep the wall behind the sink clean.
Wood countertops can add warmth to the kitchen. While stainless steel and granite are popular, they can feel cold and rigid. A wooden accent counter could bring a friendly, homey touch.
For those who enjoyed this post, then why not take a look at Granite Edges for much more, great data. Though we’re on the subject of countertops, you may also be interested in discount countertops.
Thanks Diana. :)
I love reading your blog! So very fun to see your house progressing!
i want open shelving too kind of like in your first 'pinned' picture here. i love long thin handles like in your last pinned pic here. and i have something to email you about concerning the dishwasher. something utterly disgusting. i think i've got to share it with you though... dun dun dunnnnn..
Hi Julia, I stumbled upon your blog when I was doing a google search for Whitestone since my husband and I just bought our first home and are trying to decide on colors for the living room/dining room/kitchen. It brought me to your blog via a question you had posted on another blog about accent colors to go with whitestone in your old apartment. Anyway, I'm considering whitestone for living room, hallway upstairs, possibly kitchen at some point as well, hale navy for my dining room, and chantilly lace for the trim and bay windows on the main floor. Any input would be lovely! I enjoyed reading through your blog and will be painting my kitchen cabinets white as well. We already have knobs so will probably just change the hardware (check out my blog to see how hideous they are now!) and keep knobs but I personally prefer handles. My husband doesn't care either way.
Glad you found us. We did paint Whitestone in our apartment. It read a little more blue than we were expecting and when we bought our first home, we opted for something a little warmer (we scored a slightly mistinted Cape Hatteras Sand). So, my opinion, buy a test pot and paint it in several spots. I love the idea of pairing it with Navy, so who knows, it could totally work in your home. I'd love to hear about what you decide!
test to email.
That first picture with knobs TOTALLY speaks to me. But the first pic with the handles speaks to me (but maybe in Spanish or French), but still it is beautiful. The 2nd handle pic with the loooooooong handles doesn't really speak to me. I think it is just too modern for me. I'm a country/modern/Sarah Richardson kind of style. PS have you SEEN Sarah's House? It's on HGTV. It is the best most inspirational home decor show I have ever seen. She is the COOLEST lady. And she's totally a working Mom, and I actually like her more for that. I think we've always had knobs in my houses growing up so I guess I don't know how wonderful handles could be. Soooo yaaaaaa did that answer your question??