Last we reported, we were going to have a working kitchen by Thanksgiving (more on that in a minute--because ehhhhh). I got really excited this week when a bunch of boxes started showing up. Boxes of lighting, hardware, and plumbing fixtures for our new kitchen and it's starting to feel more like a reality! A follower recently said they clicked on the hashtag #cljxstofferkitchen and there was only one photo--oops! Time to change that.
Our Stoffer cabinetry is set to arrive at the end of this month and install will happen the first week of November with countertop templating happening right after that. Chris and I are going to pick out our stone next week. As for all of the other finishes, we wanted to make sure we had everything ordered and shipped before we shared too much--we have really bad luck with ordering something and then sharing and then it goes on backorder--haha! So now, with everything squared away, we're extremely excited to share the full kitchen mood board as a peek into what's coming.
We have been working really closely with Stoffer Home and Stoffer Cabinetry in selecting all the finishing touches for the kitchen. All of the lighting and hardware is from Stoffer Home. Their shop is so well curated with the most timeless beautiful pieces. And really, when I thought how I wanted our kitchen to feel I kept coming up with: classic, warm, traditional, collected. When I put it all together, I could see parts from almost every kitchen we have done in our past homes and it feels like they are all culminating into this really special space for our family. Okay, okay...let's get to the mood board.
Kitchen Selections
Sources:
Pendant Lights | Flush Mount | Picture Light | Dish Towel | Bar Stools | Vintage Runner | Cupboard Latch | Knobs | Pulls | Bridge Faucet | Pot Filler | 44" Kohler Prolific Workstation Sink | Bar Sink | Bar Faucet | All Cabinetry is Stoffer
If you missed the layout design and all of the plans, you're going to want to check out this post!
Central to the kitchen will be a very large, dark green island (Stoffer Cabinetry Plymouth Green) topped with soapstone. I chose soapstone for the countertop for the island because I really think it will help bring out the green on the cabinetry while a marble might make the cabinets read more black. Large 24" wide pendants will hang above with a 44" sink in the center. There will be a dishwasher on either side and while Chris is most excited for the 60" range--I am probably equally excited for the extra large sink--I've heard such wonderful things.
The perimeter cabinets will be a warm taupe (Stoffer Cabinetry Bromley Taupe) topped with marble (again--to help bring out the color) and dabbled with three different types of hardware. All in all, the kitchen will have 4 differing cabinet pulls and knobs, really bringing home the collected vibe, right?!
There will be custom sconces inside the range hood and on either side of the pantry. Seen below:
The pantry doors are being custom made, but modeled after the gorgeous doors pictured from redesignhome.co. Inside, the entire pantry will be cabinetry and shelves all in the same gray-blue hue--Stoffer Cabinetry's Sutton Blue. We're working with an electrician to have the light for the space turn on automatically when the door opens and closes and I think the pretty blue will be the most pleasant surprise inside.
Now for the not so good news--we hit a pretty big snag with our appliances, which unfortunately sounds pretty wide-spread right now. Everything was supposed to be here by November but a couple weeks ago, we got an update that the range and dishwashers will be here in January now. The speed oven/microwave won't be here until February, and the fridge and freezer in March. I'm not going to lie--it was deflating. But now that I've had some time to cool off, I know that having our cabinetry and countertops and a SINK (glorious sink!) and lighting will be a huge upgrade to our present condition and we're looking forward to each progressive step.
First and foremost--countertop selection and cabinetry. Buckle in, it sounds like we might be in this together for a bit. :)
Leave a Reply
WE'RE CHRIS + JULIA
Portfolio
Projects
What size bun knob did you choose?
We chose the Cotswold Bun Knob in 1.5". Here's a post about the hardware I have and love!
Julia, have you decided what treatment you'd like to give the kitchen ceiling...eg., paneling, beams??
We're actually not going to do anything to the kitchen ceiling since it opens to the hallway and entry.
How do you feel about fire clay sinks? I see that you have not had one in any of your other houses. Just curious- do you think it’s durable or you just prefer to stay away.
I’ve just never done it! So I can’t really say.
I’m a kitchen designer in CT. I used to specify soapstone all the time. It was hard and durable, often came from Vermont. Then, the soapstone started creating issues. It came from Brazil and seemed to be the extremely soft soapstone that people carve into animals. I ended up jumping ship from soapstone. There are some lovely stones like Argento Grey (stains if not sealed) that read like soapstone but are much harder.
I am interested to know why you chose a stove with range instead of a wall range (oven)? Just curious , also why marble , isn’t it easy to stain ?
We actually don't use an oven too often. We're not avid bakers. And definitely use a lot of stove top in our cooking. So it didn't make a ton of sense for us to have wall ovens taking up extra wall space when I think they are really for convenience of people who bake a lot?. Also, aesthetically i don't prefer it.
We ordered our appliances back in Nov 2020. Still waiting on our dishwasher and oven, almost a year later! Totally hear you on the discouragement! ❤️
Hi Julia and Chris,
I love the mood board, and can commiserate about the back-ordered appliances. We moved into our home in late November 2020 and immediately tore out our dated kitchen. Our cabinets arrived in February 2021 and our appliances didn't arrive until April 2021--the drawer microwave came in June 2021. In the meantime, we discovered several mysterious leaks in the kitchen wall, which were coming from the upstairs windows. It turned out that none of the kitchen windows were flashed either. We ordered new windows, which were delayed and then came in damaged. So we are still waiting on windows, and I am hoping to have a kitchen by Christmas 2021. In the meantime, we have a grill, microwave, basement fridge, and laundry room sink.
I also wanted to comment on your choice of soapstone. We installed soapstone in a prior home's kitchen, and found it to be very hard to live with unless you can accept that it scratches, dents, and chips very easily. Our stone was gorgeous, which sold us on it, but we eventually tore it out because we couldn't deal with it. I know others are very happy with soapstone--and I am not sure if they have different expectations or a harder variety of stone. But I would definitely try to make sure you get a harder variety of stone. Obviously, if you have had soapstone before, feel free to disregard. :-) I love darker counters, and am planning to do a granite dupe (like Virginia Mist) or soapstone-style quartz.
Amazing! What is that sideboard you’re standing on in the picture? LOVE it.
It's from Restoration Hardware! We had it under out TV in our last home.
Love the mix of metals!! Can’t wait to see it fully executed and it sounds like those elements will be completed soon! Sorry about the appliances….ugh is all I can say ha.
I work for SZWC and it’s sooo well worth the wait for your amazing dream kitchen!! You won’t be disappointed.
Good things come to those who wait. Obviously that is way easier said than actually practiced. I cannot wait for the journey!! I’ve been dying for a full CLJ dream kitchen makeover!! All the choices on your mood board are gorgeous!!
Holly Molly that looks amazing, can't wait for it to come together 😊
Those pendants!! Absolutely stunning.
Beautiful! Just wanted to share that we have had soapstone counters for about five years. They are EXTREMELY soft. And knowing how much we paid for them, we mourn a little every time they get chipped/scratched so easily. They do look cool though!
Interesting! We have had soapstone on our island (6’x6’) for about 5 years also and have not had the same negative experience. Yes when the littlest one bangs down his metal fork repeatedly lol it does make a small mark but it’s not noticeable. We also love that patina though!
The same was true of our soapstone. I loved the look of it but eventually took it out and replaced with quartz. I do think that the hardness varies with soapstone.
It's all so gorgeous! The appliance delay is a pain but I feel like they're going to be arriving perhaps the least painful order, given the delay. Having the range and dishwasher will feel like a gamechanger when they arrive! And it's so good that you have the older fridge to tide you over until the new one arrives!
Thanks for sharing all the details. This kitchen will be the jewel in your beautiful home. I would have been so tempted to settle for what is available sooner, then forever hated that that item. I have settled for financial reasons and regretted it badly. I am not patient about waiting, to my detriment. I had a mid century home at one time that every closet in the house lit up inside by a button released by opening the door. It was wonderful. I imagine you got to incorporate some of the ideas intended for the kitchen reno of your modern cottage. That has to be very satisfying. Your projects always come out perfection, and I live that you always incorporate some unique very creative elements that set your spaces apart from anyone's.
Wow Wow Wow!!! I really love the tones and colors you've chosen. So collected, cozy, refined, and it'll just be so stunning!
Loving the design, will be lovely. Is it normal/common for rich people to have 2 dishwashers for only a family of 5 though!? Seems so excessive
For someone who entertains/has guests over frequently it is very normal. The luxury is in having the space to accommodate an extra dishwasher. The actual cost of an extra dishwasher is not very much in the overall cost of doing a remodel. We all have different budgets, but in my mind someone "rich" has a maid to do the dishes, so - perspective is everything.
Design is moving to two dishwashers in larger homes and remodels especially for families that entertain and use the kitchen a lot. I would be shocked if a renovation the size of CLJ’s didn’t have two dishwashers. This kitchen is high design (ex: the $7k runner!).
So gorgeous! I’m settled in to see the final product in March, she’s going to be stunning.
Oh I’m so excited to see!!! But also sorry about your appliances - what a drag! We ordered appliances last year that also got pushed back by several months and it was definitely a little disheartening.
Looks lovely, especially like the runner, (although $7,000!!! yikes!). Sorry your appliances will take so long- but at least you have a fully functioning kitchen with a sink and appliances a few steps away in the guest area! Most people don't have that luxury!
I’m so sorry your appliances are delayed! Many of the appliance showrooms are offering rental/ loan until the order arrives… it’s worth asking so you can use the kitchen for the holidays.
LOVE THIS! What color will the walls be?
There won't be very much wall space here, but the walls by the windows will be White Flour like the entry!
Oh my goodness, everything is just gorgeous, as I knew it would be.. and those pendants!! Wow! I am highly anticipating this reveal!
Is it going to be possible to maybe pick up a few used appliances off of marketplace, to use temporarily so the kitchen is at least functional before then, even if not aesthetically what you want all the way? March just feels so terribly far off to not have your kitchen functional.
Just Dreamy!!! Absolutely love those pendant lights. It sounds like your kitchen soace is quiet large by the dimensions of the sick and pendant but hard to imagine when you picture the space. Just how long is your center island? Can’t wait to see it come together.
The island will be a little over 17 feet long
Perfection! Looking forward to seeing how it comes out. You are such an inspiration!!
Thank you, Alma!!
Are you worried about the marble staining vs granite? I’ve heard it absorbs oils etc…and you guys actually COOK in your kitchen. I love all your choices, just stunning!!
Fully expect marble to get dinged and etched and all of that--welcome it!
We have marble everywhere in my kitchen: a white Carrara. I LOVE it. No regrets. I have four messy kids and a hubby just as messy. And a huge extended family. There have been plenty of times that Buffalo wing sauce, spaghetti sauce, raspberry juice…have been left out for days…🙊. No issues. Maybe it’s because it’s polished and sealed?? I do get etching, but it doesn’t bother me as much as I thought. I can always refinish or hone it (like it was supposed to be). There are scratches and some chips around the dishwasher. Every material has issues: my white quartz stains like crazy in my bathrooms! Hate it. And granite can chip and stain too. Nothing is as beautiful as marble…maybe soapstone comes close. ❤️
Melanie, I love this feedback so much. We had quartzite in our last kitchen which is SUPPOSED to be the hardest surface ever - but can very easily be confused or passed off as quartzite when it is really dolomite, which is much softer. That said, I loved my counters, but not the scratches and chips when I was told there was no way that would happen. Knowing it's expected with marble and embrace the flaws actually makes it pop up on my list for my next kitchen.
It's absolutely breathtaking and will be well worth the wait. We have the Armac Martin Bromwich pull and it's gorgeous. The right-angle edge is surprisingly sharp. Sharp enough that if it catches you just right, you cut your knuckles opening the fridge. We debate weekly if it's worth pulling the fridge panel to swap it out with another backplate pull and likely will. Sharing in case that's a detail that you want to know. Disregard if it's not! Love following the progress, thank you for sharing!
Oh that is a great note!
How many pendants will you be doing over your beautiful large island?
there will be 3 24" pendants
I’m excited to see the kitchen come together. I’m so happy that you didn’tgo with the Lacanche, Lacornue, Ilve styled range. Although I find them extremely beautiful they have been so overdone in the past two years that I have almost become weary of seeing them in design. I don’t think you can go wrong with a nice stainless range!
This is all so beautiful. We just finished our renovation and our appliances were the slowest part, as well. Hang in there. I wish I had the guts to have gone with more color but we did a bank of cabinets/hutch in that same tone of wood and the dishes pop! It’s my favorite spot. Anyway! So beautiful! Rooting you on from South Dakota.
What’s with the Lacanche hate? It’s everywhere because it’s absolutely stunning! And it cooks like a dream!! I was really nervous putting one in because hardly anyone had one and I couldn’t find reviews. They are odd sizes so if it turned out to be a lemon, I’d be screwed. But it’s been nothing but amazing. And everyone who walks into my kitchen gasps and admires her. If anyone is thinking of getting one, DO! But also know the burners are ridiculously powerful and hot!!
At least you've got a back up kitchen. Makes you wish you'd hung on to your old appliances; you could limp along with them for awhile.
We actually do have our fridge from the old kitchen and are using that. But the range was a cooktop and wall ovens so we couldn't really hang onto it
oh this is so fun! thanks for sharing :)
i'm in the middle of a kitchen reno in a town near you in nc so i love seeing your choices and thoughts in real time! looking at stone slabs around here is the best part - so many choices! can't wait to follow along in that journey.
how are you sourcing the wood pantry door? we are looking for an interesting replacement for our pantry door, so i'd love to hear if you have a local source if you don't mind sharing :)
Everything looks wonderful!!! I would love a kitchen-renovation edition of Chris Cooks. It would be so helpful to have a peek into how you guys are making food/doing dishes during all of this!
How do you make sure the marble you pick for countertops isn’t too cool for the rest of the tones in the kitchen? I’ve seen a few nightmare scenarios once the countertops are installed so am curious how to avoid. You’re the color expert!
I will ABSOLUTELy bring the cabinet samples with me.
Oh this is going to be good!!! When did you order the appliances?! We ordered ours in April…still waiting for dishwashers, range, speed over, and refrigeration! :-(
Juuunneeee. :( god speed for all of us
Beautiful! The mix of colors together is so exciting. The bar faucet link goes to the sink, to let you know. Also, I was wondering if you’re going with the chrome or nickel finish on the faucets? Thank you for sharing!
the plumbing will all be polished nickel so it has a nice warm undertone
Love love love everything! This will be the most amazing kitchen! Can’t wait to see it all come together
Love the moody choices! Can’t wait to follow along!
Beautiful! I love the pendants!! May I ask you such a random minor question? What bulbs do you use for exposed lights like that? I can’t find an Edison that I don’t hate looking at, I think it’s the LED ones that are too harsh. Thanks!!
You don't need an edison bulb per se, just a really nice clear light bulb. In our last kitchen, we found some really great ones at Lowe's !!
That helps thanks!
Oh the appliance delays! You aren't alone. I was told our washer & dryer are a year out. Dishwashers are typically 6 months. I might try and get something from a small local appliance store.
I love the lights and you color choices. It is going g to be stunning in the end.
This is going to look amazing when it's done! I'm so excited to watch it come together. And, while a bummer about the delayed appliances, it will be worth the wait when it's all said and done and you (and Chris!) have the kitchen of your dreams :)
Will the faucet be polished chrome and mixed with the other brass elements?
Polished nickel!! Polished nickel has warm undertones and chrome has cool--so the nickel will pair really well with brass.
Gah! I can’t even stand how good this kitchen is going to be! We barely eeked out our kitchen reno before the shortages became widespread and I am so grateful! We went with a mostly white, airy design because that is what this house needs and we love how it turned out, but your kitchen design is absolutely my dream. The colors, the warmth from the hardware/stained wood touches.......I cannot wait to see it finished so I can save every single picture for future inspiration!
Gorgeous. How about a warming drawer? We absolutely love ours . Can’t wait to watch the progress ❤️
The speed oven we got doubles as a microwave, triples? as a warming drawer! It will be right in the island. So nice!
I have never even heard of a speed oven! So cool! I will have to look into this when our oven decides to poop out on us.
Hi,
Love speed ovens. Which one are you getting?
Sub-zero/Wolf!
The one thing I’m truly elated about is that you could share the drawings from Stoffer.
It can’t be said enough at how AMAZING and PERFECT they are. Both in readability and pattern.
Not only does this help you (as a client) but it shows how much work and skill goes into being a well known and good designers.
I surely wasn’t missing out on any detail!! Still gushing... ❤️❤️
Love love love!
I’m curious how you landed on Soapstone? We really love it but ended up doing a soapstone quartz because they told us it is so soft it chips easily and will crack if you set a pan down too hard. But maybe that’s part of the look you want? I was not brave enough to try! I’m sure it’s going to look amazing!!😍😍
We have soapstone in our kitchen, and it's definitely a material that collects "character marks" but that's part of the reason we (I) chose it. I think you can also sand scratches out of it if they're not too deep. Our worst marks come from dropping things (the occasional, now broken, dish) from the upper cabinets. I also just love the texture of it - it's smooth without being glossy, and we used a walnut-based wax on it to finish it instead of an oil.
GORGEOUS! Obsessed with this pendent. Do you mind me asking how long and wide the island is? Would love to know because of the pendent size etc. we’re trying to decide on light sizing/how many for our island!
It's 17.5 FEET x 44 inches!!!! really big. :)
Will you have a seam in the island countertop?
Probably! I am not sure there are any slabs that are 17' long.
So beautiful! Deciding the same thing - size and number of pendants for our island. What’s the spacing you’re doing between pendants?
Oh noooooo! (Re: appliances) Will you buy some secondhand appliances as placeholders so you can have a functioning kitchen? Or just keep making do? I’m sorry! That sounds terrible.
The pendant light is absolutely glorious!
My name is also Laurie and we United in the 💯🔥💋that is the passion for the lights
screaming!!! I can't wait!!! so so excited to see your dream kitchen come to life!
All gorgeous Julia!!! You two are masters at everything!!!! Looking forward ( as I know everyone is) to seeing it all together!!!
These colors are stunning I love that moody green!!! SO much inspo, can't wait to join this ride!
Could you temporarily move the appliances from the guest kitchen to yours once it’s done until your appliances come in?
We may do that with the range!
I feel your frustration! Although my kitchen was supposed to start a year ago (thanks, Covid🥴), we now have plans for next Spring due to extra long lead times for almost everything. Good things come to those who wait, am I right? Your plans are pretty spectacular! I can see Chris having his own cooking show in the near future!
You should be starting now so the appliances GET there by spring. If you wait to spring you won’t be done until this time next year.
Appliances! Ugh! We had to pivot really hard at the last minute on our new build… we’d designed a kitchen around a yellow Kitchenaid professional series range that was 6 months out… then 12… then 18 months. We finally found a Bertazonni in yellow and “settled” on it. We love it more than I thought was possible. It’s the star of the kitchen and it’s a fabulous! Isn’t it fun when beauty and function can come together in one space? Can’t wait to see your place as it evolves. Keeping my fingers crossed for your appliances to come sooner rather than later!!!
Morning!
Everything looks amazing. I noticed that the bar sink and bar faucet link are both the bar sink. 😌
Oops! All fixed!
I can't imagine this blue light you described, so I can't wait to see it when it's installed!
The cabinetry and shelves inside the pantry are blue. The pantry light will turn on automatically when they walk in. The light itself is not blue. Julia is all about those just right kelvins!
I am here for all of it!! This is going to be amazing, so excited to follow along.
Lead times are a nightmare right now but it will be so worth it. Can’t wait to see it all come together!
So excited for this! Would it be possible to take a look at the links to the sources? Many of them are redirecting to an error page from shareasale 😭
Just fixed them!
Beautiful! How did you go about choosing a white subway tile/grout? It’s tough to pick one with charm and warmth
Lots of samples! I haven't nailed down the perfect one yet, but I also just want it to feel really classic.
Wow! Collected! I love that word and description so much. We love our soapstone so so much. I also appreciate the one slow long project BC so many are going through the same thing and then faster side projects that are satisfying to complete. I am definitely in it for the long haul.
This is THE most beautiful and thought-through kitchen design I have ever seen. I cannot wait to see you and the StofferKitchen team bring this to life!
What beautiful materials and design - but the star of the kitchen will always be Chris!
This is so beautiful I can hardly hear it! I would be so curious to hear more of what it’s like working with a kitchen designer. I’m sure they had great suggestions. Did they ever steer you away from choices you would have made if you were DIY-ing? What did you learn from the process? I hope you’ll share!
We shared a lot about that in this post from a couple months ago. Working with a kitchen designer, especially as talented and experienced as Stoffer, was like unlocking a part in a brain I didn't know existed. We were able to explain how we like to cook and use the kitchen and they made suggestions that I never even thought about. They were so thoughtful in where every last detail was placed. Where the silverware should go. Where the cutting boards will be most handy. Where outlets should be. Their expertise is absolutely in the details. It's been amazing to lean on them during this time where we're spending SO much money to have our dream kitchen. It gives us a lot more confidence every penny will be well spent.