Generic selectors
Exact matches only
Search in title
Search in content
Post Type Selectors

DIY

Microwave Down!

May 19, 2014

This weekend, we started painting our cabinets in the kitchen. The goal was to get all the uppers painted, but we only got as far as priming them because we decided to add another spur-of-the-moment project while we're working in here.

IMG_2708

Our over-the-range microwave has been driving us crazy since we moved in. It is so low. To the point where we can't use the back burners and to turn on the stove at all, we have to bend down.

IMG_2907

photo

As you can see, the stove and microwave were actually less than 14" apart--which is a low by normal standards (18" minimum is standard) and extremely low for us tall people. Saturday morning, we woke up and decided to tear out the microwave and the cabinets around it as well to lighten the whole space up.

IMG_2910

Removing-Microwave

Taking everything down took hardly any time at all. But patching and fixing up that wall took us the rest of the day, in between meals and bouncing Faye.

IMG_2928

We patched all of the large holes with mesh tape and a couple layers of joint compound.

IMG_2929

Eventually a proper range hood will go here, so we capped the wires and put a plate over it.

IMG_2932

We sanded the whole wall smooth and sprayed on some slight orange peel texture to match the rest of the walls and a coat of paint. In the morning, we hung Chris's magnetic knife rack and a shelf from Ikea to hold spices. The backsplash was tiled around the super-low microwave so hanging the knives to fit in that section makes it feel more intentional? Let's go with it.

IMG_2939

IMG_2947

The area is so much brighter and definitely more accessible. Chris loves having his knives and spices right at hand. We are fortunate enough to have a window right next to the oven, so the temporary absence of a vent hood doesn't seem like such a big deal to us--especially considering that monster microwave's vent didn't really work. With that problem solved, we're anxious to get the cabinets done and our kitchen put back together in time for a bbq at our place this weekend. Fire has been lit!

filed under: 
— Hide Comments
+ ShowComments
What do you think?

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. WOW! Talk about a drastic and FABULOUS difference! Isn't it just amazing how removing some cabinets can totally change things. We recently moved some cabinets around in our kitchen and it has totally transformed the space. We also recently painted our cabinets. It was a long process, but we are so happy with how they turned out. Can't wait to see how yours turn out!

  2. OMG that looks soooooooo great!!! I cannot wait to see the paint :) Your home is beautiful, as was your last one. I love this blog!

  3. maybe its just me... knives above stoves look kind of weird to me, but pots/pans or ladles/spatulas look cute.

    1. I love that look too! I have a few pinned. This is just more functional for us (errr...Chris). He uses his knives a lot more than a slew of pots and pans.

  4. That looks so much nicer! And good on ya for doing it properly.
    That previous microwave just looked ridiculous there, like it was put in a spot that was only meant to hold a built-in thin rangehood and not that humongous box. I'm German, and I've never seen microwaves hung in that spot before I started to look at American DIY blogs. I was really surprised to see that it wasn't just an oddity in one kitchen, but actually done that way all over the place. Why someone would mount them there to be right in your face any time you actually want to use the stove is beyond me.

    I really like the look you created with putting the knife rack there. Nice work, all of it :) Cooking should be a lot more fun now.

  5. Wow, it makes a huge difference! Looks great! Can hardly wait to see the painted upper cabinets with that nice open space. :)

  6. Looks great! I can't wait to see the painted cabinets.

    On a random note, I was wondering how your Younger couch is holding up? I'm thinking about buying the Younger 'Julia'.

  7. Looks good! Our micro is ridiculously low (I think it's even closer to 12 inches above the oven) and it limits cooking on the stove top especially since only the back burners work. The knives strip definitely helps the space looks more intentional.

  8. That looks so much better. That microwave was at a super awkward height! I love the knives and spices there now!

  9. Yay! Someone else living without a range hood! JUST TODAY I posted about how we blocked off the weird vent/fan (in lieu of a range hood) that had been hidden behind some cabinetry in the kitchen we're making over. I predicated a chorus of "you need a range hood!" so I explained the same thing: we have a window, we're good. Now I can say, "Hey, Chris and Julia are major foodies, whipping up amazing dishes, and they live without one too".

    http://dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.ca/2014/05/kitchen-progress-diy-pantry-cabinet.html

    Hooray for progress, amiright? Can't wait to see your kitchen when it's done!

  10. This looks so much better!

    The only thing, and it may not matter to you, spices should never be kept in clear bottles out in the open. Sitting in the sun will dilute the flavor and ruin them pretty quickly. Better to be in a drawer or cupboard. But maybe these are just for display and not use.

    1. Good point to bring up! These are Chris's most used spices (he has at least 20 more in the pantry) that he goes through faster than they could lose potency. But the ones we rarely refill (like saffron) are safely stored away.

  11. Love how open it looks! Would you mind sharing where you purchased your spice jars? I have been looking for simple, squares ones with no luck.

  12. It looks great! I had a microwave like that when I first moved in to my house and it was miserable! It's amazing how huge a difference just a couple of inches makes.

    I just wanted to let you guys know, you really inspire me to make sure I do things right - I'm such an impatient DIYer that I'm constantly tempted to skip corners to get to the finished product. Seeing what a different stuff like proper wall repair makes helps me remember to slow down and do it right the first time. Better to take a couple of weekends to finish something up than be stuck with sloppy work for the long haul, right? :)

  13. That made such a difference, it looks great!!! I have always hated microwaves above the stoves it looks so cramped and you are so right the vents on a microwave never work.

  14. So much better! I've wanted to do the same but really don't have many places to put it [and mine isn't that low/ I'm short] but this is making me rethink it all- love all that open space!

What We're

Loving

Right Now

What We're

Loving

Right Now

Looking for our favorite things? A place to shop our home room by room, or just catch up on what Julia's wearing / loving right now? Browse the CLJ shop
Shop All

Love Stories

Love Where You Live

In an industry that often feels designed to make you discontent, we want this to be place you come for inspiration, ideas, and encouragement to make the space you're already in feel like home.
Read All Posts
let's break this thing up

BROWSE BY CATEGORY

01

Portfolio

Befores, afters, mood boards, plans, failures, wins. We’ve done a lot of projects, and they’re all here.
read more
02

Projects

We have a long-standing relationship with DIY, and love rolling our sleeves up and making it happen.
read more
03

Design

Even when you don’t want to rip down a wall, you can make that space in your home better. Right now.
read more
hello world!

looking for inspiration?

House Tours

Fall Around Our House 2024

Some years, I go very spooky, gothic, dramatic Halloween, but this year, you may notice that I didn’t really decorate for Halloween at all. I stuck more with fall-themed decor as opposed to Halloween, because I could feel my energy running thin. Just a reminder: You don't have to do it all! Decorating for fall […]
product lines

The Rug Guide: How to Choose a Rug by Room Color

I'm often asked how to pair rugs together based on a color scheme. I love mixing and matching rugs throughout my home, and I want to help you with the selection process! So I'm using some of my most loved room colors in my house as a jumping board for which CLJ x Loloi rugs […]
Sales

The Best Prime Day Deals by Category (2024)

Happy Amazon Prime Big Deals Day! Forget endlessly scrolling through Amazon – we've got your back. We'll be dishing out the best Prime Day finds in real-time, from the must-have gadgets we use every day to the home decor pieces we've been obsessing over. Over the next few days, we'll share the most up-to-date finds […]
House Tours

Our Modern Colonial House Tour Video - Fall 2024

There's nothing like kicking off fall with a new house tour! I love making these videos. They feel like a bookmark in time, capturing the mood and the feeling of our home in the season of life we're in now. I have some newly redone spaces to share (the mudroom! Greta's bedroom! The landing! The […]
Learn With Us
Want to do what we do? Get the tools, mentorship, and training to be a Good Influencer professionally.
Learn More
Looking for Something?

SEARCH THE BLOG

We've been doing this since 2009 and we've posted a whopping 24145+ blog posts and counting. You might need a little help searching, huh?

Can We Send You Our Love Letter?

Another way for us to stay in touch! Joining our weekly newsletter gives you access to exclusive content, never-before-seen photos, your questions answered, and our favorite DIYs. Sign up below!

hello world!
Follow Along on Instagram
Welcome to our online community where we've posted home, DIY, style, renovations, and family since '09. Renovating our #cljmoderncottage in Idaho and headed for new adventures in Raleigh, NC. #cljfam #cljtransformations
© 2024 Chris Loves Julia, LLC
PRIVACY POLICYTERMS & CONDITIONSAFFILIATE DISCLAIMERSITE CREDITCOMMUNITY GUIDELINES