So, this is what our kitchen once looked like, more or less (at least the western portion):
I’ve cut off the 3′ portion of counter top that has the marble rolling pin on it (never fear; I have a use for it *heh*) and removed the support elements, so that between the mobile island (the wooden top immediately to the left of the counter top in the pic that I removed) and the remaining countertop, that 3′ of free space provides better flow for the kitchen.
But I’ve not exactly lost the very nearly nine square feet of counter top, not entirely, just made it possible to have that space be more useful, buy adding a 2’x4′ piece of plain faux butcher block (real wood but not real butcher block) that very nearly matches the existing island’s top to that island with a piano hinge and two folding legs, for occasional use.
Oh, and the counter top I cut off? I plan to later attach it to the end of the counter I cut it off of to extend that counter straight, in a modification of the current “coffee shrine,” which is a 1’x2′ extension off that counter, now. I’ll trim that 3’x3′ piece of countertop down to 2’x2′ to attach it, giving me back the net loss of ~ one square foot, plus a bit, just in a different configuration.
THe counters and cabinets in our kitchen were all carpenter-built, and so are not compliant with normal cabinetry standards, so these modifications have unearthed some. . . unique, let’s say, solutions to what was initially planned, since a simple demo was just not in the cards.
You can imagine how that 2’x2′ extension/modification of the “coffee shrine” will look (complete with expanded storage underneath) by glancing at how it looks now:
Plan slowly coming together. I did need to get the demo done before I could complete installing the new flooring in the kitchen, though. Still, I’ve made another huge mess getting as far as I have. *shrugs*
Oh, the dishes displayed above/next to the “coffee shrine” have been replaced (the ones seen above donated) with some plain white Corelle® dishes, the storage underneath the coffee paraphernalia is now full of cookbooks, and the stools have been displaced by some comfy stepstool stools with nice supportive backs, but apart from those things, it’s more or less as you see it in the pic. *heh*
You’re far more ambitious than I. Plus I rent my home so modifications like yours are out of the question.
Well, I just got tired of walking around the 3′ peninsula that jutted out. With the mods, I still (mostly) have that space (plus a bit) when I need it, but can have a much easier flow. Of course, reorganizing the contents of the cabinets will help as well, and I have a rolling spice rack planned to fit between the fridge and a 16”/24” counter top/cabinet on the other side of the kitchen, between the stove (which we rarely use, preferring a toaster-convection oven and a couple of induction plates for most things instead). That will free up three shelves in a top cabinet for “other things.” (I may convert it to just two shelves and put a couple of small appliances in the lower shelf and rarely–but sometimes!–used cookware in the top shelf.
I’m also gaining a ~6”x24” mini-storage space where some support members for the 3’x3′ piece of peninsula was removed. Nice. Other lil things, as well, but all-in-all, a major upgrade for very little cost save my time and labor.
Oh, also tiling (ceramic tile) in front of the sink/dishwasher and upgrading some plumbing under the sink, but that’s just fiddly bits.
Warm weather will see me move home improvement projects outside, where I’ve decided we need a new driveway and carport (since the garage is already used for “other than cars” and planned for better use in future), and the back decks need some work. Still a few trees to come down, as well, so I have plenty to keep busy with hone projects, no matter what else is on my plate.
Add in Kindle Unlimited books, and . . . *heh*
It looks beautiful. More space is almost always of benefit.
If you saw my after pic, it was white before with light blue paint for the boards. Yuck! I prefer earth tones.
Keep up with the pics! ???