Need Kitchen Design Help? Apply within!

[tmash]

Hey guys,

I want to polish my design skills, so I'm throwing out this free offer to RFD'ers.

Give me your kitchen layout/measurements and I'll do up a design for you with 20/20. Also, if you have any general kitchen cabinet & countertop questions, go ahead and ask those too :).

LET THE GREAT EXPERIMENT BEGIN!

[Frank]

Very generous offer !!! :)

[tmash]

Very generous offer !!! :)


Well I'm feeling very generous :D


edit: I have plenty of examples of previous designs that I can post when I get to my work computer, I only have 1 or 2 here at home.

[Dill_Lil]

Thank you for the offer! I'm looking at buying an older resale condo and will probably want to upgrade the kitchen based on what I've seen so far.

I'm curious about countertops. I currently have granite and love the durability of it, but it is expensive. What options are there with similar durability/low maintenance of granite, but in another natural or synthetic material?

[Pete_Coach]

I am willing to give you a go at this. I am actually looking to fix my kitchen this year.
Do you want us to PM you?
Do you want a photo or two?

[tmash]

Thank you for the offer! I'm looking at buying an older resale condo and will probably want to upgrade the kitchen based on what I've seen so far.

I'm curious about countertops. I currently have granite and love the durability of it, but it is expensive. What options are there with similar durability/low maintenance of granite, but in another natural or synthetic material?

You have a few options here:

You can go with a simple laminate, which will save you ALOT compared to granite, these days laminate is made alot stronger and it is alot more durable. Formica has a "granite look-alike" line that can give you similar textures/finishes to granite, at a fraction of the cost. They are also 20X stronger than regular laminate top. Some of our most popular samples are Formica's Himalayan Slate, Labrador Granite, and Basalt Slate, either with an Etchings Finish or Honed Finish to give it a textured feel.

In addition, you can also add a solid (Corian) edge to the laminate to give it a more elegant look, this of course adds to the price, usually ends up being about twice the price of just laminate alone, but still significantly cheaper than granite.

You could also go with a complete Corian or Silestone countertop, but it is usually more expensive than even granite, at least in my experiences.

Good luck!

[tmash]

I am willing to give you a go at this. I am actually looking to fix my kitchen this year.
Do you want us to PM you?
Do you want a photo or two?

Hi,

Yes a PM is fine.

Just give me the most info you can, but I need measurements (within an inch or two) to give the most accurate drawing. Photos help but aren't necessary unless you have something weird in your kitchen that is difficult to explain.

For measurements, just measure your walls, that's the easiest route. I'll need the measurements of all relevant walls, windows, openings, doors. In addition, make note of any bulkheads or other obstacles.

Edit: I almost forgot, don't forget to give me the measurements for appliances. I'll need your appliance sizes (usually 30" for stoves, 24" for dishwashers, and 30-36" for fridges) as well as where you want them located in the kitchen. For stoves and sinks, please give me a measurement from one wall to the CENTER of the stove/sink.

:)

[leafs]

Hi Tmash,

We have just recently bought a home and we want to change the kitchen to include an island that is practical for cooking space as well as we would like to incorporate some seating at the end where the dinette would be located. We are going to have a table in the dinning room and we would prefer not to have a table in the dinette as well doesn't make much sense. We are thinking like a 6-10 foot island. Any suggestions would be appreciated even a new layout suggestion.

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/4051/m2211fmaku3.th.gif (http://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=m2211fmaku3.gif)

[tmash]

Hi Tmash,

We have just recently bought a home and we want to change the kitchen to include an island that is practical for cooking space as well as we would like to incorporate some seating at the end where the dinette would be located. We are going to have a table in the dinning room and we would prefer not to have a table in the dinette as well doesn't make much sense. We are thinking like a 6-10 foot island. Any suggestions would be appreciated even a new layout suggestion.

http://img107.imageshack.us/img107/4051/m2211fmaku3.th.gif (http://img107.imageshack.us/my.php?image=m2211fmaku3.gif)

Are you looking to keep that "U" shape you have now? If so, then you can't fit an island into the kitchen, there isn't enough room.

If you wanted to change the Kitchen to an "L" shape by moving the sink and DW up against the wall, then you can put an island in. If the plumbing is already there and can't be moved, then another option is to again make an "L" shape, but just incorporate the DW and sink into the island that will be placed where your peninsula is right now.

[eelfliw]

Thanks for the offer!

We've recently bought this house and wanted to do some remodeling. Here's the ground floor plans :

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1301/snap1iw2.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snap1iw2.jpg)

and here's a picture of the kitchen :

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1928/snap2so3.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snap2so3.jpg)

We're looking at possibly replacing the load bearing wall between kitchen and the dining room with a large I-beam to open up the space. And remove the counter space on the south & west wall to put a built-in fridge + oven there. The sink will stay where it is but want to get rid of the range and replace it with a gas cooktop and overhead exahaust fan on an island in the centre of the kitchen.

What do you think? Is there enough space? Everything in the kitchen can go except the sink has to be in front of the north window. And we want an island with cooktop in the middle.

Is this doable for $40K?

[tmash]

Thanks for the offer!

We've recently bought this house and wanted to do some remodeling. Here's the ground floor plans :

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1301/snap1iw2.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snap1iw2.jpg)

and here's a picture of the kitchen :

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1928/snap2so3.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snap2so3.jpg)

We're looking at possibly replacing the load bearing wall between kitchen and the dining room with a large I-beam to open up the space. And remove the counter space on the south & west wall to put a built-in fridge + oven there. The sink will stay where it is but want to get rid of the range and replace it with a gas cooktop and overhead exahaust fan on an island in the centre of the kitchen.

What do you think? Is there enough space? Everything in the kitchen can go except the sink has to be in front of the north window. And we want an island with cooktop in the middle.

Is this doable for $40K?

At first glance, an island doesn't appear doable. You need 36" clearance on all sides of the island, given that you want a fridge+oven on the south wall, you don't have enough room. You have 138" total. You need to take away 50" for the cabinets (25" for cabinets on the north wall, and 25" fo your fridge/oven on the south side). Then you need 72" clearance (36" on either side of the island). That comes to 122". That only leaves 16" depth for your island, which isn't enough.

[Crowbarfoot]

I'll get my measurements and a few pics for you soon!

Thanks!


EDIT: The Kitchen's that is.... better to stop the funny comments now... haha

[leafs]

Are you looking to keep that "U" shape you have now? If so, then you can't fit an island into the kitchen, there isn't enough room.

If you wanted to change the Kitchen to an "L" shape by moving the sink and DW up against the wall, then you can put an island in. If the plumbing is already there and can't be moved, then another option is to again make an "L" shape, but just incorporate the DW and sink into the island that will be placed where your peninsula is right now.

WE want to incorporate the DW and sink into the island. Also add a pantry and a chefs desk against the wall

[tmash]

WE want to incorporate the DW and sink into the island. Also add a pantry and a chefs desk against the wall


Well here's what I've come up with so far, you can let me know of any changes you'd like to make if it's not satisfactory.

A few notes:

You don't have much width for your island, so it's very long and narrow, this also limits the "table" area you can have, so I put in a breakfast bar area along the entire island.

Also, not quite sure exactly how big you wanted that pantry, that one is a 30" one, and also not quite sure of the arrangement you wanted for the desk and pantry.

Lastly, the sink and DW, I had to move them slightly from where they were in the old plan, I don't know how that will affect your plumbing. They were previously oriented horizontally, I had to make them vertical to fit into that island.

Cheers

http://img466.imageshack.us/img466/7408/leafskitchenperspectiveui0.th.jpg (http://img466.imageshack.us/my.php?image=leafskitchenperspectiveui0.jpg)
http://img462.imageshack.us/img462/1560/leafskitchenperspectivekg1.th.jpg (http://img462.imageshack.us/my.php?image=leafskitchenperspectivekg1.jpg)

[tmash]

Here's twp's:

http://img180.imageshack.us/img180/8432/twpkitchenperspectivejc6.th.jpg (http://img180.imageshack.us/my.php?image=twpkitchenperspectivejc6.jpg)

[eelfliw]

At first glance, an island doesn't appear doable. You need 36" clearance on all sides of the island, given that you want a fridge+oven on the south wall, you don't have enough room. You have 138" total. You need to take away 50" for the cabinets (25" for cabinets on the north wall, and 25" fo your fridge/oven on the south side). Then you need 72" clearance (36" on either side of the island). That comes to 122". That only leaves 16" depth for your island, which isn't enough.

Thanks for the sizing tops. We'll have to rethink our plans.

[NDman]

PM sent. Thanks for the offer, tmash. Hopefully you'll have time to take a look at out kitchen layout and plans.

[bustersmom]

Hi we are getting our whole kitchen remodeled. We had someone do a design for us and i was not really happy with it..i would like a pantry and i noticed you show one in one your layouts so maybe you can help?

how would you set the pantry up inside? would you do just shelves that go from back to front and side to side or would you actually do the shelving in a U shape (well a square type U ...three sides?) that is what i'd like to do , because then i can push my vacumn in and put my brooms in there also.
the designer thinks this is a dumb idea.

also any ideas for a back splash? i need one behind the countertop ( we are getting a built in stove) and i dont want to leave the wall just painted due to the fact that we are cooking there...but i dont want to go to a lot of expense either.

anyhelp would be much appreciated.
thank you!!:)

[cornholio]

Hi Tmash,

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/802/floorplancw2.th.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=floorplancw2.jpg)


Here is the floor plan (flip) for my townhouse, so instead of the main door on the right its on the left and instead the kitchen on the left its on the right.etc. Here are a few questions that I have.

1. is it possible to put an island in this space w/o going too into the breakfast area, since we are using the breakfast area as the dinning room.

2. do you recommend me doing double insert oven in this kitchen? if yes where?

3. what is the standard height for hood fan? I live in a condo now, and when i cook i hate how my forehead is right against the hoodfan. and reason for this question too is i plan to get a watertap installed right ontop of the range one of those swing arm tap and want to move the hoodfan up higher.

4. do you recommend me doing the optional pantry?


Thanks!

[tmash]

Hi all,

Just a note to everyone, I'm extremely busy at the moment so it may be a week or two before I get your designs finished. We were recently broken into and the thiefs stole all our computers, so I'm busy setting up our computer network again.

I will try and get things done as soon as I can, in the meantime, thanks for your patience!

[24franklin]

Very generous offer !!! :)

I am thinking of redesigning my kitchen ans well as changing my ktichen cabinet

Lay out of the kitchen is as under : kitchen is in rectangular shape and on either side kitchen cabinets on the top and table top with sink on one side and stove (which occupies 30" and fridge which occupies 36" )with little space for kitchen cabinets in between those two, with passage in the middle (roughly 2 ft space in between.

Measurement of the kitchen
kitchen is in the rectungular shape.
length of the kitchen 268 cms.
width of the kitchen is 214cm.
If you need any other info , I will be pleased to provide .

[tmash]

I am thinking of redesigning my kitchen ans well as changing my ktichen cabinet

Lay out of the kitchen is as under : kitchen is in rectangular shape and on either side kitchen cabinets on the top and table top with sink on one side and stove (which occupies 30" and fridge which occupies 36" )with little space for kitchen cabinets in between those two, with passage in the middle (roughly 2 ft space in between.

Measurement of the kitchen
kitchen is in the rectungular shape.
length of the kitchen 268 cms.
width of the kitchen is 214cm.
If you need any other info , I will be pleased to provide .



A crude picture drawn in MS paint would go along way, it's really hard to picture what you're saying in words. Also, just for future reference, it's much easier if you keep your measurements consistent, you have inches, feet, and centimeters all in there. :)

[tmash]

Hi we are getting our whole kitchen remodeled. We had someone do a design for us and i was not really happy with it..i would like a pantry and i noticed you show one in one your layouts so maybe you can help?

how would you set the pantry up inside? would you do just shelves that go from back to front and side to side or would you actually do the shelving in a U shape (well a square type U ...three sides?) that is what i'd like to do , because then i can push my vacumn in and put my brooms in there also.
the designer thinks this is a dumb idea.

also any ideas for a back splash? i need one behind the countertop ( we are getting a built in stove) and i dont want to leave the wall just painted due to the fact that we are cooking there...but i dont want to go to a lot of expense either.

anyhelp would be much appreciated.
thank you!!:)


I think I understand what you mean with the shelves, and I don't see why you couldn't do it. Just because your designer thinks it's dumb doesn't mean you should listen to him, it likely just means they aren't capable of doing it. Any decent shop would gladly accomodate that request, after all it is YOUR kitchen and he should be working for you, not the other way around. I know for us, something like that would not be a problem, it might be a small extra charge for the extra cutting, but it's a minor cost compared to the entire kitchen.

As for backsplash, you have plenty of options, depends really on what kind of countertop you get. Laminate tops come with back splashes, usually 3" high, but you can get custom heights. Granite tops can have a back splash added, but it's a seperate piece and an additional cost per lin. ft. Also, you could go with a tile backsplash.


Hope that helps!

[tmash]

Ok, so I have these designs to do in this order:

1) NDMan
2) cornholio
3) 24franklin (after you get me a rough drawing)


Is there anyone I missed?

[leafs]

tmash just wanted to say thank you.

[tmash]

tmash just wanted to say thank you.

Glad you like it, let me know if you need anything else :)

[cornholio]

thanks tmash!
looking forward for it!


Ok, so I have these designs to do in this order:

1) NDMan
2) cornholio
3) 24franklin (after you get me a rough drawing)


Is there anyone I missed?

[tmash]

Hi Tmash,

http://img90.imageshack.us/img90/802/floorplancw2.th.jpg (http://img90.imageshack.us/my.php?image=floorplancw2.jpg)


Here is the floor plan (flip) for my townhouse, so instead of the main door on the right its on the left and instead the kitchen on the left its on the right.etc. Here are a few questions that I have.

1. is it possible to put an island in this space w/o going too into the breakfast area, since we are using the breakfast area as the dinning room.

2. do you recommend me doing double insert oven in this kitchen? if yes where?

3. what is the standard height for hood fan? I live in a condo now, and when i cook i hate how my forehead is right against the hoodfan. and reason for this question too is i plan to get a watertap installed right ontop of the range one of those swing arm tap and want to move the hoodfan up higher.

4. do you recommend me doing the optional pantry?


Thanks!

1) Yes an island would fit, but it's all up to your interpretation of how much room you're willing to lose in the breakfast area. I can put in a small island with a breakfast bar in, and that should still leave some room for your dining area.

2) I wouldn't recommend the double insert oven, you really don't have all that much space to work with in the first place, adding that will further reduce both counter area and storage space.

3) I can't remember the standard height of a hood fan off the top of my head, I'll look into it. As for moving it upwards, that really shouldn't be a problem. There is a certain minimum clearance from oven to hood, but I think you can go more than that and it won't be a problem. Let me check into that for you tomorrow and I"ll let you know the specifics.

4) The pantry's not a bad idea, maybe only a 12" deep pantry along that wall, I"ll see how much room your island takes up and see if you'll still have enough room for the pantry while keeping space for your dining area.


Edit:

Here are your designs, let me know what you think.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7731/cornholioperspective1pb4.th.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cornholioperspective1pb4.jpg)
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1879/cornholioperspective2kd5.th.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cornholioperspective2kd5.jpg)
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4157/cornholioperspective3zf6.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cornholioperspective3zf6.jpg)

[cornholio]

Thanks tmash!

thanks for the advice, everything looking great, yeah i think i'm not going to do the double oven since there isn't much room. do you have the measurement from the island (breakfast bar end) to the right wall? i want to know how much room i have there, is it enuf for me to put a dining table..thats what i'm wondering.

[tmash]

Thanks tmash!

thanks for the advice, everything looking great, yeah i think i'm not going to do the double oven since there isn't much room. do you have the measurement from the island (breakfast bar end) to the right wall? i want to know how much room i have there, is it enuf for me to put a dining table..thats what i'm wondering.

Assuming the measurements and everything you gave me were correct, then you have approximately 102" from the edge of the breakfast bar to the right wall. Whether that's enough room or not depends on the size of your dining table, but it will be a tight squeeze. Have you thought of integrating a dining/seating area into a bigger island?

[tmash]

Oh ya, I forgot:

Here's NDMan's plans:

http://img452.imageshack.us/img452/4016/ndmankitchenwithcolormv6.th.jpg (http://img452.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ndmankitchenwithcolormv6.jpg)
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/9133/ndmanbenchhm0.th.jpg (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ndmanbenchhm0.jpg)

[NDman]

Thank you very much again for the great work and your time, tmash. That gives us a good foundation on what we want to build on for the kitchen reno. Thank you.

[cornholio]

Assuming the measurements and everything you gave me were correct, then you have approximately 102" from the edge of the breakfast bar to the right wall. Whether that's enough room or not depends on the size of your dining table, but it will be a tight squeeze. Have you thought of integrating a dining/seating area into a bigger island?

thanks tmash, been searching for photos for bigger island/ dining/seating area idea today. I do want to ask another question, what is the clearance between the stove/cabinet and the island?

[tmash]

thanks tmash, been searching for photos for bigger island/ dining/seating area idea today. I do want to ask another question, what is the clearance between the stove/cabinet and the island?


36"

[ruvz]

Hi tmash,

Do you mind taking a cut at it for me? attached is my floor plan (house hasnt been built so there's still time to change it up). I'm open to any ideas including an island, relocating the appliances, etc. Ive also considered adding a pantry into the dinette area. In case the image is unclear, the kitchen is 12'6 x 14.

Thanks tmash...really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.




http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/9053/houseflr1001ew0.th.gif (http://img367.imageshack.us/my.php?image=houseflr1001ew0.gif)

[tmash]

Hi tmash,

Do you mind taking a cut at it for me? attached is my floor plan (house hasnt been built so there's still time to change it up). I'm open to any ideas including an island, relocating the appliances, etc. Ive also considered adding a pantry into the dinette area. In case the image is unclear, the kitchen is 12'6 x 14.

Thanks tmash...really looking forward to seeing what you come up with.




http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/9053/houseflr1001ew0.th.gif (
http://img367.imageshack.us/img367/9053/houseflr1001ew0.th.gif)


Hey, no problem, I'll have a look at it. I'm out of town right now so I'll take a look when I get back sunday night and then I'll PM you what I come up with sometime during teh week.

[ruvz]

great.. thanks again!

[Ironballz]

1) Yes an island would fit, but it's all up to your interpretation of how much room you're willing to lose in the breakfast area. I can put in a small island with a breakfast bar in, and that should still leave some room for your dining area.

2) I wouldn't recommend the double insert oven, you really don't have all that much space to work with in the first place, adding that will further reduce both counter area and storage space.

3) I can't remember the standard height of a hood fan off the top of my head, I'll look into it. As for moving it upwards, that really shouldn't be a problem. There is a certain minimum clearance from oven to hood, but I think you can go more than that and it won't be a problem. Let me check into that for you tomorrow and I"ll let you know the specifics.

4) The pantry's not a bad idea, maybe only a 12" deep pantry along that wall, I"ll see how much room your island takes up and see if you'll still have enough room for the pantry while keeping space for your dining area.


Edit:

Here are your designs, let me know what you think.

http://img171.imageshack.us/img171/7731/cornholioperspective1pb4.th.jpg (http://img171.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cornholioperspective1pb4.jpg)
http://img217.imageshack.us/img217/1879/cornholioperspective2kd5.th.jpg (http://img217.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cornholioperspective2kd5.jpg)
http://img252.imageshack.us/img252/4157/cornholioperspective3zf6.th.jpg (http://img252.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cornholioperspective3zf6.jpg)

wow that's almost identical to my kitchen. Except my dishwasher is beside the sink. You should go with it cornholio ;)

[tmash]

Hey, no problem, I'll have a look at it. I'm out of town right now so I'll take a look when I get back sunday night and then I'll PM you what I come up with sometime during teh week.


You know ruvz, this looks almost identical to "leafs" floorplan/kitchen. Did you check out the one I did for him, I think yours would end up almost identical.

[ruvz]

You know ruvz, this looks almost identical to "leafs" floorplan/kitchen. Did you check out the one I did for him, I think yours would end up almost identical.

yes, they are very similar. Do you think I would have to eliminate the U shape to accomodate an island? I'm also looking at making the whole kitchen bigger and taking up a piece of the dinette... My goal is an impressive, yet very functional kitchen. Does this make sense at all?

[tmash]

yes, they are very similar. Do you think I would have to eliminate the U shape to accomodate an island? I'm also looking at making the whole kitchen bigger and taking up a piece of the dinette... My goal is an impressive, yet very functional kitchen. Does this make sense at all?

Yes that does make sense, and I think it is indeed possible to fit an island in there. I never noticed that your kitchen is about 18" wider than leafs, so a nice sized island in the middle should work well, and I can also extend that U-shape a bit further into the dinette area and incorporate a breakfast bar in there as well.

Did you want it in black and white, or some colour? If you want colour, any preferences or just whatever goes?

[ruvz]

Yes that does make sense, and I think it is indeed possible to fit an island in there. I never noticed that your kitchen is about 18" wider than leafs, so a nice sized island in the middle should work well, and I can also extend that U-shape a bit further into the dinette area and incorporate a breakfast bar in there as well.

Did you want it in black and white, or some colour? If you want colour, any preferences or just whatever goes?


Thanks Tmash,

we're considering lighter cabinatry, so having colour would certainly help visualize this better. We also got the crown and vallance and may add a couple of the mullion glass doors and looking for an ideal place for them. In terms of extending to the dinette, are we looking at about 1 ft out?

these are a couple of the colours we're looking at

Latte Finishhttp://www.columbiacabinets.com/view_large.php?image=gallery_large1158538546_Latte .jpg#
Rustic finish http://www.columbiacabinets.com/view_large.php?image=gallery_large1158538645_Rusti c.jpg#

[tmash]

Thanks Tmash,

we're considering lighter cabinatry, so having colour would certainly help visualize this better. We also got the crown and vallance and may add a couple of the mullion glass doors and looking for an ideal place for them. In terms of extending to the dinette, are we looking at about 1 ft out?

these are a couple of the colours we're looking at

Latte Finishhttp://www.columbiacabinets.com/view_large.php?image=gallery_large1158538546_Latte .jpg#
Rustic finish http://www.columbiacabinets.com/view_large.php?image=gallery_large1158538645_Rusti c.jpg#



Hope you like it, let me know if the colour isn't quite what you were looking for:

http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3797/ruvzelevation1dd0.th.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ruvzelevation1dd0.jpg)
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/4566/ruvzelevation2nc9.th.jpg (http://img297.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ruvzelevation2nc9.jpg)
http://img216.imageshack.us/img216/4103/ruvzelevation3ui1.th.jpg (http://img216.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ruvzelevation3ui1.jpg)
http://img88.imageshack.us/img88/2231/ruvzperspective1xd7.th.jpg (http://img88.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ruvzperspective1xd7.jpg)
http://img261.imageshack.us/img261/3559/ruvzperspective2op5.th.jpg (http://img261.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ruvzperspective2op5.jpg)
http://img245.imageshack.us/img245/9152/ruvzperspective3xd2.th.jpg (http://img245.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ruvzperspective3xd2.jpg)
http://img183.imageshack.us/img183/7817/ruvzislandgq6.th.jpg (http://img183.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ruvzislandgq6.jpg)

[ruvz]

All I can say is wow and cannot thank you enough.... This definitly gives me the idea and the state of the possible.

We were considering built in appliances beside the fridge... do you think there would be enough space for an appliance tower there or is that space likely too small?

[LisaSig]

Thanks for the offer!

We've recently bought this house and wanted to do some remodeling. Here's the ground floor plans :

http://img89.imageshack.us/img89/1301/snap1iw2.th.jpg (http://img89.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snap1iw2.jpg)

and here's a picture of the kitchen :

http://img260.imageshack.us/img260/1928/snap2so3.th.jpg (http://img260.imageshack.us/my.php?image=snap2so3.jpg)

We're looking at possibly replacing the load bearing wall between kitchen and the dining room with a large I-beam to open up the space. And remove the counter space on the south & west wall to put a built-in fridge + oven there. The sink will stay where it is but want to get rid of the range and replace it with a gas cooktop and overhead exahaust fan on an island in the centre of the kitchen.

What do you think? Is there enough space? Everything in the kitchen can go except the sink has to be in front of the north window. And we want an island with cooktop in the middle.

Is this doable for $40K?

Hi you can reach me at 647-400-3665 Daniel!:) if you need assistance! I live in Mississauga.

[mpolo]

Hey tmash,

My house currently doesn't have a dishwasher and the countertops are nearing the end of their life.

My question is, how difficult is it to replace the countertops (Not too hard I think, except for cutting spots for the sink/taps) and How would I go about getting the blank put in for a dishwasher? is this something I can do myself? Also it makes sense to put the blank next to the sink, but it would require altering the floor cabinets (they are wider than 24"). How would this be managed, what happens to the leftover cabinet face?

Thanks for your help!

[FAQ]

Is this offer still valid , tmash :cheesygri