It’s taken a few days—scratch that. It’s taken many, many, many days and countless hours of toiling through pages and pages of instructions that don’t make sense to assemble the new cabinetry in my sister’s basement. I think my brother-in-law is ready to strangle me. I don’t blame him.
Yes, there’s still a tiny bit more work to be done: the kick boards need to be put in place, and obviously there’s a door missing. But considering that this thing came in 800 different pieces, I think my brother-in-law deserves a beer even though he wouldn’t drink it.
TOTALLY against the BYU honor code. Maybe I’ll buy him a huge Sprite.
Is it custom? Of course not. Custom is not in the budget. But you know what? The custom cabinetry that the previous owners of our house installed in the kitchen in 2003 is currently falling apart. So custom doesn’t always equal quality. That’s called design expertise by experience! It’s a design philosophy I like to call Kids Destroy Things.
Before I even took on this project my brother-in-law had already ordered doors for all the rooms in the basement. And they look like this:
A little bit country, not at all rock-n-roll. Like I said previously, I think one of my main challenges with this project is marrying my sister’s traditional style with my modern taste. So when we were thinking about cabinetry I wanted something that could combine both design styles without looking like a neglected stepchild.
So we chose a shaker-style door with a beech veneer and coupled it with sleek stainless steel hardware and a smooth black countertop. It’s simple and clean, and it leaves us a lot of room to play in terms of what we do with the wall above it. Internet, WHAT DO WE DO WITH THAT WALL?
I’m thinking of a glass tile backsplash, either in a square or rectangular pattern:
Or, do we sand that wall and just paint it? Do we hang some mirrors? Perhaps etch a skull and bones with the blood of a goat? I mean, the possibilities.
What is your experience with this kind of space?
what are the cabinets for? maybe paint and then use the wall to display some of the kids' artwork nicely framed? since it's in the basement you can have a little more fun with it.
I know what you are going through because I recently remodeled a kitchen with IKEA cabinents. It wasn't easy. I love the idea of a tile backsplash! I've seen the small square tiles look really nice, but they seem hard to clean with all the little grooves. My choice would be the one color uniform stacked tiles, less trendy. Anyway, looking good!
here's what i did with my kitchen: white cabinets, black countertops, white marble subway tile backsplash, brushed nickel hardware. not too traditional, not super modern. see it here. (hoping my link works)
Oh wow, I think we shared the same wallpaper, Leslie! Your after photos are stunning! Great job!
Dude, that is a huge horking wall. I think tile would be overwhelming. Maybe some horizontally-oriented, possibly 3-D artwork and some nice paint?
I like the multi-sized rectangles. It's interesting.
My five year old says, "put pictures up there, pictures that say I Love You."
We have those doors throughout our house. Best of the worst builder options made available to us.
Rectangular tile would be great, with a mirror above. No blue or grey tile, though, I'm thinking.
Have you checked out Canadian House & Home for inspiration? Am I allowed to say that here, or is that crass?
Enclose a square on the wall with matching wood and paint the chalk board paint inside the square to make a huge chalkboard for family notes etc.. But it really depends on the purpose of the cabinets/area… I also like the idea before me about framing kids artwork.
How about you make that the BYU wall? There would be something quite poetic about having a BYU wall above a wet bar.
I triple heart the multi-size rectangles. However, as a previous poster said, that is one BIG wall back there. Here's what I'd do: fantasize about the glass tiles whilst painting the wall with a nice, mildew-resistant yet totally bright and fun and funky paint.
In another basement I saw once (belonging to my ridiculously rich aunt and uncle, who do indeed have the budget for ANYTHING) they painted picture frames right on the walls at different heights so the kiddos could hang their artwork in museum-style "frames". It was mucho cute. A similar thing might work on the wall behind those cabinets.
Leslie, I love your kitchen. And Kate, that would be a brilliant juxtaposition.
If its purposed more toward adults, maybe the floating staggered shelving to show off a few favorite collectables would work better. Or wine bar shelving for bottles and wineglasses? Oops! Scratch the latter, forgot the non drinking brother in law. Oh well. Eh, throw up a configuration of framed mirrors …
– tile (the botom of the 3 samples you posted) like a backsplash, but get creative with your lines.
– paint above the tile to the ceiling — go bold, go mildew resistant. OR, go with sections of magnetic chalkboard paint — kids could draw and hang art on the wall.
– hang at least 3 mirrors.
Just throwing this idea out there, since space is often difficult to judge in a photo, but maybe you could fit all three ideas on a wall that long:
Try skinny upper cabinets in the center of the wall (I'm thinking etagere-style skinny) ceiling to counter, save on tile by only tiling above the sink, have a modish mirror in a frame over that and then do the artsy message center with magnetic and then chalkboard paint on the other side within sight of the walkway. Light both sides in matching sconces. If it's symmetrical enough, it might work.
I, too, prefer the design-neutral cabinetry over the matchy matchiness of those white doors. Good choice!
Mirror backsplashes can be kind of cool.
This is a design I like and I can envision it easily as tile, or paint, above the counter. For some reason, when I saw the wall, this is what I pictured:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3650/3688454401_be…
I don't understand why you keep saying you want to marry your sister's traditional aesthetic with your modern one. It's her house. Wouldn't you want it to be in the style your sister likes since she's the one who has to live in it? While I do prefer your style to a traditional one, it strikes me as wrong to insist on using your aesthetic if it doesn't match with your sisters. But then maybe that's why I'm not an interior designer. *shrug* Regardless, I'm looking forward to seeing what else you do with the space.
I thought that difference of style was exactly why September asked Heather to take on this project in the first place…
I get the impression that she means it more like, "I like this, and she likes that, and it's hard for us to collaborate." But that's probably because my sister and I have completely opposite taste and whenever we shop together we end up looking at each other with the raised eyebrow.
Leslie that is GORGEOUS!!!! LOVE it!!!! Now the cabinets here for your sister dooce are just not my style. It still SCREAMS Modern and cold. Like of looks like a Dr Office table lol. But that is why it is not my house. Just suprised your sis made such a big jump to the world of modern
I'm thinking some shelving.. different shapes and sizes with pictures, art work, glass bottles and that sort of thing. Something to make it personal and homey.
I really like the long skinny subway tile. Classic yet modern without getting too trendy. Don't got too trendy because you'll immediately date your space.
Leslie – I also love your kitchen! My husband and I are in the midst of a remodel similar to yours (painted existing cabinets, new countertop, new tile, etc). It makes me feel good to see how great your 'after' shots look. Thanks for sharing!
Dooce – The rectangle glass tile in dove gray is a good option. It's stunning, yet neutral. Can't wait to see what you come up with.
I am having trouble visualizing where would the backsplash end.
Maybe you could do something that would give the visual effect of a backsplash but covered the entire wall above the cabinets. Paint subtle tone-on-tone stripes or plaid? Paint not so subtle stripes or plaid? Paint some other graphic design? Or, what about decals? (For example, the paisley decals Candice Olsen used) Or, fabulous graphic wall paper? (It is not a very large surface area for wall paper so it would not be that expensive. I love the wall paper you picked for Marlo's room. The practicality of wallpaper would depend on how your sister's family planned to use the kitchenette area.)
Since the black countertops sort of remind me of high school biology class, I suggest chalkboards on the wall. Thank me later.
What will the counter and that sink be used for? Food prep, craft time, cleaning up muddy kids, rinsing out sprite bottles. Each will require different wall accessories. Who wants tons of groute lines covered in finger paint splatter!
Love the idea of a tiled backsplash AND making that the BYU wall — then you could do the blue tiles, etc. and it would tie it all together. Can't wait to see more as it progresses!
option 3 on tile for a backsplash, bold paint above, and maybe a pocket-display-hanging system like this http://www.ashanging.com/shop/shopline_K_en.html
I don't have any suggestions for the wall, but I love those cabinets!
To protect the wall and add some interest, use the last option for horizontal tile.
How about an opaque glass splashback. No grooves, clean, modern and they can keep a cup full of colourful whiteboard markers nearby if people want to indulge their artistic talents.
"neglected stepchild" not cool — step parenting is tough for everyone, dont use that phrase
Oh my goodness. I am a step mother. Full time custody step mother and it is hard however I totally laughed at the "neglected stepchild" comment. My step child is treated better than most bioliogical children are treated. Relax a little and laugh at the situation unless of course you neglect your step child. Then there's a reason to be defensive
So what I was trying to say is Heather if that "Neglected Stepchild" basement turns out as good as my kid you'll be doing all right!!!
Sally — come on. I've been a step-mom since the boys were in elem school. Their bio-mom couldn't handle parenting. They are now both nearly 30 and I'm a grandmother. They consider me their mom. I didn't find step-parenting "tough". It's called parenting period. The adults/parents have to act as a team, as it should be with your very own children. In front of the children, step-parents should show a united front and deal with their disagreements privately.
It's no different than referring to myself as the sibling in the double-wide because I don't live the life style my family does, by choice.
And what does this have to do with a design decision anyway?
I am with Sally – its really jarring to imagine anyone with an education thinking that using that phrase is appropriate. Surely there are… oh, I hate to put this out there, but … actual, decorating-related terms that could be used to describe this decorating project?
Is that a brass sink with silver cabinetry?
Pretty, but not at all country, as in, perhaps not at all in your sister's taste. Very very modern. The tile options you show are also very, very modern. Especially the varied-rectangles one. I think September needs to give some input here or else it's going to totally veer away from anything she would like on her own.
I like using it as your BYU wall. It looks like it may be the focal point of the room, and would make it a great tie in between you and your sisters tastes
Maybe something with those little tile-like mirrors from Ikea? Or for the BYU football wall, I'm thinking one big, bold piece…sort of like that giant "Creation of Adam" decal thingie (technical interior design term) that they did on the ceiling a couple of days ago on "The Antonio Treatment".
Okay, I don't mean to be snarky here, but HOW is this post helpful??! C'mon HGTV–let's get your act together. I can think of 50 bloggers who would have done a MUCH better job with this space. YOUNGHOUSELOVE.COM for example. Where is the counter from? The cabinets? The fixtures? Also–this is a sister's home. So why is Dooce trying to slowly but surely design it in HER aesthetic?
Also, isn't Dooce supposed to give US ideas? Not the other way around…Total fail, HGTV.
So skip this section. Last time I read this site, there were many other design sections from which to choose. Choose one of your other 50 bloggers and have a good time. Total fail? Personally, I got at least three ideas from this. Ideas. Ideas that I may or may not incorporate into my plans. Sounds to me like you just want Heather to fail.
Snarky? Maybe you want Heather to fail, then you could take her place since you're all in the know and all.
Not only do I completely agree with janegal, I also wonder why it is that people who feel the need to defend Heather always tell other people what to do. I dared to express my opinion on another of Heather's posts, and stated that I didn't think her posts were a good fit with the quality that I have always found, enjoyed and appreciated on HGTV. I read all of these posts, not just Heathers, and so far she is the only one I've had anything less than stellar to say about them. Suddenly, one person is telling me repeatedly to GO AWAY, that I'm not wanted here if I don't love Heather's "ideas", and another person told me to go read some other article and not hate on Heather. They also said I must be a miserable person who hates everything. What is it with these rabid fans who won't allow other people to have opinions, and think it's their job to tell the rest of us where to go and what to do? IT'S OK TO HAVE VARYING OPINIONS.
I have nothing against Heather. Good for her for trying something new, stretching a bit. But the bottom line of it is, if you read this blog semi-weekly, as I do, her posts are jarring and out of place. Her writing is pedestrian, and she cannot seem to break away from the snarky 'mommy blog' style of her own site. I could overlook even that if there was anything interesting in her topics, but frankly, I am embarrassed for this woman when her byline comes up, because, by example, she is showing the world exactly why she is NOT a decorator, let alone a designer. Just buying stuff is not decorating. Redoing a suburban basement in beige and IKEA is .. well, its the reason people turn TO sites like this, to avoid ending up with a room that looks like this basement. It isn't inspirational, it is a 'what not to do'. There is no shame in trying something new and not being good at it. But its time to pack it in.
Gotta agree on this one. She really is grasping here. Are the updates on this room gonna be this small…I mean tile…then carpet…the a cabinet. This will take FOREVER. I could have predicted the IKEA cabinets a month ago. Already tagged the sectional sofa and modern fabrics…and the SAME carpet she used in her own house. Curiosity is the only thing brining me over here, honestly. I seriously don't get why Heather is over here. And the Watch with Heather thing?? Someone…please explain??
HGTV is now an IKEA catalog? Wow.
Floating shelves arranged at various levels to hold BYU memorabilia, framed photos, etc. Needs a mirror, maybe over the sink.
White subway tiles! They are the perfect way to marry traditional and modern! I think the space is looking FAB! How fun would it be to have a space like this to design?! I'm enjoying watching the progress!
A low tile backsplash, paint above, and then lots of their favorite photos (or the kid's artwork) but with a mix of interesting frames: some traditional, some more modern, maybe some even really strange-looking and funky to mix it up. As has been said, it's a basement room, a family living space so why not have a good time with it.
Ready for this? Here is an inexpensive wall treatment above the bar. 2 or 3 square birch plywood panels, mounted an inch off the wall. Then low-voltage rope lighting behind the panels. The panels could be stained a coordinating, contrasting or matching color to the cabinetry. A few coats of satin poly on the panels, and voila! You could hang a picture, or mirror in the center of the panels too… It's just a thought
No wrong answer when brainstorming right?
"The Making of A Home Renovation Show"
http://briankelseytvrenovation.blogspot.com/
I'm going to join the shelving-comment bandwagon. We have almost the exact same setup in our media room. We have a counter-top popcorn popper and on the shelves (floating glass shelves that disappear) we have fun popcorn bowls, popcorn and stuff in great jars, some kiddo artwork leaning up on the shelves and also hanging in between the shelves. There are also glasses and such. Makes the space functional and decorative and not hard to clean at all. (I'm a complete clean freak, so any dust makes me crazy.)
Tell your Bro-in-law he did beautiful work on the cabinets!
This is why my wife does all the assembly required when boxes arrive with pieces in them. Because the wall is bare and the next wall is light and bare as well I would conside hanging some canvas wall art. Some florals like the ones here: http://www.greatbigcanvas.com/painting-picture-ph… are a good way to keep the brightness of the room, while incoporating design.
I would probably go with a tile back splash but if you need to save money, try wallpaper, or a make a bold statement with some bold paint like chocolate, and then perhaps a couple of open shelves for storing wine, beer, and glasses, perhaps some other things like photographs or baskets and nick nacks if you have kids.
I think that a sheet of stainless steel that will look very modern and also be able to be washed off quickly. A brushed surface rather than shiny will probably be the best. Elaine
Well they are Ikea cabinets and I have the same ones in my kitchen. The color of the wood is Beech. I built ALL of them by myself !! No help from anyone. Tell the BIL to stop whining
After building the first one, I had it down to less than 20 min per cabinet. After hanging standard cabinets from others I will never hang anything but Ikea again. Just to save my back if nothing else LOL. I used a faux slate tile on mine it made them look a little more "old world" if you will. I used different kind of knob (less modern) I wonder why you didn't go with the Ikea style that was closer to what your sister already has? I would go with a shorter back splash or add the upper cabinets with the glass doors, some under cabinet lighting and inside cabinet lighting and your done! Oh and you were supposed to put the faux drawer front on before you installed it or the sink…. :/
Yeah, I'm with the ideas to put up some sort of open shelving, but maybe to do that above a little foot and a half of tile of some sort. I'm partial to penny tile, and think it would look really lovely above those cabinets. You can carry the BYU color scheme into it somehow. A slate blue colored penny tile – YES!
And then above the tile, a shelf system of some sort. Or art. Or a medium-sized mounted deer head, or something, if they're into that sort of thing. But start with the tile. (I also like the different sized rectangles a lot. That would look awesome.)
I think you should have the 2nd pattern of tiles. You said you wanted a mix of modern and traditional, and that's perfect. Option 1 is too plain, and Option 3 I love but it's 99% modern and 1% traditional, at least to me. For the rest of the wall I would paint it a light olive color.
I agree completely with you Caroline. I also love #3 but it is too modern, even the bar and those sleek profiled cabinets with stainless steel (looking?) hardware is definitely modern. A subway tile with a more traditional offset pattern may look nice. Here's some with some nice warmth and color http://www.overstock.com/Home-Garden/Somertile-Am…
There is a company called 3-form that have great ideas for back splashes and wall to wall art. One of their materials Varia Eco Resin has an organic section with great ideas. Pricey yes but make your own from two sheets of acrylic with any material in between the two to create your own one of a kind work of art. Check it out http://www.3-form.com. You could always paper it with some funky vinyl paper. Graham Brown has some great patterns to offer. Depending of course how much action that sink is going to get. Good Luck!!
I think a framed mirror hung horizontal and some small sconces on the sides? with tile as a backsplash. just above the counter top
If budget is a concern, you don't necessarily need a fancy backsplash. If you paint that wall a bright color, hang a mirror and some fancy sconces, your space can still look elegant and unique. Also a cute patterned wall paper might be nice.