Here is a list of some necessary items that you will never see on an HGTV show: choosing where electrical outlets go (which side of the door will I put my light switch? And in which order? Outside, kitchen, under the counter lights left to right? Or right to left? How many pot lights? Pendants over the peninsula? Does that alcove need a light? And the deck? Over the sink? What about outside lighting?
Heating. I can have a duct go up or down, not both. So, my kitchen will be warm and I have a wire for a heater in the laundry room. Hey, it's just the magical laundry fairy in there anyway. Fairies don't feel the cold. We're tough.
Drop-in sink or under-mount? Will we have granite $$$ or laminate countertops? Now, that you will see on HGTV. All those whiny, house-hunting entitled folks simpering over granite - which makes a great drinking game if you combine it with "man cave" and "walk in closet." Just make sure it's not a school night! Granite is nice, and we like quartz (hey, it's the new granite!) and recycled glass (very cool), but decided retiring before we're 100 is also cool. Maybe we'll throw some stone at the peninsula - add a little bling... Hell, we're up to 61K before electrical, plumbing, stucco, or any of the fun kitchen design decisions. We might end up with plywood...the undermount sinks go well with stone, but I dunno. I'm not sure I love the look - although they aren't as dumb as the giant country pantry sinks. I'd like to be able to stand upright and reach the bottom of the sink. But maybe that's just me.
Counters and cupboards in the laundry room? Hmmm...maybe re-use the upstairs counters and cupboards. Which side do the dryer and washer go? I hate that the doors crash together.
Cupboards to the ceiling? Yup. Because we're tall and we have limited storage.
Choosing a fridge took us days. Counter-depth? Side by side? Water and ice? We went with double bottom-freezer, French-door and ice, but no water dispenser. Why? Because we have a narrow, galley kitchen and a full door fridge wouldn't work. Plus, I'm sick of bending down to find stuff in the fridge. And no water because they're a pain in the ass and need repair. Ice, because it has an easy "off" button, so what the heck. I didn't go counter-depth (see Retire by 100 comment above); besides, it didn't fit a pizza box (mandatory!).
The range. I'm still getting google ads for Wolf ranges. Sigh. So pretty. BUT, the 100 years thing, right? So, KitchenAid, all gas. I haven't cooked on gas since university. Should be interesting. Apparently, roasting peppers is a must on an open flame. If you read the foodie websites, roasting peppers is hugely important, so choose your range carefully! Induction cooktops won't cut it. Although they are very, very cool technology. And, very, very expensive in range format - and guaranteed to break immediately, should I drop a pot on the top, which I would, since I never ever have, but now mustn't, so, obviously, would.
The flipping hood fan? I don't care. But apparently I should have because I chose the wrong one and had to go back and re-order an "inset" model. It's going to look very pretty, and it will hopefully not sound like a jet engine when turned on (because it's 600-1200 cfm variable settings, which is loud, but has a 10 inch pipe which should soften the sound). So there, another decision no one is interested in, but that makes a difference. Of course, by buying an inset, we require millwork, which will be pretty, but that 100 year thing again...
I chose a chunk of granite - for the bling - which will then determine the laminate colour, cabinet colour (some sort of off-white), and floor colour (marmoleum, by the way - very durable and not as cold and nasty as tile or as comfy but ugly as cork). Of course, I am about to meet with the kitchen guy - something to do about arches, peninsula depth and cupboards versus drawers.
I should point out too, that in choosing some of these items, we realized that our bed will be on the other side of the fridge and stove, so soundproofing must be considered. So that I am not awakened when the coffee-making fairy turns on the jet engine fan after burning peppers over the gas range.
Kitchen guy is here. Must go!
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