We've started packing up the kitchen because next week the demolition starts.
To kick things off right, here are some before pictures from various angles.
First is from the doorway into the back hall looking to the southwest corner of the room. The base cabinets under the window are essentially useless because they hide a large radiator that is completely ineffective in heating the room. This fridge is being moved to the attic's bar area. We're going to re-wire the chandelier because we found its mate in a pile of crap in the attic. Watch for it to re-appear with its mate in the after pictures... ;-)
Next is the view from the doorway towards the southeast corner of the room. The arrangement of the sconce to the cabinet left of the window means you can't really get into the cabinet... The "broom closet" next to the fridge existed because it wrapped the plumbing stack for the old master bath. Now that we've relocated the plumbing stack the entire wall can be flush. You can also see the change in ceiling height from where this was changed from 2 rooms into one in the 1980s. Once we get it down to the studs we'll be able to determine the new ceiling height and have it be flush throughout. Note the awesome work triangle. NOT!
Next is the view to the east toward the dining room. The bump-out on the right, where the range is currently, is the back side of the dining room fireplace. We have a plan to work around that - stay tuned...
We're hoping to preserve the soft curve and wainscot that leads to the bi-swinging door to the dining room and the china hutch that's furthest from the camera. This soft corner and wainscot was the inspiration for the similar soft corners and wainscot that's sprinkled in the attic.
Next is a view from the current sink location back toward the doorway to the back hall. Where I ripped open the stud cavity, you can see the tubing for the in-floor radiant heat in the master bath above. We're going to ditch the radiators and install in-floor radiant heat in this room, too. The plan is quarter sawn oak flooring that's consistent with the flooring in the public spaces in the rest of the house. Originally I'm sure the butler pantry and staging kitchen would have had fir floors, and I think Gilbert would be OK with us using oak based on modern entertaining methods. With modern entertaining the kitchen is a public space after all...
Last is the view to the west from the bi-swinging door to the dining room. There's not really much else to say.
Except that I wish we could find a way to salvage the glass door fronts. The carcasses of the cabinets they're in are not original so they are no great loss. But the doors with their wavy glass are very cool. We've been trying for 8 years to find a way to re-use or re-purpose them with no luck. :-(
