the backsplash

The one thing I absolutely 100 percent knew about before going into this renovation was that I wanted subway tile for the backsplash. It's classic, clean and timeless to me.

I knew I wanted white tile. But then I eventually got carried away into the handmade as opposed to machine made, and that's how I ended up at Waterworks. Which only led me down into the depths of craziness, because soon I was on several phonecalls discussing such things like Architectonics vs. Cottage vs. Archive. What?!


Needless to say, the possibilities of subway tile looks, finishes, sizes and colors are ENDLESS. Just perfect. In my descent into third circle of subway tile hell, I discovered:

The Cottage line is thinner, flatter and has a cooler white, and is the least expensive.

Archive is thicker, has surface waviness and has a brighter white, and it's the most expensive.

Architectonics is in between the two in terms of look and price. It's nice, bright white as well.

After contemplating having very visible surface waviness (do you see how this sounds insane?), I was convinced it would be too much of a country look for the kitchen. So, I went for the Architectonics line (in Mykonos) over the Cottage for more of a handmade feel.


The Scotia rail (from the Architectonics line) will be used as a pencil trim (minus the crackle seen here in the photo) on top of the subway tile that is going on the walls like so:

the lighting

I wish I could have two ceiling lights. Alas, no drilling into the concrete ceiling, and no channeling in the structural components. So, one light fixture it is. Needless to say, I spent weeks searching for a bright light, one that could have at least 100 watts, if not 150. One that would spread its light all over, and not just down. And one that would fit the transitional scheme and be the proper height. I first fell in love with this Hicks pendant from Thomas O'Brien. But the big one was too big and the small one was too small and with too low of a wattage. Moving on.


Then I was drawn to the Edwardian open bottom flush mount fixture by Sandy Chapman. But no.


The Clark ceiling light by Thomas O'Brien. What fun! This could add a little traveling by train glamour to the kitchen. That went nowhere. Too tiny.


I didn't want track lighting, and I really didn't want a fixed rail fixture either, although this one is actually kind of nice.


The Westmount, from Schoolhouse Electric. Cute, but...


I had pretty much settled upon this in polished nickel, but then had second thoughts about it being too small and not bright enough. It was purchased and then returned. Doh!


Getting warmer! I love the industrial and clean look of prismatic lights. The single prismatic standard light by Urban Archaeology. Pricey!


Obsessed over these for awhile, from Barn Light Electric, but only in polished aluminum.


Finally! The Haverhill pendant from Hudson Valley fit the bill, and now she sits in a box in our dusty living room awaiting the end.

the cabinetry and hardware

After weeks and weeks of indecision, deliberations, measurements, discussions, nitpickings and, of course, obsessing, we finally settled on a door style called New Yorker from Rutt Cabinetry for our frameless cabinets. It has a reverse small cove panel, and everything will be in white. The people at Bilotta Kitchens were very patient and informative and put up with all my insanities over minutiae.


The drawers will be five piece, with soft-close hinges.


The knobs will be the Aubrey Knob in polished nickel from Restoration Hardware.


There will be bin pulls in polished nickel from Classic Brass on the drawers.


And a latch in polished nickel from Rejuvenation on the undersink cabinets.

the yard

A sunny and brisk day in early March was the setting for our trip to the granite yard: All Granite and Marble in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey.


I covet marble, but know that that is not practical for me. So I was set on finding some white/gray granite. This one was pretty gray, but a little too busy.


I fear it somehow might look too 80s.


Can you just slide out that middle one for me, over there, kind sir?


Pretty! A white granite, with the look of marble, but it's actually a granite/quartz mixture: quartzite. There were a few that were very similar to this slab, and the guy broke off some pieces for us.


I take my favorite samples home to observe.



The quartzite is pretty and actually, quite sparkly with flecks of shininess everywhere.


Hello, Mr. Sparkle. We reserved a slab of this one for now, but might change our minds.


And this was the one that I thought was 80s looking for some reason.

the kitchen sink and faucet

Now, I am currently in love with the Franke KBX110-21. I was completely wary of the integral ledge, and actually asked the salesman, "Is this something that is desired?" And he said, "Oh, yes." I said, "But, will it bother me? What if I feel claustrophobic moving things around in there because of these protruding ledges?"

The guy looked at me like I was completely insane.


This Perrin & Rowe faucet with sidespray in polished nickel will be our new friend.

the beginning

We are renovating our sweet little galley kitchen. *pet pet pet* I like the kitchen. It's comfortable, the layout is functional and it's not too ugly. But there is a lot of wasted space, and my life seems to revolve around storage. "How can I store it?" seems to be my first query for everything.

I have never gone through my own renovation before, and I'm nervous, excited and overstimulated all at once. This is a broker's photo of the kitchen when the apartment was for sale. It's a 1950's-era galley kitchen that is 7'2.5" wide x 8'3" with original metal cabinets, white formica countertops, white square tiles as the backsplash, black square tiles on the floor, a broken dishwasher, a half-broken Magic Chef range, a white Kohler sink and a Hotpoint refrigerator, all encased in minty green walls...



Before moving in, we painted the kitchen white and everything else is as-is.


I can't stand having to put things on top of the cabinets. It's a pet peeve of mine...even when people put decorative plants and such up there. It is no-man's land to me.


The broken 24-inch dishwasher currently holds extra paper towels, napkins and a yogurt maker. Good times.

the tipping point

This is the beginning. The beginning of the end, no doubt. Because once I get started, I seem to inevitably get carried away. Everything becomes a project, choices become overwhelming and simple decisions make me feel like I need to convene a forum at Davos. What is this? A journey into renovations, documentations and everyday obsessions.