When I move into a new home I always feel a sense of urgency to transform the space into one that reflects our taste and is more efficient for us to use. I don’t know why the urgent feeling is there – because really it is almost always better to live in a space for a while to see what you really need. In the past we’ve wasted money and time doing things too quickly.
I am proud of us, though, with regard to our kitchen. We both like to cook – and I am now doing a lot of baking – and of course it’s where people gather so we wanted it to be functional and attractive.
We recently decided that our small stainless steel work table wasn’t enough of an island for us. We needed more storage and more work surface. We contacted Geoff at Victoria Furniture and together we designed the island at the top of this post. It’s made of cedar, and the finish and design is the same as the kitchen cabinets we had made when we first moved in.
There are four sets of doors with full extension pull out shelves inside. The island is on wheels, which I love since it gives more flexibility when setting up a buffet. The top is black granite – different than the mottled black and brown granite on the rest of the counters. I like it that way.
I can’t tell you how happy I am with out kitchen now. The look is uncluttered. The layout is efficient, and I like that I can put away a lot of things that will deteriorate in Mazatlán’s humidity.
Geoff Simons and his partner Juan Carlos Valdez of Victoria Furniture have made me one happy lady. Maybe I had better go bake something… what do you think?
jonn
September 2, 2010Beautiful! Really gorgeous work on the cabinetry and the design. I love that it moves, that is a great idea.
tancho
September 2, 2010Gorgeous kitchen, Mine looked as unclutteredt for about two days after they installed it….
Chrissy
September 2, 2010Looks great Nancy. As always 🙂
Nancy
September 2, 2010Jonna, Thanks…we are quite pleased! Now I need to get my stand mixer fixed and make some bread!
Tancho, Thank you! I like thinks nice and tidy and it was nice to put away the vita-mix and food processor. The food processor was less than a year old and it already had a few rusty spots…
Chrissy, Thank you!
Nancy
September 3, 2010Looks great. I like the idea of a moveable island. I would cook in that kitchen anytime.
mindy
September 3, 2010I love seeing pics of your kitchen. The island is great. and the fact that it is on wheels is perfect!!! Nice job.
Jackie
September 3, 2010You have a beautiful kitchen!
Terry
September 3, 2010Nancy,
I love your kitchen! I just went back and looked at the pictures from when you first bought the house – what an improvement! Keep up the good work and keep blogging. I really enjoy all that you write, and all that you show us up here NOB.
Ric
September 3, 2010Stunning. Great contrast to the cedar.
Nancy
September 3, 2010Nancy, Thanks, we really love it! It is a pleasure to cook in.
Mindy, Thanks, I have to admit I really enjoy working in it and looking at it too!
Jackie, Gracias.
Terry, I’m glad you enjoy the blog. I should look at those long ago pictures to see how far we’ve come!
Ric, Thank you! I really am pleased with the look.
John Calypso
September 4, 2010Very impressive amiga! Oh and Paul too – how sexist of me… ;-0
Kim G
September 5, 2010Wow! That must be the most beautiful kitchen in Mazatlán! Great pics, too. It’s hard to take an interior room shot like that.
Saludos,
Kim G
Boston, MA
Where we now have a serious case of kitchen envy.
Larry
September 5, 20100wow!! You can invite us over for dinner anytime. Very well done.
Nancy
September 5, 2010Thanks John Calypso, Kim G and Larry! You should have been here last night for the french onion soup! That kitchen can cook!
laurencancun
September 7, 2010WOW, I love the look of your kitchen!!! When we first moved here I hadn’t appreciated that all of my stainless steel appliances would start to tarnish! LOL!! It’s either polish them daily, or put them away!! So I had to giggle at your comment about that!!!
Kelly
September 7, 2010Your house is so beautiful – just what I imagine I’ll have someday in Mazatlan! Thanks for sharing so many great pictures with us all.
Cheryl
September 7, 2010Wow such a beautiful kitchen Nancy! I have that granite in my kitchen as well. Keep a soft, cotton diaper handy for polishing it! I have found that is the best for keeping the streaks off.
Zoe
September 8, 2010I think Coco is waiting for you to make her some homemade vegetarian dog biscuits! How gorgeous is that, anyway!! I am jealous, too, but I won’t admit it. ‘-)
Nancy
September 9, 2010Thanks so much for your nice comments, everyone! I will have to look for a diaper next time I’m at the store – that’s a great idea… and Zoe, look in my left menu bar and click on the “what I’m baking” picture to see what I made Coco yesterday!
Zoe
September 10, 2010How propitious was my comment?! Those look great. My veggie friend in Bisbee brings me over huge plates of cookies every xmas; carrot and molasses, garlic, all sorts of things. Trouble with FOUR dogs is you have to make hundred!
There will be a mystery guest at dinner next week and I’m looking forward to seeing you guys.
Mexico Cooks!
September 10, 2010Nancy, it’s just gorgeous! One of these days we will see it in person….
Cristina
linda lou
September 13, 2010Just getting around to my reading and I missed this post. your kitchen is absolutely gorgeous. you guys have done a wonderful job and I know you enjoy it so much!
Nancy
September 13, 2010Zoe, Looking forward to your mystery guest (and you guys)!
Cristina, I would love love love to have you guys come over, anytime! We have tons of room!
Linda Lou, Thank you so much, we love it!