The kitchen as it was when we moved.

When we moved into our house (June 2011) our kitchen had:

• 2-24″ base cabinets
• 2-24″ wall cabinets
• 2-22″ drawers
• 1-36″ sink cabinet
• 62″ countertop
• 1 electric range
• 1 counter-depth fridge
• counter height: 32″ 

After living with that counter space and storage for several months, we desperately needed more. We were planning to remodel some day, but our bank account was nowhere near ready. We needed something affordable and temporary and we found the perfect fix with Ikea’s VÄRDE shelving unit. That lovely piece of furniture doubled our work space and under-the-counter storage, let us hide the microwave, and it didn’t block the narrow opening into our kitchen. At the same time we added two Grundtal rails and a shelf. Here’s the revised floor plan:

The original floor plan in all its new spacious glory.

The addition of those rails and shelves was life changing. Four wedding cakes, a dozen special-occasion-cakes, 1 croquembouche, 300 cookies, and countless pies/casseroles/bread loaves later, we’re finally embarking on our first renovation! We’re ready for a dishwasher, disposal, drawers that stay in place, more storage, a gas range, and better light!