Kitchen in 17th century French house
Dear Houzzers,
Here is our dilemma. We are lucky enough to have recently moved to France, a long- time dream, into a wonderful, all stone, 17th century house. I have been collecting pictures of kitchens for 6 years, but the reality of our finances is disappointing. So, I am hoping perhaps someone can help us with budget ideas for this amazing room. I was leaning towards repurposed furniture from brocantes and flea markets but I now think it will be too expensive to convert them to hold sink, stovetop, etc. I've looked at Ikea, and really don't like Varde very much, which is the least expensive option. As you can see, the walls are stone and plaster and we have a beautiful fireplace, potager, and etager built into the wall. We know we want a double built in oven(eye level),an induction hob (stovetop), and as much counterspace as we can possibly get, including a large island. We don't want upper cupboards but perhaps shelves, and we want mostly large drawers in the island and counters, rather than cabinets. We are not very handy. The ancient cobblestone floor is uneven. We'd love wooden countertops, but can't afford natural wood for everything else. I will stop now, although I could go on:-). Perhaps someone out there has some wonderful, and affordable, ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.
Here is our dilemma. We are lucky enough to have recently moved to France, a long- time dream, into a wonderful, all stone, 17th century house. I have been collecting pictures of kitchens for 6 years, but the reality of our finances is disappointing. So, I am hoping perhaps someone can help us with budget ideas for this amazing room. I was leaning towards repurposed furniture from brocantes and flea markets but I now think it will be too expensive to convert them to hold sink, stovetop, etc. I've looked at Ikea, and really don't like Varde very much, which is the least expensive option. As you can see, the walls are stone and plaster and we have a beautiful fireplace, potager, and etager built into the wall. We know we want a double built in oven(eye level),an induction hob (stovetop), and as much counterspace as we can possibly get, including a large island. We don't want upper cupboards but perhaps shelves, and we want mostly large drawers in the island and counters, rather than cabinets. We are not very handy. The ancient cobblestone floor is uneven. We'd love wooden countertops, but can't afford natural wood for everything else. I will stop now, although I could go on:-). Perhaps someone out there has some wonderful, and affordable, ideas? Thanks in advance for your help.
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I renovated my kitchen recently and was lucky to get a new kitchen out of a showroom that was closing down. All the display kitchens were half price.I found one kitchen that worked with space. it wasnt exactly what i would choose, but its medium quality, neutral and a vast improvement on what we had. The kitchen company pulled the kitchen out and apart and I had to pay someone to install it but it worked well as kitchen showroom kitchens are only loosely fitted.
You can have the drawer units built to fit under your installed top as you can afford them. In the mean time refaced wooden file cabinets with added furniture legs can fill in.http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=+image+funiture+legs&qpvt=+image+funiture+legs&FORM=IGRE
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=wood+file+cabinets&qpvt=wood+file+cabinets&FORM=IGRE
cupboards underneath?
This looks like something that might work for you. if not check out the other stuff on their site!!
They brought the kitchen cabinets with them . The cabinets has been made in Italy.
When i looked on cabinets it definitely was not worth the price they paid .
They paid around 45,000 Euro but here in USA they can get better quality ones for $15000- $20,000 , I used to have other customer who build an expensive house here in USA he flied to France to get pictures and ideas of French style. The bottom line the cabinets are very expensive over there . The IKEA stuff of similar have two big disadvantages : very low durability and it can hardly match old french house style.
One of the possible solutions to order cabinets from Eastern Europe : Bulgaria , Latvia , Estonia the transportation cost is relatively low . Just need to be sure to make the right dimension and design . If you find the right source the quality may greatly exceed what you can get in France or Italy and you can save a lot of money.
You need to check local sources either . Especially in view the French Country style it is mix of
separate cabinets rather than whole wall of cabinets your task could be some easier .
If you will be find the cabinets made out of French Walnut it would be great , as i know paint grade could work too. The old surface can be successfully and inexpensive restored with Tung oil Good luck . Let me know if you have any questions . Thanks .
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=blue+oak+kitchen&start=475&hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4AURU_enAU499AU499&biw=1166&bih=608&tbm=isch&tbnid=MNjwUDjCTqS37M:&imgrefurl=http://www.housetohome.co.uk/kitchen/picture/seasonal-kitchen&docid=SCp_6o_Dxop_iM&imgurl=http://housetohome.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/96/00000a009/ad60_orh550w550/kitchen52.jpg&w=550&h=550&ei=k5zwUNyDKubJmQXz-YHICg&zoom=1&iact=rc&dur=396&sig=116851892899843121501&page=21&tbnh=151&tbnw=159&ndsp=25&ved=1t:429,r:87,s:400,i:265&tx=102&ty=84
http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?q=kitchen+dresser+blue&hl=en&sa=X&tbo=d&qscrl=1&rlz=1T4AURU_enAU499AU499&biw=1166&bih=608&tbm=isch&tbnid=GkLCZoIQbbU2gM:&imgrefurl=http://www.housetohome.co.uk/product-idea/picture/country-classic-buys-vintage-kitchen/4&docid=oYw31C-e0NpoHM&imgurl=http://housetohome.media.ipcdigital.co.uk/96/00000f6a3/9395_orh550w550/Kitchen-dresser.jpg&w=550&h=550&ei=QKHwUIz0IebKmQXL_ICYDw&zoom=1&iact=hc&vpx=2&vpy=43&dur=14633&hovh=224&hovw=224&tx=113&ty=249&sig=116851892899843121501&page=1&tbnh=128&tbnw=121&start=0&ndsp=24&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0,
Regarding the repurposing of furniture, I would say go for it but study the layout. Buy only for example the ikea casing/shell/carcass as they are sturdy, for cabinets like the sink, hob and dishwasher and source the fronts by yourselves,that you can buy second hand as well so you can match them better.
Here are some pictures of pallet furniture (even a desktop--idea could be used for a countertop)
http://pinterest.com/justorganizeyou/pallet-furniture/
Here is a picture of table on wheels: