DESIGNING OUR KITCHEN *How To Plan a Renovation* | XO, MaCenna
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- Опубликовано: 1 апр 2023
- It can take months or even years of planning before finally starting to renovate a room! Today I kick-starting the redesign of our kitchen and dining area and bringing you along with me. Sharing my thoughts, how I get started thinking about a renovation and a FIRST LOOK at what our kitchen could become!
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The bifold doors making your kitchen indoor outdoor is such a beautiful concept. Especially during the heat of the summers and hosting pool parties!
Right!!!! I was like omg I love this being a wide door opening!
Could you make the doors in the kitchen open outwards into the porch? Not only would you gain more space but it would also great more drama.
@@Sophie-ny4ec ooh that’s a great question!
I agree you can have the doors open outside or those folding doors will be nice too. That will be a great idea for your dining room and have an opening to the kitchen. I'm getting so excited for your kitchen renovation.
@@XOMaCenna the bi-fold doors will take up space. For cleaner lines you could install 3 or 4 panel ceiling to floor sliding glass doors, ones that “stack” as they slide. Also, making your exterior doors out swing is better for home security purposes, making it more difficult to kick in a door. The breaker box is probably for the oven if it dual energy, gas cooktop and electric oven, the microwave might have its own breaker as well. Have fun designing!
Yes to the dining room idea in the front room. Another idea I've seen is dual purpose dining rooms such as a library/formal dining room. With your love of dark and moody plus bookcase decor and old books...that has you written all over it! Looking forward to whatever you end up with!
Yes to a library+ dining room!
That’s exactly what I was thinking too! A dining room library combo there would be so pretty. And it seems plenty big enough to be more a dual space than just a formal dining that hardly gets use.
@@Jennifer.Greene I 100% agree!
Great idea! And so her :)
I LOVED the cottage 'dark and Moody'. Being that this incredible home is in sunny California in my humble opinion just screams, light and colorful!!. Either way as talented as you are, it's going to beautiful! So glad to be included in your journey! 😊
Love the Formal dining in front idea! Only thing I'd suggest is to keep the sink in front of window, making the island an unobstructed area to be a functional working island. Plus moving plumbing breaks the flooring if you don't have crawlspace access. Don't fix what isn't broken 😻
Agreed, the sink at the window is already a great location, and it would save so much not having to move the plumbing!
That's what I was thinking too,I would always want my sink in front of a window, it just makes a kitchen better than staring at s wall or having a dishwasher take up space in an island.
What if the formal living area becomes the living room and the present living/family room is the dining? Love the house. Keep up the good work !!
I was going to suggest that, too. I would rather come into a living room when I enter a house than come into a dining room.
As an architect i totally agree with you, i honestly think that's the actual use of the "informal living room"...it doesn't make sense for the age of the house to have two living rooms and such a narrow dining
I was thinking the same! The present living room is smaller and already connected to the kitchen/present dining room, so it would make more sense, in my opinion. And you don‘t need to take down another (and load bearing) wall to the kitchen.
Also, take in mind that once your family grows and you move your bedroom to the first floor, if would be prettier to walk down the stairs to a beautiful living room, instead of first having to walk by a dining room that you don‘t use as much as the living room.
You would also have more wall space for a pantry! :)
@judywyse7088
Definitely a GREAT 💡💡💡
The formal dining room is such an amazing idea! You should do that! 😍
A formal dinning area would be so lovely! I think that is the best use of space as well, and you can really decorate seasonally in a beautiful dining area. Love that idea so much!
Yes I 100% agree!!
I think so too!!!!!
❤️❤️❤️❤️
Although you may rearrange/tweak the space many more times to come, I think your first iteration is wonderful. By taking down the wall,removing a window and door and adding bi-fold doors to pool area, the space will be so much more functional. Your attention to detail and decorating acumen will just enhance the new space. How much fun to plan…however long or short it will take. My guess you won’t want to wait too long to tackle this reno. And fun for us too!!
I love the formal dining room in the front of the house! You'll get such better use of the space :)
Please, though, don't move the sink. Sink and range back-to-back just creates a chokepoint in the kitchen and you end up with a very small area of your kitchen where the prep and cooking and cleaning zones collide and then lots of empty counterspace you never use. If you keep the sink where it is under those beautiful windows and just add a prep sink in the island, you get much better zoning in the kitchen and have spread out the useable space!
Plus, if the sink stays where it is, you could potentially make the island a little smaller and have it facing the pool. A much better view that way. And you could save money by not having to move the plumbing.
I agree about keeping the sink under the windows!
Definitely keep the sink under windows!!! Such a pretty view when doing the dishes.
I always thought that dining room tables at front entrances looked like people didn't have any other option. It just looks so awkward in my opinion.
Great idea to have small prep sink on island and keep main big sink where it is.
So brilliant! I would really recommended keeping your sink where it is in your new plans. I think it’s too tight to have that close to the range. Also it’ll look so dreamy to do dishes looking out on the roses.
Agree. Sinks in the island is a trend I will be happy to see go away
Agreed on the sink. I just love an island with nothing in it.
I agree. I love looking out the window as I wash dishes. Was never a fan of sink on island.
Definitely. And the fridge is kinda in a weird spot as far as the functional triangle goes.
I could see the front room being the living room, your current living room becomes the dining room the the kitchen can be larger with a breakfast nook included. No added opening off the front room so you have more wall space. I love the planning and dreaming phase. :) good luck!
I just mentioned same…but you explained it better 😉 totally agree 👍🏼
Wait a minute, LOL, I thought the second living room would become a guest room or office, because there aren't enough rooms if you have a boy and a girl. Then you're wanting an office, guest room, and primary bedroom. OMG, MaCenna, this house is just too small! 😅
@@tracygarrett3952 They have rooms upstairs, beside their own room downstairs.
Yes!
@@tracygarrett3952 now wait a minute..we can build a master suite with bath on that second patio section behind house 😜
I love the idea of the formal living room becoming your formal dining room. how beautiful that room with the fireplace will be in the holidays
Right!!!! Stunning and cozy!
@@XOMaCenna A dinning room on the entrance of your house will just be the first thing you look at when you enter, it's very awkward, specially when you have space in your home. I would of eliminate the firewall wall, if structurally possible, and create a beautiful grand living-dinning, you know how to separate them visually and with carpets, it will be awesome, airy, flowy, the entrance won't be a dark place anymore because of all the lights that comes from the current living room windows.
@@capridovonrenislam4128 You would still enter directly into a living room space or a dining space (depending on how you distribute the furniture). I would find a way to make an entrance hall with a jacket closet of something, she has enough space for it. We usually have that in Europe and it's very practical.
This was SO MUCH FUN to watch I can't explain! I think entering to the dining room will make more sense when you open it up to the kitchen as you plan to.
I love the idea of opening up the kitchen and making it larger. However, I think the dining room would fit better where your living room is now located. That way when you have people over and you’re entering, they are not looking to your bedroom. The dining room would give additional privacy to your bedroom. I hope that makes sense.
What about keeping the stove in the center island since the gas lines are already there-ish? And then keep the sink under the box window? Then you would also have a nice “triangle flow” between cook top, sink, and fridge! Btw, you’re my diy home inspo heroine. I hope to get to meet you one day!
From the minute you toured us through your new home, I imagined a dining room in the formal living room area. In fact, the plan you drew up is almost exactly what I had in mind. The cramped kitchen and narrow dining room are begging to be turned into a large beautiful kitchen! After seeing what you’ve done at the cottage, I have no doubt what you finally do will be beautiful.
I thought the same thing!!!!! Dining in the formal living room and even a sun room in the dining area you have now!!! Love what you have come up with!!! xo
😅😊😊
Yes!!! This is exactly what I have been thinking this whole time. Make entry formal dining and remove wall to create kitchen of your dreams! ❤ I bet you get the itch to do it sooner than later. It’s going to be great!
The itch has begun hahaha
@@XOMaCenna 😂😂😂
I love your eye for design, and believe you did an incredible job on the cottage kitchen. It was an excellent layout for the space. Knowing this is your first attempt and plan for this space. I’d kindly suggest you keep the sink in the window to utilize the work space of your island And to remains the charm of the window sink. My second suggestion would be to close the entry to the informal living and increase the wall space for a wall pantry (which avoids any tall cupboards and fridges in major sight lines). Which leads me to my last suggestion, when you mentioned durning the first half of the video a fridge (imagine panelled or otherwise) is not a great sight line when entering a door. So I would relocated your fridge to the left side of the current sinks location. Leaving a beautiful sight line to a large back wall for the stove workspace and some decorative cupboards. I hope this doesn’t come off too opinionated or a criticism, because sharing a vision is very hard to do. I’ve designed a few kitchens in very difficult spaces and I’m just trying to pass off some lessons I’ve learned. ❤❤❤
In my opinion, I completely agree with you on closing the entry from the informal living room and gaining a bigger pantry! Also opening the access arch from the kitchen to the future dining room (currently formal living room) I think it makes it flow naturally.
Personally, I would also change the position of the refrigerator. To me, the position of the refrigerator in the drawing looks like it's going to block a big chunk of all the amazing light coming through the doors to the front patio, cause refrigerators are quite deep and tall.
Anyway, I am in LOVE with your cottage kitchen and I'm sure your LA one is going to be perfect for your family one day @XOMaCenna
Greetings from Barcelona!
(I apologize for any mistakes! English isn't my first neither my second language)
Please do more videos like this !! Love seeing how you come about planning before taking action. I have been struggling over how to renovate my home office since I work from home full time and had no idea how to start. This process you went through helps me tremendously!!! I’m going to get my sketch book and start mapping out my Reno project. Thank you so much !!!
I love the idea of the formal dining room being in the front of the house.
Could be a library,dining room...love that combo.
We have it & love it!
We do too.
💯 and close up the wall leading to that small ‘dining room’ from the kitchen, to make room for a pantry. And turn that room with a pool view into an office. You’ll be grateful for a room with a door to work in when the kids come along 😅
Find a nice large dinning table at an estate sale. Put it in the front room and see how you like it.
I think this may be my favorite video you've ever done. I am so impressed by people who have an eye for redesigning spaces and have always wondered what the creative process was like. This helped me understand how to do this to my own space! I LOVE the idea of the front formal dining room. I mean a dining room with a fireplace, come on, that's so cool.
Your mom and I are on the same wavelength about turning that space into a dining room! I thought since your initial home tour that adding the narrow dining space to the kitchen and turning the formal space into a dining room would make so much sense. Just go for it! We know you’ll make it beautiful.
Exactly what a lot of us were thinking originally was to make the first room a formal dinning room and then definitely open the kitchen up by removing that wall. I don’t know where the the kitchen doors go out to or if they would interfere but … I have changed my door openings before. You can always open doors outward to the outside if it doesn’t interfere with what is outside. The doors don’t have to open inward thus allowing more space on the window wall beside the doors. I would also think of adding sky lights above & then you don’t need all the windows & you gain wall space for a pantry or cupboards. If you remove door by pool maybe put a sliding door that opens the whole wall and you feel like you are outdoors (it is a continuous door that brings the outside in).Thanks for showing us the ideas. 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻Blessing’s
MaCenna I love how you include us in your thought process from the very beginning, it really goes a long way to fostering that investment from the planning stages of your creative process, and the appreciation for your problem solving abilities as you have to pivot along the way. You are just so good at what you do and it’s inspiring to watch ❤
I am so obsessed with your design style. HOLY ISH I can’t wait for this renovation. I get that it’s probably not until next year, but I will still be here. 😊 making the two back windows into doors is just divine.
Thank you so much!!
Another idea. As I mentioned knock down that wall between thr kitchen and dining and reconfigure it but keep your living room. Put some comfortable leather chairs, a rug and good lighting. Put lots of bookcases in and make it sort of a library/ reading nook. It's got the fireplace in there. It would be awesome.
architecture student here! i was kinda skeptical with the formal dining room concept at first, but after the in-depth explanation and your drafts, i'm sold. i'm sorry for ever doubting you! having those bifold doors open up to the pool area is absolutely beautiful. just imagine the serene view especially once you've added the outdoor furniture by the poolside, truly a stunning indoor outdoor concept. some may find it quite bizarre to walk into a dining room but the most important thing is that it makes sense for you. besides, i think the concept is very fitting for your use and the home itself. you're definitely heading in the right direction, beyond excited to see your vision come to life!
Love the formal dining in the front room! I know it was just a sketch, but I think you should move the fridge to the angled wall over where you want to add the large doors to the pool. Having more counter space by the stove is very convenient and if you want a cold drink while you sit by the pool you don’t have to walk to the other side of the kitchen.
Yes!! Since the first empty house tour, I've been imagining the formal living room as a dining room! I think it's a great idea.
Guess I am old school in that I really like walking into a main living room. Why not have the room you enter from the front door as your living room. Then the 'informal' living can be your dining area. That way you can take from that room and pool view room for the kitchen as needed. Love the light your new home has.🙂
I agree with both you and your Mom. The front entry room has a formality to it. The Wood floors and the fireplace would make an excellent dining room. You can always add two chairs and a lamp along the wall or infront of windows. The existing family room is large and more relaxed and gives you an area to work and watch the pool. Your plan was right on. And the column would indeed connect the rooms. As a designer I really love the design you brought forward. You never disappoint.
I’m a long time dedicated viewer and I wasn’t sure that I was going to like this video from the title but I LOVED IT and didn’t want it to end. I thought it was going to be more talky (like a walk through of what you would want to do which I see a lot in other DIY videos) but the drawings and practical advice of what to consider was so cool!
Thank you so much! I really tried to make it practical and applied to a real space! 🥰
@@XOMaCenna This video was great went straight to business 👏
Usually the first plan is the best plan... And then just fine tune it. Love everything that you thought about. Also, you could do like a little half wall with some kind of screening or something by the front door so you have more of a little entryway effect that's not visually going directly into the dining room. But I think that space would be perfect for a dining room
I loved to see your thought process in how to rearrange and make a kitchen work and function better. I'm sure it worked previously, but the dining room is an odd narrow shape and hard to put a dining table in there or other pieces. I love that you're not losing the charm of the house and that it's keeping with the age of the house. Excited to see how this evolves!!
I love this first draft! The space seems so much more functional. I like the idea of the dining in the front room. I think a large round table would work best for flow through/ around the space. Not sure if it would feel to closed off but another option would be to close up the entrance from the current living room and gain more wall space for cabinets/storage/pantry. Also I since the pantry won’t be walk in I would recommend more drawers than shelves to make things easier to access.
Have you considered leaving the formal living room as your main living room and your current living room converted to your dinning room? The idea of breaking down the wall between the kitchen and the narrow dinning room works to open up the kitchen and perhaps get more space to create the island, shelving and perhaps a sort of pantry.
Agree!
I've kept thinking about turning that formal living room into a dining room and opening up to the kitchen. That's what I would do if it was my house :)
I love the idea of making that room a dining room. They are always so stunning and clean too. Such a good wow moment when you walk in. I can imagine it being STUNNING with the fireplace, stairs, chandelier and peek into another amazing MaCenna kitchen.
You are SO GOOD at problem solving interior designs and planning a new vision.. i just cant wait to see it come together!
i wanna see you decorate the pool area.... furniture, plants etc..
SHE HAS FURNITURE IN THE GARAGE STILL BOXED. STILL RAINING IN CALI
Me too that would be so pretty!!
Coming soon 🥰
@@lovly2cu725 😂
Yes, I love the idea of the dining room there. Logistically, it makes total sense.
This is so exciting!! Personally, I would see if the island could be shortened so it could face the bifold doors. It is literally a dream layout of mine, but your plan makes sense! Love the idea of the dual fire place separating the living and dining. So dreamy ☁️😍
My front door comes straight into my dinning room and I love it!
Yes yes yes!! As always, your mum is right! The drawing you did for the kitchen is fab! Such a. Good use of the space and changing/removing doors and windows. That front room as a formal dining room is exactly right for this home!❤
How about remembering inside outside dining options as you make your plans for easier and more visually interesting dining options for future planning to include the passing of food both in and out Optional 😮 part two concept Maybe 🤔 with your vault keeping those beams as Architectural interest that are in the attic now😮in Mind because all the windows add charm but the pool on hot days is going to bring so much value if it's all included in your plans for this kitchen Remodel in Your Future and when is Your Dad coming to give his expert opinions hopefully soon 😘🥰💝
As I'm sure Your Home will be a vacation Dreamers Escape if You do it all Really Carefully keeping all the Safety precautions and outside as well as inside Beautiful vegetations in mind moving forward. Also when are You and Romeo planning to return to your Texas Masterpiece....Would Romeo ever be interested in becoming more versed in Construction Himself or Is His Mind more aimed at having His Own Business Venture beyond the Pop Up Shop as You've mentioned Your bed and breakfast in Texas as an investment for future rental opportunities
So as a family in the whole are Your parents thinking also in that Direction with You Guys or have you not even dreamt that Far. Finally How and when are You guys planning Your wedding ? Would that be after Your Home is Completed in Texas before Stage two of building additional cottages for Your Bed & Breakfast Venture but before You do the Kitchen Remodel in LA ...😮How's it All being planned Out Before a Surprise of Pregnancy pushes these Events Occuring in "Your Minds Eye Now"; Even further back into this probabilities of your Time Span Planning
Being that The Apple Doesn't Fall far from the tree of Your Mother as A Mini Me with Looking so Alike Are You and Your Mom Just constant planners and Dreamers who both just Love Projects 😘🥰💝Because Your Mom is Dreaming of Fox Run just LiKe Your Dreaming of Your Bed & Breakfast and Now adding into the Mind a New Kitchen Earthquake Safe in this Little Dreamers Paradise of Your L.A. Forever Home 🤔 I Think it's Delightful but What A Handful You Both Are To Keep Up to As Dreamers by both Your Father and Romeo. Would Love to Hear a podcast where You All sit down and discuss How two women really impacted or impact the Men in Your LiFe.
You Never Mention Your Brother very much but who does he take After & is He into building as well like Your Mom and Dad & What Do These Men All Say when these women Around them Heads Get too buzzing 😱 with More Projections 😱 into Their Futures 🤣😂🤣
Inquiring Minds Think these are some very valuable Questions as We Come to Watch Your Podcast...& What's Happened to Your Dreamers Mind and Your Pop Up Shops or Your Storage Area ideas for future remodeling of where you've been storing much of your stuff in Texas seeing it most "Diffinately Needs Working On, to Keep Stuff inside Safe from molding and little animals curiosity and also more visually appealing to Look At ...NOTE:
Living In Your Mind it's A 24 Hour Pop Up Masterpiece of Surprises 💝 But What Do the Men Actually Say & Do when You Guys Get Things A Cooking in Those Dreamers Brains...of Yours...🧐 Really they have to be Creative and Achievers just to Keep Up with You Girls...😂🤣😂
🧐Right ???? Hopefully somewhere in future broadcast You Bring together You and Romeo and Your Parents and Talk about "All These Things" 😱
This video was fascinating! I know you can’t do this Reno anytime soon but man I can’t wait until you do!
With all the work you do on both houses, you should get a laser measuring tool. You’ll love it. They are the best!! 😊
I absolutely love the idea of opening up your kitchen and using the front formal living as a dining area. How gorgeous that would be!!!
Loving your ideas and floor plan!
I recommend keeping the formal living room. I wish we had two living rooms! Maybe some can relate. Here's why:
1. My partner takes over our main living watching action movies or on his game. It drives me nuts because I have to go relax in my room or hangout in the garage if I want to do my own thing and not hear the surround sound of things blowing up. Lol! 😄
He also works outside, so when he's home he wants to shut the blinds. I work in a dark room all day so I love natural light.
I would turn one living room to a bright cozy reading/art/activity room/day lounge. If we had a second living room, the darker room could be our media room/"man cave".
2. When you have kids, especially as they get older and start having friends over, your going to wish you had two living rooms.
3. You could still do an opening on that wall from the formal living room to the kitchen. But I don't think it would make sense to turn that into a formal dinning room for long term purposes. Unless you made it interchangeable/versatile. 🥰🤓
I go to a lot of estate sales in older houses and the layouts are usally so awkward. I love that you see the possibilites and can implement them. You have such talent and patience, fun to watch and learn from.
I love the idea of using the formal living room as a dining room. That makes a lot of sense.
I recently drew out a to scale plan of my lounge and dining room which are connected together with an archway. I then made to scale cut outs of all of my furniture so I could overlay it on the room plan to look at different ways of placing it. It really helped to know what different room layouts we could have and see what would fit where. I took photos of each layout so I could refer back to them easily. It’s so easy to do but also so effective. Xx
I absolutely love every aspect of your design. I love that it would be a big open room. I love the idea of the front room being the dining room. Just a fabulous design all around!!!!!
Seriously, on the first walk through video, that is exactly what I envisioned you doing - combining the existing kitchen/dining room, turning that front room into a dining room and creating an opening to the kitchen there! I think it would be perfection and I can't wait to see it when you do it! I know it will be gorgeous!
I love the dining room in front room! It would be lovely! I would consider keeping the sink under window which is nice and the island would be a huge space to work with.
Yay!! I love when MaCenna posts!!🥰🥰
I love watching you break things down. You're going to do amazing things here! Can't wait to see. ❤
Thanks so much!!!
Removing the wall and putting in bifolds will be such a game changer. The current window/doors in the dining space really don't offer a lot of indoor/outdoor flow.
Definitely think the formal dining room in the front sitting room is the right call and agree will be magical to decorate around the holidays. I hadn't thought about creating an opening to the kitchen, but it makes perfect sense and i think will give the house a better flow. Not sure about the big opening with the pillar in the middle. i'd personally shuffle the arch from the dining room over to make two distinct arches.
I wouldn't worry about losing a breakfast nook if you have a bar and dining table. Other thing i thought was maybe the door by the sink you could fix to open outwards, might take up less of the kitchen footprint.
I know you were thinking of bookcases in the living room (behind the sofa) but have you thought about re-using the current dining room windows here? I guess depends if you want a cosy sitting room, and i know you like having walls to decorate, but if it was more space i'd prefer some more light and feels an awkward space to me.
The formal dining with the fireplace during Christmas! ❤ YES! Your mom is a genius! 🙂
I love how you walked us through the design process!❤
Me just complaing about nothing to see on RUclips and when I’m about to leave the app I just see that you posted 26 seconds ago, thanks for the GOOD CONTENT 🙏✨
I love the dinning room as it, it is very intimate. The front living space is gorgeous and can be so welcoming. I would def only redo the kitchen and leave the walls.
loving the idea of a formal dining room at the front! I was thinking it would be a great space for this on the first home tour so I'm so pleased! I'd love to see a big open kitchen with an island - it would be so bright and beautiful!
Yes to turning the formal living room into a dining room. Very excited to see this transformation in the future.
I love your ideas! It inspires me to do more to my home too. I’m was always so curious to hear Romeos input in the house. Can we hear his side too and what he thinks. I love hearing both opinions in the home renovation. Or maybe putting him on your podcast for an episode on hearing what he thinks for both Texas home and the CA home 🙂
MaCenna this is what we all was waiting for the rethinking and stying of your kitchen place because this is you, this is all you, you was born for stuff like this. I would place the island/sink facing the dinning room because you have better access to the refrigerator behide you it just looks best.
Removing that wall was literally one of my first thoughts when I saw these spaces, I think that would be a great idea and give you a chance to spread the kitchen out a bit more plus get more sunlight through the house!!
Agreed, having the dining room as you enter the home makes the most sense. I love how you shared your thought process to reno the space by starting with what are the problem areas & possible resolutions. Seeing it on paper is very helpful!! Can't wait to see what you finally decide on!!
Would you consider knocking down that wall between the kitchen and the dining area? You could either reduce the French doors to one door or seal up that wall and do a wall of French doors where the trap window are now to fix the flow. Then you have a whole wall you could build floor to ceiling cabinets and have the fridge and what not on their and build a large island with more storage.
Ps haha you just mentioned the option to open up the space. I vote for that 😊
100% yes it needs to be a dining room! With the fireplace and maybe an archway to the kitchen it would be so dreamy!
I think your moms idea is a great one. It provides more entertaining space and for holidays that fireplace will be so cozy.
I love how you included a mini tutorial on how to plan out a room using graph paper! I’d love to see how you use online platforms as you continue to design the space. I found myself downloading several interior design apps or using websites like milanote but have trouble organizing ideas and using them efficiently.
I love the design plan you have for the spaces. Adding bifold doors is going to feel so luxurious and dreamy. I think you will not only love the look, but love the airflow and entertaining as well 😊 so excited for you!! 💗
Love your new vision for the kitchen and formal dining room!
My home...went from a beautiful formal dining area to an Art Gallery (every wall), Oculus safe area once the table was pushed aside and leaf taken out... Just added a piano to the mix... We never really ate in the room except maybe 2 or 3 holidays when we first moved in... It even became the main Christmas tree area for opening gifts... My husband watched this video with me and asked if I was going to comment. I LOVE your creative ideas and organized process. Dream big and make your home your family's haven for making lovely memories!! You look so at home already there... The cottage reminds me of a beautiful cozy vacation home escape. Living my dream, but watching you and Romeo motivates my husband. So, big THANK YOU for sharing!!
Love your initial plan, excited to see it come to life eventually! Turning the kitchen 90 degrees is totally the way to go. Personally, I would keep a "dishes" sink where the current one is with the DW, and add a second smaller sink, maybe a round one off-center, into the island for washing vegetables or filling with ice as an ice bucket when you entertain etc. Dying over the bi-fold door idea!!
Love all the ideas for your kitchen and dining area! Only exception, I would keep the sink in front of the window…so much nicer to look out onto your front garden while doing boring dishes! Lol! You will have a great work space on the island!
Your Mom is on target with the dining room location. It will look awesome when you are through designing!
Love the dining room in the entrance because you gain so much more space and an island.
Omg not a dining room being the first room you walk into!! 😱 That is the most beautiful space for a LIVING room and your current living room, the dining room!! 🤩
MaCenna, you're imagination and how you see things always impress me. I love the idea of knocking the wall down between the kitchen and the dining room you have now. I'm not really a fan of having the dining room as the first room in the house for one reason. That's how my apartment is now and my dining table kind of became a catch all spot for when we first enter the apartment. Everything ends up on the table (mail, packages, bags, etc.) just becomes like a clutter space. You probably wouldn't have that problem, just saying. I do think it would look amazing with the fireplace and I'm not sure what else you could do to utilize that space so I guess the dining room should be the way you go.
I think you definitely need to open the kitchen like that, it’ll definitely be better with kids so they can sit and eat or do homework at the island while you and Romeo are cooking etc. And the bifold doors will be great for kids and family running back and forth for pool parties bbq’s etc. Also love seeing the process!
I love having a formal dining room. It adds so much coziness to a house.
YESSS to the dining room in the front with the fireplace. I lovveee a fireplace in a dining room.
Love the idea of taking down the wall between the kitchen and the current dining room. Not so sure about the formal dining room as soon as you walk in the house. ❤
Definitely the dining room at the front! Love the plan for the kitchen too. It will look wonderful with a vaulted ceiling.
I can’t believe it! All the hard work,flea markets, etc you are giving us the tour. So incredibly gorgeous, amazingly takented♥️♥️
Wow, this is one of the most helpful home renovation videos I've seen. You really explained the planning and designing process well. It's fun to see all the aesthetic changes of a reno but you showed all the effort it takes before that can even start.
Good job mom! I’ve been commenting the whole time to make the front area the formal dining 😆💜 just the planning stage is SUPER exciting! Can’t wait.
I think anything you do to your home is going to be perfect for you and your family. I would just love to see you challenge yourself (like you did with the simple bookshelf) by planning something where you are not changing the space as much. I think it’s on the trendy side to rip everything out instead of keeping some of the original layout and making intentional changes. I think beautiful small intimate spaces are starting to make a comeback and I would love to see your take on that.
I love the idea of the front sitting room becoming the dining room. Your vision will transform it into a beautiful space. The post from Elaine Hicks says it all. Cannot wait to see her ideas combined with yours on paper. I will definitely stay tuned.
I would love for you to have Drew over and the two of you brainstorm ideas for this kitchen…especially since you have both just finished other kitchens.
Thanks for sharing your process!
Wonderful idea! Totally agree to put the dining room in front, so much more room! I love the thought of a huge Christmas dinner with the fireplace and a Christmas tree while dining 🥰
Another idea is to make the front room a piano lounge. It's in keeping with the age and charm of the house. Could also have an artist easel or drafting board so you can do art and planning in there too!
I love the dining room in the front! I have a short hallway with a path to the stairs and small opening to the kitchen right when I walk in, but another 3 ft my entry actually opens up into my dining. It has for sure pros compared to dining in back and living in the front:
1) the tv isn’t on the wall right across when you walk in
2) you don’t have windows looking into your more relaxed space when people come to your home (design supply & decor deliveries?? lol)
3) my entry table doubles as a buffet table for storage of placemats, candles/candlesticks, etc.
For you as well the extra opening, there would be even more light flowing through all the spaces, your bay window wouldn’t be blocked by a couch or anything so could do a built-in bench if you wanted, the high ceiling and beams will create a perfect visual frame for a rectangular table, etc.
love the plans! I’m constantly sketching the dream house (waiting for this market to dip to buy property and start building) and nice to know Im normal and dreaming early 😁
I don't know any houses where you walking into the dining room but i like the idea of getting rid of the non load bearing wall. it would open it up so you could reconfigure and move that fridge lol. and i like the idea of putting an opening on that wall to make a straight through to the kitchen, that makes sense.
I am already so excited to see this come to life! The dining room in the front room is absolutely the way to go. Would you consider moving the door from the front porch? It could allow you to build cabinetry into that corner and you could potentially put the fridge there
That's where the morning light comes from though, and I guess this door gives access to the front of the house and drive way which might be convenient for bringing in groceries and stuff?!
This is a very informative video. The way you break down making the measurements for your empty shell of the room helps to get all the obstacles out of your mines eye. You dumb it down for us without making us feel dumb. Thank you from all of us who seem to have tunnel vision when looking at a room and reimagining it’s layout.
@@wenuhan I was thinking of still keeping it coming off the porch, but just moved across, like where the fridge is currently. That way there still is that door and it's easy access, but she gains a useful corner where the door is currently. although maybe then it would effectively be weirdly close to the proper front door? It's a tough one!
@@phoebedoeseverything It IS a tough one. I must say I love that corner at the moment with the cute windows and the door, but it really isn't useful!
@@wenuhan I completely agree with you!
Always looking forward to your videos! I’m so excited to see that kitchen come to life, sooner or later! You’re such an inspiration for small channels like us, thank you! ❤
It's been fun watching you renovate your Texas home and watching you settle into your new California home but I've been following you for years now and I have to admit I miss your DIY hobby style videos. The easy solution to your doors leading to your back patio is to switch them to opening to the exterior.
I would love the front room as a dining with a lovely burning fireplace at dinner by candlelight. And I would love to see the pool and backyard from the kitchen. Somehow. Half wall removal horizontal or half wall vertically.
You will design an amazing space! Can’t wait to see the process
I knew it wouldn't take you long to want to remodel your kitchen. Your plan sounds great!
I really like the idea of using the formal living room for dining room. My parents did the same thing in our house. But they shared the space for dining and formal living room.
Please make this a series. Designing all the renovations you want to do to your LA house.
I like keeping the dining area where it is. Would be a great way to host and cook while guests are seated at the dinner table. I think that front room needs more thought. Think about Christmas at the front window !! I think it’s be so cute with some gorgeous statement seating as a wow factor when you walk in and the other living room for more private and casual nights in like a stay in movie date
Been watching since before the cottage and haven’t missed an upload 🫶 thank you for being a creative escape.