Who knew a half-baked banquette idea could bring on the chatter like that? Over 800 comments within a few hours time? Insanity. We’re loving all of the ideas and suggestions that you guys are throwing into the pot and promise to keep you posted every step of the way! There are definitely a lot more things to consider and nothing’s set in stone, so I think we’ll probably change our plan by the minute. But you know we’ll gab incessantly about it to anyone who’s willing to listen as we go.
In the meantime, since I should be painting office cabinets (but haven’t had a second to tear myself away from the blog), I thought it would be fun to share this awesome rendering that a sweet (and apparently very good at Photoshop) reader named Amber sent our way:
Now can you kind of start to picture it? Of course lots of things might be different (the counter might not be that color, the table might not be that shape/color, the lights may change/move, the floor will change, the cabinets won’t be brown and have eyeballs on them, there might be open shelves on the back of the banquette instead of just cabinetry, etc). Basically nothing that you see up there is “for sure,” but it definitely helps us start to picture it. So we thought sharing it might help you guys too. And a big wet kiss goes out to Amber for her ninja-like photoshop skillz.
I think the hardest thing for people to “see” before this rendering (us included) is that the banquette won’t block any more of the room than the table that used to sit there did. And people sitting at the banquette will have the same open POV that they would have had at the table (since the banquette seating will be the same height as table seating). And the countertops behind the banquette will also be around the same height as the base cabinets in the room. So hopefully it won’t feel closed off at all (everyone can see over base cabinets… well, except for Clara and Burger). Look, here’s John faux sitting in the new area now:
Now that we see this we’re thinking it could be cute to even add two small stools to the back of the banquette so that the closest-to-the-kitchen countertop could be used as a casual seating area too. Not sure though, because it might also be great prep space. And I can definitely picture us using it to set out things like appetizers if we’re entertaining. It’s all complete speculation and guess work at this point! But thanks again for all of the suggestions this morning. Who knows where we’ll end up!
On and there were actually a few folks who thought seating that faced the hallway and the fireplace was less intuitive than something that faced the work area of the kitchen, but we like the counter being the close part to the work area, and also think the two best views of the room are the frame wall and the fireplace. Plus I’m not mad at the fact that I wouldn’t have to look at a sink full of dirty dishes when I’m relaxing in my nook. Haha. Also because that fireplace is in the corner of the room, turning the L to face the other way (with the seating looking back at the prep area of the kitchen) wouldn’t solve the balance issue that the L-shaped arrangement does when it faces the fireplace. Hopefully this sketch makes more sense of the reasons why (top setup: what we want to do, bottom setup: what it would look like flipped):
See how that fireplace in the corner would make way less sense that way? Sorry for not including a sketch like this in this morning’s post for ya.
Anyway, you’ll have to excuse me, I have some office cabinetry to paint. I bought some new stuff last night (Benjamin Moore Advance paint) and I hear it’s awesome for cabs, so I can’t wait to pop back in with all those details – probably early next week if I ever get all those coats done and snap some photos. Anyone else painting cabinets? Or dreaming of banquettes?
Psst- We just announced this week’s giveaway winners. Click here to see if you’re one of them!
Sarah K says
LOVE it! I think it makes so much more sense than an island right there! Your inspiration pictures really show how awesome it can look.
Also, I don’t think it’s weird that the short side of the banquet will have people facing away from the kitchen. Kiddo(s) can just sit facing the fireplace when doing HW & you’ll still be able to see them & chat to them.
I do think a round table is a potentially bad choice, since you want people to be able to reach the table easily. Since the chairs can’t move the table needs to be a little closer to the seats than you might think!
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah, we started to think about that a little more- definitely worth considering some rectangle or square – or even long oval – options!
xo,
s
Barb says
WOW!! Now that I see it in this picture , I feel better about it. Not so sure I was onboard this AM. I like that you can still use it as a cutting surface and also put stools around it. I also like the old idea of just going with the original plans too. Who cares if it is not centering the fireplace. Really, SERIOUSLY…does it really matter?
I like a big island, myself.
Your choice. But really think this through thoroughly. A banquette to me says it could be “DATED” eventually. I am not so “on board” with a banquette. But what do I know. Just really ponder before you do this.
B.
Ashley says
I didn’t love the idea at first, and I didn’t love the idea even after seeing the photoshoped picture….and being a designer( and used to be a “Nancy” at Lowes) it killed me that people were loving it and I just couldn’t see how it would look good at all. I started to read peoples comments and all of a sudden it hit me- It would be great. Check out this picture I saw over at pinterest http://pinterest.com/pin/155700045/. I’m not sure how deep you were thinking of doing the back…but what if you did it a little deeper then 12 inches…and then you’d be getting your island and the nook feel. You might even consider putting some stools on one side? Just sayingggg… I love this blog BTW.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes! I actually used this image in my post this morning! It’s the third inspiration pic down. It really helped me see it since it’s the only floating one! Love it!
xo,
s
Jen @ The Decor Scene says
Love it! I was sold with your post from this morning. ;) I love Amber’s photoshop skills. I love that she opened up the wall to the dining room for you. Love it. I’m sure now you really can’t wait to make the door way between the DR & Kitchen.
Love it guys….love it!!! :)
Sarah K says
PS No problems with photos or the banner. I’m using Chrome on my home computer. I checked IE and FF too and no problems there either!
YoungHouseLove says
So glad! Whew.
xo,
s
robyn says
I kindsa wonder if you should close up the hallway entrance to the kitchen after you open your dining room wall. Upside is adding more real estate to the white frame gallery and now you would have plenty o space for a banquette with a table. You could even still have a small movable island (painted built-in blue) for that extra prep space. Just a thought.
YoungHouseLove says
We definitely considered that and even brought it up to Nancy (kitchen design wonder-woman) but she thought it would make the hallway darker and more closed in (true) and pointed out that we also don’t really need more wall space to add more stuff in the kitch (it’s 25 feet long, so it’s really big with a good amount of room). We’ll have to see where we end up though!
xo,
s
robyn says
maybe to offset the darkness you have a transom window to add some architectal interest (mirror it on your new dining room opening) . That is if your ceilings are tall enough, don’t want john knocking himself out! Maybe you find an antique window for the job.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that would be gorgeous as long as John sustained no concussions as a result!
xo,
s
robyn says
Beauty is pain sometimes!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- true, true.
xo,
s
Laura says
I love the idea of a banquette, it will be so cozy nestled up to the fireplace!
I think the key will be tying it into the rest of the surrounding space so it’s not a mismatched floating piece- I have no doubt you’ll make it fit right in :)
Just some ideas I could picture: well curated glass display cabinets a la http://pinterest.com/pin/117789186/ (these might tie in well to the shelves in the dining room as you’re standing at your front door looking in)
Or a combo of bar area and open shelves a la http://pinterest.com/pin/19542089/
Cannot wait to follow the progress, love everything you do!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh fun links! You know I love Pinterest…
xo,
s
Gretchen says
Don’t change your plan just to make things “line up” or be “centered.” Neither is required for good design.
Amy says
Love the blog! It’s so inspiring! I’m going to go paint our concrete patio based on your post. I love what you guys do with your house!
That said, I’m not feeling the seating area in the kitchen. It looks kind of … dropped in. Not anchored or something. Just my .02.
lindsay says
I LOVE the banquette plan. And you two will make it just perfect! (smooch, smooch, now ask for a favor…) So here’s my question- Could I send you a picture & floorplan of my awkward/mystery space in my living room? I’d love some ideas…
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh, upload it to our facebook page! That way lots of people can chime in with ideas!
xo,
s
Amy says
I would just like to say that I love the one with John sitting there..funny
Amanda Villarreal says
Hmmm I’m still not sold on the idea. After seeing this photoshopped version it reminds me of a clerical desk where you go make appointments or ask if so-so is available. Lol. Totally me though I love everything you guys post so maybe if you do go with it and I can visually see it for real I might like it. Although it’s not my home so it wouldn’t matter if I liked it or not haha. Good luck!
Becky L says
Hey guys, just wanted to say I am loving the banquette idea. The manfriend and I will be painting cabinets ALL weekend (kitchen and 2 bathroom vanities), so maybe you can send some good “cabinet-painting-mojo” my way!
YoungHouseLove says
Mojo activated! Good luck!
xo,
s
Melissa @ HOUSEography says
I love the idea of the banquette facing the fireplace (am I in the minority here?). All of our inspiration photos for the kitchen addition were of banquettes – our architect tried to work it in but we opted for the doors in our eating area instead. I think you’re right about making the fireplace make more sense and people still stand around our island when we have people over – only rarely do they sit! You could have a stool or two in the corner or on either side of the fireplace that people could pull up to the counter if they want to hang with you while you cook.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, it seems like since sharing the sketch in this post about why it would be crazy in the other direction everyone’s on the same side (team towards-the-fireplace). Well, that is if they’re on team banquette at all. Haha. We definitely know there are table and island lovers out there too, but we can’t wait to see how this all turns out. In person it’s definitely the only idea that even remotely makes sense when we stand in there and stare at the room. Haha.
xo,
s
Jennah says
Looks sort of um…..fast foody/restauraunty to me. But I’m not sure of a better solution since you DO have a table right in the other room. I think I’d just go island/stools, without the table thing. Just makes me think “booth or table? right this way…”
Charmi says
I have been obsessed with banquets for so long, that all those images you posted are saved on my “dream house one day” hard drive, lol. (Yes, I have one of those.)
What if you turned the banquet, just one turn so it looked towards the fireplace on one side, and the kitchen on the other? I feel like that would be a bit more “open”. Apologies for the nunofmybidness advice, lol.
YoungHouseLove says
Check out the sketch in this post about why we don’t think that’ll work. It just cuts into the fireplace at such a weird angle!
xo,
s
Charmi says
Bah. My reading comprehension is garbage when I’m being tackled by this 19 months old monkey! Next time I’ll read late at night and respond THEN.
YoungHouseLove says
Hah- no worries. My mom brain is mush a lot of the time too! Haha.
xo,
s
Charmi says
Wait..that’s not a better idea, lol.
I do see why that would be funny. I still love the banquet idea regardless. especially with a fireplace. So cozy!
Maggie says
The Amber photoshop picture echoes what I thought of, with a countertop and stool possibility. Upholstered banquette seating, plus chairs, and cupboards or shelves sound good to me.
You are lucky to have an eat-in kitchen. My kitchen is only big enough for 1 person at a time, and remodeling to expand it is not in the budget right now.
I am painting cabinets, and look forward to hear how the new paint you got performs. I sanded and sanded and sanded my repurposed cupboard, and used semigloss enamel paint. Adhesion is good, but enamel really takes a while to cure and harden up!
YoungHouseLove says
Yeah, I keep telling John we’re so lucky to have so much space. In the pics it might not translate but it’s a 25 foot long room! Our last kitchen was just 11 long and 12 wide!
xo,
s
Jane says
Benjamin Moore Advance Paint is fantastic! I have recently used it on trim/baseboard and last week painted our bedroom furniture.It is important to give it 18hr time to dry inbetween coats and two coats covered very well.This fall my melamine painted kitchen cupboards will get a coat of this great paint ….clean up with latex is a dream…and very little odour.
YoungHouseLove says
So good to hear! So far I love it!
xo,
s
Bonny says
the stools are a really good idea Sherry! You can always move them to another location, or bring them around the other side of your table to quickly add more seating at your nook for guests, without having to keep chairs there…
On the end of my island I have stools, and I actually sit on them a fair bunch while I’m prepping food… helps take the weight off of my feet and knees (am currently 39 wks preggo, but am also having baby sometime today or tomorrow).
YoungHouseLove says
Wahooo! Baby sometime today or tomorrow??? Are you in labor as you type this? I’m beyond excited for you. Good luck!
xo,
s
Lucy says
Are you sure do you like that kind of table for your type of kitchen? Looks like a huge wall or stone in the middle of it. Sorry guys but I think it’s not the best idea. Not really confortable and the fireplace leaves in a worst place. Think that always lees is more…
YoungHouseLove says
We’re definitely not sure of anything! Haha. This whole thing is just the idea that we like best for now (among many others that we’ve considered and like less), but who knows where we’ll end up!
xo,
s
Pip says
Half baked ideas really are the best ones ;) yay Amber for her amazing photoshop skills!
Jill says
Since you’re going to do work on the fireplace anyway (making it open on two sides), why not just shift it or widen it so that the opening centers on where you’d want to center the island?
For me, your current kitchen feels cramped, and an island would make it feels twice as big in a way that an eat-in area would not. (I.e., the eat-in area won’t make that half of the room feel like part of the kitchen in a way that a kitchen island would.) Plus, don’t you need counter space so, so badly?
I’d adjust the fireplace so it’s centered, put in an island, maybe add some built-in cabinetry on that half the room too (to make it even more kitchen-y), and have stools on hand to make the island an eating area if you want.
YoungHouseLove says
We actually don’t need counter space. We have an L shaped counter area on the other side and Chef John says it’s awesome (and wonders if we would ever use an island for prep since it’s all the way on the other side of the room. As for moving the fireplace, that’s a huge job structurally (it’s a giant brick column that goes far into the foundation and all the way up through the whole house and out the roof- and is also present on the other side (in the living room), so it could be a 10K+ job to move that sucker over. Haha. Oh well, you know we love to work with what we have! We’ll figure something out…
xo,
s
Helly says
I haven’t had a chance to read all the comments so this may have been suggested before. I was thinking if you are making an doorway to the dining room, could you close off the opening to the hallway. The room seems tough to work with because it has no walls that don’t have a doorway.
YoungHouseLove says
We briefly considered that but prefer to keep the hallway from feeling boxed in (one of the reasons we loved this house was that wide open hallway) and we love the view of the frame wall from the kitch. We don’t really have much use for big walls in the kitchen anyway because we’re not sure what we’d do with that wall if we closed off the doorway- might just be a plane that’s 4′ closer than the frame wall, haha.
xo,
s
Michelle says
It’s like a banquette/island hybrid if you ask me!
monica says
Were you guys planning on building the island in that same spot? If so, I think the breakfast nook is a better fit for that area. An island just seems like it would be too far from the kitchen to be convenient. Plus, an island with a bar attached would obstruct views from the dining room, etc, and I think the banquette is less intrusive.
YoungHouseLove says
Yup, pretty much the same spot. And we agree that it would be a ways from the rest of the prep area of the kitchen, so John (the one who cooks, haha) mentioned that he thought we’d never really use it for prep anyway. It’s so funny to us that some folks think an island is a better idea, because we wanted an island at first and really wanted to make it work but we just couldn’t. So we moved on! Haha.
xo,
s
skeeter says
ahhh I love breakfast nooks, I would LOVE to have one in my home. And to have the fireplace there too makes it extra special. I think it will be awesome!
Rachel @ Common to Moms says
I think this is the perfect solution for YOUR particular kitchen- It has always bugged me that although the dining room table and new doorway would line up, the fire place wouldn’t be in line with them. The L shaped banquette is the only thing that makes sense out of the fireplace placement. (Not to mention it will be uber sophisticated looking!) I am visual, so I can totally “see” it! And I am sure that once this project is complete, you will have won over everyone!! :) Your kitchen space planning friend is a genius!
Emma says
Ok, I won’t lie – when I opened up YHL (as I do every morning Australia time) I was a little excited that you were getting underway with your kitchen island bench (we have a very similar project in the pipeline so I was looking forward to reading all about it/living through you!) And then I was totally bummed about the nook idea. No island?! Crazy! But I see now it would make way more sense really and you’d get to utilise/feature that beautiful fireplace more. With the photoshop rendering you can see now it would be an island bench AND a seating nook. Best of both worlds. I also thought you should face the kitchen but that sketch makes it pretty obvious facing the wall/fireplace is the way to go. Look forward to reading the progress!! :)
monica says
Also, in terms of orientation of the banquette, one orientation makes sense from a lifestyle perspective (open facing kitchen) and the other makes sense from a design perspective (open facing frame wall). Personally, I would lean towards the most convenient and user friendly orientation- open to the kitchen. Another solution to accommodate the fireplace but still be open to the kitchen would be an oval-shaped nook… but that would probably be custom cabinetry and more expensive. Whichever you choose it will be cool to see when its done!
John@OurHomefromScratch says
Could you send it back and have her render a turkey on the table?
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, with stuffing! I love stuffing!
xo,
s
Merritt says
I don’t know what the haters of this idea are thinking! I love, love, LOVE it! I love how its a fun/cool twist on the traditional corner banquette. Ignore the haters! Hubs and I often need to remind ourselves what works for someone else may not work for us, that’s why I love to see what you guys do. It’s always beautiful, creative, but first and foremost functional for you and YOUR family, that’s what matters the most!
Mandy says
I LOVE the idea!! I think they are so cute and cozy.
I’ll admit, whenever you shared the “Knock out a wall/add an island” idea I wasn’t sold. It seemed like it would block the doorway.
Love the new plan!
Blake says
Love the banquette idea. It works in the space and makes sense of the other features. I always thought an island was too far away to be functional. I think storage/display makes more sense than stools on the kitchen-facing side. A banquette is seating, so why add more, especially with the dining room table right there.
Carla says
That was really generous of Amber to do that for you. Although your design will be different than her rendition, it still reminds me of a booth from a restaurant. I would take care to design something that isn’t clunky/chunky and that doesn’t have so many sharp angles. At every end of the banquette are sharp points and angles. From a Feng Shui perspective I think having your backs to much of the room is a concern, and the limited options for positioning the unit will make chandelier placement challenging. It would be uncomfortable having something heavy dangling over your heads. I do love build-ins and a gathering place around the fireplace, and I do agree that with two eating spaces so close together it would be helpful to make the kitchen eating space less obvious. It’ll be fun seeing how this comes together, for sure!
Kristen says
A. The first post today made me laugh – “picture this, but without this part, and add this part, oh and this might be different”.
B. Love the banquette idea – you will be able to enjoy the fireplace so much.
C. Pictures were blocked at work starting with today’s posts, but they’re fine at home.
D. It’s mean that someone else with the same first name as me won the giveaway :-)
E. Can you tell I like lists, too? Woohoo for Type A. :-)
YoungHouseLove says
Haha. Your comment made me laugh. Type A gals unite!
xo,
s
Carla says
Another thought … what if you extended your kitchen out further into the eating space to better embrace that side of the room? I think a taller butcher-block type table with nice stools would make a lot of sense. Two tables at the same height could look really imbalanced. And some armchairs near the fireplace to soften things up, too. I’m having fun with this one!
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for all the suggestions! We’ll definitely keep you posted as we go!
xo,
s
Sara says
I didn’t read all 200 comments (wow, this really is generating a ton of chatter)…
So maybe this has already been mentioned…
But this kind of looks like a receptionist desk to your kitchen! Which can be fun, I suppose — but if I were better at Photoshop, I’d put a headset on John, a dish of candy, a nameplate and a vase of wilted flowers to complete the look. “Thank you for calling Sherry and John’s kitchen, how can I help you?” =)
But I trust you guys, I swear it!
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, we could totally be off our rockers, but I can picture it with some plush pillows and a pretty chandelier overhead and a colorful runner or vase on the table and some stacked books in an open bookcase on the back- lots of little homey touches that will take the stark office look right out of it. If that fails I’ll just make John wear a headset to complete the look!
xo,
s
Ashley says
Can he answer the phone, “Dunder Mifflin, this is Pam”?
But really–I love the idea (the banquette–not John the recpeptionist).
YoungHouseLove says
Haha- yes. And he can wear glasses and a yellow short and slick his hair and pretend to be Dwight.
xo,
s
lauren says
I’m painting cabinets tonight too (for our kitchen). I’m doing light gray on the top and darker gray on the bottom. Super close to the grays of the background colors on this awesomely updated blog. (Martha Stewart Heavy Goose and Driftwood Gray to be exact.) Too bad Lowe’s gave me 2 cans of the same light gray instead of one of each. They even handed them to me and said “These might not be the right ones. Bring ’em back if not.” What?? It’s may own fault for not asking them to remix them for me just in case.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh man – how annoying! The plan sounds awesome though! Send pics!!!
xo,
s
anne says
First, I love your web site and most of your decorating ideas! I have even taken some and used them in our place.
One thing I notice from how it would look in your kitchen compared to the samples you posted is that yours would be free-floating in your room, and the others seems to be anchored to a counter top or the corner of a room. I am not sure how crazy I am about it just being in the middle of the room.
But I am sure whatever you decide will look amazing as usual!
YoungHouseLove says
Check out inspiration room #3 of that group! It’s floating too!
xo,
s
Madelaine says
I know I am totally late to the party, but I wanted to chime in too! I completely love the idea of a banquet! I would do open shelving on at least one side – the perfect spot for cookbooks. But I think you can never have too many shelves in a house. Can’t wait to see your progress and to steal ideas for my own kitchen reno!
Holly Austin says
I’m even more in love now :)
Maria @ Orchard Bloom says
I like it. I think it looks great!
eileen marie says
If you overhand the counter less than a foot, and tuck some narrower stools underneath, it can double for seating and prep/apps. We have an awesome set-up like that in our kitchen. Our “bar” also doubles as my “office.” Tuck the stools in, & we’re ready for company. Ours is wide enough to actually prepare food on one side, while people sit/snack on the other.
YoungHouseLove says
Love that idea!
xo,
s
eileen marie says
Sorry about the pig-mess, & the way the paint color reads tacky orange, but this is our kitchen:
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dc/good-questions/where-to-hang-pot-rack-in-small-kitchen-good-questions-139332
YoungHouseLove says
Love that idea- we’re definitely considering a little overhang!
xo,
s
[email protected] says
awesome rendering! It’s really nice to see a full visual of the idea and definitely like the banquette open to the fireplace!
Angela says
My dad is a surgeon and my mom is a nurse. When they put an island counter in our kitchen, my dad insisted that it be “operating room table height”. It’s taller than a normal counter, which means less leaning over when preparing food, and therefore less stress on your spine.
I tried to Google it, and it looks like operating room tables are about 64 to 77 cm above the floor.
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, love it! He sounds like a precise man.
xo,
s
kim says
Have you seen the cover of this week’s World Market sale flyer? It’s the same basic layout you’re considering, but with a (charcoal!) setee, chunky table, and upholsterd chairs – more open and would be awesome in front of a fireplace. The chairs could go on either side instead of across the table from the setee. It just seems more “yhl” to me, not as fixed as a built-in.
YoungHouseLove says
Thanks for the tip! I’ll have to check it out.
xo,
s
[email protected] says
A DIY’d version of something like this could be cool: http://pinterest.com/pin/54760267/ Extra counter-space when you need it, more traffic room when you don’t. You guys are pure genius, so I’m sure the sliding mechanisms could be tackled. Whatever you wind up doing, I’m sure it will be great!
YoungHouseLove says
Wow- that’s gorgeous and so smart!
xo,
s
Christina says
Have you consider aligning the proposed opening of the wall between the dining room and kitchen with the fireplace? Also making the opening about the same width as the fireplace? Could the opening fit between the beams the way the fireplace does? I’m not sure how that fits with the dining room side, but I think it would make more sense to the kitchen. It should fit structurally. It might give you a great view of the fireplace and kitchen from the dining room. This would allow you more counter or storage space along the oven wall.
YoungHouseLove says
We thought about that but want to open the doorway to line up with a big picture window in the dining room, since that will look so pretty from the moment you enter the door. If we moved that doorway over to center on the fireplace it would basically be right next to the hallway doorway, so we thought it would look nicer if it’s shifted over and not a foot away from another doorway, ya know?
xo,
s
Ashley says
I’ve got to say I think that the banquet is an amazing idea! But then again I’ve always loved the idea of a nice cozy breakfast nook. I think mixing some open shelving in on the backside would be a really cool feature. Then you can display some of your pretty cookbooks (Food Revolution anyone?) and it’ll help contrast with all the closed storage you’ve got going on in your kitchen.