Ever since I had a place of “my own” back when I went away to college, I have had a “thing” for kitchens and kitchen related goodies. I know that my friend Rebecca and I used to spend hours in Walmart looking at different things- and I am talking this was one of those teeny-tiny Walmarts that had a limited grocery section and wasn’t even a 24 hour one back in the day! I can also remember when I was getting ready to go away for college, I spent lots of time picking out my dishes and various items. I was super excited at that point to be able to find anything that was pink- including measuring cups and measuring spoons- which I still have 15 years later!
In general, Kitchens seem to invoke good memories within myself – seems like I have lots of nostalgic memories that are related to food- birthdays, holidays and even random memories that relate back to family- which of course is VERY important to me. I guess I come from a long line of people cooking and hanging around in the kitchen -and of course eating and hanging around in the kitchen as well!
As far as kitchens go, I can pretty vividly remember all of the kitchens that I have spent any amount of time in- including my great grandmas (she had the NICEST cabinets- they were the see-through glass cabinet doors before that was even trendy) my grandmas- hers has been different over the years, but has pretty much been the same since I was a little girl- and it is still the same right now as I am writing this! I think she went through her changing things up in there before I ever came along. Though, she just re-did her entire bathroom, so she might get spry and change something else on a whim- you just never know with her!
Of course,I can remember the kitchen where I grew up, and my mom and dads current house (I spent my high school and early college years there)- they probably have the biggest kitchen that I can think of, with tons of cabinets, drawers and counter space (and a window seat)! They aren’t fancy counters though- just plain ones! I know that my mom actually has done a little work on them and made them look different, but I can’t tell you exactly what she did! She is so crafty so I couldn’t even venture a guess.
I know that her kitchen also has this huge built in islands where her sink is that she has grown to HATE , so if she was going to do something in her kitchen she would probably start with that- but I wish that she would maybe at some point consider looking at something like Premier Surfaces and maybe consider something along the lines of Cambria Countertops.. and make things look a little bit more fancy after 20 years! I guess there is always hope that I could have those sorts of things if I ever get my own place!
The most exciting though are the kitchens that I have had since I was married – the ones that have been “mine” if you know what I mean! My kitchens have generally been on the small side. The first place we ever lived and 3rd place that we lived were at the same apartments, so they were pretty similar but had a few differences- and then they were actually the most unique at the same time. I am talking that we had our washer and dryer in the kitchen…which I thought was crazy neat- The washer was on the left, we had a sink with VERY limited counter space in the middle and then the dryer was on the right.
Behind on the other wall was the fridge and stove, and in the one apartment we had an additional tiny pantry. In both though- we had a WALK IN PANTRY over to the side and that thing was THE BEST EVER. I seriously miss that place on so many levels. … I mean it was a pain to not have the actual space but with a rolling counter top cart thing + using the top of the dryer – it worked!
The biggest kitchen we had was after we had stayed with my mom and dad for a while- I absolutely hated that apartment on so many levels, but I was at the point where I needed to be back out on our own so I just went with it. The kitchen was pretty alright but it had pressed wood cabinets and I hated them! I did like that I had a window where the sink was and that it was big and open! I really just didn’t fully appreciate it at the time- it did have potential!
My kitchen currently may be smaller than the one where we had our washer and dryer included in that area! I think it might be what is called a galley style or something…I am content with it though because for the first time ever we have a dishwasher and a garbage disposal.. and I do have a TINY version of a pantry, almost comparable with the one we had extra at the one apartment (in addition to the huge one)
Also, I know that compared to David’s dads apartment our kitchen is actually HUGE. They don’t have a full size stove or refrigerator – and you can’t even turn around in there so… 🙂
One day I know that if I move from here, and especially if we ever get to get a place of our own, I know that a kitchen will play a huge part in my deciding if it is going to be “the place” or not. I have actually looked at a few places and I know that the kitchens would not work! I know that my dad always says that the kitchen is what sells a house and I believe him!
