Remember when we argued about a refrigerator in Episode #74? Recently we found ourselves debating appliance placement again—this time over two different kitchen layouts for the duplex. In this episode we share our competing views on form versus function and how we eventually compromised in a way that satisfied both (though I needed a few days to cool off). We also talk about why this stage of the duplex renovation is particularly challenging, what it feels like to hit a wall and then push past it, a fix for a long-standing annoyance in our home office, an update on Sherry’s weighted blanket, and a small but useful upgrade to a money-saving tool we use. Oh, and we finally solved our weird locked-out-of-Instagram problem!
You can download this episode from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, and Spotify — or listen to it below! Note: If you’re viewing this in a feed reader you may need to click through to the post to see the player.
What’s New
- I managed to snap a few photos over the weekend in Cape Charles showing the tile installed, though some rooms were messy as they prepared for floor refinishing. We’ll share cleaner shots later—likely in the larger tiling post Sherry mentioned.
- In the meantime, you can browse our tile selections in the post where we explain how we chose tile for the duplex.
Updates
- If you missed our earlier discussion about Instagram hacking and the related problem, check Episode #118 for the original conversation.
- If you want more on Sherry’s weighted blanket, we covered it in Episode #79.
- The weighted blanket we own is 12 pounds and roughly 4′ x 6′. We also linked a more affordable option that doesn’t include a removable cover. Both work well depending on your budget and needs.
Duplex Kitchen
- To make the episode easier to follow, here’s a picture of the kitchen we took last month. The image shows the right unit, but I flipped it to match the left-side orientation used in my renderings. I’m standing in the living room; the wood doors on the left open into the mudroom/laundry room, and you can see the exposed brick chimney toward the back right.
- These plans will include lots of color and pattern. The left-side unit will have blue-green lower cabinets paired with pink patterned tile, since this duplex will be used as a weekly rental—felt like a good place to have some fun.
- Below is the original layout Sherry and I were working from; it included an over-the-range microwave. That layout was created using Ikea’s Home Planner, which is free and helpful if you’re ordering Ikea cabinetry, though it only includes Ikea products and uses placeholders for appliances, hardware, and countertops.
- The original plan had upper cabinets that would have covered a portion of the exposed brick (rendered here in red). In reality the brick is pretty whitewashed, but the cabinets would have hidden more of the chimney.
- When we removed the upper cabinets and chose a range hood instead, more of the brick chimney became visible from the main living and dining view. That change helps the chimney feel less like “a box of bricks sitting on the counter” and more like an architectural feature.
- Here’s another angle showing the original plan with upper cabinets. From the mudroom/laundry-room view you would have seen more of the chimney and we imagined adding floating shelves or small ledges there.
- This is how that same vantage point looks with the updated plan: more exposed brick, a more open feeling, and room for colorful patterned tile plus floating shelves (we’re even considering shiplap along the stove wall). The result reads less stark and more intentional.
- The rendering below shows cabinetry added in the adjacent mudroom to create a pantry-like extension of the kitchen. That wide doorway was once fitted with wood pocket doors; these cabinets will be only a few steps from the sink. Ikea’s planner doesn’t render laundry rooms perfectly—hence the placeholder that looks like a refrigerator—but the idea is clear. We’ll also add a cabinet above the washer and dryer up to the ceiling.
- As a reminder, these are the cabinet colors and tiles planned for each side of the duplex. Upper cabinets and mudroom cabinets will be white. For more details and mood boards of our duplex selections, see the post on how we chose tile.
We’re Digging
- We recently got a new printer that fits nicely inside the old IKEA storage cabinet we bought over seven years ago. That cabinet isn’t sold anymore, but it has held up well and even contains some kids’ artwork on the inside door.
- The new printer stores paper in a bottom drawer, so we no longer have to fold out and refill a tray every time we print. It also prints double-sided, which is a great time- and paper-saver.
- I purchased the printer at Target and we’re trying the HP Instant Ink service as a way to save on replacement cartridges.
- Sherry is also loving a new hair-clipper/trimmer we picked up, which makes our at-home haircuts easier. We previously shared the embarrassing but useful DIY haircutting video and tips in an older post.
If you want to track down something we’ve recommended in past episodes but can’t remember which show notes to open, we maintain a master list of everything we’ve been digging from past episodes. We also keep a Book Club page that lists every book we’ve recommended.
Lastly, thank you to Universal Furniture for sponsoring this episode. They partnered with Coastal Living Magazine on a new collection called “Escape” that captures a relaxed, beachy style.
Thanks for listening!
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