Remember Episode #74 when we argued about refrigerator placement? This week a similar debate returned—this time about the layout of two kitchens in the duplex. We’re walking through our differing perspectives on form versus function, how we reached a compromise (after a few days of cooling off), and why this phase of the duplex renovation feels especially tricky. We’ll also share a simple fix for a long-standing home office annoyance, an update on Sherry’s weighted blanket, and a small upgrade to a tool that’s already saving us money. Oh, and we finally solved our odd Instagram lockout issue!
If you’d like to listen to the episode, you can download it from Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, or Spotify. If you’re reading this in a feed reader, click through to the post to listen.
What’s New
- I snapped a few photos in Cape Charles showing some tile work that’s complete. Several rooms were a bit messy in preparation for floor refinishing, so we’ll share a fuller photo set in the larger tiling post Sherry plans to publish.
- In the meantime, you can see our tile selections in the duplex tile post for more detail on the materials and thought process.
Updates
- If you missed our original discussion about Instagram hacking and the trouble we experienced, catch Episode #118 for the backstory.
- Sherry’s weighted blanket was first discussed in Episode #79; the update in this post references that earlier conversation and what we like about it now.
- For reference, the weighted blankets we considered are both 12 pounds and about 4′ x 6′—one has a removable cover and one is a more affordable option without a removable cover.
Duplex Kitchen
- To help explain the debate, start with a photo we took last month—the picture shows the right-side kitchen, but I flipped it to match the renderings that use the left side. I’m standing in the living room; the wood doors on the left open to the mudroom/laundry room, and you can see the exposed brick chimney toward the back right.
- We’re planning to use a lot of color: the left-side kitchen will feature blue-green cabinets paired with pink patterned tile. Since the duplex will operate as a weekly rental, it felt like a good spot to play with bold color and pattern.
- The original layout we discussed included an over-the-range microwave and a row of upper cabinets that covered much of the exposed brick. Those renderings were made with Ikea’s Home Planner, which is handy for visualizing Ikea cabinetry in 3D.
- Note: We’ll only be sourcing cabinets from Ikea—appliances, hardware, and countertops shown in the renderings are placeholders. The renderings also don’t show patterned tile, open shelves, or other decorative treatments, so use your imagination.
- When we removed the upper cabinets and opted for a range hood instead, much more of the brick chimney became visible from the main living view. That change helps the kitchen feel less like “a box of bricks sitting on the counter” and more integrated with the space.
- From the mudroom/laundry room vantage, the original plan with upper cabinets would have shown more of the chimney and given us an opportunity for floating shelves or small ledges. Switching to the new plan reveals more brick and creates a more open, airy feeling.
- The same angle with the new plan shows a more open wall. We still plan colorful tile, floating shelves, and possibly a shiplap treatment along the stove wall, so the finish won’t be stark—the goal is to balance exposure of the chimney with functional storage and visual interest.
- The adjacent mudroom will gain cabinetry to act as a pantry extension from the kitchen. Those cabinets sit just a few steps from the sink and will include storage above the washer and dryer up to the ceiling. Ikea’s planner isn’t perfect for laundry room visuals, but it communicates the layout and scale.
- Reminder: upper and mudroom cabinets will be white. The cabinet colors and tile choices across both sides of the duplex are shown in our tile selection mood boards for more context and inspiration.
We’re Digging
- We replaced our old printer with a compact model that fits nicely inside an IKEA storage cabinet we bought over seven years ago. The cabinet’s bottom is a file drawer and the piece has held up well—even with kids’ artwork decorating the inside of the door.
- The new printer stores paper in a hidden bottom drawer so we no longer have to pull out and refill a tray every time we print. It also prints double-sided, which is a welcome time- and paper-saver.
- We picked up the printer at a major retailer and are trying out a subscription ink service that helps reduce ongoing printing costs.
- Sherry also picked up a new hair clipper/trimmer she’s been enjoying for DIY haircuts, which we covered in an earlier post about cutting hair at home.
If you want to revisit things we’ve recommended in past episodes, check our master list of “We’re Digging” picks and the Book Club page for all the books we’ve mentioned.
Thanks for following along—and thanks to Universal Furniture for sponsoring this episode and sharing their new coastal-inspired “Escape” collection.
Thanks for listening!
*This post contains affiliate links*