One Year Later: What I Did to FIX My Kitchen Design Regrets 

I love how you use mild poignant sarcasm to point out the absurdity in certain comments and opinions. I always get a good laugh watching your videos. We could all use a little more grace in our space. Also we need to cultivate a sense of pleasure in other peoples enjoyment of their space. It may not be to our taste, but we don’t live there. So enjoy that person’s pleasure in their space, and do yours in a way that brings you joy!

I think your kitchen is great. It’s absolutely stunning although my suggestion would be too put the beautiful leaf prints artwork in another spot. Because of the scale of the art I believe they would be better served in a different area or at least leave the bottom print and put it halfway up the wall or 5‘8“ and the center of the artwork as the designers suggest..

You’re very funny. I can’t believe some people were “offended” by your beautiful kitchen. NUTS!

I love the changes you made to the kitchen. When you have a big kitchen you always have to walk. I wouldn't worry about the small regrets, just enjoy that gorgeous new space! Love the new floors too.😍

I love the wall of windows and all of the natural light

Love all of your changes! Gorgeous island, and the length really plays off the bank of windows much more so than the shorter island. Well done!

I just commented on your previous video, not even noticing that it was 2 years old LOL! Then I saw this one and realized how out of date I am. I must say though that your new floor and island are phenomenal, and really brought the entire kitchen to a new level. I love the contrasting granite, which goes perfectly with your previous countertops. Gorgeous!

I love all the updates! The wall of windows and long island are just dreamy! 😍

While you have your microwave in a space in which you have a gap above, you may desire to use this tip: find a rectangular serving tray that matches the microwave to place on top, in which you can store hot pads that you use when removing items from the microwave

Its beautiful......it was beautiful before, but does look more updated. That island counter is to die for!!! I so wished I had a really large one. As with everyone else....we ALL LOVE your wall of windows.

Your kitchen is beautiful. You handled the questions well.

How gracious you’ve responded to each concern and recommendation! Great job!

You are such a natural on camera. I love everything about your podcast! I absolutely LOVE your kitchen and it’s kinda nice to know that everyone makes mistakes or have regrets when decorating…..Sometimes what first seems like a mistake turns into one of a persons favorite things when it’s all said and done. Decorating is a process and a beautiful journey to be embraced ❤️ Blessings to you from my home in Colorado to yours in Michigan (where I was born and raised 😉). ~God Bless~

Your kitchen looks fabulous! Both videos are quite helpful. I have to say, all the comments about having to walk so much made me chuckle. Despite having a good amount of kitchen square footage, our layout & lack of cabinets don't allow for too many choices, so we walk. There is no "triangle" in our kitchen, we have a breakfast peninsula not an island, and there are no functional cabinets near our dishwasher. It is what it is. It never occured to me how controversial a kitchen could be post-IG. 😁

Great update, beautiful kitchen. I would love the low microwave. Taking the appliance out of the line of sight is aesthetically pleasing, plus it seems much safer than reaching for hot things from up high. The gap above the micro seems to be the perfect place to store the dish cover.

I, too, have a smaller micro in place of the really unsafe 35 year old built-in model that was in our purchased home. And if you buy a large silicone dish drainer mat…which you can cut with scissors…you can use it under the micro and then it won’t slip back into the cabinet! Glad you’re happy with your kitchen!

Hello Sarah, VERY HELPFUL video (both before and after). I have a couple measure questions: 1)What is the clearance around your island? 2)What is the depth of the “pantry” cabinetry (actually do you mind sharing the dimensions of the entire pantry display on that wall?) that’s on the wall opposite the sink wall. We are getting ready to do a renovation and it’s so difficult to envision changes and we are trying to minimize regrets (which is how I found your first video this summer). Thank you and God Bless you and your family!🌺

I love both the before and after kitchen

looks amazing. I love it. I am redoing my kitchen and debating on what to do with the microwave as well.

Great follow up video. I was considering a faucet like that and unsure, good to see you love it. Happy you have a great, usable island now. Can you tell me the measurements you used for the walk ways on both sides of the island? Thanks!

Your videos are always so thorough and genuinely helpful - thank you for the time & thought you put into your content!

great video! Glasses near frig comment. We have a tropical climate vacay rental and I put the glasses in the cabinet near the frig (frig includes ice and filtered water dispensers) and several times I came in after guests left to find that they moved all my glasses *across the kitchen* to the cabinet near the sink!! As a much older person I understand the old protocol of placing drinking glasses near a sink but in the last decades that is just not the convenient placement any longer. ty for demonstrating that to people;-)!! We also placed the plates and bowls in the island drawers right across from the dishwasher. DRAWERS, DRAWERS, DRAWERS!!! Best thing for all the base cabinets. Glad to see you incorporate so many of those. Love the look of the inset cabinets. I was considering them so it is great to hear the downsides too

A very Lovely kitchen. Your kitchen story was insightful and entertaining. I love how you didn't let the "know it alls" get to you.😊At the end of the day, it's your kitchen & people should respect that. I'm getting ready to do a small kitchen remodel. Everything will be replaced but there are so many choices & careful considerations, it's stressful!! Thanks again for your video.

What a gorgeous space! You nailed it!

Enjoyed your videos. Excellent kitchen with all the new updates. Laughed all the way through it.

Love your kitchen and all of your design choices.

We put our microwave in our pantry type cabinet. We had the electrician put an outlet in the cabinet. One of my favorite things we did when redoing our kitchen. Other than that I too have many regrets.

What I love most is the wall of windows!!!! So pretty.

All looks so lovely! I wondered, in reference to your tile backsplash, did your installer just randomly pull tiles for install. Or did you intentionally pattern it out? Thank you!

Oh wow I just saw the other video last night and now this one. I thought the wood touches were something I'd do also. However in seeing this new remodel. Thx of more my style. I always thought I'd want a butcher block in a dark walnut for the island BUT maybe not... WOW... Just beautiful!!!

You could DIY a little platform to put under your microwave and paint it and the inside of the microwave space in your cabinet to hide that empty space and make it appear more custom. And you would have a few less inches to stoop over!

You said you'd link an article about the flooring but I can't find it! I really love those floors!

Bril video. Your sense of humour is hilarious 🤣. I mean, having to WALK in your kitchen 😆😉

You have such a good eye for decorating/designing. I love the one shelf too.🤍✨ I love the window grid on top of your windows.👏🏻

A comment / question about *the lights above your sink:* _(I came back and deleted the word "short" that I'd written before the word "comment", since I see once again I've gone on and on....)_ How do you like them? Obviously you liked them or you wouldn't have installed them, but I mean about the clear glass and how much you need to (should?) clean them. They look like a subtle, brushed brass with clear bulbs (kind of what ya have to go with with clear shades, right?). But it's those lovely, clear shades.... They appear to have a 'slanted' top part; a vertical middle and a 'slanted in' bottom part. It's mostly the slanted top that 'worries' me---lol. Over the years I've discovered that in EVERY type of house / condo I've lived in there is *endless dust.* With that in mind, I've *tried to minimize my dark coloured and therefore dust-showing 'horizontal surfaces'.* So, no more (or at least less) dark wood tables / shelves / floors(!) or anything that catches the most dust. For horizontal surfaces I try for light coloured painted, or other light finishes. (Surprisingly, a back-frosted glass dining room table shows barely anything, and is even easy to clean(!)---I know, it shocked me too.) Along with this 'mantra' I've sworn off any light fixtures that would show dust sooner than later due to their shape or design. Yours look like they'd show obvious dust within about....ohh...two days(?) (on those upper parts). Do they? Do you notice? Do they drive you crazy? Am I too picky? Can I stop going on about such a minor aspect? Don't I have anything better to do? Funnily enough, I had totally vertical, clear glass 'tube lights' above the island in my last house. N-o-o-o pro-o-o-blem. Again, I was surprised. Because other glass like mirrors show dust quite quickly. Gave them a Windex-ing maybe once a year and they honestly didn't look dusty for months. They also barely showed that 'dirty film' that gets on seldom used crystal and things that sit in a cabinet for months between uses. Anyway, good dialogue video! Thanks.

The island looks like it fits the kitchen now. It looks great! Beautiful kitchen!!

Hi I think your kitchen was beautiful before & now. A tip for your microwave would be to cut a timber board to fit the space & sit the microwave on it to lift it up a bit once you paint the inside & board it will be more pleasing to look at ❤️

Just watched both videos back to back, love all the updates. Have you ever thought about getting a custom trim for your microwave? It wouldn't show the unfinished wood, the microwave would not slide back, and give a custom look. Going through a kitchen renovation right now and was surprised that custom microwave trim doesn't cost as much as I thought.

Your kitchen is gorgeous. Good changed. I can see down the road getting the microwave drawer. Sometimes we gave to wait. I love the brass pear on your island. Big deal you need to walk more, you just get in more steps. That's a good thing!

I love the changes you have made!!! The rest doesn't matter, you live there we don't, not that I mind them anyways. I Love your kitchen!!!! Keep up the good work, love your videos!!!

Thank you- great video and presentation! You answered many of the questions I've been concerned about and my kitchen planning doesn't seem as daunting or stressful. Also thankful YT immediately showed the follow up and appreciated the changes/tweaks you made. And amen @fantasticforties! I steer clear of the 'comments' because of peoples compulsion? to share unkind and unsolicited advice!!

New subscriber here! I didn’t see and couldn’t find the first video, but I paused to read comments as you were going through and people! Just people! Why are they so concerned about your kitchen when they don’t have to use it?!!! I guess I’m in trouble because we’re in the process of building now and we’ll have a itty bitty area on each side of our refrigerator like you have! It was up against the wall in the plans and I didn’t want it hitting the wall every time it was opened and putting those small cabinets or spice rack pull outs were the only way to fix the issue. I love your kitchen and everything else about your house that I’ve saw so far! I’ll be making me some peg racks soon too!

I have subscribed, you are talented. thank you for the ways and all the days

I love love love the look of the inset...lets be real, our kids break all of our nicethings..

Everything looks really good. You made some good choices and it all flows very well. I don't blame you for sticking with the less expensive microwave. I did a kitchen makeover sometime back and put a built in microwave over the stove. Shortly after the warranty expired that microwave went out. When we moved into our current house, I chose a smaller less expensive microwave and set it in the space where a much bigger microwave had been. I'm pleased with it and will buy another one just like it when it goes out.

You can put a wall microwave with a front facing vent in the micro nook. It will secure and give a built in look. I did this above my wall oven. Way cheaper than the single oven micro unit. It is also way cheaper to replace if one of the units breaks and has to be replaced.

10/10 your sink is very segzy to my design heART, and my "black goes with all the things" attitude. also

Beautiful! Love your humor too!

Love your new island and the counter top is gorgeous!

I just watched this video. 😂😂I LOVE it!! I was smiling all along the way. I am now going to follow you. ❤

A+ for delivery...love your kitchen, enjoy!

Loved loved loved your kitchen. We are getting ready to update our kitchen. My husband flipped over your corner drawers. What is the length of your kitchen and the length of your wall that your stove is on?

This was a great video. We are just building our home and just designed out cabinets. It is funny we have out coffee pot station completely across from our sink as well, however it will be right next to the fridge and we can fill with filtered water there. Same on our microwave but ours will be above some pull out pantry cupboards. I love your kitchen it is beautiful! I was debating between white cabinets and rustic alder natural finish but ended up going with the rustic alder…..hoping I don’t have regrets! Our old kitchen was white tile and I had painted the old cabinets white so I think it was time for a change. I’m excited to have an island for the very first time!!

Depending on the microwave brand and cabinet size, you may be able to get a microwave trim kit that will give it a move built in look.

I only have two words, absolutely stunning! Great job, ok maybe 4 words!!! 😂❤️👍🏻

Love it! I’m older so bending to the mic isn’t easy. And I wear bifocals so I would need to get low to see clearly. But that said I love the mic in the cabinet and out of the way. I currently have a mic oven combo built in the wall. I don’t like that either. When it breaks down I’m going to put in a double oven in its place and move my mic to the pantry. You are very talented. I love it when I see a new post! ❤️from Tennessee.

You mini makeover on the original Reno really improved it a lot Well done!

I like your final edition so much better!

Love the island, especially the countertop!!

New subscriber here. I love your kitchen. . Everybody has their own design choices. As much as I LOVE your kitchen, I of course wouldn't do EVERYTHING you do, because we all have our own likes and dislikes. So don't worry about others' comments. I actually love your backsplash and I am very particular about backsplashes. I love beadboard and shiplap backsplashes. However, I really like the contrast in the colors of the subway tile. Usually, subway is very boring to me. The fact that there are other colors besides white makes it pretty and rather unique. Enjoy your beautiful kitchen! i'm in the process of remodeling my own kitchen!

Interesting. I'm not a 'stylish' type person (hey, if it works, I'm happy) - but I'm trying to improve a little which is what brought me to your video! LOL! I found it VERY interesting how color alone changed the 'look' from a sweet almost euro-country feel (not necessarily 'farm house') to a sleek contemporary feel - so I guess it depends on what 'look' one is going for. My folks had a 'coffee bar' before they were a thing! Six siblings chipped in and got them a commercial Bunn 2 burner coffee maker and a microwave (mom's first) in the early '80s. Dad built a special cabinet to hold them both with the micro under the coffee maker (using the liner under it so it didn't slide - like was suggested below) - so I'm sure you'll like that - mom did. You all did a great job on your kitchen! Wow! I like both 'looks' ... congrats! good videos too.

Your kitchen looks great, enjoy!

I so appreciate both of these videos. The microwave - it might help a tiny bit to raise it at high as it will go in that space. Forgive me if this is already suggested.

I loooooveeee everything in your kitchen!! 😍❤️💐

I want your sink! Your kitchen is spectacular. I really would love to see more of your property and the lake cabins, loved the sneak peek on Pine and Prospects channel.

It’s always a good idea to keep the coffee bar out of the cooks way. You did good 👍

LOVE IT ALL. IN REGARDS TO YOUR LOW MICROWAVE....AND YOU NOT LIKING THE TOP BLANK SPACE ABOVE IT. RAISE IT UP ON A SMALL THIN BOX AND HAVE A PULL OUT SHELF TO SET HOT THINGS ON TEMPORARILY FOR STIRING.THEREFORE RAISING IT UP A FEW INCHES AND ADDING A HELPFUL FEATURE. JUST A SUGGESTION. :)

We have the hand movement faucet. We really enjoy it with raw chicken and such. But I have no problem getting it to work, as a matter of fact it goes off all the time when I clean around the faucet and I forget it’s there soaking my arm, lol. Otherwise it works awesome!

You could add a shelf and raise your microwave up a few inches when you are doing you dIY to change the color.

I love, love, love your newly refreshed kitchen! You helped me prove to my husband that I can have dark shelving with light floors! I noticed that you have a link to floating shelves on Amazon as a resource. Did you purchase them off of Amazon or did you have them custom made? If you had them made, would you please share what stain color you used? Thank you!!!!

I love the new island legs!! It’s all beautiful!

Your videos on your kitchen has really help me with some decisions for my remodel. I was wondering what the distance around your island is? Thank you for taking the time to answer my question?

Totally agree on the microwave. Built our home with a custom wall unit oven and microwave and we have had to replace the microwave 3 times!!!

Love the new island!

I love the changes you made to your kitchen and extending the island was a great move. I looked for the faucet in the link provided and it doesn’t take me to the specific one. What brand is your faucet?

I, too, have a black sink and absolutely love it! I had a hard time finding one (we redid our kitchen about 25 years ago) but persevered until I did! Mine is a single sink, not a double, which again was difficult to find at the time, and is deeper than most others. My appliances are also black. We recently had to replace our stove, I dropped a carton of ice cream on it and broke the glass cooktop (that one was 25 years old and worked perfectly 😩) but again, had a hard time finding a black one! Love the new island! Thanks for this video!

I love everything about your kitchen!!!

Great video, I love your kitchen it’s so gorgeous!!

Sleakafied....it's a fabulous vibe in love from Bunbury western Australia x

So much better way more functional and just looks right

I love both versions, but the massive island is the best!

I ordered the back splash from the link. It hasn't been put up yet but it all looks pretty much the same color to me. I don't see the variation she spoke of. I was hoping to see some variation.

When microwave is slid toward the front you don't notice the color difference of the inside of the cabinet if you put a stopper to keep the microwave from sliding backwards you really might not have to paint the inside. My favorite thing about your kitchen is the windows they are absolutely just gorgeous good job.

your kitchen seems super practical and I wish you could design My kitchen instead of the person hired to do mine now! lol

My mom has a black sink and does look more worn than my white sink. A lot has to due with hard water deposits I think. I can clean mine very easily with barkeepers friend.

Love your updated kitchen. It’s spacious,designed to work well for you and has gorgeous countertops. The shelf matches your style well and is multifunctional. Good job!

The new kitchen is nice and much more open but I liked your old kitchen too. I guess I am an old soul who likes old chippy and worn surfaces because I absolutely felt miserable in our updated all White house.

I love the contrasting island and would love to know how easy or difficult it was to choose mismatched materials and pull it off so well. Regarding the microwave - I find it the most challenging component of a kitchen design if not putting it on a wall. No other solution is perfect. I like your shelf, and if you were to build it in - consider one with a drop-down door like a regular oven. The drawer is odd - I think in 20 years the next generation will mock us for those. The fact that the microwave drawer can't be pushed in quickly (so as not to spill the soup!) is frustrating. If not doing wall oven + microwave, I think under counter with oven-style door is best. We bend over for the oven so what's the difference? Also 1500 is kinda nothing compared to what you probably paid for the entire thing & 1.5 islands ;)

It's your kitchen and love it that's all that's matters

How has the quartz finish held up? Considering quartz for my kitchen but family is hard on surfaces. Also, would you still go with white grout?

Great video. And gorgeous kitchen. You have to live the "Haters." We remodeled our kitchen about six years ago. Boy, do I ever have some regrets as well as disappointments. Number 1 that I'm facing is the toe kick. Apparently, it's just made of cheap wood, if you want to call it wood. It's become very flimsy, I guess from washing the floor, I have no idea what caused it. So now I suppose we have to replace them all!?! Fortunately, we don't have a large kitchen. My question is, I HATE the way the bottom of the dishwasher looks against the floor. It looks unfinished. I don't know how I didn't notice this right a way, but now I can't stop looking at it. Can you add a removable (in case the DW needs to be repaired or replaced)? I wish I could add photos for you to see.

I love your kitchen but most of all love all the windows .

I dislike microwaves and didn't want to spend more than I had to so I too put a countertop microwave in our island but you have to make sure the dimensions are accurate in order to avoid that gap. YOu would've had to check that with your cabinet maker .

I think it’s a job well done.

Hi, love your kitchen, I checked the faucet link and it doesn’t look the same? Do you think they discontinued yours. Yours has to places water can come from, the link doesn’t?

Are you aware that you're is a microwave trim kit available for that microwave space? We are doing a kitchen remodel now and have one.

lovely kitchen . However, probably would not have done inset cabinets and instead have a built in speed oven or even splurge for the built in sub zero fridge. That's what we are doing anyway. Still very lovely kitchen , use it well

I love your faucet. When I go to the link it only shows the sprayer which doesn't have the 2nd pot filler like faucet. Can you give me more info?

Love the updates! I was encouraged to get a microwave drawer in our recent remodel and I nixed it. In my household microwaves don't last long and I usually have to replace them every few years. As soon as something is "built in" that becomes a bigger (and more expensive) deal. Also, it seems that it would be a pain to clean…especially the top inside. The boys in my life…especially my husband…forget to cover their plates and the inside of our microwave ends up looking like a crime scene after a couple of days. That would be a weird angle to scrub. The sales associate at the appliance store begrudgingly agreed.

Well done, looks great, add a chopping board, or piece of wood under your microwave to raise it ny an inch or 2!!