Wow! So much brighter and more efficient! That's a great amount of counter space considering the size of your kitchen.

Question: Is that the LG 24" refrigerator? (which, if it is, is also in one of the AT:NY smallest coolest submissions). Do you like it? I have one on order right now...should arrive in 3-4 weeks.

So, did your theory prove true? Are you an avid cook now?

Nice!! and functional. I love this orange lamp!!

Very nice.

I have the same question--did it change your cooking habits?

And I moved my stove/oven next to my refrigerator, too, for similar reasons, though I don't have the same layout. Has anyone said anything about whether that's energy efficient or not? (Hot next to cold.) Just wondering whether I should worry or not; I won't move it back.

great job!

My one drawback is that I'd like a little more color. It's so white! (What about painting the walls?)

Love the before /after pictures what a huge difference! I agree with above comment on that great orange lamp. I'm repeating what I commented on another kitchen in this contest (I am so loving the white stove and fridge vs. stainless.) Great job!

Much improved, though it is hard not to improve on the before pic. Lamp is nice - wish it were more distinctive overall - much brighter but still a bit blah.

Ditto -- love the lamp, wishing for more color. Painting the walls or even just one wall a bright color would do wonders here, no?

I like, but I think I'd LOVE with some lemon yellow walls.

agreed - lamp is VERY awesome, but overall a little too devoid of color. i do like the clean lines you've got going with the cabinets and hardware. congrats on your new kitchen! looks like the floor tiles are existing/not updated? if so, why everything but the floor?

I like your floors. What are they made of?

everything looks so fresh and clean, nice job! i agree with other comments about wanting more color. how about a backsplash -- fun weekend project maybe?

Thank you for all your comments.
Here are a few answers to your questions
Yes, my cooking habits have changed. I eat out occasionally and rarely order in anymore.
I love the LG 24", my dream was to own a Smeg, but I was on a budget.
I was concerned at first about putting the refrigerator next to the oven, but have had no problems in regards to the heat/cold issue.
The floors are new - I wanted a fifties feel so I bought Marmoleum (linoleum) tiles. A kitchen that was featured in the style section of the NY times had the same tiles, but only in the green color.
I agree that I need a bit more color overall. I want to paint my backsplash but don't know what color. I have been thinking about this for a year now. I do have a lot of color (from artwork) throughout my apartment so I want to keep the kitchen light. It took me forever to find white appliances (especially in minature) - everything is stainless now

Big improvement, but I think more could be done to make it functional. not much counter space for real cooking. - is there enough room to put a counter above the garbage can/pet dishes? Also concur with the suggestions to add some color through paint - perhaps a light glass tile back splash. Will add some color, but keep the light feeling. A painted (or textured) accent wall is another option.

major improvement! love the lighting and the beautiful clean white appliances. also the tile is really awesome as well! great job laura!

Laura - I have a question about the fridge. AJ Madison's website says the hinge is on the right side (so in your kitchen, the doors would open towards the oven). Do you happen to know if the hinge can be on the left side? That is what I would need. I love your kitchen by the way. Ours is almost exactly the same size/layout and I am thinking now of how to renovate...yours is very inspiring.

Matilda,

I have the LG refrigerator on order and the door hinge CAN be switched. The store I purchased it from (local appliance retailer) is switching the hinge to the left on delivery. However, there are instructions for doing it yourself in the owner's manual (available as a pdf on LG's website).

If you want to wait about a month, I can give you a full review!

Hooray! I am so glad to hear that minipanda. It is really going to change my kitchen. I have a behemoth refrigerator that I love and it is only 3 years old, but it really takes up too much room. I will defintely be interested in your review.

Matilda
I did switch the door, when the guy delivered it he was kind enough to do it for me. It is really a great refrigerator, and one of the only good looking ones in white

Laurah I'm also with you on the white vs. stainless issue. I hate the combination of stainless with those cherry cabinets that is so common these days. I love that your kitchen is very white - in my mind kitchens should be on the white/cream side - it makes me feel like they are very clean.

Pretty much every refrigerator can be hinged on either side.

I agree with Phaedrus regarding a workstation along the opposite wall. That nook looks like it's about 15" deep, that would still leave you close to 3 ft. in between the counter and the other side of your kitchen. I'm picturing an IKEA butcher block countertop supported against the wall in the back and in the corner and one leg in the front on the other end. The garbage can and bowls would go underneath. This scenario should be minimal enough to not make the kitchen seem to claustrophobic. IKEA Pronomen comes in a 48 7/8" x 15" length for $29.00.

I love the Kartell lamp, it looks great with the white kitchen. I'm glad to see a lot of white in the kitchen because I've got a white one coming in a couple of weeks.

excellent improvement,I was just about to write about the butcher block from ikea but ART beat me to it.
I think an orange or colbalt blue backsplash would be awesome.

Mazeltov! This kitchen is so cute. I like the beige and orange accents. I like Phaedrus' idea of additional counter space under the phone, perhaps only deep enough to comfortably hold a dinner plate or serving dish.

Laura
I posted on the main page too...what's your stove? is it 24"? Do you love it?

The stove is an Avaniti and yes, it is 24"
They are not the best ovens and tend to break down. I am stuck with mine, and for now it is fine, but if I had to do it over again I would have spent the extra money and gone with something else - my budget was a tight one.

I love the idea of the ikea butcher block countertop - I am definitely going to look into that.

For the backsplash, I am now thinking of translucent tiles - not sure of the color yet, but I like everyone's recommendations

Very nice renovation! For some reason the Palmolive bottle is bothering me. Maybe a glass bottle or a bottle of Method would be more pleasing.

Laurah,

What stove would you have gone with if you had the budget? We have an older Tappan that works well, but isn't the nicest on the block...eventually we'll replace it.

(What is everybody's issue with white? Let it go!!)

I'm glad to see the pet (doggy?) bowls out! Matching the counter to the floor was a nice touch to not have to change them (if that was your purpose...).

Laurah, I just ordered the LG fridge! I am so excited...it changed my renovation plans totally for the better. I am going to post pix of before and after when I am done. Your kitchen was really an inspiration to me!

One question...do you find the LG to be energy efficient?