Fruit/Veggie storage in small home: Hack my kitchen layout please . . .

[mike2401]

I live in a one bedroom condo in the city. Below are the pictures of my kitchen and dining room table.

I recently went on the Paleo diet and am now eating lots of veggies, fruits, meat & fish (most of my food cooked at home).

Consequently, the little fruit bowl on my dining room table no longer fits my needs.

Obviously, I could clear off the top of the fridge and store fruits & veggies there, but that doesn't seem ideal from a viewing & reaching perspective.

Since eating healthy is now a big part of my life, I'm open to making that the center-piece of my dining room table.

Can anyone suggest a good way to store/display my fruits and veggies on my dining room table? Though I'm open to 2 "fruit bowls", I'd love to get something cool that is one piece, bigger/longer.

Alternatively, if anyone has a clever idea or tips on storing veggies/fruits on top of the fridge, please share that as well.

Thanks for any tips,
Mike

[Ruthie789]

You could get a bistro styled double basket, French inspired. Saw one at Costco. You don't seem to have much counterspace to work with, a small moveable counter for extra storage could be of interest to you? Someone has mentioned a stainless counter, which often comes on rollers, you might find this at a restaurant supplier. We have one in my area in Montreal which only does stainless counters and cupboards. Some inspiration below
http://www.astorstainlesssteel.com/en...

[HungryHoya]

I've always thought using those wall-mounted, half-circle planters to store fruits and veggies was clever. You can even use several to sort different things. They obviously take up some space on the wall (usually positioned above the counter, under the cabinets), but the shape means it doesn't prevent you from using the counter underneath it for prep. I couldn't find a picture of them being used for produce, but here's a photo of the product I am referring to, being used in another "alternative" way:

[mike2401]

Well, I wouldn't put it on the living room wall, but I guess in the kitchen would be an option.

[HungryHoya]

These might make it easier to picture:

[Ruthie789]

I have very limited space in my kitchen, that picture inspires me. I find French inspired.

[Ms.M]

In addition to the suggestions for your kitchen, here are two for the dining room: First, what about a triangular tiered open pot storage unit in the corner; they come in a vaiety of styles and heights. Second, a wall mounted shelf, about 10 to 12" deep and a decent length, or even a multiple of 24 to 36 inch shelves.

[mike2401]

Interesting. I might pursue that after the kitchen project. Hopefully the kitchen will yield much more usable storage and space.

thx

mike

[c oliver]

http://www.thefind.com/search?query=french+kitchen+island

This site has tons of pieces, something for everyone's style.

Also the recent Crate & Barrel catalog has this marble-topped island. I'd add industrial looking casters to it and move it around. Very handsome.

http://www.crateandbarrel.com/french-...

[Robin Joy]

Most fruit looks fine on the table, but potatoes, squash, kale etc. less so IMO.

How about something like this to the left of your sehelving unit:

http://www.aplaceforeverything.co.uk/home-storage/wicker-basket-storage-tower?cr=fgl&gclid=COSL9pXerbUCFQtb3godvT0Aig

Or this:

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl...

Actually just google vegetable storage baskets and select images.

[mike2401]

If I had a house-house with lots of room, they would be great. Not so much for my small space, but thanks!

[mike2401]

I spent 5 hours at the home show today. I got lots of business cards of kitchen contractors.

I think I want something like this.

Any guess what it might cost?

Thx
Mike

[c oliver]

Where do you live? If there's an Ikea near you, I'd recommend that you check it out. We've built two of their kitchens and love them. It's all 'components' so you can build what you want. For a few hundred rather than thousands. Just a suggestion.

[mike2401]

I live in philadelphia, only 15 minutes from ikea.

That's a great suggestion!

Thx

[c oliver]

Be careful :) It's a very dangerous store!!!!! But, honestly, theire products are so well made. I look forward to reading what you think.

[mike2401]

I had Kitchen Magic come onsite to give me an estimate for new lower & upper cabinets (7 feet wide), with quartz counters.

The cabinets were $8,000 and the 7 foot quartz counter was about $3,000 and a corian back splash (full height) was about $1,500.

I might not be able to afford the quartz & corian. I might just do the low & high cabinets (7 foot wide) and the 7 foot counter in Formica.

I will stop by ikea to see what options exist.

I see that they sell 6' or 8' counters. I don't know if they cut or do custom sizes, or exactly how that works. I will investigate.

[c oliver]

IIRC, they do custom countertops but we didn't get ours from them. We're a two hour drive from the nearest IKEA so it was easier to have someone local come in, measure and install.

[masha]

You can always do Formica (or some other brand of laminate) now and upgrade later to quartz, corian or stone. When we put in a whole new kitchen to our house, we stayed within budget by initially installing laminate. About 10 years later we replaced the laminate with granite. Not clear to me that you plan to stay in this apt. that long, but it's a thought.

[mike2401]

I'm planning to stay in this condo for forever (god willing).

If quartz was $6,000 for 15 feet of counter, how much might 7 feet of a formica counter top cost?

If it's thousands, I'd hate to but it twice, but if it's like $500, I might be forced to.

Mike

[masha]

Mike - It's been a while since I've put in counters but I bet you can get 7' of laminate for under $1,000, and maybe even $500. In fact, if you really wanted to save money, rather than custom laminate counter tops, you can purchase pre-fabricated laminate counters from Home Depot (and undoubtedly their competitors) at a very reasonable price if the depth you want is standard (they'll cut it to any length). I only know this because it's what we installed in our laundry room. There are a limited number of patterns available but it is an option that you might consider.

[c oliver]

We actually did a Formica brand of countertop in this latest kitchen. They take photos of things like granite, marble, etc and make the laminate from it. The repeat in only eight feet or so. It even has a texture to it. Everyone thinks it's granite. Let's see if I can load a pic that shows it. BTW, we have laminate in another kitchen which is seven years old and looks/feels brand new.

We have 20ish linear feet of countertop and it was $1500 for them to come out and measure, fabricate and install.

[mike2401]

Looks great, and that would put the 7 feet of custom countertop at under $750 (about right). Thanks!

[mike2401]

Your kitchen really looks great! Times like this, I wish I didn't live in the city. My kitchen is really small by comparison.

Mike

[c oliver]

Before the whole house remodel, I've attached a pic of the original a la 1960s kitchen. Oh, and the new kitchen also has a real pantry. I'm in heaven :)

[mike2401]

That's an amazing difference!

[c oliver]

We had a dining room (behind the kitchen in the pic), that teensy kitchen and a breakfast room. Now we have the kitchen and a dining room. Love it.

[c oliver]

And thanks for the kind words. I'm 65 y.o. and this is the best kitchen I've ever had. I actually have more counterspace than I need...and two almost empty drawers :)

[Sarah]

You could start here -
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/categories/departments/kitchen/10471/
http://www.ikea.com/us/en/catalog/cat...

[c oliver]

Their 'click and drag' design software is super easy and fun. And with both kitchens, we've found them so great to work with.

[mike2401]

I guess I'll find out on Saturday when I go over to Ikea, but I'm really curious if they cut counters to my desired size, or are you limited to 6' or 8' and a combination of their cabinets which fit 6' or 8'.

Sadly, my desired width for the new cabinets is 7'

Mike

[c oliver]

Ah, I thought you were talking about custom counter TOPS. I'm close to 100% positive that the cabinet size is arbitrary. But think about it. The difference between 7' and 8 or 6 is quite small. But if you plan to stay there forever (which you probably won't but....) then you may want to pay for exactly what you want.

[rasputina]

For an easy quick fix you can just install a stainless work table with lower shelf, they sell them at Sam's Club for 100 dollars. I have 2 of them in my eat in kitchen that basically extend the counter. You get counter and storage in one. And it's cheap, easy and quick to set up. They are pretty versatile too, great in the kitchen, garage, on the patio by the BBQs.

http://www.samsclub.com/sams/work-table-with-stainless-steel-top-49/145625.ip?navAction=

For fruits and veggies that should be stored at room temp I use a dessert stand similar to this

http://www.amazon.com/Creative-Home-W...

They come in lots of styles.

[letsindulge]

If you like the industrial look you might consider NSF certified chrome shelving, and wood crates. I have them in my kitchen, and pantry to store my cookware, small appliances, and "collection" of serve wear.

[c oliver]

Is that like the big, shelving unit that Costco sells? I have one of those and LOVE it. It IS my pantry and I like the idea of crates for certain things. I have a huge wooden bowl on it with produce that doesn't require refrigeration. BTW, once bananas are ripe, they can go in the fridge. The peels turn dark but the fruit is fine.

[rasputina]

Those are nice too, I have 3 of them in a spare room with cookware on them.

[mike2401]

because the other half of my kitchen is white/wood cabinets, I'm leaning more towards something similar (though I love funky modern). If I come across a picture of that, it might sway me.

Mike

[mike2401]

can you share a picture of your setup?

[masha]

If it's within your budget and the space is wide enough (not clear from the pictures), I'd place a "microwave" cart on the open wall, adjacent to the free-standing cupboard. Place one bowl of fruit there and the other on your dining room table.

[mike2401]

I like your idea of storing some of the veggies on that wall, and some on the dining room table.

Actually, the more I'm thinking about it, I'm going to do a major kitchen improvement project and do either custom cabinets if I can't find exactly what I'm looking for.

I'd like to fully utilize the wall: 20"-24" deep by 6'-7' wide, floor to ceiling: 8' high.

Mike

[Ruthie789]

It looks like you have a free wall to put cabinets with a counter. You don`t seem to have much workspace on your present counter.

[mike2401]

Though adding a counter and upper & lower cabinets will make my already narrow kitchen even more narrow, I'm totally convinced I want more counter space.

I tend to do heavy paleo cooking in the morning. A few days ago, I was making pressure cooker chicken & chicken soup, making scrambled eggs, boiling water and trying to assemble lunch, etc. It was madness!!!!

[CanadaGirl]

I'm not sure if it will do what you want, but what about a tiered basket for the produce. I have seen some nice ones at various spots, including Costco. I am thinking of this style, although they come plain and fancy.

Also, just wondering why the inside of the fridge isn't part of the equation?

[calliope_nh]

The basket is the first thing I thought of too.
I think the heat on top of the fridge would make for poor produce storage.

[mike2401]

Great point about heat on top of fridge; that never would have occurred to me.

Thanks!

[mike2401]

Though I can't hang one of theses anywhere, a multi-level fruit/veggie thing on the table might work.

If anyone saw a cool one, please let me know.

Thanks!

[kaleokahu]

"...inside the fridge..."

Indeed. And also a facsimile of a stillroom or unheated butler's pantry.

[mike2401]

Oh, I forgot the last photo which is the wall to the left of the fridge:

I'm considering a big investment and building a custom piece of furniture on this wall for additional prep area and cooking gear storage.

I'd love to have more counter space and prep area with a dedicated spot for my vitamix. Last year, I would have wanted a dedicated spot for my bread machine but that's now gathering dust in my closet.

Thanks for any thoughts,
Mike

PS: I just realized that today is the last day for the Philadelphia home show. I'm going to walk down there later this morning and try and get inspired.

[rasputina]

I'd move the hutch to the dining room wall and put 2 stainless work tables where the hutch is now. You'd gain counter space and storage from the lower shelf. Unless you want to bring in a construction crew and build a wing of upper and lower cabinets with counter.

[mike2401]

no real room for anything else in the living room. I'm resigned to giving away the existing piece.

Per the picture I just posted, I do want to fully utilize the space (floor to ceiling)

Thx
Mike

[ksbikecommuter]

Considering your interest in modifying your kitchen and possibly new cabinets to replace the hutch I would suggest taking your questions to GardenWebs kitchen forum.

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/kitch...

The people there can work within any budget and provide lots of guidance.

[mike2401]

great tip, thank you!

[mike2401]

I'm signing up for an account as we speak!
Thanks for the tip!

[mike2401]

OMG: I'm in kitchen remodeling heaven!

I received lots of help and great suggestions for cabinet configurations, color choice, and if the quote I got for $200/square foot for Cabria quartz counters was a total rip-off.

I'm letting the wisdom of the crowd help me pick the counter color, etc:

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/...

Thanks again!
Mike

[c oliver]

Thanks for sharing that. I've intended to visit that site so this was a good reminder. BTW, I think the advice to get rid of the stuff on your fridge is ridiculous. You're not doing a designer showhouse. You LIVE there. I like having all sorts of pix on my fridge.