nanci mancinelli

To Whom It May Concern: I just had my kitchen redone. However, I truly believe that even the wonderfully creative people at houzz.com could not have done what my genius contractor did. PLEASE continue to read this and be astounded! I have lived in a condo with the smallest three-drawer (!) kitchen for sixteen years. I now am the proud owner of a 21 (!!!!!) drawer kitchen! Let me (I hope!) entertain you..... IMG_3111-1.jpg These are the two main cabinets with shelving in between. Under each cabinet is a drawer and beside each cabinet is a pull-out small pantry. IMG_3112-1.jpg This is the farmhouse sink with two LARGE, DEEP drawers below that allow space for the garbage disposal and other sink plumbing. There are five drawers of varying sizes next to these drawers. In addition, next to the dishwasher and the set of five drawers are two more small pull-out pantries. Under the sink and drawers, three inches of space were left to house a stepstool since I am shorter than he thought. IMG_3113-1.jpg Above the refrigerator are six large pantry drawers that pull out a full 29 inches. Each drawer has shelves of different heights to accommodate different food items such as cereal boxes, liquour bottles (strictly for cooking, you understand), canned goods, etc. On the left side of the refrigerator is a tall pull- out pantry for dry goods such as pasta, rice, flour, etc. IMG_3114-1.jpg As you can see here, there is a cabinet above the stove with four shelves total for storage. I use it for cake pans, tagines and other cooking items. You can also view one of the pull- out pantry drawers above the frig. IMG_3115-1.jpg Here you are able to view another cabinet with three shelves that I use for canned goods which are stored on double-stacked turntables. Below this cabinet is another drawer and beside the cabinet is another pull-out pantry. IMG_3116-1.jpg Below the counter are four more drawers of varying sizes which I use for cooking utensils and pots and pans (and of course, the top drawer is the always-needed junk drawer). The drawers all pull out a full 25 inches. IMG_3117-1.jpg This is an old rolling island which he cut in half, inserted a HUGE drawer (for my canisters of flour, sugars, cornstarch, etc. and my rolling pins, mandoline, hand-held mixer and other baking utensils), and then built a shelf for the lesser-used electrics such as a juicer and ice cream maker. The main shelf of the island is, of course, for storing my kitchen aid mixer and and the cuisinart...they never have to move from where they are!!!!! He threw a removable top shelf on for decorative items. The island is on wheels. IMG_3118-1.jpg IMG_3119-1.jpg The next two pictures show the other half of the above- mentioned island with the original small drawers. The entire thing is on wheels so that it can roll should I need to open the pots and pans drawers the full 25 inches. By the way, the tile counter above the movable island also moves (!) out toward the dining room if I should happen to need more space in the kitchen. IMG_3120-1.jpg IMG_3121.jpg This picture and the one below show the small pantries on either side of the cabinets and drawers pulled out. They extend a full 17 inches and have three to four shelves each. IMG_3122-1.jpg This last photo shows (poorly, I admit) the three lighting fixtures he installed to replace my ONE and only light I had before. So...this is my new kitchen in the smallest area ever made for a kitchen. It is incredibly easy to cook in and cleaning up seems to be a breeze (maybe because it’s new and beautiful). Now, the most remarkable information about this kitchen is that the contractor built it in his garage, brought it to my condo (11/2 hours away) and EVERYTHING fit perfectly! In my (humble) opinion, this kitchen could be a model for your ‘space-saving’ design ideas that you regularly publish. What do you think? Thanks for allowing me to show-off. Nanci Mancinelli nanthimanthi@gmail.com 818-999-0625