[rjn5656]

I am going to be buying a gardenia. Don't plan on using the dining nook in the front of the house.

Wonder if anyone has suggestions they did to build something in that space i.e. bar, cabinets, etc.

[villagetinker]

We put in a window seat and additional cabinets to provide additional storage and still have space for a medium round table and 4 chairs. this was a DIY project as I was still able to get matching cabinets.

[CoachKandSportsguy]

I have seen a home office in the nook, which was impressive. Not sure it was a gardenia though.

[bluedivergirl]

A home office would be nice, but there's only 15 inches between the wall and the window. A Begonia would handle it, though.

We have a Gardenia, and like you, didn't feel the need for another place to eat. We ordered two tall pantry cabinets, an exact match, from Prosource in Orlando. We also ordered trim. The cabinets are 12 inches deep, each unit is 30 inches wide. It added a tremendous amount of pantry space, and doesn't encroach the window.

DH installed them, so we had no cost for that. The cabinets, five years ago, were under $1,000.00, delivered and packing taken away.

We could still add a table, but we enjoy the open space. The kitchen is a bottleneck when you have guests, so the open floor space is welcome.

Good luck!

[justjim]

Different strokes for different folks. If I bought a Gardenia, I would buy it for the front breakfast nook just like we bought our home because of the front porch.

[davem4616]

we have a 'stretch' Gardenia...and converted the 'breakfast nook' into an office area for my wife. we found a nice corner desk which
fits in nicely, 2 bookcases for all the cookbooks and a wine refrigerator pretty much define that area. We use the kitchen counter at breakfast and if we're home for lunch we will often eat at the table in our enclosed lanai.

It works for us.

[DiandJay]

I’ve seen this space set up with a comfy chair or two and side table. Great place for morning coffee and a read, perhaps.

[Colby]

We put a pretty console table on one side with mirror above and use cabinets for additional storage. Other side has wine fridge.

[Kjbatl]

We have the Begonia and set up the nook as a coffee and wine bar. We found a corner cabinet like a bakers rack style top and put hooks on the iron for coffee mugs. We have a wine rack next to it. We got a couple of inexpensive wall decorations for coffee and wine. We like it open with this along the wall. A friend of ours had the space walled in for a pantry, that was very functional also.

[Kaelo Abu]

Interesting! I just bought a Gardenia, and I'm going in the opposite direction. I'm going to convert the formal dining area into a "conversation area" and use the "breakfast nook" for dining. As a single person, I don't need two dining areas, and it seems many people these days prefer informal to formal dining.

[saywhat]

We looked at a Gardenia a few years back, where the owners had added a golf cart garage in front of the first window, and extended their cabinetry into the space for a larger kitchen with more storage. They had added light tubes for natural light.

[FosterMomma]

Our window nook now holds my husband's desk and a large dog bed under the windows for the two Golden Retrievers who feel they need to supervise his work and the neighbourhood.

[Gmaf6]

We added a small island with seating for two and a row of cabinets and counter on one wall.....tried to add a pic but couldn’t. We love it....

[dotti105]

Our home is a Sunflower. The frame version in the Gardenia, Begonia line.

After closing my husband framed out the “breakfast nook” to create a large walk in pantry. It’s been a wonderful addition to our home.

The pantry has floor to ceiling shelves. We also put a computer desk, printer and file cabinets in there as well.

The arched opening into the breakfast nook from the foyer was closed and I now have an large mirrored alcove or niche in which I place seasonal vignettes.

The transformation of the breakfast nook into a walk in pantry is a great use of space! I don’t know what we would do without it!

[villagetinker]

Here are before and after photos of our window seat conversion in our Gardenia.