Kitchen Designs

 

I just started on a renovation plan for a kitchen design and thought I would share the process as my thoughts are forming. This is the original layout but I will be making a lot of changes to this footprint and would love your feedback along the way.

 

Almost everything is changing.  This is the list I am working from:

1. Don’t need study. Would rather use this space as combination laundry/pantry area

2. Entrance hall is boring. (stairs go down, not up)

3. Not crazy about kitchen layout.  Don’t like any appliances in island. (Sink and DW are there now. Often entertain 30-35 people so need flexibility)

I will let you glance at my re-work and then walk you through it.

 

First, let’s address the foyer issue. Since the study is no longer a study that door could be eliminated. With the door gone I could pull the powder room to the front wall. To save space and add some personality, I removed the bathroom door and added a sliding barn door which serves as artwork on the wall by adding a contrasting texture and color. To balance it and add some spice to a boring staircase I will repeat the color of the barn door on the stair railing and make it a heavy square wooden rail rather than the light ironwork that is there now.  It will feel something like this:

 

I love the magic that happens when you do something fairly contemporary with the architect but then surprise people with antiques in other areas.

I haven’t found my color starting point yet so I don’t know what the palette will be but whatever it is, this combo can’t fail.

With the powder room shifted I now have a little vestibule to the pantry which I love because it discretely hides what is going on behind that wall.

 

It’s a little easier to see in this larger print out.

 

 

 

I see the range wall as the focal point of the kitchen since  it faces the family room so I centered a gas 6 burner slide in range with a great hood on that wall.

The homeowners are already thinking concrete countertops; so that tells me that we are in a warmer palette. I am seeing a wonderful solid surface backsplash that will dance up to meet the hood and of course house a beautiful pot filler. They are so romantic.

I took the door to the deck out. There is another one right beside it, so that is not a problem. In its place will be the side by side refrigerator. I am adding a window centered on this wall and placing the farmhouse sink underneath it. The work triangle is a bit spread out but when you see what I have in mind for the island, I think you will agree that it will work just fine.

In the drawing above, the island is shown as a big 4′ x 6′ rectangle in the center of the room. It is actually two 2′ X 4′ pieces on locking casters that will allow me to configure the kitchen in at least 4 different ways. I am giving the client the option of having both with cabinets or (my preference) one with storage and one as a table with perhaps a ledge underneath.

By swinging one unit around I can easily form an L-shaped island that will allow people to sit and visit, but protects the work area for the cook.

There is nothing more frustrating than a bunch of people standing in the way when you are trying to get a meal put together.

Have a family that loves to cook together? Not a problem.

Now we have effectively created 4 different work stations- each with their own counterspace.

And when those 35 folks show up for lunch before hitting the water?

Viola!  A 12′ buffet line.

I haven’t said much about the laundry/pantry. I’m sure I will have more to say later. But now I will just point out that by moving the powder room down it gave me a common wet wall to share with the washing machine. Shelves will line the walls for both food, small appliances and an overflow of books as requested.

By switching the fixtures in the powder room, I made the lavatory the feature as it should be AND have found this little dude who will have an a possible introduction if he is not too casual. Might be.

Sorry, did mean to go so long. Thoughts?