Kitchen Design

Kitchens are the heart of the home.  It's the gathering place for family and friends.  A Kitchen should be efficient and beautiful.  I've mentioned before that the size of the kitchen isn't  nearly as important as the design.  I have designed kitchens as small as 7' by 10' and some as big as 20' by 15'!  Both were functional and served the needs of the family and that's what counts. 

Before designing your new kitchen or remodeling the one you have, you need to assess what your needs are.  Do you do a lot of cooking and baking?  When entertaining, do you enjoy having people mull around the kitchen while you prepare a meal or do you prefer to work alone?  Do you have young children?  A disability or handicap?  There are many things to consider.  Hiring an Interior Designer will assure that these questions are asked and answered in a good design. 

Below are pictures from one of my favorite projects.  This kitchen offers so many great features.  A great kitchen should have 4 major areas-

•  Prep area which includes, the fridge, a sink, knives and other items commonly used in the preparation of meals.
•  Cooking area- stove, spices, pots and pans, spoons and other utensils
•  Mixing and Baking area- flour, sugar and other baking ingredients, cookie sheets and cake pans, mixers, beaters etc.
•  Cleaning area- this area includes the sink, dishwasher and storage for towels and cloths. 

Notice the island in this kitchen contains a sink.  This is the prep area and in close proximity to the fridge.  Food is taken from the fridge and prepared on the island.  Not shown in the picture is a microwave drawer that sits to the left of the prep sink.  So functional especially for kids.  It's much easier to get food in and out of.

The cooking area is self explanatory.  I love deep drawers.  They are perfect for storing pots and pans as well as their lids.  These should be stored right beside the stove for easy access. 

The mixing and baking area is to the right of the stove.  An appliance garage houses blenders and small appliances.  The drawers below are lined in metal and hold 25 lbs of flour, sugar and smaller compartments are filled with other baking ingredients like baking powder, chocolate chips etc.  Everything is within an arms reach.

The cleaning area is almost the most important area.  Glasses, plates and silverware are stored in deep drawers at the end of the island, closest to the dishwasher.  It makes unloading the clean dishes a pretty easy chore because of it's proximity. 

There are so many new design ideas out on the market.  Come back Friday for a line up of great new kitchen products.

One of my favorite kitchen design projects

I love the brick wall in the eating area.  The brick is repeated in the arch going into the family office and mud room/laundry room.

Sitting area in the kitchen. I love this idea! 

Mom can curl up with the kids and read a book by the fireplace.  Friends and family can relax and visit while dinner is being prepped and yet they won't be in the way of the cook.  So many layers of inviting interest.