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  • 06.19.20 Architecture & Details / Built In Cabinetry / Cabinetry & Millwork / Kitchen Design / Thoughts on Design

    When is a Kitchen Not a Kitchen?

    Architecture & Details / Built In Cabinetry / Cabinetry & Millwork / Kitchen Design / Thoughts on Design
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    When is a kitchen not a kitchen?

    That is the question I’ve been asking myself recently.

    It’s been prompted by several things. First, as consequence of the pandemic, we all have been forced to use our homes in ways we had never previously considered. For example, in my son’s family both dad and mom are working from home. Preschool has been canceled for the year, so they’re juggling work load with working on “school projects” with their oldest. Their home office was never intended to be nor is it set up to be a full-time place to work. Their dining table is not necessarily the ideal place for school work/projects and the more than occasional back up home office. Somewhere in there, each day three meals are prepared and served on that same table. It’s a bit chaotic. Their kitchen is being asked to fulfill functional needs it was never designed to support. I’m sure you know families living in similar circumstance. Perhaps you are?

    During the past month I have had several conversations with clients in which I have posed the observation, “Perhaps your kitchen is working too hard. It looks/feels like a room full of cabinets.”

    Existing Conditions

    Today, whether a kitchen is part of a larger multi-use space or a stand alone room, the multiple demands we place on the space begs the question, “Does a kitchen have to look like a kitchen?”

    Activity list

    Or more appropriately, “When is a kitchen not a kitchen?”

    “When its a…”

    kitchen as connector

    As I look back at the kitchens we have designed, they are often part of something bigger. They are part of a greater whole. For instance, consider the design we did for a client on Boston’s North Shore.

    kitchen overall

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Michael J Lee

    It served as a link between a lounge area on one side of the kitchen,

    lounge area

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Michael J Lee

    and an open plan dining area on the other. 

    dining area

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Michael J Lee

    The kitchen was the glue that holds the space together.

    It’s important to point out another essential aspect of this project. The accessories and artwork. Take a moment to look at the artwork and lighting in the lounge. Zoe Design’s hand painted mural in the dining area tells a family story. Finally, the classical mirror, pedestal and bust, adding richness to the space.

    pedestal and bust

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Michael J Lee

    This is the stuff that brings personality and charm to a room. I’m afraid most kitchens are sorely lacking in that regard.

    Kitchen as an experience

    At the other end of the spectrum was a kitchen we designed that was contained within four walls. Inspired by the brick walls of the old carriage house/barn, our client asked us to design it in a cozy French/Continental Style, in sharp contrast to the classical formality of the rest of the home. She wanted earthiness and drama. Note the lack of upper cabinets. The hanging copper cookware. The variety of finishes and materials. The antique chandelier.  She wanted an experience.

    kitchen overview

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Sam Gray

    Instead of a simple backsplash behind the range, Sally created a custom toile design.

    Toile backsplash

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Sam Gray

    The custom millwork surrounding the banquette seating/dining area (pillows and all) hint of an intimate dining experience.

    banquette

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Sam Gray

    Across from the dining area, a custom mantel and fireplace invite you to linger a while in front of the fire.

    mantel

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Sam Gray

    Of course, there are little touches that round out the room.

    rooster and coffee

    Wilson Kelsey Design; Photographer, Sam Gray

    Our client envisioned an experience, where a person could feel comfortable walking about in their stocking feet. I think she succeeded!

    Lastly, our recent on line consultation with our Houston client, reminds me that a kitchen can be the anchor of large multi-use room.

    Of course, much will depend on the final design of the entire room. But wouldn’t it be fun to speculate?

    Just for fun, let’s consider a few possibilities…

    room anchor

    What if there were a massive fireplace and mantel, flanked with builtin cabinetry at the far end of the room? The kitchen would need to be designed with equal weight in order to balance/anchor the room. Stone faced cabinets and exhaust hood, perhaps? Finger pulls instead of hardware, for a modern minimalist look.

    sculpture

    With a large walk-in pantry and storage room nearby, we don’t need to load up the kitchen with upper cabinets. We can play with shape and form and positive and negative space, creating a modern sculptural feel.

    invisible

    Finally, what if the kitchen disappeared? Concealed behind folding pocket doors, when not in use or to hide the mess and clutter after a meal is prepared and served.

    the answer to the question

    Let’s see, we have connector, experience, anchor, sculpture, invisible. The common thread? In each case, the sum of their parts is greater than the whole, exceeding expectations and functionality.

    When this happens, a kitchen is no longer a kitchen.

    ~~~~

    If Sally and I can help you with any aspect of the design of your home, please don’t hesitate to contact us via the contact form on our website, here:

    www.wilsonkelseydesign.com/contact

    Or, if you’re not sure if you need to hire an interior designer, please give us a call. We’d be happy to chat.

    We also invite you to connect with us on:

    Instagram  |  Houzz  |  Pinterest | Twitter | Facebook

     

    Thank you for reading our blog, Design Cognoscenti. We appreciate you!

    Get in touch! We'd love to hear from you.

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    12 Comments

    Cancel reply

    1. Leslie Carothers says:
      June 20, 2020 at 2:04 pm

      John: What a wonderful post … and what a fantastic gathering of images that show off the work that you and Sally have done for your clients in creating spaces that give them a new way to live in their homes in such a customized and personalized way.

      Every detail is so well thought out.

      Reply
      1. John Kelsey says:
        June 20, 2020 at 6:49 pm

        Thank you, Leslie.
        As you know, it’s all in the details.

        Cheers,
        John

        Reply
    2. Lisa Peck says:
      June 20, 2020 at 2:35 pm

      So thoughtfully written. I think many of us are reconsidering how we use our homes.

      Reply
      1. John Kelsey says:
        June 20, 2020 at 6:49 pm

        It seems to be a reoccurring theme these days.
        Hopefully some good will come out of all of this.

        John

        Reply
    3. Janet R Lorusso says:
      June 20, 2020 at 4:37 pm

      I’ve always adored that carriage house kitchen, one of my all time favorites! This is a great discussion, John!

      Reply
      1. John Kelsey says:
        June 20, 2020 at 6:50 pm

        Thank you, Janet. It’s still my all time favorite, although I have one on the boards right now that might change that. IF it ever gets built…

        Cheers,
        John

        Reply
    4. Christina Rodriguez says:
      June 20, 2020 at 4:39 pm

      Very nice! Thoughtful.

      Reply
      1. John Kelsey says:
        June 20, 2020 at 6:51 pm

        Thank you, Christinia. It was one of tone posts I had to get out of my head…

        John

        Reply
    5. Mary Ann Benoit says:
      June 21, 2020 at 2:14 am

      Great ideas and really love the idea of the invisible kitchen!

      Reply
      1. John Kelsey says:
        July 2, 2020 at 3:54 pm

        Oh to find a client with deep pockets…

        Cheers,
        John

        Reply
    6. Laura Muller says:
      June 21, 2020 at 3:41 am

      Beautiful and spot on post (as usual)! The kitchen description is definitely changing! Great things to think about! xox

      Reply
      1. John Kelsey says:
        July 2, 2020 at 3:55 pm

        Thank you my good friend!

        I can easily see the invisible kitchen done in the contemporary style in one of your projects.

        Enjoy the long weekend!

        John

        Reply
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