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By Vicki O’Neal,
CID, ASID
The kitchen is the center of activity in many homes and truly a multipurpose space. It
is obviously the place of physical nurturing, but represents nurturing in a symbolic
and spiritual sense as well. Our families gather there, and spend much of our quality
time together in the kitchen. It always seems be the place where people congregate during a
party. The kitchen could be called the heart and soul of your home.
As a place of such importance, it’s little wonder that so much effort is put into kitchen
design, and the bells and whistles that support the many activities happening there. From a
design standpoint, the kitchen incorporates a complex flow of movement and functions. It is
the most expensive area to construct or remodel, and where small planning mistakes can create
big future inconveniences. Many kitchen specialists provide state-of-the art renderings
that are a lifelike representation of the kitchen interior and can be an invaluable visualization
tool.g
about ourselves.
1. The Prep and cleaning zone
The prep zone includes the sink, faucet and disposal, dishwasher,
and trash can or compactor. Sinks come in all shapes,
sizes, and depths, with location and function being the most
important considerations. Beautiful metallic finishes can create
a striking look for features such as a bar sink. Faucets and
sinkware continue to evolve with clever and practical options
in style and ease of use. Drawer sized dishwashers are a water
and energy saving opportunity, and may be a good choice for
the kitchen or wet bar. Many dishwashers are so quiet they are
barely audible when operating. Recently introduced are dishwashers
with a steam cleaning cycle which have the ability to
clean the toughest pots and pans. Stainless steel dishwasher interiors
are favored because they don’t stain, crack, or hold odors.
Integrated and hidden controls create a built-in and streamlined
appearance.
2. The cooking zone
Ovens and ranges come in versions including convection, microwave,
steamer, conventional, or some combination, and installations
can be built-in, slide-in, drop-in, wall mounted, overhead,
or pull-out. Cooktops can be gas, electric, or induction,
with the latter two available in solid glass surfaces. It pays to
really think about how you cook, or would like to cook, when
planning an appliance purchase, a new kitchen or a renovation.
It’s easy to get caught up in the dazzle of it all. But when the dust
settles, you’ll be the one using this space every day. Research is
all-important, and reading blogs and consumer reviews can be
very helpful.
3. The Eating and planning zone
Dining in the kitchen is the activity that makes a
house feel like a home. The formal dining room is
frequently no longer present, and the kitchen and
eating space are often visually and spatially connected.
Eating counters add charm and great functionality
to the kitchen. They provide extra counter
or serving space, additional seating, and a place
for casual dining. It is a wonderful arrangement
for interaction with family or friends during meal
preparation, and may become the most used area in
your home. Bar height counters (42” high) visually
separate areas but may not be the best arrangement
with small children in the family. Eating counters
can be an extension of an island or peninsula counter
(36” high). Table height counters (30” high) are an option.
Breakfast tables have seen many updates in design that bring
them in step aesthetically. If space allows, round tables offer great
style and flexibility in seating capacity. Built-in booths, perhaps
constructed to integrate a window seat, can create a cozy environment
for casual dining. Planning desks are frequently a part
of the kitchen, and can serve as “family central,” with space for
a computer, files, activity calendar, and cookbooks.
 4. The Storage zone
Integral to every kitchen is the need to store everything under
the sun. Storage has become quite a specialty with specific
inserts for drawers, customized pantry systems, pull outs, wine
storage, etc. The most important factor in configuring storage
is to take advantage of all available inches while keeping objects
highly visible and within easy reach. Many items are moving
from the areas where they have been typically stored and now
can be found in surprising but practical locations. One example
of this trend is locating spices in drawer bins. Some specialized
storage such as wine requires unusual considerations such as
light and temperature control.
Refridgeration...
A relatively new advancement in convenience, and my personal
favorite, is the French door refrigerator. It features sideby-
side doors, full width shelves, and a pull-out bottom freezer.
Counter depth refrigerators are less intrusive spatially and create
a built-in appearance. Refrigeration drawers and beverage or
wine centers are an option for special use areas.
Cabinets...
Although visually, cabinets appear to be pretty simple, there is much detail hiding
behind those pretty doors. The easiest to build and most common are framed
cabinets. Typically, these have more detail to the door design, exposed hinges, and
the door appears to be on top of the cabinet face. Frameless cabinets are generally
more contemporary and visually simpler in design, sometimes with slab style
doors, special fittings, and concealed hinges. Finishes and hardware further add to
the ambience of your kitchen. Cabinets can be traditional or contemporary- natural
wood, stained, or painted. There are variations in painted surfaces such as glazed,
distressed, or solid color. Factory manufactured cabinets, although somewhat less
flexible in details than custom built, can be a great choice with many designs available
and extremely durable finishes. Glass door cabinets, open shelving, and other
display features can brighten and break up a “sea of cabinets” effect.
Countertops...
Open floor plans create the need to coordinate the look of the kitchen with furnishings
in adjacent spaces. As kitchens have expanded in size and complexity, many
are designed with mixed cabinet styles and finishes to define certain functions such
as work islands, baking centers, or a butler’s pantry. The mixed style kitchen, sometimes
referred to as the “unfitted kitchen,” also may include the use of cabinetry
as furniture, or vice versa. These “unfitted kitchens” can aesthetically appear as a
throwback to a simpler time, creating a warm and homey feeling. Many use a unique
combination of furniture and cabinets, and borrow from European details including
plate racks and free standing ranges.
Flooring Options...
Due to high traffic patterns, the flooring surface should be the most durable
possible. Wood requires more maintenance than might be desirable, and bamboo
flooring may be a bit softer than wood and potentially less durable in the
kitchen. Linoleum is a green flooring alternative, is softer underfoot, and comes
in an interesting array of colors and textures. It is highly durable, has good soil
hiding characteristics, and is available in tiles or a roll. High quality vinyl floors
are available in a wide assortment. Ceramic and porcelain tile, as well as natural
stone, make beautiful choices but less comfortable underfoot, and do require
more maintenance.
Backsplash...
Lots of fun and panache can happen in the space between your counter surface and the upper cabinets. It’s a small area with a potentially
high visual impact. Special 3-D tiles, borders, and accents make creating a design feature challenging, due only to the sheer number of
possibilities. Natural stone adds wonderful color and texture. Glass tile, metallics, porcelain, and terra cotta are fun to add to the mix. This
is a great place to let your personality shine through with some creativity!
Appliances...
Stainless steel continues to be the preferred appliance finish for consumers seeking an upscale aesthetic. However, some manufacturers
are creating innovative floating glass fronts in beautiful colors. New finishes are coming into the market such as oiled bronze and titanium
silver. Many appliance lines offer matching suites of products for a uniform appearance. For a seamless look, wood front panels matching
adjacent cabinets make appliances almost disappear.
Last But Not Least...
The kitchen is a big investment and it pays
to do plenty of research before committing.
For construction and renovations, hire experienced,
insured, and licensed contractors.
Make decisions up front and, if possible, have
all materials and appliances on site before
work begins.
There are green initiatives in kitchen design
that warrant consideration. To protect our environment
and reduce storage needs, consider
installing water filtration systems rather than
buying bottled water. There has been recent
publicity regarding possible radiation and radon
emission from granite. Instances appear
to be infrequent and minimal. More information
is available on the web. Universal design
is an important approach that integrates principles
of safety and accessibility. Compare
appliances and look for “Energy Star” ratings
on models offering greater energy efficiency.
Always maintain your appliances and surfaces
according to the manufacturer’s ecommendations.
Love your kitchen!
_______________________________
Vicki O’Neal, owner of FORM & FUNCTION, provides
commercial and residential interior and landscape
design. She is a professional member of ASID, VA Certified
Interior Designer (CID), Master Gardener, and a
VA Certified Landscape Designer and Horticulturist.
(804) 897-8558 | www.form-and-function.us
The material contained in articles written by Vicki O’Neal is
intended for general information only.
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