Historic farmhouse kitchen in Atlanta
I like to talk about kitchens because kitchens are chock full of possibility. I have found that kitchens reflect the philosophy, personality, and essence of the client or family, as every kitchen is as unique as the people who occupy the space. And so, creativity runs rampant in a kitchen–choices are like the stars above.
Kitchens are rarely inexpensive propositions.
They need the help of nearly every trade: woodworking, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, counters, often flooring, drywall, paint, framing, and more. However, a major upswing with kitchen investment is that money spent can be justified. It’s is where family and friends gather. It’s also the singular most important return on investment when you go to sell your home. People buy houses because of kitchens.
Recently, I had a client ask what I recommend before beginning the planning of a long-awaited kitchen. That jogged me to think through the top 10 things I prefer to see in a kitchen space and I came up with 12. Without further ado:
Circa 1908 Greene & Greene inspired custom kitchen in Atlanta
1.Timeless Design over Modern Trends. Anything trendy or untested will likely be dated to the time we are in now. For example, Corian or acrylic solid surface counters were very popular in the ’80s and ’90s but now have been replaced with a preference for more resilient materials: stone and quartz. Personally, I prefer natural materials. They hold their value better for resale, tend to have a timeless appeal and are usually more resilient. If pressed, soapstone is my favorite countertop surface and what I have in my own kitchen. It’s timeless, resistant to heat, acids, bases and it was used in New England for over 300 years. But granite is the stone that I most often install for kitchen clients and is the best bang for the buck.
Custom upper cabinet milled from 1740s Kentucky bourbon distillery beams
2. Maximize Storage: Design is the most important thing before you pull the trigger on your kitchen. There are tons of things that you can do to get additional storage. Large pantries are nice, whether tucked in closets or built into the cabinetry. Cabinets that run to the ceilings are great in small spaces, or historic homes with lots of doors and windows. Make sure to make use of deep drawers and hidden corners. There are ways to maximize the space and I have never had a client or buyer make the comment “that there is too much storage.”
Recently, we designed and built a Cabbagetown kitchen and found creative places to tuck wine cubbies for the owner’s wine collection.
3. Soft Close and Full Extension Drawers: There is no question that these usually add expense, but they are just a lovely modern amenity. Anyone with kids knows they slam drawers. With the hydrolytic hardware, the drawer catches a few inches from the frame and slowly sucks back into the space. Along with the soft close feature, full extension drawers are also preferable. They maximize the storage capacity and access of drawer contents.
Custom Flush-Inset Birch Beaded Board Style Kitchen
4. Work Triangle and Appliance Placement: The sink, stove, and fridge form the all important work triangle. These should not be less than 4 feet from one appliance to the other,and no more than 9 feet.
5. Ample lighting: Kitchens are task oriented spaces lighting is of utmost importance. Of particular importance is the lighting of the countertops, where the actual work takes place. Under cabinet lighting is always an option with kitchen bids, but I think that the under cabinet lighting both adds a really nice evening ambience, as well as the practicality of task lighting work surfaces. Mix and match lighting– combine pendants, chandeliers, and under cabinet lighting for the maximum lighting combination and textures.
Reclaimed Salvaged Soapstone Farmhouse Sink
6. Large Deep Sinks: Anyone with a family or the proclivity to entertain knows that the dishes pile up in the sink. And a deep, large sink offers the flexibility and ease of washing large pots, crocks, or dishes without feeling crammed or flooding the kitchen. I personally prefer farmhouse sinks, for their ease of use, depth, and classic appeal. I have installed these in stainless steel, porcelain, fireclay, granite, and soapstone.
7. Custom Cabinetry: If the budget is in place and a client plans to stay put for a few years, custom cabinets are the way to go. Cabinets can then be customized to to meet client’s specific desires and space. Custom cabinetry is furniture. It’s hand-crafted and the sky is the absolute limit on design, material, and options. There are the typical options of cherry-wood, oak, maple, or painted poplar to more exotic fare such as reclaimed heart of pine, oak, wormy chestnut, bird’s eye maple, and on and on.
Custom Tudor Reclaimed Pine Kitchen with Stained Glass
8. Countertop Space: Basically, ample countertops are a necessity flanking the stove and sink. This is where the work is done, the veggies chopped, and the food prepared. Not enough countertop surface and chefs will bang elbows with others, as well as run out of real estate.
9. Seating for family and friends in the kitchen: This might be one of my favorite kitchen features. Everyone gathers in the kitchen. Kids to do homework; friends share a friendly beverage; and dinner guests pull up a seat at the bar to dish with the chef. With the kitchen being the home’s nucleus, everyone ends up there–might as well give them a good place to sit and rest elbows.
Fossil-Filled Limestone Backsplash
10. Install a Backsplash: Cooking is messy, splashy business. Drywall just gets wet, stained and banged up. That’s the practical reason for a splash. The aesthetic reason I like a backsplash is that it’s another design element adding interest, pattern, color, and texture to the room.
11. Pull out cabinetry for recycling and garbage: The recycling bin and garbage bins built into the cabinetry minimizes odors, makes access easy, and tucks them out of sight. A free standing can is never attractive, no matter how shiny the chrome.
Custom Firehouse Red Distressed Island
12. Kitchen Islands: An island or peninsula is a great place to add surface for food preparation, provide shelving for cookbooks, microwaves, wine cubbies, beverage chillers, and spice drawers. But a poorly designed island obstructs traffic flow or wastes valuable kitchen real estate. The smallest island should measure 4 feet x 2 feet and still have ample room around all sides for working and traffic flow. Keep in mind that experts recommend that unless a kitchen is at least 8 feet deep and more than 12 feet long, an island should not be a consideration.
