Big Award for Little Kitchen
At the recent 43rd Annual Design Competition of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (NKBA) in Las Vegas, the year’s best kitchens were honored for being beautiful, functional, and innovative. I’ve chosen the small kitchen category winner shown here, designed by Massachusetts designer Glenn T. Meader, as an example of how a well-thought-out small space can sparkle with style.
This kitchen is the hearth of a residence that is nestled between the Pine Hills in Plymouth, MA. Particularly successful for a small kitchen is the design and use of a three-tiered island with a bar that serves both the dining are and the family room. The choice of thick glass for the eating surface becomes translucent and seems to float in space. Again the glass is used near-by for the petite raised counter top.
Glass is an excellent selection for a countertop material because of the ability to allow light to filter through to establish a more transparent feeling in the room. Obviously, for a small room this is desirable and the other highly reflective surfaces also allow light to bounce around. The absolute black granite is highly polished and, even though the color is dark, reflects artificial and natural light to a high degree. The backsplash is made of glass mosaic tiles and there is a patch-work of subtle color and beautifully reflective tiny squares to act as a focal point.
Even though the contemporary custom two-toned cabinetry introduces two separate materials, the designer used the natural wood tone carefully enough to avoid a dissonant feeling between the dark and light value. “Ultimately we always try to create a warm space that respects the architectural integrity of the space while incorporating the taste and individual choices of each client,” Glenn notes.
This little contemporary kitchen combines the warmth of a wood floor with contemporary stainless steel appliances, clear glass, the complexity of mosaic tile and simple, straight lines in the cabinetry. Because the upper cabinets are short and some of that valuable space is allocated for display, the daily dishes are stowed in a lower drawer below the cook-top. European drawer fittings allow the breakable dishes to be safely nestled between dividers that hold the items in places as the drawer opens and closes. Even with the minimal upper cabinets, this design still allows for two wall ovens, a small microwave, a dishwasher, the cook-top with four burners, and a cabinet depth refrigerator.
One of the secrets to success in a smaller kitchen is for the cook to analyze exactly what is minimally required to prepare meals. There is only need for one sauce pan in each size, one pot for boiling water, one large frying pan, and one soup pot. By restricting yourself to the bare minimum of utensils, dishes, glasses, and coffee mugs again you are able to get by with less space.
Think of how many people would be your maximum number to have over for a sit-down dinner comfortably and then keep that number of items. Is that six or eight people? Then there is no need to have wine glasses for fifteen people on hand. My only indulgence in my own kitchen is that I bought Christmas coffee mugs for twelve people because I traditionally hold a family brunch on Christmas morning at my house. Those kinds of items are perfect for display in one of the glass front cabinets in the kitchen depicted here.
Try to remember that you really only need one of each utilitarian item used in the preparation of food. You can stop for two minutes and wash a long spoon if you need to stir another dish. Fortunately, in a small kitchen the up-side is that you can quickly whip around and reach the sink without taking more than one step!
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Copyright © Copley News Service. Used with permission.
