Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Room of the week


This week I chose what appears to be a darling kitchen. It seems to have everything pretty, artwork, white cabinets, some glass fronts, diamond patterned floor with a Persian rug atop, antiques add up to a big dose of charm. The one thing it does not have is square footage.
Personally, it would take one holiday meal in a tiny kitchen to put me over the edge. I would be in a rubber room or jail cell.
Does size matter?

14 comments:

Unknown said...

I think it's how you use the space that matters. This would be fine for a family of 2, but a large family- I don't think so. I don't think someone with a large family would consider buying this house with that small kitchen. It is lovely though, and the mirror and glass certainly help! xo Nancy

Unknown said...

P.S. LOVE your new blog design!

ArchitectDesign™ said...

As I've said many times before it's how you use the space not the quantity. It's all in organization! Think of Julia Child's kitchen -not fancy and not large although admittedly larger than this one which looks like the kitchen in an old one bedroom apartment.

Vel Criste said...

I don't think so just as this space shows - love the mirror in that kitchen and those indigo counter tops!

Elizabeth @ The Little Black Door said...

I would so rather have a tiny kitchen that was fab than a big huge bland box. And I love your new header btw. :)

Magnaverde said...

Stefan is right, this is an apartment kitchen. I know because it basically IS my kitchen--from 1926--and rather than take the narrow, glass-half-empty view of its features, I focus on its positive aspects. I never have to fumble for something in a dark cabinet under the sink because my sink doesn't have a cabinet: it's on legs. I don't have to worry about breaking dropped glasses on a granite countertop, because my counter is the original jaspe linoleum from 1926. I keep it shiny with Butcher's Paste Wax. But wait, there's more! There's even a narrow service door from the corridor into a tin-lined cabinet for the iceman to make his deliveries! Of course, the iceman doesn't stop here anymore, but if the power grid ever goes down, hey, I'm already a step ahead of everybody else: I won't have to drag dripping bags of ice through the rest of the place.
Magnaverde Rule No. 40: Sometimes the easiest thing to change is our attitude.

Coulda shoulda woulda said...

Rachel Khoo managed to cook gourmet meals in her "kitchen" so after I saw that I realized that there is no excuse and size doesn't matter at all.

Unknown said...

I have a small kitchen now and I've had large kitchens in the past and guess what? I love my little kitchen! Everything is close by and cleanup is a breeze!

An Urban Cottage said...

I agree that size doesn't matter. It's more about efficiency. I've worked in some very small kitchens that are just wonderful to work in.

What's with that horrible 2/3 wall? It's more like a bathroom stall.

An Urban Cottage said...

Oh, I really like the new header too!

home before dark said...

I agree that organization not size matters. I agree with Elizabeth about preferring small to a skating rink. I prefer a tight work radius from sink to prep. I think the kitchen above is charming and lovely. I suspect it's a place for intimate meals not huge dinner parties. I also think the people who live here have their own opinions, love art, love things that hold memories and make the best of what they have. In other words, I'd love to come over for a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

Magnaverde said...

Urban Cottage, the point of these half-walls is the same as in a bathroom stall: privacy. Without them, people in the "dining room" could see the dishes in the sink & the pots on the stove. And the reason they're only go 2/3 of the way up is that building codes--Chicago's anyway--require rooms without windows to have larger openings for light & air than a narrow door could provide. Modern lofts have the same requirement, which is why most of them come with a counter with stools.

Raina Cox said...

That is a lovely kitchen, no question. I once cooked an entire Thanksgiving meal for my family in a kitchen that measured 6'x6'and enjoyed every minute of it.

Now, I'm starting to plan my own (first ever!) kitchen remodel. It's a bit daunting even for a professional designer. Following Steve's (An Urban Cottage) remodel has been a lot of fun and very informative.

Connie in Hartwood said...

So cute ... Though not made for more than one person. Maybe that's the idea.