1Arts and Craft,2 open design,3 process?
I’m new to this forum and to kitchen remodel – a few questions:
1. Does anyone have ideas, sources etc. for a kitchen remodel in an Arts and Crafts home? We are thinking quartersawn oak cabinets to blend with the original oak trim and ceiling beams. Does anyone know of reasonably priced quartersawn oak cabinets?
2. We would like to open the kitchen to the dining room in a way that is well-suited to the Arts and Crafts aesthetic and also makes use of Sarah Susanka’s Not So Big House ideas. The dining room will be the one and only place for eating – everyday family meals and for entertaining – no separate seating in the kitchen. We do want some spatial distinction, though, so that it is not one long thin room. Any descriptions or pics of open designs that you like living with would be helpful. Or for that matter, anything that we should avoid.
3. Also, we would like to know what design process people have used. Where did you start? Did you use an architect, independent kitchen designer, store, contractor?
I’ll stop there. This process seems a bit daunting and presents many questions. We are anxious to make our no-counter no-cabinet kitchen as lovable as the rest of this house.
Thank you very much for your help.
Replies
Our kitchen and living room are essentially one long room open to the rafters, but there's an 8-foot tall by 8-foot wide freestanding divider between the two rooms that has cabinets on one side, a pantry in the middle and the fireplace on the living room side.
It allows for openess between the two rooms, but shelters each from the other.
For an Arts and Crafts style version, you could make a free-standing furniture-like cabinet for dish storage, with a pass-through in the middle. It wouldn't have to be as tall as the ceiling, but would provide some visual and spatial separation between the two spaces.
Another option would be to frame the dining room end of the room with a half wall with a 6' or so wide opening in the middle, and the half-wall topped by columns at the opening. Something similar to this but not painted: View Image
Leigh
I am a domestic goddess! I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers)! I am a domestic goddess! I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers)! I am a domestic goddess! I deserve three ovens (and two dishwashers). . .
Very shallow half-walls (usually glass cabinets or a bookcase) with wood columns above are VERY craftsman and do a great job of making adjoining rooms distinct yet not blocking the view or the open feeling. Pick up a copy of American Bungalow magazine or any Craftsman-related book and you'll see them everywhere.
Another option is to NOT put in the columns, but to leave the spot where a column would be open for a nice piece of sculpture or a vase. You could even consider a downlight on the ceiling above it to accent it further.
I'm considering the same type of arrangement when I bring my kitchen up from the "English" basement. I am torn about whether to even have a dining room since we don't really entertain, but I know that maybe with a new kitchen arrangement, we might start entertaining! Plus, everyone says for resale you must have a dining room :( I really like the old-fashioned breakfast nooks since we have a tiny family.
--Sally
You might take a look at Jane Powell's Bungalow Kitchens.
See the page of rthe book on her website at:
http://www.bungalowkitchens.com/index.html
Jane will consult on design issues on a fee-for-service basis. If you don't mind paying for the knowledge, you can tap into her 25+ years of experience with bungalows; she can offer unique insights.
Cliff
The posts that I have read to your questions so far are all really good. One thing to keep in mind, explore as many different design options to the problem as you can. Some ideas will be less costly than others, but may accomplish your goals none the less. The more research the better. Look to books and magazines for inspiration. Gather it all up in a binder so that it may be easier to manage.
Try to involve a designer or architect that shares mutual interest in the architectural style you are trying to infuse into the space. By doing this, they may be more sympathetic to the existing architecture.
Combining the services of a designer and contractor early on will allow you to make better decisions with regards to budget, design applicablility, structural augmentation, scheduling and timing.
In closing, congratulations for thinking "Not So Big."