How to Create a Functional Kitchen Without Compromising on the Chic Factor - Mansion Global

Each week, Mansion Global tackles a topic with an elite group of designers from around the world who work on luxury properties. This week we look at how to design a kitchen that’s both functional and chic .

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When it comes to a kitchen, functionality may be key, but that doesn’t mean sacrificing style or personality.

“The kitchen has increasingly become the space where we spend most of our time,” said Massimo Ballucchi, director of marketing for Cosentino Americas, a company that manufactures surfaces for countertops and flooring. “It’s not only used for cooking and eating but also for activities formerly reserved for the office, living room and dining room. We see families using the kitchen as a communal space, which will continue to impact kitchen design.”

With that in mind, imagining a space that’s as much about cooking as it is about living comes down to stylish touches and creative use of space. Here, design pros share their ingredients for a distinctive design.

Strike a Balance

“I first look to the architecture, and any feedback I've received from the client regarding color inspiration. The main goal is always achieving balance in our designs, so if we are doing a bolder backsplash, we will likely look to a soft wood tone or quieter paint finish for the cabinetry.

“Make sure you have a great surface space directly across from the range. Being able to prep food and then turn and cook it, makes for ease in meal preparation. I also think having a trash pullout on one side of the sink and a dishwasher on the other, is really important for cleanup. Even in an oversized kitchen, keep in mind the ‘triangle’ spacing between the range, sink and refrigerator. Avoid placing any of these items on the opposite side of a main walkway.”

“As a lot of our projects are continuous to a connected great room, we tend to keep the flooring continuous. Wood flooring is a popular option that we layer with vintage rugs for both charm and comfort underfoot.”

“In terms of layout, consider incorporating an informal dining and living area in the kitchen, if it’s a space where everyone ends up congregating. With this layout, the family and their guests can spend time together comfortably and the cook doesn’t get left out.”

“We love the beauty and functionality of open shelves mixed into a design with closed cabinetry. The quick accessibility of day-to-day items, when artfully displayed on a shelf, make shelves a great addition to kitchen designs. We also always include a soft-close function for drawers, and doors for its quiet operation, and dividers within drawers to allow for easy separation of items and less rattling.”

— Denise Morrison, founder and principal designer, Denise Morrison Interiors in Newport Beach, California

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Consider Appliances Carefully

“Designing a kitchen space includes considerations about how you live in the space. When selecting essential items like sinks and faucets, it’s important that they work for you and your space. Undermounted sinks are a great option, as they are easier to clean, more visually appealing, give you more countertop space and help capitalize on the beautiful aesthetic of quartz and stone countertops. Apron front or farmhouse sinks act as a focal point and can allow the sink and faucet area to become the center of the space.

“We have seen a big trend in smart-home products and have several options for the kitchen, including the Sensate Touchless Kitchen Faucet with KOHLER Konnect. Adding smart aspects to necessary products instantly updates the home and provides an additional functional element to those essential kitchen products.”

“Traffic flow in the kitchen is essential. Ample space between islands and other countertops is crucial, but too much space will create challenges when you need to move quickly back and forth or when carrying heavy pots of water. If you entertain frequently, larger kitchens, butler pantries and bar areas work most efficiently with a secondary sink and bar faucet. They ensure we have additional space to food prep, clean, and entertain guests, while the primary kitchen sink and faucet can focus on cooking tasks, allowing for multitasking in the kitchen.

“The kitchen is the center of the home, and when you renovate, that will likely be the look for years to come. While you want to make sure that you find fixtures and fittings that you love, you also want to make sure they will stay sleek and more importantly functional. Select simple, well-designed pieces that provide a strong foundation that can work with many different aesthetics.

The KOHLER Tailor Apron Front Sink, which has several interchangeable apron inserts that let you customize the look. Courtesy of Kohler

— Eric Moore, senior interior designer at Kohler, based in Wisconsin

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Streamline the Space

“The relationship between areas of work is important as is what happens in the space. Cooking, cleaning up, entertaining, kids and holidays are all things to figure out and consider. Make sure the layout can accommodate all of these things and also be visually pleasing. A kitchen should not be too big, an island should not be too overwhelming, and no one design element should overpower the room. Balance and attention to detail make for a successful space.

“Appliances should be easy to use, easy to clean and programmable to simplify the use. Typically, we like to reflect the look of the cabinetry style, so a more contemporary room may have sleeker looking appliances, whereas a traditional classic kitchen may include a large range and more visible appliances. One can choose to hide the appliances behind cabinet panels or expose them, so they look more professional.

“A kitchen is typically one of the largest expenses, and it should last a very long time, so plan a color scheme accordingly. You don’t want to commit to something you will hate in a few years—and also think of resale. Bold can also be beautiful, but it must be tasteful.

“Simple, practical storage is all you need, and having too many interior fitments in the cabinets and drawers limits you.”

A bespoke kitchen designed by Christopher Peacock bears customized touches that elevate the space. Christopher Peacock

— Designer Christopher Peacock of Christopher Peacock Cabinetry, based in New York City

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Look at It as a Living Area

“Cosentino recently published the ‘Global Kitchen Study Volume 2’, which found that 57% of respondents use their kitchen for activities other than cooking and eating, highlighting it as a multi-functional space. With this in mind, consider bigger, open layouts with zones to work, cook or spend time chatting with family and friends in order to maximize the functionality of the kitchen.

“Today’s consumers are beginning to realize that they only have to buy it once if they buy it right. Homeowners should not only consider the aesthetic but also the functionality and durability of the materials, especially when it comes to flooring in areas of high foot traffic and spaces with a high risk of staining, like in kitchens.

“As homeowners are embracing bolder hues within their homes, we’re seeing an increase in rich, ultra-saturated surfacing colors, such as dark blue or dark green. Looking ahead to 2020, we are forecasting a continued use of bold, saturated hues, moving away from safe whites and beiges that once dominated the kitchen space.”

A sleek, modernist kitchen by Consentino blurs the lines between form and function. Photography Courtesy of Consentino

—Miami Florida-based Massimo Ballucchi, director of marketing for Cosentino Americas

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https://www.mansionglobal.com/articles/how-to-create-a-functional-kitchen-without-compromising-on-the-chic-factor-209679

2019-11-27 12:16:51Z
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