Sunday, May 6, 2012
cottage kitchens
My Boothbay Harbor, Maine cottage project is coming up. We'll be tackling the big stuff first, like the kitchen. This cottage is small and intimate. It sits on the water on three sides. While I haven't been there yet, just from looking at all the pictures given to me by my clients, it has a boathouse feel. I can't wait to see it in person and get a feel for the cottage and all that surrounds it.
Below is the BEFORE kitchen.
It previously was a rental property when these photos were taken. We will be keeping the size of just about everything, seeing that neighborhood code does not allow for exterior growth of these homes. That's the charm of this little inlet, the fact that there won't be mega-sized vacation homes. Much of our design goal is to keep the small, somewhat rustic charm of the cottage.
While just about everything in the kitchen will be replaced, we particularly like the skirted sink, the wood countertops, and the wonderful view of the water. Water is everywhere you look!
I'm a big believer in more space is not necessarily better. With careful and honest assessment on how a space will be most used, this wonderful cottage kitchen can become very functional for two and even in preparing a dinner for entertaining new neighbors and friends!
From my initial assessment of this space, the refrigerator is the problem. It takes up way too much real estate in this limited kitchen.
The photo below is of the BEFORE dining space. You're able to see into the kitchen and the dominant refrigerator. In this dining space is this wonderful empty wall, just calling out for charming added storage. We won't be opening up the kitchen to the dining space, instead keeping the kitchen walls to utilize up storage and to keep the kitchen separated.
This inspiration photo below is such a smart use of a very small space. It's light and airy, but yet full of smart storage. Refrigerator drawers were first on my list for the Maine cottage. It blends so beautifully with small spaces, opens up more counterspace, and there are no door swings. You can see the refrigerator drawers on the lower left in the photo below. The Maine cottage also has a walk in pantry / storage area down the hall from the kitchen. We may be utilizing that space for a small freezer.
The other thing I love about this kitchen below is the open shelving. The stacked plates, cups, and creamers mix so nicely with the art and potted plant.
The stove is from Viking. They make a 24 inch freestanding, stainless stove - wonderful for tight spaces.
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Below is another great example of hidden refrigeration. This wall incorporates refrigeration above and freezer drawers below. Regular cabinet storage is added above and surrounding the refrigeration. If refrigeration drawers are not enough, this idea may be a solution. Although, you loose added countertop space with this plan.
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I added this photo below to our inspiration list because of two elements: the pot holder bars and the open side shelves.
The pot holder is a huge space saver. These large and bulky items are difficult to store in that they take up both height and width space. By utilizing about 24 inches of wall width, lower cabinets are not needed for these item. Lower cabinets can be saved for oven space, dishwasher space (maybe a single dishwasher drawer), and a refrigeration drawer.
The open shelving looks like it may have been taken from the wall, the space in between the studs. It's a great trick to use when trying to carve out more storage. The dry wall is taken down and the depth is used as shelving between the studs. A standard distance between studs is either 16 inches or sometimes 24 inches. This gives a shelf width of around 14 inches once the interior is finished off. Shelving should be adjustable to accommodate a variety of needs. I particularly like how the countertop runs into the shelving area, giving the countertop and even bigger feel.
This trick can be done anywhere there isn't also plumbing and electric running in the wall.
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I was so charmed by the photos below. While this cottage kitchen is larger than the Maine cottage kitchen, it has many of the same elements we are looking for.
I was first drawn to the wood countertops and the sink skirt. I love the clean line of the drywall backsplash and the wood countertops, where there is not the standard band of backsplash. Not having that band of 4 inch backsplash helps keep the lines simple. The undercabinet lighting is great too.
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What a great sink area.
The undercounter mount again keeps things uncluttered. By not making the sink decorative (such as a white porcelain apron or farmhouse sink would be) the countertops have that nice continuous line, actually making the countertop feel more expansive. I also like the sink apron fabric coming up to the countertop height, rather than lower on a farmhouse sink.
And, speaking of sink aprons... how charming! They are so great on so many levels. The space below the sink can be loaded up with all sorts of needed storage, utilizing pull out wire drawers so there's no digging around. And, these aprons can get thrown the the washer / dryer, just be sure to pre-wash and dry the fabric before sewing them up. Since they are simple to sew up, changing out fabrics is an easy way to re-decorate!
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Same kitchen as above, stove side. Not sure where the vent is on this stove, maybe between the burners. Great microwave shelf. All microwaves do not need to go above the stovetop. It's important to decide if you even need a microwave. We gave up our microwave over a year ago (growing health concern in their use) and it's amazing how I don't miss it in the least bit. When every inch is important, asking these questions makes a huge difference in space planning.
Great wine bottle holder next to the stove. This narrow space could also be used for cutting boards and baking sheets by standing them up on end.
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Again, same kitchen as above. Believe it or not, this kitchen was built from Ikea products. I realized this when I saw the little, metal, under cabinet shelf with the hook and cups. I've used the same little metal shelf and hooks in a desk space for a teen desk in her bedroom.
Great use of space for the cookbooks, too.
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What a wonderful kitchen design (below). I love the idea of the plate racks on the windows. While this isn't something we can do in the Maine cottage, I love the thinking beyond the obvious.
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In this little kitchen below, I like the open, slatted shelves under the sink. This open shelving under the countertops is easy to access and there are no door swings as in closed cabinetry. It may even be a space saver because not having to build cabinet boxes, you gain more space. The downside to this design is being able to see the items below. If the open shelves are few and large mixing bowls and casserole pans are stored, it may end up having a cottage charm.
Small kitchens bring endless ideas for smart space use. It's one of my favorite design puzzles. It pays off to spend some time really considering what is needed and not needed, and build from there. Keeping things functional and uncluttered is a goal that can be met, creating a cottage kitchen that's a pleasure to work in... no matter how small.
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Built-ins,
cottages,
second home,
small kitchens,
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