The expanded kitchen
We are spending more time in the kitchen these days. As hub of the home, the kitchen has become far more than a place to store and prepare food. No matter the size, everyone – family and friends – gravitates toward this area. So it’s no surprise that kitchen renovations are branching out to include traditional dining rooms, workspaces and entertainment centers. The new kitchen is bigger and busier than ever. As its role expands, kitchen decor has made a shift toward transitional style, using quality materials more commonly found in other living areas.
You love your leather sofa and bar stools, but real leather in the kitchen? EcoDomo (www.ecodomo.com) has a unique line of recycled and hide leather products that offer a handsome alternative for backsplashes, countertops and cabinetry. Their leather is laminated onto MDF or plywood, ready to apply to doors, drawers, islands, walls and floors. Detail work includes a range of stitching patterns, embossing, laser engraving, custom colors and sizes.
Rich varieties of wood and wood veneers are another quality connection to living and dining rooms. Shown here, the high-gloss ebony veneer cabinets and Dekton (quartz, glass and porcelain) countertop match the luxurious look of the backsplash’s recycled leather veneer in the Mahogany Buffalo design. The look and style of cabinetry can be carried through to dining cabinets, bars and entertainment units.
It’s not necessary to have only one type of floor for the entire big kitchen design. Linoleum or tile is a good choice for the preparation and cooking space, and also makes an attractive all-over floor covering. Or pair up with wood or a contemporary carpet for comfort and style in the kitchen’s sitting areas.
Big kitchens make room for extra serving and prep space. Coffee is now de rigueur morning and evening, made at home with the dizzying array of cappuccino and espresso machines. Beverage and water stations, wine fridges and super-size refrigerators look after all the requirements of family and entertaining with ease.
This large space requires many different sources of light. When renovating, have a lighting or design expert help you to set up the placement and type of lighting for tasks, ambient and decorative purposes. Dimmers will allow you to adjust the brightness as the situation changes. Previously thought to be for the formal dining room, chandeliers and pendant lights have moved into the kitchen, adding another design detail for you to consider. The style of the quintessential island, which often acts as a separation point between cooking and all the other functions in the expanded kitchen, becomes a major focal point. A row of pendant lights highlights its importance and shows off the countertop. When shopping for lighting, you’ll find a wide variety. Look for fixtures that connect with the metal, glass or stone finishes already present in your faucets, hardware and kitchen appliances. This is another way to balance your style.
Perhaps because the new big kitchen is, well, so big, overall color palettes tend toward white and light wood shades. But a splash of color will make your new renovation pop. A pink or red food processor, a bright fabric on the island stools, and a bit of dazzle along the backsplash is, I believe, a necessity. Fun for everyone.
Email your questions to house2home@debbietravis.com.