House Beautiful opened up their Kitchen of the Year on Monday at Rockefeller Plaza in New York City. It's a showcase kitchen, designed by Jeff Lewis Bravo's Flipping Out. Lewis quite openly states that he doesn't cook at all, so we were curious what sort of kitchen he would design, and if we would like it at all! And it turns out that we actually do — it's an open, entertaining-style kitchen; here are a few things we like about it.
We have to admit, Lewis may not be a cook, but his design sense is lovely! He says that he wanted a very contemporary, California modern kitchen, with a lot of light and glass. He says that, "I don't like chaos, I don't like clutter, I don't over accessorize. I really like things clean, neat, and minimal, and one of the reasons why I do keep accessories to a minimum is because I don't want things to gather dust."
• Read more: Inside the Kitchen of the Year - A Q&A with Jeff Lewis about the kitchen design.
We have to agree, and we like the direction he went with this kitchen. We love the dark cupboards and the white countertops, and we do think that it looks lovely and clean without looking cold or overly contemporary. (We do think that it's strange, though, that he has so much open shelving, if he doesn't like dust!)
Overall, it's a really lovely kitchen, and we love how the dining table is right there. And look at that chandelier!
What do you think of this kitchen? Like it? Love it?
• See more: The 2010 Kitchen of the Year with Jeff Lewis - More photos and commentary on the kitchen.
If you're in New York City, do stop by Rockefeller Plaza, and come back and let us know what you think of the Kitchen of the Year!
Related: From last year's Kitchen of the Year, a replica of Ina Garten's country kitchen: Kitchen Design Tip: Lamp on the Counter
(Images: House Beautiful)
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Eh, I like the kitchen. But I LOVE the chandelier!
The kitchen looks good, but it's nothing spectacular.
I'm really dumbfounded when I see someone put an oven right next to a refrigerator. Seriously?
I understand when one has to do it because of space/size constraints, but when you're designing the best kitchen you can, you don't put your hottest thing next to your coldest thing. It just doesn't make any sense.
Does anyone have any idea what the source is for the backsplash tile used in this kitchen? I love it!
Soooooo true Gators!!!! I have watched and loved Jeff Lewis since the beginning of 'Flipping Out', and I would've bet he'd NEVER make that mistake!! I'm shocked!!
Another major error is storing spices right next to the stove/oven.
Like the open shelves -- hate, hate, hate the chandelier!
Not only is it hideous (what's it supposed to be -- a post modern Crown of Thorns?), but the light it throws must be glaring, creating unpleasant shadows. Ugh!
umm.... I just really adore those pitchers!
anyone know where I can find them?
he doesn't cook at all... well you can tell from the layout he has no clue. Ditto on the oven next to the fridge. Crazy. And also, the design doesn't excite me... I only like the shelving and white accessories. HATE that chandelier!
Arghhhhhhh
Miss the kicthen Ina did for House Beautiful...
I like some ideas, like the divider wall and the chandelier is neat (though, I agree that it might throw light weird), but this just does not look like a kitchen I would ever want to spend time in. Not counting the complete screw up with the fridge/oven placement, but the sink looks at a sad little wall that, with the overhead shelving, ends up having a cave like feeling, and not in the warm and fuzzy way, but the prison-i-can't-stand-rinsing-dishes-in-this-place way. The cooking surface is blah, and why must the table overlap the counters, right in front of the cabinets? I get the look they went for with that, but it's so unnecessary and dysfunctional--it would drive me nuts.
Though, I think once you've seen Ina's work, nothing ever really compares, does it?
I completely agree with the other posters' wonder over the adjacent fridge and oven, and with their shout-out to Ina Garten's kitchen. I still remember so many details from that post: the Caesarstone counters, the sponge drawer, the metroshelving-lined pantry....yum.
It would be a lovely kitchen, but I got stuck on the oven next to the fridge in .05 second. It seriously makes me want to strangle someone. There is NO EXCUSE for doing this in a designed-from-scratch space and/or a large space.
HUGE FAIL, JEFF, huge fail.
i don't like it.
Love the open shelving. But the dual oven next to the fridge seems all wrong.
I love the light fixture. if you look at the close-up you will see the bulbs are half-silvered, so they give an indirect, softer light. Because there are so many bulbs, they will be low wattage, contributing to a softer lighting effect.
OK...gotta get in the scrum here...
I design...for a living and as a passion so I hope to lend some perspecitve here.
FYI:Residential appliances are designed and manufactured for what is called "zero clearance". One appliance will not affect another nor what it is adjacent to with the exception of cooktop burners which must have a clearance and fire rated material if within certain proximities. As for a wall oven set adjacent to a refridgerator......no problem (just called my Kitchenaide rep to re-confirm). I have done this out of necessity in successful kitchens before. The key consideration is the hinging of the refer unit and its clearance to not interfere with any projections of the ove (i.e. the handle or door).
As far as most beautiful...thats another story. To each their own but this kitchen is basic stuff and looks so 3-4 years ago. Not to mention some design missteps and usability/practicality issues. I expect better from Jeff but not so so much from HB.
Good to know, @awightman1.
Love the look. Love, love the room divider. Function? Eh... Of course, if you can afford this kitchen, you probably don't cook for yourself anyway...
It's ok, i guess. The fridge looks too far away from the rest of the prep space.
I've never thought of Jeff Lewis as a designer, more like a real estate agent/stager. Sounds like HB just wanted a name that will sell.