When I started this site almost six years ago, the idea was to help celebrate the kitchen as a place of nourishment, inspiration and joy. It was a spinoff of Apartment Therapy, so while I was a food writer and interested in the actual activity that takes place in the kitchen, we also decided to celebrate the room itself. The design, the functionality, all the questions and answers people have when they reach to make their kitchen the best room in the home – these elements are also important parts of the site.
One way we celebrate the more challenging spaces that people cook in is our Small Cool Kitchens Contest. And today I'm thrilled to announce the winner of this year's event. Read on for the big news!
Man, it was tight. There were some outstanding entries this year. The winner and crowd favorite goes to Jana & Peter's Labor of Love Remodeled Kitchen, an 88 square foot jewel box in Scotts Valley, California. Congratulations!
Check out their entry and you'll see why so many people threw their love behind this little space. Make sure you look at the photograph of Jana and Peter's place before they renovated.
Jana & Peter's Labor of Love Remodeled Kitchen
Congratulations again, Jana and Peter! And thank you to all of our readers who voted. See you next year!
• SEE ALL THE ENTRIES AT THE SMALL COOL KITCHENS CONTEST PAGE
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Congratulations! This was my favourite kitchen -- it's warm, functional, cozy. Exactly the sort of place I would love to hang with my best friend while one of us -- or both of us -- cook.
I voted this kitchen because it looks like a place where you want to cook and spend time with friends or alone. I like the colors and the rug
My first reaction from the photo above was: but that's a big kitchen! But clicking through to the entry I realize it's not so. It's adorable -- congrats.
Congratulations!
I voted for this wonderful small kitchen because of its high style on a low budget. Not to mention its smart way with materials that made for a cohesive and functional space.
That kitchen is so cozy I love it. Congrats Jana and Peter!
Not the one I voted for but it was my 2nd fave. Love it and glad they won, my favorite part is how the table and peninsula are set up <3
Just realized they're here in NorCal and not SoCal, I alway think Scott's Valley is in the SoCal desert and forget that it's actually near Silicon Valley. So, I wish I could be their friend and visit this awesome kitchen.
Congratulations! This was (still is) my favourite kitchen, too. I think this cosy kitchen lives, not just another room but with a soul of love. It seems somewhere like you never want to leave. Bravo!
wooohooo! This was my vote...from the beginning. Congrats!
sara alana
I love this one! The bright colored cabinets are such a plus. I'd love to hear more about how they DIY'd those!
I love looking at the small kitchens in this contest and I always think "wow. these people don't know small." All of these kitchens look HUGE to me, compared to my tiny kitchen. :)
Wonderful tight planning. I love U-shaped kitchens.
Yes, Scott's Valley is adjacent to Santa Cruz - just up the hill aways - not on the ocean, but in a beautiful mountainous setting. Not my idea of a commute to Silicon Valley, but some people do it.
I love the windows under the cabinets! I love the entire kitchen
I love that something creative won, rather than a stark white kitchen. The thing about this one is that it really makes you want to cook. Whereas some of the others seem like they would look gross with a single coffee mug out of place.