I really like to look at it, but it feels too pristine to enjoy.
I am personally not dying to cook in a kitchen that looks so spread out, either, but that's just my preference.

I think it's gorgeous, a bit oversized, but here's my comment on the "pristine" factor. It was being photographed for a magazine. OF COURSE it's pristine. A kitchen may not look that usable when it's spotlessly clean, but rarely would I ever imagine seeing a "dirty" kitchen in a design mag.

It's gorgeous. I would love to cook in it. The spread out bit would be a welcome respite from being too close (as in my kitchen) but could also be easily resolved by putting less used items farther away, and most used items close to workspace.

I'd guess that the reason it reads as "a non-cook's kitchen" is that it is very styled. Which, duh. This is a magazine spread.

My other guess is that it's a large room, in a home with plenty of storage space. Owned by people who have the sort of money where, if the antique mirror over the stove gets damaged, nobody's going to shed any tears over it. That's not my life, but it doesn't mean that the person this kitchen belongs to doesn't enjoy cooking.

Framed prints inches from the sink? No landing space next to the cooktop? This kitchen is lovely, but not entirely functional. While I agree with your comment that the mirror above the range might be easier to clean than the painted wall in your apartment (especially if it's flat paint), it's still not a practical decision. If you have a housekeeper, more power to you. Otherwise, I would opt for a better balance between function and style in the average kitchen.

That's kinda funny. I wish I could see the armoire-fridge! I'm loving that funny chandelier with diagonal lamps on the end.

Do people who don't cook really buy double ovens as a showpiece? I would LOVE to have double ovens. That would make my kitchen more functional.

Also, the oils are stored close enough to the stove to not have to walk far for them, but far away enough that they aren't getting too hot. That's a sign of a well used kitchen, I think. You always want the oils near(ish) the stove.

@ncsuemme - I totally agree with you! It's funny to me how often you see comments here criticizing a home for being "sterile", "souless", "impersonal", etc. just because it's clean and tidy - as though 99.9% of us wouldn't make sure our homes were clean and tidy before they were photographed for publication! Do we really want to see people's full trash baskets, dirty dishes in the sink, and toilet seats up? I sure don't!

This kitchen isn't my style - but it makes for good house porn. And as I home cook, I would say from what little I can see in the photos that it looks completely usable.

i guess i just feel like either the kitchen or the images of the kitchen are missing some of crucial kitchen details - where do they keep food? do they have a pantry or fridge somewhere else? do they prefer to wash their dishes by hand as opposed to using a dishwasher?

The big marble slab and double ovens are functional; but I'd say that the mirror isn't. Sure it's beautiful, but I wouldn't want it in my kitchen. To each his own.

By "pristine" I by no means meant merely physically CLEAN, I mean pristine from a design sense. Feeling the need to protect precious objects in my kitchen from, well, cooking, seems like a total pain in the ass.

I could see myself cooking in this kitchen. Who says that because you have imagination and want something different = pristine showplace not used for cooking? I have art in my dingy basement laundry room. Impractical? Maybe. But it makes me smile everytime I have to walk down there.
Kudos to them, it's gorgeous.

I absolutely love it!

I think it's off the wall and AMAZING. Kind of like Trompe L'oeil, but a kitchen instead of food...I think it's fantastic that something like that could BE so functional, and I'd love it if it were my kitchen!

You know as I'm looking at the pictures of this kitchen, i do wish I could see the frig and the food storage areas. But i bet the mirror does not get any more splattered than a microwave over the stove.

Hmmm... it's *really* not my style, and I can't imagine cooking without at least a little counter space next to the stove.

The mirror, though? I love that. Especially that it's an antique one. Assuming the frame's in good shape and was well lacquered before they put it up there, it should be relatively easy to keep clean, though it would of course require frequent cleaning. (OTOH, frequent cleaning makes the cleaning easier, too...)

I appreciate the beauty of it, but it's not really my steez. There is no way that mirror makes it out of one night of heavy stovetop cooking without needing a serious de-greasing. Am I right or am I right?

A little frivolity and imagination is all to the good in my book. I love that mirror over the stove. It's so cool and I'd love to be able to see the view outside and chat with my friends while I cook. That chandelier rocks as well.

i dont think i'd like to watch myself cook. maybe having the mirror a bit higher so i can see INTO my pots or behind me would be great, but its a little too low. and yes, its all very spread out yet i kind of like not being so crowded when i cook.

I don't really see what's so impractical about this kitchen. The mirror can easily be cleaned, and the island is right behind you when you cook, so you don't really need a landing area next to you (besides, the range is huge, so unless you're using all the burners, you can just put things down on the range!). One potential issue is having to bend down to get stuff from the cabinets all the time, since there aren't any upper shelves or cabinets, but plenty of kitchens don't have any upper shelves/cabinets, and unless you have physical limitations, I don't think it's a huge problem.

I actually really like the idea of echoing the former use of the room as a dining room! It's sort of like honoring the history of the house and the intentions of the previous owner, while fitting the house to your own needs or interests.

I think a lot of us had the reaction of "Wow, not a cook's kitchen" because we didn't read the Q&A and can't see ourselves working in it. I see white marble and I think "Back away, slowly, and maybe you won't get tomato sauce/vinegar/oil everywhere" - a totally irrational reaction from me since I have a marble table I cook on all the time and haven't destroyed and white cabinets to boot. It also looks awfully fancy and I kind of equate fancy with "not useful." The mirror is cool but I'd be a bit worried about the frame, myself.

Also, for the person asking about the double oven as a showpiece: I know someone with a baby Grand Piano as a showpiece. Neither she nor her husband play so why not a fancy stove that no one will use?

It doesn't look practical to me, but I'm basing this on my own ideas of practicality. I don't like kitchens that are primarily white or light colors, because they are harder to keep clean. The mirror would absolutely frighten me, if it was in my kitchen.

That said, it is pretty and if they love it and it works for them, well that's really all that matters.

I do like the little built in nook to the right of the stove though. That's a nice touch and probably original to the house.

It seems like it's a general backlash against those who have the luxury of outfitting large gorgeous kitchens with high-end equipment and furnishings. It's easy to label them as trophy kitchens that are just for show because of the fact that many homeowners desire these palatial spaces as status pieces regardless of whether they cook or not. Similar, perhaps, to the vitriol heaped on McMansions?

And I think, yes, there's also jealousy and indignation if you have a passion for cooking and baking. Some conflicting mixture of desire for a dreamy kitchen and prideful distaste for a kitchen that seems to be more fashion model than workhorse.

It's definitely a beautiful kitchen, but my biggest frustrations with my own kitchen are lack of counter space around the stove, and having to trot from the sink to the stove and back with drippy, hot things, both of which seem to be issues with this kitchen.

I saw this on AT and I love this kitchen. It's beautiful, and it certainly looks more practical to cook in than my rental kitchen. And really, how much do you need for a kitchen to be usable? All I really need is space for a cutting board, space for pots and pans, 4 burners, an oven, a sink, and some knives. It is not that hard to have a kitchen function fully.

Looking closely at the pictures, it seems the the stove and sink aren't all that far apart. It's and unexpected and gorgeous space.

I have to agree with the comment that wiping splatters off a mirror would be infinitely easier than the mess I am dealing with in my studio. The previous tenant clearly did not believe in cleaning up after cooking, and I cannot get the oil splatters off the paint.

This kitchen is laid out pretty similarly to mine (muuuuch smaller island). The stove is not too far from the sink. White paint on cupboards is no harder to clean than any other (my mom raised 4 kids in a white painted eat-in kitchen and cooked often. It was clean).

Aaaah, I have the much smaller island, to be clear. By the way, I'd like to say I love a good repurposing, and the view out the windows, and the fact that the patio is now right next to the kitchen making outdoor entertaining easy. Love it! Love it!

@Slowlorus: People hate McMansions because they're generally ugly and out of scale with their neighborhoods, and because builders often tear down perfectly servicable homes in order to build those monstrosities.

Here, it is hard to imagine that these gents are on a ladder with the windex every morning. I'm guessing that 1) they have household help, and 2) there's a room (perhaps the one room that was the kitchen before their reno) that is used as a pantry or for kitchen-oriented storage. THere's nothing wrong with either; congrats on top the kudos, fellas!

Personally, I found "Don't dining rooms always have big mirrors over the sideboard?" to be rather precious, and I think negative response is to the owners because of their attitudes, not because of their cash.

Who cares if they don't use it? It's their kitchen, they can have it however they like!

Of course we are judgmental! That's part of the pleasure of looking at design blogs. By judgment, though, I don't mean cattiness, but rather analysis of whether something works or doesn't with respect to design, color, function, etc. We'd have nothing to talk about otherwise.

(I think this kitchen is beautiful and don't care if they cook.)

And, yes, people who don't cook put in double stoves. If you're planning to sell your large house, you know your buyers will be looking for one.

I don't understand the problem with having a mirror over the stove - to me it seems lovely to be able look up and see reflected in the mirror the scene outdoors. While their kitchen is bigger than any room in my house, it doesn't seem impractical, even if it is not my style.

And why are people always saying that anything over the stove will be dirty immediately? I don't think I am a particularly "tidy "cook; I have framed pictures over our stove, and while I do need to clean the glass a few times a year, they aren't covered in splattered food and grease - and yes, dinner is cooked on that stove every day, and breakfast too.

I'd be kindof skeptical too. This kitchen design is straight outta my dreams! I'm glad the owners are (avidly) using it though.

I think it's pretty. I prefer smaller spaces, but I'm a fan of any kitchen with two ovens :)

We have a marble backsplash behind our stove - it's never gotten dirty. We have one of those Jenn Aire stoves with the downdraft exhaust in the center, and it looks like the stove in this kitchen has something similar, which helps with keeping things clean. Also, we've had framed pictures in our bathrooms for years and they are as good as new - no water damage at all, so I don't see why you couldn't have framed pictures above the sink. What is kind of odd about this kitchen is that it looks like a bathroom, but that's just different, not bad. I think it's very light and pretty.

It's gorgeous, but not my taste/style. And I don't care if they don't cook, it's their kitchen and not everyone who has a gorgeous kitchen actually cook too, plus they can style it anyway they want it.

I'm astonished that this space is only 12x14 - that's a real testament to the power of proper layout. Either that, or they have a separate pantry that holds the fridge and food storage. My eat-in kitchen is 11x14 which sounds huge (and is much bigger than the usual 5x8 kitchen I'm used to) but the layout is dreadful, so it feels cramped around the edges, with a slightly larger than normal pathway in the middle that is just wasted space - too narrow for an island. I wish there was a floor plan or a broader shot of this kitchen so I could see just how they fit a large stove, island, etc into this space.

PS If I had a garden view out the back of my kitchen like that, I could be persuaded to windex a mirror after every cooking session too. Gorgeous!

If you look at both photos, the counter top is NOT at all far from the stove. While it's not my style, I think it's cozy and would be fun for entertaining while I cooked.

This kitchen seems to attract opinions wherever it goes, and HERE is a picture of the refrigerator.

it is AMAZING to me how many people judged this kitchen based only on the photos and not on the photos AND the interview/write up....even here there are folks who still think this is a show kitchen and not a working kitchen. the owner is a freaking cookbook author!

i think it's a lovely kitchen. it works for them and the kind of cooking they do. it might not work for everybody, but it works for the owners and that's really all that matters. that and that it is beautiful.

Lovely space: bright and airy.

I am the cook in the family (every single meal, every single day) and this kitchen would make me very happy.

However, since my hubs is the one who does ALL the after-meal clean-up, this kitchen would send him over the edge. Especially the mirror. He would veto it in a NY minute.

thanks for posting that link, littlebluehen - I was wondering about the refrigerator and dishwasher.

Beautiful kitchen. Especially like the french doors/bay window leading to the garden, and the marble island.

Not my style - too Southern Gothic for my taste, but it obviously works for them.

I love this kitchen! I would probably cook more if mine were half as beautiful. I like the mirror over the stove. Windex cures everything! (remember My Big Fat Greek Wedding?) This diva would feel very much at home here.

Well, I have white subway tile over my kitchen, a most classic choice, and it needs to be cleaned every.single.night. If I don't windex it nightly, it takes that much longer to clean the next time. Having spent many hours as a pot washer and prep cook ( lowest possible rung) in professional kitchens, I can confidently report that all that stainless steel is a giant pain in the rear to get clean every night. ( Not as big a pain in the rear as the one the sous chef would give you if it didn't gleam by the dawn's early light, tho.)

Fact is, kitchens need cleaning every time you use them. You can hide this fact with canny use of materials, but the grease and dirt are still there. So, yes, I think this is a cook's kitchen. It just doesn't give you the option of skipping the wipe down. If you are careful to turn on the hood whenever you turn on the stove, then even the chandelier will stay fairly clean.

I would argue that its prettyness makes it more useable. A space that is as lovely as this one makes you want to visit and stay longer.

Love the antique mirror over the stove. My roommate just brought over more of her stuff, one of which is an antique mirror (though not as large and grand) and we've been wondering where it should go. This is perfect.

Thanks AT for the great post.

Hello Everyone,
I visit this blog often, but I have been so busy recently that I missed all of the discussion about my kitchen.
There is a view of the rest of the kitchen, which shows the location of the fridge and the dishwasher, on my blog: www.mark-leslie.net. Here is the direct link to the photo: http://www.mark-leslie.net/to-refrigerate-or-not-to-refrigerate.
As for storage: pots and pans are in drawers on the bottom left side of the sink cabinet. Cooking utensils are in the top left drawer. On the opposite side of the sink cabinet is the silverware drawer and below right is the measuring cup/bowls and storage containers. The island (under the marble slab) holds the dishwasher, and to the right of it is a line of drawers containing oven mitts, cooking knives, parchment/plastic wrap, foil, Zip-Locks, and kitchen towels. Food storage is in the left side of the armoire (fridge) cabinet (canned food, cereal, potatoes, onions, crackers, rice, pasta, etc), while the right side holds everyday dishes...glasses, plates, bowls, cups, saucers, cooking sheets, cutting boards, platters. Spices, flour, sugar, extra cooking oils, and the like are all in the below cabinet section of the niche to the right of the stove.
The original "old" kitchen, which was a slim galley-style has been converted into a butler's pantry and contains dishes that we don't use everyday...crystal, china, certain baking dishes and pans, the toaster, the microwave, food processor, vases, candles, cleaning supplies, etc. All are very close and just a few steps away from the kitchen.
Sadly, there is no "staff" that cleans the house or the mirror, it is just us. The kitchen is tighter or cozier or smaller than it seems in the photos, which makes it a more manageable space than one would think.
I am flattered by all of the comments and opinions...even the ones that don't like the kitchen. I think it is always important to remember that good design is only good if it works for you and this kitchen works for us. I am glad that the article is letting people expand their idea of what a "kitchen" is and could be.
Again, thanks for the comments and I hope by seeing the other 1/3 of the kitchen on my blog, everyone will have a clearer idea of the space.
Ciao~
Mark

I don't think it is beautiful - I would scream and run the other way. It is a silly fru-fru place that would require more cleaning time than cooking would allow. Beauty IS as beauty DOES, and practical can be beautiful too! And that link of Mark Leslie's, above doesn't work, BTW.

Mark - the image link isn't working for me.

When we recently redid our kitchen, we had some similar responses:

My glossy, bright red cabinets? "oh I would never pick a color like that" "You'll hate it in a few years" "it'll kill you when you go to sell"

My lovely maple floors? "wood is so impractical" "not laminate?"

Whatever. It's my kitchen and I love it. It works for me.

This kitchen isn't my style at all and wouldn't fit how I work, but it isn't my kitchen. The high horse would like a break now, please.

Nice to be back on "the kitchn" once again talking about mine from the House Beautiful article of Feb 2010. Sorry about the link not working. Since the publication of my book, "Beyond the Pasta: Recipes, Language & Life with an Italian Family," my website/blog has been revised. Here is the new version of the old link about "to refrigerate or not": http://www.beyondthepasta.com/2009/10/22/to-refrigerate-or-not-to-refrigerate/

Also, to anyone who thinks I don't cook in my kitchen...and cook a lot... here is a link to a couple of cooking videos I made in my kitchen (watch the ones about "Preparing Sugo, Parts 1 and 2): http://www.beyondthepasta.com/italian-pantry/cooking-lesson-videos/

Truly, clean up isn't any more difficult in this kitchen than in any other one I have used...including my hotel room kitchen I used while working for 11 weeks in Denver. I had to clean it myself ... not good to let a maid see a dirty kitchen or to make her clean up especially when she didn't get to enjoy the dinner, too!

I hope all of this discussion makes you appreciate the kitchen you have, the reasons why you love to cook in it, and what the meals encourage as everyone sits around your table to enjoy it. I like mine because I don't feel like I am cooking in a laboratory. It is a room with light, art, a view of the outside garden, and a bit of design that keeps the room connected to the life of our house ... all while I cook and dirty every pot, pan, plate and glass in the joint! Only to then sit down at the table with a friend or 20 and laugh, tell stories, cry, and experience life.

And, if you don't like your kitchen, how can you be inspired to make a change...either slight or large...to re-inspire yourself while you cook?

"Bravi" to everyone who cooks and celebrates, regardless of their surroundings!

Buon Appetito and bring your family to the table!

Mark

I loved it a year ago and I love it now. Gorgeous.

Thank you for including the links to see the rest of your kitchen. It really helps to see it in it's entirety. Is the dishwasher in the island facing the sink wall? I would expect that is the case. Brava! for a kitchen that is unexpected and imaginative.

Jude252,
Yes, the dishwasher is in the island opposite the sink...not directly opposite, but about 3' off center with the sink (meaning that as you naturally turn to your right from the sink you land at the dishwasher). Silverware drawer in the sink cabinet is directly opposite the dishwasher. Dishes and glassware are in the right side of the fridge armoire cabinet, which means I unload the dishwasher onto the island, walk around it, and put everything away. No real extra work involved there. The left side of the fridge armoire houses everyday pantry items...cereals, onions, potatoes, canned items (beans, tomatoes, stock), crackers, chips, cake mixes, etc.

Thanks for enjoying "la nostra cucina" (our kitchen), it works well for us. Okay, now I am off to go cook~ tonight is chicken cutlets in white wine and lemon served with a simple spaghetti of butter, pecorino cheese, and freshly ground black pepper.
Buon Appetito~
M