It's mine. Hands down. I even have those barstools already. What makes this kitchen so ideal? The contrast of dark cabinets (loving navy right now) with white counters, modern stools with an antique rug, all that light, and classic subway tiles. Oh, and there's an animal on the island. That looks familiar.
I'll go on. This kitchen embraces the no-upper-cabinets design without looking too austere or modern; plus, the owners didn't replace cabinets with shelves, as so many people do, where piles of dishes just look ripe for frequent dusting.
There are some beautiful un-kitchen-like accessories here—the rug, the artwork, the lamp, the Buddha head, the owl. Some of these might have been placed by a stylist for the photo shoot, sure, but I like them. They make the space feel a little old and a lot sophisticated. It works for me.
And here's the big thing: This kitchen isn't huge. Yes, it's a nice, open space with a very substantial island. But the counter space doesn't run for miles, and the cabinets are few. There's no dramatic, look-at-me pendant lighting. This looks somewhat attainable.
What do you think? What does your perfect kitchen look like?
• See the full house at Lonny, page 164.
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(Image: Patrick Cline/Lonny)
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I love this kitchen. I like how the architectural beams on the ceiling add a great structural and visual element, but that the owner kept them white, so they aren't too overbearing. I love love love going without upper cabinets. It really opens up the space and gives you room to breath. I really like the contrast of the dark cabinets as well, it makes a great statement while remaining subtle.
I'm guessing that darkness over on the left is a large cupboard and storage spaced for plates and whatnot.
I'm diggin it.
I love how it looks, but there are several elements that keep it from being practical for actually cooking in - at least for THIS cook! For instance, were it my kitchen, the rug would get dripped on daily, the buddha head right next to the stand mixer would get covered in flour the first batch of cookies I made, and the fridge seems like it's miles away from the sink. Don't get me wrong, it's a lovely kitchen, but it's not my perfect kitchen.
I agree with Emily the Cat. I've been swooning over this kitchen for days, but it doesn't seem practical for people that cook a lot.
I like rugs in the kitchen that can be washed.
It's a beautiful kitchen but I think it's just too much white for me. I also don't like that the sink is so very far from the stove and fridge and that the counters around the outside seem so shallow. They look beautiful with all the tchokeys on them but they don't give you much room to work.
It's a very visually pleasing kitchen but I'm not sure it would work for me.
...taste's a funny thing, isn't it.
I mean, much as the vast space is gorgeous - and the light! - I'd never have pale-coloured countertops again, and am in love with my top cabinets and the whole 'being able to see into the cupboard' thing. (And aesthetically in love with the one top cabinet that has a leaded-light glass panel in).
I think my dream kitchen would move away from fitted cabinetry entirely, though I'm not sure on the specifics. It's so far from ever being a reality that I've not troubled myself to work out the details...
I think that is beautiful. Love the ceilings. Love the navy and white. Love the stools.
But without all the cabinets above, where do you put your stuff? Where do you put the plates and glasses? Do you have to stoop for everything?
That style of rug is not good for the kitchen at all. It looks wrong and would be ruined w/in weeks.
Yay, no upper cabinets! that's what makes it look good to me!
Lots of great windows too.
Those are BAR-stools at the island counter... not COUNTER-stools. Very bad for your posture and uncomfortable to boot.
I'm blaming the stylist.
It's lovely but not for me. (and I love high-contrast / dark-light kitchens) I like my upper cabinets too much... but then again... I don't have the luxury of all those windows.
For those worried that a nice carpet would get ruined in the kitchen - relax, it can work. It depends really on the colors and a mental attitude that you just get over the spills and drips. I have a lovely blue oriental rug that I got on ebay for 50€. It looks great, is soft on the feet and you don't see the spills at all. I vacuum and wipe up the tile floor around it with a wet floor cloth (like baby wipes but for the floor) once a week. My rug happened to be a bargain, but really even if it was pricey, oriental rugs have lasted hundreds of years. A little kitchen traffic isn't going to be the end of it. And I like how the look is a bit unexpected. You might have seen my kitchen already - but here it is with the rug:
http://www.thekitchn.com/thekitchn/small-cool-kitchens-2010/bettys-bistro-kitchen-in-munich-small-cool-kitchens-2010-international-division-117848
I too have a rug in my kitchen. I cook every day. I've had this rug for more than a year and it still looks great. It's a dark traditional patterned rug that does not show much dirt. I guess if I dropped an entire pot of tomato sauce on the floor I would ruin the rug. Also, it's a great and cheap solution to cover up a awful rental floor.
Gorgeous. But not enough storage or counter space for the size of the room. Maybe there are just to many trinkets on the counter top for serious cooking.
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I have a rug in my kitchen, but its just a rag rug, and it gets washed weekly - I could never have something that nice beside my counters!
It is a beautiful looking kitchen. I'm pretty close to living in my dream kitchen, though, so I wouldn't say its my favourite ever. :) Just wait until we install a skylight to get some of that 'light' I keep hearing about, and I won't have anything left to aspire to.
Clearly this kitchen was staged for the photoshoot with too many tchotchkies - I'll agree w/ that assessment.
But complaining that a sink is to far away when there's one 1 step away in the island and another 3 steps away against the window? - Plus there's a pot-filler over the stove?
...and a lack of storage & counterspace? How much stuff do you have???
This place looks pretty dreamy and plenty spacious to me...
Love it!
I just printed these pictures online last week. I really love this kitchen. I am wondering the exact layout of the room because it feels as though there should be a pantry somewhere.
where are those bar stools from? Love them!
The styling details are annoying, but the kitchen is great. I once had a rug like that in the kitchen -- and may again -- and it worked well. They *are* washable!
However, I don't see this as a navy kitchen; on my monitor it reads as anthracite grey....
Also, it looks to me as if there may be a pantry to the left of the island.
@rossweiner: I bought my stools (exactly like the ones in the picture) on craigslist. They are modeled after the Emeco Navy chairs. Home Decorators makes a version that's more affordable. You can see it here.
The exposed beam ceiling is the best part. I agree that many of the items on the kitchen are either there for the photo shoot or will simply get in the way. But they do, however, help the space feel "lived in."
Fridge - Sink - Stove arrangment appears flawed but the ceiling and floor are great