Johanna and Dennis had a year to plan their fantasy kitchen. Prior to that, they made the best of a makeshift kitchen typical of early 20th century tenement studio apartments in New York City.
Their new, minimalist wonder of a kitchen was once the main living room of the adjoining apartment they annexed for this renovation. With twice the space, Johanna and Dennis could have indulged in all kinds of kitchen amenities. But they kept it simple. Simple lines, limited appliances, and some environmentally conscious decisions. They used plyboo custom made fronts for their IKEA cabinets. They kept the original oak wood flooring, but dyed and stained it black. And they used stainless steel which is easily recyclable or reusable for the open shelving.
Johanna's mom stores her pots below the stovetop. So, Johanna wanted the same. She says she "was used to that." As a result, the kitchen has a built in stove top with cabinetry below, and a separate oven built in to the opposing wall of IKEA cabinets. That's quite an effort to replicate a childhood memory. But it looks great!
It is a thoroughly well planned and gorgeous kitchen. It's easy to use. Dennis and Johanna use it to cook dinners about three times a week. And they love it!
10 Questions for Dennis and Johanna (& Their Kitchen)
What's your cooking style?
Fresh. Simple. High-quality ingredients.
What inspires your kitchen and your cooking?
Hands down, my mother. Watching her cook taught me to appreciate food; I would prefer a meal at her table over any restaurant in the world. I didn't make a single move in the kitchen renovation - from layout to choosing appliances — without consulting her.
What is your favorite kitchen tool or element?
My love for the seamless concrete countertop with integrated sink is unconditional. Dennis compares it to an infinity pool.
What's the most memorable meal you've ever cooked in this kitchen?
When I wasn't the one cooking and Dennis was.
Biggest challenge in your kitchen?
Open shelving is a great idea until you try to dust it.
Biggest indulgence or splurge in the kitchen?
The Bocci electrical outlets and the skylight.
Is there anything you hope to add or improve in your kitchen?
Our oven. It's far more powerful and cumbersome than we need, and yet it is a complete hazard (it burns super hot on the exterior).
What is your favorite cookbook?
Alice Waters, The Art of Simple Food and every issue of Cook's Illustrated.
What are you cooking this week?
Far too many roasted Brussels sprouts for this heat.
Resources
• Concrete counters - Remik with the Concrete Shop
• Cabinetry - Ikea bases with custom Plyboo doors (Neopolitan).
• The hallway doors are just painted MDF.
• Miele dishwasher, stovetop, and washer/dryer
• Liebherr fridge
• Zephyr hood
• BlueStar oven
• Bocci outlets
• Kitchen Tour Archive: Check out past kitchen tours here
We're always looking for real kitchens from real cooks.
Submit your kitchen here.
(Images: Jill Slater)
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Love it!
gorgeous! where is that stainless steel shelving from?
those recessed electric outlets are amazing.
I LOVE THIS. I WANT THIS. I NEED THIS.
Ok, now that I got that out of my system I can ask a question! Do you have any problems with dishes on open shelves getting dirty or greasy?
Thanks for the kind comments. The shelf was custom made and we haven't had problems with grease. Most of the dishes are in such quick rotation, there's not much time for dirt to accumulate. The shelf itself is gets dusty, however.
Interesting idea to use Ikea cabinets with customized doors. I like the combination of wood and concrete.
The kitchen looks just great! Can I ask where the cutting board is from in the first picture? (I'm looking for a replacement for mine and it looks like a nice size/weight...)
Looks great! Two questions. Are the supports for the shelving on studs behind the drywall? And, how do you like your Liebherr refrigerator. Thanks!
love this, so clean but still relaxed feeling. concrete countertops and plyboo cabinets are beautiful together.
That's breath-taking! Exactly what I want for my kitchen (which is much smaller and triangular). I love the two little sockets next to the mixer going "Oh!" Ther horizontal bamboo cabnetry-- just what I dream of!. The counters are what? Metal? The open shelves, very challenging! I just love it.
Thanks again and more answers...
*The cutting board is John Boos.
*The shelf supports are installed on studs.
*Unfortunately, we do not love the Liebherr. Integration is great, but it smells. I've heard similar complaints from people with the same model.
*Counters are concrete, poured onsite so there are no seams. We love them!
Hi, great kitchen! Wondering where you sourced the Bocci power outlets in NYC. Do you have any that are encased in tile rather than drywall? If so, how does it look? Was install difficult?
Shinee, we got the Bocci outlets from Matter in Soho. Bocci makes a separate installation piece if you're installing in something other than drywall (e.g., glass, stone, etc.). We don't have any so I'm not familiar with the process, unfortunately. Good luck!