Name: Jessica
Location: New York, NY
Size & Type: 45 square feet (not including dining area) in a 1 bedroom 5th floor walkup
Favorite resource: The local thrift store, to get rid of kitchen miscellaneous stuff. To make everything fit easily, I got rid of most of our kitchen stuff. What we do have we use daily and for multiple purposes (eg. small French tumblers are used for both juice & wine). This give us more space overall and makes life simple.
Inspiration: Every kitchen needs to have one strong color!...
Inspiration Cont'd: ...I chose the bold blue to complement the stainless silver and to give it a modern flair. The before photo shows the original of the kitchen when we moved in, a typically drab disaster. As part of an apartment-wide gut renovation, we changed the orientation of the sink & stove to that of a small galley, making the kitchen space very functional while allowing the seating area to stay close to the window.
Tip: Mix cheap with splurge. We chose cheap, simple solutions for the sink/shelving from IKEA (UDDEN freestanding unit), keeping an open shelving for the dishes and simple layout. We splurged on the Summit refrigerator (which is very low energy and slimmer than most) and Avanti 24 stove. All the stainless items blend well and make the whole space look fancier than it really is. The rolling cart next to the stove is used as counter space and stores much of our smaller appliances and is easily moved out of the way for a party, when everyone gathers in the kitchen. Another tip: halogen lights really make the stainless sparkle, and dimmers allow for a more intimate environment.
- Jessica
I love, love, love the blue. I absolutely agree that kitchens are a great room to use strong color.
view BetsyFine's profile
I love the paper towel holder right over the stove! and i really like the table and chairs right in the kitchen space!
view ForbiddenFruit's profile
Funny to me that the longer I have a small kitchen, the more my kitchen fantasies go towards "more efficient use of space!" rather than simply "more space!"
I love this kitchen, envy it, really. The blue and stainless work perfectly.
2 questions:
Where do you keep your pots?
Do you consider the dining area part of your kitchen?
view renata's profile
I've been looking for that EXACT color! what is it??? I am planning to do my entire studio apartment with it.
view EvanH's profile
oh, the things you can do when you own .... very cool. congrats.
view mrs's profile
This looks so great, and seems truly functional. I like that we can see your kitchen tools out, but that they don't give a cluttered feel to the space. I have to say, I have about twice the space, and I doubt photos of mine would give the same sense of efficiency. That blue is so cheery! Awesome job.
view kirbyloz's profile
Gorgeous colour combo!! So fresh and chic...
view 2009sunshine's profile
A truly outstanding kitchen. I adore the blue and second the request for the name!
view eat more lemons's profile
LOVE this!
view Tiffany's profile
Small. Cool. A winner!
view phaedrus's profile
Thanks for the comments everyone! Efficiency is indeed better than more space. A few answers to questions:
Pots (saucepan & 2 skillets) are kept in the bottom drawer, a large pot is kept in the side cart, along with electric grill, toaster & rice cooker.
The blue color is called "Pool Party" from Benj. Edwards - it's awesome.
We really use the dining area for dining, not prep. I've been surprised that just the sink & cart have been enough prep space for me.
Cheers!
view jess!'s profile
Wonderful! I LOVE this kitchen! wish it was mine!
view UrbanSake.com's profile
Stunning! The perfect balance of everything. You did a great job!
view Josh's profile
Really nice job. Brilliant idea changing the orientation of the stove and sink. Would have done that in my last apartment had I thought of it! Two things I just wanted to point out... The papertowel holder over the stove seems a bit hazardess (fire), and I think the paint brand you mentioned should be Benjamin "Moore" . Again, love what you did.
view Leesa's profile
Love, love, love it! The little shots of red (tea pot, dish brush) are great in contrast to the blue. Lots of great energy in this one!
view minipanda's profile
Not a big fan of stainless but I have to agree here it works against that stunning color blue! I also admire you splurged where it counted!
I agree with above comment on the paper towel holder as well as the potholders they seem to be too close to your stove top.
One thing I've noticed so far in this contest is not seeing any fire extingusihers near or at all in view. I know they aren't the nicest or stylish things to look at but they do give me piece of mind. Do you have one and if so, where do keep it?
view E.I.F.'s profile
Small, smart, functional and stylish. I don't think you can do better than that.
view art's profile
I use blue in almost every room in my apartment. It is such a great color and can be combined with so many others. The stainless steel and clean lines of the cabinets make the blue POP even more. Agree with Betsyfine - kitchens are wonderful rooms to use great color because you spend so much time in there (well, some people do)! (: Great job!
view elle1009's profile
Leesa - you are right! forgive my 'pregnant brain' lapse - Benj. Moore, not Edwards, makes paint!
EIF - glad to hear you raise the safety issues - I do keep a fire extinguisher right by the window, on the floor. The paper towel holder *is* a bit of a hazzard, but it's also magnetic. So, when I'm cooking, I just move it. It's from Pottery Barn, for those who liked it.
Cheers,
Jess
view jess!'s profile
Jess good to hear that! And I want one of those P.B. P.T.H. !!
:)
view E.I.F.'s profile
This is adorable and I am not even a cook. Please tell me where everyone is getting these cute colored cutting boards. I need one in pink.
view peggy's profile
Love it! My favorite so far! It's both fresh and functional!
view ktelschow's profile
Very impressive. What's the refrigerator manufacturer and model?
view riserise's profile
Where did you get that rolling cart from?
view Ducati1978's profile
The fridge is from Summit
view Ducati1978's profile
Love the sleek appearance of the refrigerator. Can you purchase it online?
view aprilinmd's profile
The tour links aren't working.
view thedanmole's profile
Not sure if this is checked anymore or not, but any one know where the table and chairs are from???
view BeccaJane22's profile