When planning a kitchen remodel, homeowners tend to focus on the work area of the kitchen: the cabinetry, appliances, countertops, etc. But once they prepare a meal, where will they sit and enjoy it?
All too often, the seating arrangement is overlooked. Just as it is important to analyze how you like to prep, cook and store your food and do the clean up, it is important to think about how you like to serve or eat your meals. There are many questions to consider: Do you like to sit a cozy table in the kitchen or a nook? Do you like to entertain or eat your evening meal in a more formal setting? Do you want a place to grab a more casual bite at a breakfast bar? How many people does this area normally need to accommodate? Do you entertain? And if so how many people? And are these likely to be casual buffets or sit-down affairs? Do you have room for several different places to eat and serve food, or do you have to accomplish everything in one space?
Although we have been conditioned to believe that the more space we have the better off we are, I believe that sometimes less “unlimited” space can be an asset. When we have limited space to work with, it forces us to come down to what is really important, be more creative and concentrate on the things that will really make a difference.
An excellent example of this working to great advantage was in a local condominium that was under remodel. The kitchen, dining area and living room all shared one space that was fairly limited in square footage. In the limited space available, the couple wanted to have a comfortable place to eat their meals on a regular basis. It is was important that when they were enjoying a meal, they didn’t feel like they were sitting at a table that was intended for many more than just the two of them. At the same time, they wanted the same space to be able to comfortably seat six people.
The ultimate solution included incorporating a window seat into the dining area (left). The benefit of this was multifaceted. It allowed for flexible seating; when no one is sitting on that side of the table there aren’t obvious, empty seats. It eliminated chairs that could block the view of the city and water. It also allowed for the table to be pushed more tightly into the space, making the space feel roomier. The window seat created two additional benefits: 1) a comfortable place to curl up read a book and enjoy the view 2) additional storage in the window seat bench.
A custom-sized rectangular glass table was selected for the space. The table fits perfectly into the existing area and allows enough room for six people to sit. The glass is beneficial in the tight space as it doesn’t have a lot of visual weight, allowing for a more spacious feel.
Adjacent to the wall of windows shared by the window seat was a fairly large expanse of blank wall. It required something of visual interest on it. With the space being small, there was concern about mounting a large piece of artwork that would feel like it is was in the way. The final solution was to have a mural painted directly on the wall (left, background). The mural took its inspiration from the adjacent windows. As a result, rather than making the space feel smaller, it actually helped to visually extend the space.
This is just one example of how this important area in a client’s home was addressed. Every space and every client is unique and deserves attention to their own personal needs and desires.
Sheri D. Orts, Allied Member ASID
Sapphire Studios
sheri@sapphire-studios.com
(425) 788-1180
