White Kitchens

                                        contemporary kitchen design by other metros home staging suzanne pignato

The kitchen is the psychological center of a home. So it's no wonder that shelter magazines and blogs show before-and-after photos and offer updates on the hottest products. Trends come and go, but a good work triangle stays on the mind...and in the kitchen.

I've been lucky enough to enjoy two white kitchens. Back in the late 80s, my kitchen was u-shaped. It had white cabinets (some had glass doors), white Formica counters, and a great work triangle. Our renovated kitchen in the ex-funeral home had an L-shape--white cabinets (open shelves and some cabinets had glass doors) and black granite. The backsplash had jade green subway tiles. The dark granite counters kept me busy. They were a daily challenge to maintain.

Both kitchens had wooden floors and windows over the sink (just like Mom's).

So when we were choosing items for Bald Hill Farm, we went with maple-esque cabinets, wild, speckled granite, and a (relatively) neutral tile backsplash--very easy to maintain. We had less counter space and less cabinetry, but the pantry had storage.

So here is my kitchen-to-be. It has a good work triangle--I love the u-shape and the bay window.

I love to dream, and so far I'm just in the dreaming stage. I'll have to get estimates before I

can do anything. Estimates have a way of shaving the corners off dreams, if not scooping out their insides.

But a girl can still play house and dream, right? One thing is certain: we're painting the cabinets white.
I'm 90% sure that white subway tiles will go on the backsplash.

 In my dream, the pot rack will come down, and beams (color of the floor, prolly faux beams if I can find them), will go on the ceiling. Maybe a pendant light or simple chandelier because cooks need all the light they can get.

An antique table would look fabulous (instead of the island), but this island has tons of storage. I like that. So the island is most likely staying, but we might make it a bit longer and add seating (though I wouldn't want to lose the bookcase--always something when you remodel, right?).

I haven't decided what to do about the counters. They aren't granite, and I do love putting hot pans and sticky spoons on granite. So marble won't work here. Even if it's sealed, I am too dangerous.
I'm also out of touch with kitchen trends, I don't know what's in and out, but I've reached a place where I don't give a doodly squat. I just have to do what works for our family.

Black granite would look good here, but until I change my ways, or Bandwidth changes his, we might have messy counters.

 Must have a convection oven (love!). Stainless.

I might paint the walls white, too, as I'm going for that clean,

pristine look.

New pulls and knobs.

I found a few inspiration photos online, but I don't know how to contact the photographers, so I went to Houzz and found tons of photos.

Here's a kitchen with creamy white cabinets, walls, and beams. Love the marble, but...we'd kill it.

traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect Gast Architects

Here's another all-white kitchen--but with absolute black granite.

traditional kitchen design by bridgeport architect Austin Patterson Disston Architects

In this photo, the island is a bit longer. Love the seating--and the pendant lights.

traditional kitchen design by chicago architect COOK ARCHITECTURAL Design Studio

This is the look that makes me smile. Dogs on the floor, something bubbling on the stove.

It's homey and heart-warming, a farmhouse style kitchen.

eclectic kitchen design

I love the mixed materials in this kitchen (surely a type of marble-like granite exists).

traditional kitchen design by san francisco architect Boor Bridges Architecture

A farm sink would be large enough to hold a frozen turkey--at the same
time, the sink would be eye candy.

traditional kitchen design by san francisco interior designer Amoroso Design

What a view!

traditional kitchen design by other metros design-build Witt Construction

eclectic kitchen design by new york architect Ken Levenson Architect P.C.

Yesterday's post concerned the porch (it's just off the kitchen).
More to ponder: an arched "bump out" with windows rather than glassing in the whole porch.

eclectic kitchen design by new york architect Ken Levenson Architect P.C.

I love, love, love this kitchen by designer Michael Smith. This photo was on Decor Pad and in his books.
He used white paint for the front of the Viking range. The Ann-Morris pot rack makes me want to have a pot rack for sure.
I love the pale gray-green subway tiles, but I am too chicken. White is safe. White is beautiful. But white needs texture.
I forgot everything I knew about texture. And kitchens.

My head has been glued to a desk for the past few years. When it comes to design, I'm dangerous.
Do you have a favorite kitchen? Any ideas? Would you go for the all white look or take a risk and try to find gray-green subway tiles and a pot rack? What about a marble-esque granite on the counters? Or gorgeous but hard-to-keep-clean black?