When I design a kitchen, my number-one criterion is to achieve a functional layout with long runs of counter space for prep areas. I don’t strictly abide by the layout rule which puts stove, sink, and refrigerator in a triangle close to one another, as I find it often creates cramped corners of usable space and leaves the chef feeling crowded and chopping in the dark. Even in a relatively small space I try to focus on making the chef feel that there’s room to spread out.
Bold, dramatic, cutting-edge colours are fun to experiment with and create stunning results for adventurous homeowners, but my goal of designing spaces with enduring style and timeless choices guides me to suggest that clients choose a lighter shade of pale for the fixed elements, such as cabinets, and then let loose with a bold accent paint colour on the walls that is both inexpensive and easy to change if your taste changes
My suggestion for a light cabinetry colour doesn’t mean it has to be white. Torn between the desire for something new and my desire for longevity, I settled on light, but not white, with pale grey for the gables, the crown, and the open shelves, and a light cream for only the door and drawer fronts. The grey and cream pick up the variations in both the counters and the backsplash and create a subtle two-tone effect. I can’t say it’s bold, but it’s better than plain old vanilla!
In addition to open shelving, I often also install textured glass cabinets — they add a bit of sparkle, yet disguise the contents due to the patterned surface. By installing wide “reeded” glass horizontally instead of in the standard vertical orientation, you can create a more contemporary effect while introducing a hint of texture.
The standard rules suggest leaving clearances of 42 to 48 inches to open a refrigerator, dishwasher, or oven or to circulate around a counter, but I tend to push the limits and leave a little less (usually not more than 36 inches) in favour of achieving more counter and storage space. Let’s face it, preparing meals is not a group effort in most homes, and there need not be enough space to choreograph a dance routine. In all my years of pinching clearances, no clients have ever complained after their kitchen renovation.