My kitchen is my happy place. When Neal and I designed our home, we wanted the kitchen to be open to the family room because our family and friends always want to gather in the kitchen.
My cooktop faces the family room so I can enjoy conversations and hear the latest news when we have company. It’s great because I can finish the meal and still be a part of the conversation. I love the extra wide counter chair—it’s a great place to sit and talk while Neal or I cook, and it is just perfect for my grandchildren.
Being short, I opted out of overhead cabinets and instead, built a large pantry where food and dishes are stored. The two cabinets in my kitchen where my blue and white dishes are displayed were designed to look like antique cabinets. They are actually new cabinets with seeded glass panes that make them look really old.
The appliances were very important to me. I absolutely fell in love with the Viking French-Door Oven; it’s just what I needed. The doors open out to the sides, so I can get closer when I am putting food in the oven. The bottom oven has never been a problem for me to reach, so it has the traditional pull down door, but the French door on top has made using my oven so easy. Viking’s oven doors operate in tandem. When you open one, the other one opens with it. I also loved the large rod handles on all the appliances. It makes them so easy to use. The refrigerator has a bottom freezer making it much easier for me to see what I have stored there.
Also, I have an Undercounter DrawerMicro Oven that you load from the top. When I need to check the items in the microwave, I just look right down into it. Lifting things from it is much better for me—the drawer slides out, and you just reach in and get the food.
It is important to design your space to suit your height and needs so working in your kitchen is easy and hassle-free. I spend a lot more time cooking in my kitchen because I enjoy using the appliances that I’ve chosen—they’re perfect for me.
When you are remodeling or planning your space, think about what works for you. Being able to reach things comfortably makes cooking fun!
The lovely blue color on my kitchen walls is Benjamin Moore Newburyport Blue.
