These are the things that I would like to include in our new kitchen (still in the dream stage):
1 – A Balance between Hardworking, Rustic Farmhouse and Elegance/Beauty
It’s a real struggle for me to envision a kitchen that will work hard and be fun and convenient to actually use, but that won’t overwhelm me with so much visual clutter that I don’t even want to be in there. I’ve been really inspired by Darlene, who also loves “Farmhouse Elegance.”
Well, this is my dream kitchen. She’s just about perfect in every way. Gorgeous and hard-working at the same time. Ahhhhhhh.
I REALLY love the combination of countertops in this kitchen too. I love raw butcher block combined with marble. I like marble that doesn’t look brand new. I hope it’s kind of scratched up, actually.
Here she is from another angle. Her stove and hood are amazing. I LOVE that inset spice shelf. And even with all the stainless steel in the side-by-side full refrigerator and full freezer, the massive amounts of wood keep it from feeling sterile. LOVE her in every way.
A closer look at that inset spice shelf
a closer look at the stove area
I really, really really like this one, but it’s still a little bit too cluttered for me. Maybe it’s just the staging. I bet with a few things off the counters, it would be perfect. In fact, my friend P says this one makes her think of our house in Mystic
2 – A Large, Dramatic, Gorgeous European Range
Not sure if it’s possible, but I really want a European oven like Aga or LaCornue. Soooo pretty! And I really like having multiple ovens and the use of warming zones.
so pretty – and large capacity!
ahhh, Aga!
3 – A Large, Dramatic, Gorgeous European Hood
To balance the large, dramatic, gorgeous European stove under it, of course.
Again, it might not be possible, but that’s what I love in pictures of other kitchens.
I don’t know if it would make me feel claustrophobic, but I like the side walls on this hood and I like the decorative shelf, too (but I worry it could be a greasy dust magnet – probably not worth it).
Amazing copper? hood. And I LOOOOOVE that island! And those lanterns! This whole kitchen is amazing!
Another amazing hood. I like this whole kitchen, actually. Wait a minute! Does this kitchen actually have a La Cornue with two ovens AND TWO wall ovens? Where do we draw the line, people?
Well, this one’s a triple threat. It has the airy feeling, and the amazing range and hood!
4 -Amazing natural light and a feeling of openness
I don’t think this style would fit in our saltbox, and we just don’t have that great of a view, but I really want this airy feeling.
great light!
5 – Shallow Shelves for Food Storage
It will be beautiful because it will be all glass jars, but I still don’t want visual clutter.
Maybe a wall-sized sliding door is the answer – you can leave it open when you are cooking and the open door is not in the way, but then you can close it when you are done and don’t want to see the food out.
I don’t love this particular door, but I do like the concept.
now that’s a pretty pantry. Perhaps this is a hallway, which keeps it near, but not so visible to the rest of the living space? I think this one is absolutely perfect.
6 – Open to the rest of the living space / nearby cozy lounge area
I want the kids nearby – visible – since I spend most of the day in the kitchen. Also, I’d like it to be comfortable for guests to be in the kitchen during a party.
7 – Low tech (Permaculture/Passive Solar/etc.) at least for back up
A fireplace adds ambiance as well as another way to cook if the power goes out. This one feels too rustic for my taste, though.
This fireplace is perfect! I love the whole kitchen!
And a few more miscellaneous features I’d like to add:
Stove Nook
I want my olive oil, coconut oil, salts, and a few other things very close to the stove and I like this little nook that encloses the stovetop with the hood.
Brass Hardware
love unlaquered brass for the faucet and other hardware in the room
I like materials that are beautiful even when not pristine, like marble and brass.
brass hardware. and I love those shelves
A Place for Everything, and Everything in its Place (breadbox, trash, compost, recycling, and a Baking Center)
I’d like to have a designated area for storing small amounts of onions (10 max) and garlic and potatoes conveniently in the kitchen – with lots and lots of them in the root cellar downstairs.
Awesome. I’d like the bread box to be as low-tech as possible. Maybe all it needs is a moisture-barrier? I don’t want anything that’s electric.
I’d love the trash, recycling, and compost to have a home that’s easily accessible, yet not in the way.
I definitely want a dedicated baking center, where my grain mill and mixer can be on the counter at all times. But, I don’t want to look at them all the time. Perhaps garage doors, or maybe put the baking center off the side?
Antique cup drying rack
Since we use a lot of canning jars, and drinking cups, I’d like to be able to wash them quickly at the sink and dry them on something pretty.
Fridge and freezer compartments
I just don’t like the look of a huge refrigerator. And, I’d like to be able to customize the settings for raw milk versus produce, etc.
Toe-kick drawers (taking advantage of every inch of storage)
I really like to maximize all storage options.
These are close, but not quite right
For various reasons, I do not like these kitchens. Sometimes I like to have “bookends” for certain designs – it helps me clarify what I like and what is too much.
- I love marble, and I like the idea of closing things off with doors, but this feels too cold and sterile for me. Perhaps it’s all the stainless steel with no wood?
- This is an example of the visual clutter I definitely do not want – even though this is probably what my kitchen will look like during a canning-fest.
- definitely hardworking and rustic and homey feeling, but too cluttered
- looks user-friendly, but too cluttered for me
None of the pics in this post are my own. The links to the originals are all on my pinterest page.
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Hi Nicole, I love your Dream Kitchen file. Can you tell me where you got the pic of the incredibly beautiful large island – the one with the copper hood? I would like to see more pics of this kitchen if they are available. We are building a cottage and I am going for a European Farmhouse look. That island rocks! Thank you….and I’m glad to see I’m not the only one who loves kitchens.
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