The Command Kitchen - by Lee Golanoski

PRLog (Press Release) - Sep 09, 2009 -
The Command Kitchen
By Lee Golanoski

The kitchen of old was a place to prepare and cook food, the mess knowingly isolated from the rest of family life. Typically it was the housewife who spent many hours behind kitchen walls, diligently preparing breakfast, lunch, and dinner.  The kitchen was truly a place to work.  But all of that has changed. Today, most of the family participates in food preparation.   Modern luxury homes are equipped with state-of-the-art appliances and fixtures, so the kitchen has taken on a new responsibility.  Today’s kitchen is now the “Command Kitchen,” a center point of all family activity. The Command Kitchen offers open views of the surrounding rooms.  Kitchens have grown in size to accommodate many other family functions, including eating, doing homework and arts and crafts, watching television, working on the Internet, and even entertaining guests.  Anyone who has guests in their home knows that everyone always seems to end up hanging around the kitchen. So, what does it take to have a successful Command Kitchen?  

Following are 5 key items to consider when building or buying a successful Command Kitchen.

1. View from the sink – The sink can be located on the island, making the island the center of attention. This allows maximum interaction between people in the kitchen and those nearby. Alternately, if a property offers a desirable outside view, take full advantage of it.  Locate the sink against that wall and maximize the view with plenty of windows. Casement windows tend to be the window of choice over the sink.  Casement windows offer unobstructed glass and the operating handle is easy to reach to allow in fresh air.    

2. The island - In this case the bigger the better.  Islands are the place where people can gather and where food can be placed for easy access. When properly designed, the island will always be the centerpiece of the Command Kitchen.  Seating along one side is a must, making the island a convenient place to eat, do homework, and gather.

3.  Counter space – Counter space in today’s kitchen can quickly be used up by an array of appliances.  Creating enough counter space for a kitchen is a key consideration early in the design process. Consider all the appliances that will be needed in a large kitchen, and always plan for more.  It’s always possible that a family will need the newest gadgets as they become available.

4. Storage - The Command Kitchen requires a walk-in pantry.  Today’s shoppers know how to buy in bulk, and planning for adequate storage space is critical.  Walk-in pantries should include a minimum of six linear feet of shelving, typically four shelves high and 16” deep.  Additional floor space can also come in handy for storing bulk containers.

5. Room for many – The Command Kitchen is about people and people require space.  Whether you’re inviting numerous guests for a large party, or you’re just having a few friends over for a visit, a large, well designed kitchen will quickly become the place where everyone will gather.  Also, access to a rear deck or patio from the Command Kitchen allows your gathering to flow from inside to out.  The Command Kitchen needs to accommodate a crowd.

Lee Golanoski is an architect with 25 years of design experience.  He is the Director of Design for Toll Brothers Inc., America’s Luxury Home Builder®.

Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/10337222/1