POTTING BENCH KITCHEN
What the owners loved about their existing kitchen was opening the windows and doors on their kitchen’s east wall, using their deck, and gleaning from their edible garden, as they prepared meals. Landon responded to this by placing a “potting bench” in the center of the kitchen! (More information below pictures.)

 
Before remodeling, their existing kitchen was so frustrating that the client had prepared a three-page, single-spaced list of requirements! Their list started with: “The kitchen must be functional, with two or three work areas (prep, baking, clean-up), a comfortable place to spend time and efficiently cook with several looker-oners.” The list ended with this comment: “Nothing works about the kitchen…it is too small, insufficient storage, inconvenient storage, insufficient food prep area, stove/sink corner is insane…” 

The solution began when Landon noted the negative impact that the home’s two staircases had on all three floors of the home. The front stair landed in the living room; the back stair landed at a door to the backyard—not even into the kitchen! The designer proposed flipping the back stairs (and also bringing it up to code!). 

Now, light reaches the center of the home from the upstairs dormer. The tactile quality of the brick is exposed for all to enjoy. The bottom of the stairs flares out, opening up the former hallway into the dining room. Plus, guests enjoy sitting on the lower stairs and talking with the cooks! Uncovering the brick gained valuable inches and put a non-flammable surface to the left of the AGA. This created an essential landing space to the right of the range, along with a cabinet to hold cooking oils, wines, and vinegars, complementing the shallow spice rack to the left. (The open alcove above the spice rack connects to the detail of the dining room cabinets.) 

By using extra-deep cabinets and full-extension guides, the designer gained 8” more usable drawer in the critical center of the kitchen. The second prep sink moved the garbage disposal from the “potting bench” to a more discrete location and supports the second cook.

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