A White Kitchen by Susan Serra, CKD - Published by Better Homes and Gardens

I arrived home last night from my vacation to see one of my favorite recent kitchens I've designed, finally, in print! The feature just came out in the September issue of Better Homes and Gardens. It's in a section called "Better By Design."

I designed this kitchen a variety of different ways for the client, in an extensive design process, and in the end, the client decided not to change the existing location of windows, doorways, and appliances. BUT, that was only the start of the story. Maintaining these same locations, I wanted there to be a renewed excitement and importance to the kitchen design, but, based on good design principles, rather than easy, but, uninspired "runs" of cabinetry as you can see in the "before" pictures. I also wanted to "lighten up" the area above the refrigerator, which was achieved. A much more spacious feel on that side of the kitchen than before.

Other Ideas Which Didn't Make It:

Some of my ideas were not implemented that I would have liked, but I have to remind myself, it's not my kitchen! I had recommended that the rear wall, rather than subway tile, be some sort of subtle stone, a slab material, although the end result looks great. I also did not want to connect the cabinetry on each side of the range to each wall. I thought it would look interesting to be open, a bit unfitted. Then, I suggested open shelves with the wall showing behind, and no toekick. In the end, the client wanted a more "connected" look, but we did maintain the open shelving below, which makes it.  

New Ideas 

New design ideas were developed and explored, based on the proportion and scale of the space as well as taking into consideration the architecture and style of the home. I also created a personal style interpretation for the client, which bridges the concepts of tradition, a nautical feel, a bit of a "commercial" look, and some real beauty included in the mix too. Please see all of the images in the gallery.

 

Kitchen Design Diversity

I think I'm fortunate to have a fair amount of diversity in my extended family. As I end my trip to Copenhagen, it occurs to me just how important it is to design kitchens suited to the needs of the users. In my own extended family, I have these diverse personal situations, all of whom work in their kitchens in different ways for different reasons.

• Daughter/son-in-law in an apartment in an urban setting, concerned with healthy living and healthy cooking, with demanding jobs, and then, early evening, exercise routines, speed and efficiency in the kitchen being the goal, and leisurely cooking as recreation,
  

• Son, 21, and girlfriend, moving in together soon, who both cook up a storm nearly every night, with a health conscious and multi cultural focus due to their different cultural/ethnic backgrounds and green philosophies, (without a time concern, as I can attest to, having a recent meal with them at nearly 11 pm)
  

• A cousin and her (yes, her) wife (legally married in Denmark) who are expecting twins sons soon, sharing domestic responsibilities, as all married couples do, in a countryside setting by the sea, with one spouse working, the other not,
  

• My 93 year old uncle, living alone, preparing traditional Danish meals and also hosting weekly get togethers at his apartment, the apartment he has had for, oh, maybe 60 years or so,

• Another cousin and her husband, empty nesters, and retired, moving back and forth between an urban apartment and summer house in Denmark, with interesting food storage issues to solve,
  

• Another cousin's busy working life with two young children and a husband (the traditional "subjects" for all previously held kitchen design ideas) with the woman's mother as frequent helper and occasional chef,
  

• A recently widowed aunt, who lived a long life, preparing from-scratch meals for two, now, for one,

• A male cousin, single, 30s, in a new urban apartment, with a new kitchen, planning his kitchen HIS way,
  

• A male, 22, single, student, who owns an apartment and lives with rent paying roomates, but plans to live there a long time, later with a girlfriend, and just planning a kitchen now,

• Me and my husband, nearly empty nesters, soon to be spending more time in our city apartment, redefining "home" as well as our cooking habits.
  

 
Designers need to understand that there is no longer one family "model," but many, and oftentimes multi-cultural, multi-generational, perhaps a non traditional lifestyle, and sometimes all of these mixed together. It is imperative that each personal situation be dissected to uncover the needs for function and aesthetics which are unique to he/she/them alone. I do believe the time has arrived where both homeowners and designers are understanding the wide realm of new design possibilities that can be tailored to one's unique way of living in the kitchen.

Are you planning a kitchen? Look more deeply into your/your family's personal needs. Take time to do that. Don't settle for standard, typical, or one size fits all. Ask for , look for, plan for, personal design solutions.

Vive la difference! 

Kitchens Are Love

Oh, I have so much to share with you in the days and weeks ahead (and months!) We're here, in Copenhagen, nearly two weeks, and leaving to go back home Thursday morning. Our suitcases are packed, as tomorrow will be filled with two different family outings, maybe one more quick stop at a kitchen showroom, and somehow we have to pack the two paintings I bought!

Copenhagen is truly one of the design capitals of the world. To have two weeks to observe great design in shops, in public spaces, and in private homes, has been a constant source of education, enjoyment, and privilege. I've also been inspired by learning new ways of thinking about protecting our natural resources and changing the way we live in small ways. Danes are famous for subtle, but pointed, humor, and perhaps you will see this characteristic in this special exhibit I will show you on thinking green, which is taking place at the Danish Design Center. Coming soon.

So, having been in six of my family's kitchens this time around (that, not being all of them) and spending a lifetime of seeing these relatives only every few years, I can tell you that it struck me more than ever that our kitchens are a conduit to so much more than food, but to family togetherness, to sharing, to love. Kitchens are so incredibly important, wherever they are in the world and regardless of whoever is planning a meal for someone else, or for one's own nourishment as well. It's all good, isn't it?

The image is of my cousin, Lis, showing me the smoked herring we will have for dinner!