Monday, April 16, 2012

Planning A Kitchen Island

Hello there! After a week long, spring break staycation, things are finally getting back to normal around here. The older kids are back to college and the younger ones back to school. I hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend- ours was exceptionally nice this year. I probably say that every year but it's just so nice having the family all together! 

I've picked up a couple of jobs over the break, one of them being a kitchen design. The focal point of this particular design is the island. In my recent guest post at West Pear Avenue, I discussed how important it is to consider how you actually live in your kitchen. This particular client explained that her daughter and her daughter's friends hang out around the existing kitchen island all the time and that they all like to cook and prepare food together. That got me to thinking about islands like these:

curved kitchen islands with seating
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A second consideration is that a wall between the kitchen and an adjacent sitting room was just removed. Now there is a clear line of sight directly from this sitting room, as well as the front entrance, right into the kitchen. That got me to thinking of islands like these:

curved kitchen island designs
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love this
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One last consideration is that a cramped eating area could be eliminated if enough seating could be incorporated into the island or possibly a small, (potentially portable) table could be incorporated.
Something like this:

Cool island
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 I wish I had enough room in my own kitchen for any one of these awesome islands. 
They definitely would encourage gathering in the kitchen!

Do you have an island and is it the "hot" spot in the kitchen?

PS I've really missed reading all of my blog friend's blogs! I'll be making my way around to see what you've all been up to :) 

8 comments:

  1. We do have an island! it is between our kitchen and family room. It is a definite hot spot!

    LOVE the last kitchen shown. It is my favorite!

    xo,
    RJ

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  2. We have an island in our kitchen but wish it was bigger since as you say people do like to hang around it even during parties. Definite hot spot in any home you've shown some gorgeous examples Michelle. Glad to hear you picked up some work, now let us see how your kitchen is coming along please.

    XX
    Debra~

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  3. I guess you can call what we have a peninsula, and it's the best decision we made by cutting the wall in half and making it counter space and bar space. I love envisioning your clients girls hanging out, cooking, chatting by the island. That is great inspiration and a great use of the kitchen. Looking forward to how this plays out for you and your client Michelle. (I love that last image too with the pull out table)

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  4. Gorgeous pictures, Michelle. In India, the concept of Modular kitchen is not so common in older homes - So is the kitchen Island !!

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  5. Fabulous kitchens! Those islands are making my heart skip a beat. Enjoy the beautiful day, Kellie xx

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  6. I would love an island in my kitchen. I can dream.

    Dee

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  7. Hi sweetie,

    What a fantastic post! I'm painting my cabinets soon (need to find time for it!!) and this post made me want to get the brush right now. :-)

    Lovely!


    xo


    Luciane at HomeBunch.com

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