In the 1960s, a kitchen was just a kitchen. The appliances and the kitchen table were in plain sight and there were no desks, wine cabinets, TVs or easy chairs.
Over time, we knocked down walls separating the kitchen from the dining room and, in many cases, from the living room as well. The era of the open kitchen dawned, grew and matured.
The open kitchen can encourages family connections, to become closer with family members and to hear what is going on in their lives.
It’s nice that the hostess can visit with the family and guests while putting the finishing touches on dinner. Today, many householders really don’t want dirty dishes and groceries in plain sight. So kitchen design is evolving again.
Alternatives to the open kitchen are emerging as designers and architects hear that clients want to rope off food preparation, odors and clean-up chores from other household activities.
Instead of having kitchen stools by a bar, some are walling off the kitchen and bringing back the table and chairs. Some say there’s a return to more focused mealtimes at home, healthier cooking and being a family.
One new design features a galley kitchen for food preparation only, no chairs. It’s separated from the dining area by pocket doors; perhaps include a command center for charging cell phones and stacking their mail.
As I always say, read, ask questions and do your homework before doing a home project.
