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Defining a Look: European Eclectic Kitchens
How to get away with not so many wall cabinets (and still find storage)
Rebekah Zaveloff, owner and principal designer of KitchenLab, co-founder of Design in a Bag.com and Houzz contributor. I'm a self-professed tile nut and believer in good design for all! You can also visit me at: http://kitchenlabdesign.com and http://designinabag.com
Rebekah Zaveloff, owner and principal designer of KitchenLab, co-founder... More »
The absence of wall cabinets has such an impact on a kitchen's overall look, it never ceases to amaze me. Every time I respond to a kitchen on a gut level it often has the marked lack of wall cabinets. I'm not a minimalist at all, I just like the space above counter height to be open and airy, as it is in many European kitchens. That said, I am a kitchen designer, I do cook, and I have lots of kitchen stuff which needs a home. There are many ways to get the great look of a European kitchen without giving up storage, but this is a style of compromises. Here are some ideas:
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Run tile to the ceiling and resist the temptation to add wall cabinets. The mixed textures and finishes in this kitchen are amazing. The rustic elements like the wood beams mixed with the more elegant marble and industrial stainless steel add texture and visual interest.
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Open shelves can take the place of wall cabinets, but let's be honest—they're not ideal for dishes unless you want to dust them before use everyday. They may not be ideal for storage, but boy, can they make an impact on the look of a kitchen!
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| Here's a great option if you can't bear to give up wall cabinets: Put them on just one wall and run the tile all the way to the ceiling on the other wall. You get to have your cake and eat it too. |
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| Show your kitchen wares behind glass-front cabinets. Don't be afraid to display your mismatched dishes, it's the stuff in a kitchen that makes a kitchen. This is also a good example of a less modern approach to keeping your wall cabinets all on one wall. Mixing metal finishes on the hardware and lighting is a good tip to remember when trying to achieve a European eclectic look. |
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Recent trends have been to tear down walls and open up kitchens, but if you have a large space, why not consider carving out room for a walk-in pantry to make up for the lost storage from skipping the wall cabinets?
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Tip: If you don't have space to do a proper walk-in pantry, create a walk-through pantry in a hallway. In this kitchen, the walk-through pantry leads to the powder room, basement stairs and front foyer.
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If you don't have room for a walk-in pantry, get as many tall cabinets on one wall as possible.
Tip: Keep tall cabinets together. Using them in multiple locations can have the adverse effect of breaking up a space rather than helping to open it up.
Tip: Keep tall cabinets together. Using them in multiple locations can have the adverse effect of breaking up a space rather than helping to open it up.
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| Continue the European feel with an open furniture-style island. You have to give up the closed storage that base cabinetry offers, but you can't deny the impact on the look. Go for something vintage to add texture and a more collected-over-time appeal. |
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| This sleek, modern kitchen defines the look that many modern kitchen manufacturers are known for. All base cabinets and tall cabinets with not a wall cabinet in sight. I'm thinking this style may have begun with fact that many of Europe's older homes may have stone walls which aren't perfectly straight. What a nightmare it must be to hang wall cabinets! |
Ideabook updated on Dec. 8, 2010.
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Agree, lizaveta! And thanks so much isabella_max!
Sincerely,
Amanda
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Sherbear, that's terrific - I'll check out your work and your blog!
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