Help With Kitchen Design

15 years ago

We are just getting started on building Garrell Associate's Harmony Mountain Cottage( http://www.garrellassociates.com/floorplans/harmony-mountain-cottage ) . We had several adjustments made to the plan- including using the covered porch off the kitchen as a playroom. There will be french doors leading into this room. I am really struggling with the layout of the kitchen. If you were building this house, how would you lay it out? Where you put the refrigerator? Several people have put it on the wall against the lodge room....? I thought about doing that and doing stonework around it. As far as the stove- would you do a range or a cooktop w/ separate oven(s). My dad is a contractor and I have been in houses my whole life. I just haven't ever seen a kitchen quite like this one. ANY ideas would be great!!!! Thanks in advance! :)

Here is a link that might be useful: Link to Plan

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Comments (8)

bethohio3
15 years ago
I recommend posting this question to the kitchen forum. When you do, please put the picture within your post.
lavender_lass
15 years ago
Britney- I really like your plan! The kitchen seems well laid out to me. The fridge with the stonework around it sounds very lodge-like. I would have a separate cooktop and ovens (as it seems to be on the plan) and you have a great pantry, too.

The island sink is a nice option and all your appliances seem to be laid out in a nice pattern. There's no landing space next to the fridge, but the island should work fine for that. All in all, a very nice kitchen.

What are you planning to use for your countertops and backsplash? Anything particular, behind the cooktop? That will be a real focal point, from the island seating. Stainless steel appliances? What type of cabinets? I'd love to see your details...it's going to be a great project! :)
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jimandanne_mi
15 years ago
I can see why you're having difficulty with this, and I second the suggestion to post it on the Kitchen forum.

I couple of changes I can suggest--
The pantry is in the totally wrong place. I'd square that off enough so you could put a pocket door across the hall to shut off the bedroom wing from kitchen and Lodge Room evening noise, and use it as a linen and storage closet, maybe taking some of the space for the Laundry. Then put the pantry where the counters are on your right as you walk into the kitchen from the mudroom/PR.

Anne
jimandanne_mi
15 years ago
I can see why you're having difficulty with this, and I second the suggestion to post it on the Kitchen forum.

I couple of changes I can suggest--
The pantry is in the totally wrong place. I'd square that off enough so you could put a pocket door across the hall to shut off the bedroom wing from kitchen and Lodge Room evening noise, and use it as a linen and storage closet, maybe taking some of the space for the Laundry. Then put the pantry where the counters are on your right as you walk into the kitchen from the mudroom/PR.

Anne
davidro1
15 years ago
ditto to what Anne said. Pantry over, etc.

Make it one big deep sink in the island, and another sink in the rounded corner of the countertop.
jimandanne_mi
15 years ago
The shape and orientation of the kitchen has really been bothering me and not felt right. What if you made the laundry a rectangle, which I think would allow you to slightly reorient the kitchen and maybe use the space better. Not sure how you might feel about this, depending on where your best exterior views are. I don't have enough time right now to see how that would work out. Maybe later.

Anne
chicagoans
15 years ago
I agree with the suggestion to post to the Kitchen forum. There are some talented folks there.

It would help to know all the dimensions, for example the aisle widths. (Is someone working at the cook top going to bump rears with someone at the sink? Is there enough room to pull the refrigerator ALL the way and get behind it for servicing, without removing the handles or doors?)

I'm wondering where you'll do most of your prep... (typically between ref and cooktop with access to a sink); probably on the counter to the right of the stove in the picture. That looks like it could work. Where will the trash pullout go? You'll want access to the trash from both the prep and cleanup areas. So consider either swapping the DW to the other side of the sink and put the trash where the DW is now, or put the trash pullout next to the cooktop and across from the sink. (I think I'd like the first option better.)

I'd make sure that whatever wall / stone etc. is next to the ref is built to be shallower than the box of the ref, otherwise it will impede door swing.

Definitely consider all drawers for your bottom cabinets. WAY handier than regular cabs or roll out shelves. Best thing I did in my reno.
jimandanne_mi
15 years ago
I'd much rather have the window in the laundry than the powder room, especially if you are building in a cold climate area. You might try switching these two locations and redesigning that entire area along with the kitchen.

Since your husband is a contractor, I assume you must know that your dozens of exterior corners will increase the cost of this house. But maybe that isn't an issue for you.

Anne