It's interesting that one can set a wood cabinet right on the countertop a few inches from a cooktop. I wonder why she didn't move the sink to the right so she'd have more counter space next to the cooktop.

It looks like a radiant heat cooktop, if so they don’t heat up the surroundings much. On the sink position, it’s a very small counter and my guess is that no matter where the sink is, you’re prepping on a board set on the sink.

I don’t know any more about the kitchen than what we see in the pics, though, and was mostly interested in the style.

John Liu: "It looks like a radiant heat cooktop"

No, it's induction.

It's very handsome. I am assuming the refrigerator is the cabinet to the left of the oven.

Lovely kitchen.

I'm thinking she did not design this kitchen with our help. Maybe next time. There are many functional alternatives in this space. A 600mm/24" induction range allows more counter and even more with the added space from the deletion of the wall oven. Task led lighting seems lacking and would be a good addition to the current setup.

I'm wowed by the mix of materials. The wood is gorgeous. I love the silvery backsplash. Painted I supposed. And the ceramic locust is both beautiful and scares me. She has an incredible eye for mixing shapes and materials.

Regarding sink position, it is possible that the drain location is not easily moveable in this apartment building kitchen. Regarding vent hood, I live in a NYC apartment and we don't have one either. No exhaust allowed. Recirculating fans don't so much.

Glad you shared this.

It certainly is attractive and creative. It would be interesting to see the rest of the apartment.

Believe me, in those little kitchens people cook more meals ( from scratch) on daily basis than here in those pretty and big kitchens ;-)

It's spectacular. Restrained but fun. I, too, like the bug.

Love love love it.

Thank you for sharing this - love it! A view of Brussels would be amazing. (I noticed the cicada on the wall too, having lived through their invasions multiple times in my life. I still shiver when I think of walking into the house not knowing I had one on my back until it crawled onto my neck! I'm glad hers doesn't have the red eyes!)

It’s really beautifully done! Thanks for sharing it here.

John, I’m sure you’re familiar with Les Cigales (cicadas) a frequently seen Provençal symbol; cicadas make music, and love the sun! Is your French daughter from Provence?

Yes, she’s from Marseille! Where my (actual) daughter keeps a little apartment and will spend June. I had planned to go to France this summer myself, but that’s been delayed :-(

My French daughter will be visiting Portland this winter, and I’ll get more intel on how her kitchen is working.

Her mom’s kitchen in the Marseille house is cool too. Small galley kitchen, cool materials and textures, just off the spiral staircase. They are a family with good design eye.

I think the fridge is indeed paneled in.

I’ll be in the land of Les Cigales in less than a month!

Oooo I am envious. It won’t be too hot yet!

Very chic.

Cool! What I love, designwise, is that the wall provides some feeling of separation, whille the big, interesting opening prevents the claustrophoblia that one can get in a narrow space. The wall also keeps dropped oranges, and sink-slippery whatever from rolling too far. ;)

Reminds me of my friends’ kitchen in NYC. Amazing what you can do in small spaces