A Design Philosophy

:: Function and Movement

Function comes first.

Understanding function starts with careful study of your cooking needs, storage requirements and preferred ways of cooking. It means good ergonomics: the counter and shelf heights that suit your family, for example. It means tight, compact storage, with key things stored at the "point of first use". It means a thoroughly studied layout, with very well organized work centers, which contain all the items and supplies which belong to that aspect of kitchen work. Usually there will be a central, primary work area, that has the key tools and ingredients, and is only a step from the stove and a step from the sink.

Good kitchen design comes from observing and thinking about movement: how people move comfortably and gracefully as they work in the kitchen. And how stuff - tools, foods, supplies, trash, compost - moves or is moved through the kitchen as food is prepared and as the cleanup is done. People move in different ways, and a kitchen design should reflect these differences.

Getting these things just right is the heart of good kitchen design. You could have the simplest cabinets, the most ordinary appliances, and basic laminate countertops, and if you get the layout and storage design right, you would have a great kitchen.

It's also important to look at other needs: a cozy place to sit and read in the kitchen, a desk or message center in the kitchen, or a view of a pond or garden.