Multiple-user Family Kitchen

The multiple-user family kitchen had limited countertop area, a pie-shaped small pantry, and an enormous desk that wasted space. It was very difficult for more than two people to work in the 1980s traditional-slye kitchen.The family of five had to take turns cooking and cleaning. The room was always dark. The large desk was always cluttered.

Before: A rectangular island divided the kitchen and made work more difficult for multiple users. The only light was a recessed fluorescent fixture.

Before: A rectangular island divided the kitchen and made work more difficult for multiple users. The only light was a fluorescent fixture.

Before: Kitchen desks often become the center for clutter. There was a small triangular closet pantry adjacent to the desk. Total waste of valuable space.

Before: Kitchen desks often become the center for clutter. This desk was large; the homeowners admitted that it was never used as a desk. There was a small triangular closet pantry adjacent to the desk. Total waste of valuable space.

Multiple-user Family Kitchen: The desk was moved to the family room (left, foreground), and the desk area became floor-to-ceiling custom pantry storage. A peninsula provides 4 times the counter space for the entire family to use, and for casual serving

Multiple-user Family Kitchen: End of the peninsula, adjacent to the built-in refrigerator. Prep sink was placed adjacent to the cooktop, with generous countertop space for multiple users; the faucet can be used as a convenient pot filler. Separate work areas provide maximum flexibility and function.

Multiple-user Family Kitchen: Several work centers placed where multiple helpers can work, without interfering with others.

Multiple-user Family Kitchen: Several work centers were placed where multiple helpers can work, without interfering with others.

Multiple-user Family Kitchen Detail: 10-foot ceilings allowed visually-interesting soffits, and avoided dust problems. The soffit above the main sink is paneled wood. Other soffits are framed, with two levels of crown moulding.

Multiple-user Family Kitchen Detail: An angled cabinet serves two purposes: softening the space between the end of cabinets and a corner, and providing an area for lit display.

The remodeled kitchen has a large, uninterrupted countertop that the entire family can use simultaneously, with a separate baking-preparation area, a cleanup area, and food preparation-cooking area — preparation and cleanup are a joyful experience. A large prep sink is between the refrigerator and cooktop at the end of the new peninsula, easily accommodating three people. When the family entertains, there is an enormous serving-buffet area adjacent to the eating area. The remodeled kitchen has nine feet of custom pantry cabinets, making storage and retrieval a delight. The kitchen has state-of-the-art dimmable lighting providing maximum flexibility for all kitchen activities.