Parlor Kitchen #1: Architect-Designed in The Slope

Any house dimensions? Width/depth of house is big factor on how layout works.
Nice, very nice (and generally I don't like 'islands').

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 10:23 AM

Beautiful. How refreshing to see appliances that are not all steel & black!

Lucky ducks, their butlers pantry area is what allows them to have a more minimalist kitchen and smaller wall cabinets. We had to build cabinets all the way to the ceiling in order to get the storage, because we didn't have a butler's pantry. Thanks for sharing this!

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 10:35 AM

We have a galley kitchen, 10:34, and I like it for functionality. I can reach everything quickly while cooking. I think there's some type of design chefs recommend, that is a galley style, and something to do with a triangle in terms of where the stove, sink and fridge are. Another option would be a big nice butler's pantry in the space you were thinking of putting the galley kitchen, and then you can put a small minimalist kitchen like this person did, in the family room. It's a good solution. I wish I had a big pantry. There can never be too much food and dishes/cooking pots storage in a kitchen. Except for a bachelor I suppose.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 10:42 AM

ballpark cost for this kitchen all-in, including architect fee?

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 10:47 AM

10:47 I'm guessing at least $75,000 for the kitchen, all in. We spent $50,000 and that's without an architect and we didn't buy appliances this high-end.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 11:08 AM

Gorgeous!

Are the counters marble? Anyone want to chime in on how that is to maintain?

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 11:39 AM

Absolutely gorgeous! Can we please see a picture of the dining area? Please, please, oh please. Thanks

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 11:58 AM

Some more information:

Project is a narrow brownstone, about 17'-0" clear inside. This dictated, among many other things, a narrow island.

There is no stove, of course, but a cooktop with wall ovens. Under the cooktop are open pull out shelves, one for pots and pans, one for lids. The dishwasher is in the island facing the cooktop, with (tight) clearance to get by when the DW's open. Also facing in is a trash pull out and a recycling one.

A breakfast bar takes up too much width in a narrow brownstone like this, and also strikes this architect as a little bit more diner than family, so the opposite side of the island, facing the dining area, has a panel that can hinge up to be a sidetable for serving, or perhaps for a small child eating.

Keeping the island counter clear obviously is important for the aesthetic. Part of the strategy here is to use a deep sink with a wire tray in half of it, so that some hand washing can dry in that half of the sink rather than clutter the counter.

The refrigerator placement is a compromise, yes -- the client selected this model, which does not have reversible doors, sadly. It does, however, pair nicely, layout-wise, with the 1/2 bath beyond it. The end of the island becomes the all-important landing space for items pulled from the refrigerator.

Floor is (cheap) cork, stained, in the cooking area. Comfortable underfoot and good with (minor) spills.

Counters are marble, chosen for speed of install and relatively cheap cost (money was saved by ordering counters 3/4" thick). Yes, they do stain.

The client saved money by having painted cabinetry, with real wood veneers saved for "events" like the upper cabinet doors or the island wood. This strategy of contrasting painted and natural woods was taken throughout the house. Cabinetry was custom milled at what I would say a reasonable price. Because brownstones and other old houses are filled with nooks and crannies, custom is often the best way to maximize the space, and in this case allowed for areas that could have had cabinets to not have to have cabinets. Absences and voids are important so that the whole effect doesn't feel like a pharmacy or a warehouse.

To this end the pantry allows for less cabinetry in the kitchen proper as well. Coming from the front parlor, there is a daily "dumping" space for mail and phones on the right, with shallow 12" cabinets top and bottom and a high backslash. On the left is a deep double-door pantry and a broom closet. Following is a low desk before the sizzle countertop starts.

A few other notes:

• Deep counters (say 30") in cooking areas allow for appliance storage in the rear space without sacrificing work space in front. I find it useful for this to be elevated in parts, like behind the cooking area. But too much length at 30" deep is massive, so in this install after the cooking area the cabinetry drops back 8" to give that end of the kitchen some breathing room as well as some clearance for the wall ovens.

• High backsplash areas emphasize the wall-to-wall distance, at the cost of less usuable storage. Again, the client chose keep the wide feeling and put seldom-used dishes and such up above, and food in the pantry.

• The upper cabinets are pivot doors which swing in a bit so that they don't swing too far out. The inswing space cannot be used for storage, of course, but in this case was used to hide the undercabinet vent hood ducting.

• The door to the parlor was bought salvaged and put into a new masonry opening where a window had been. Since the areas in front of both facade openings were put to use for circulation, a floor radiator was installed between the joists to get heat to the back of the house.

I'm sorry I can't comment on the cost, as it is "withheld by owner" and was part of a major gut renovation that was not specifically broken out by room. I can say it was far less than a kitchen from the German and Italian high end dealers in Soho, but it still hurt.

--an architect in Brooklyn

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 12:00 PM

I have a non working fireplace taking up precious floor space in my kitchen, Can the FP be removed? Thanks

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 12:03 PM

Yes, but the masonry above it (for the fireplaces above it) must be supported, say with two lally columns and a steel lintel. That was done in this project.

--an architect in Brooklyn

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 12:10 PM

check this out

http://www.delsonsherman.com/delson_sherman_apc/projects/parkslope_bs.php

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 12:16 PM

Whats your take on marble counters? I love the look of old marble so I dont believe I would mind the wear and tear...but Ive never lived with it day in and out. Would you advise against using it?

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 12:18 PM

Hi AAIB

What is the floor mat in the cooking area made of?

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 12:22 PM

Architect, How did you vent the dishwasher that you put in the island? If you didn't vent it properly that line isn't up to code and could clog. Any concerns??

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 1:22 PM

interesting.

It's seems the reactions are consistently positive (with good reason... it's a lovely kitchen).

and yet... there's no HUGE stainless steel appliances. (it's a big fridge, but it's nicely in there)

kudos!

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 1:44 PM

There's always a concern, 1:22. The DW and sink is vented as per, e.g., IBC 2003, Residential, Section P3112. DOB rough in inspection passed.

But really, the "did you meet Code" questions can be somewhat tedious.

--an architect in Brooklyn

Posted by: Anonymous at July 27, 2007 1:45 PM

Thanks Miss Priss. What kind of marble do you have? Do you treat it regularly or just let it as is?

Posted by: Anonymous at July 28, 2007 10:34 AM

Joe - I can't quite recall the green-beige used throughout the parlor floor (it's in a folder somewhere) and library upstairs, but the accent blue is called "Parma Gray" from Farrow and Ball. The trim throughout the house is all BM Decorator White.

--an architect in Brooklyn

Posted by: Anonymous at July 28, 2007 12:58 PM

I dunno, I think the placement of the fridge is perfect. It doesn't seem difficult to reach or work with.

Totally agree, AAIB about an island having a bar & stools seeming too "diner". I have never liked that or understood its purpose or usefulness. The extra stools in addition to dining table and chairs also clutters things too much.

Question: where are the small appliances? That's always the big thing for me, my desire to hide small appliances. I hate stuff sitting out on the counters. Is there an appliance garage in there somewhere? I chose a large pantry cupboard with slide-out shelves, to set appliances on, and take them out then put them away as needed. But I'm curious to hear what the latest ideas and solutions are for small appliance storage.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 28, 2007 3:02 PM

Is there other lighting aside from the spot lighting and the under cabinet? It looks great but it seems like it would be pretty dark this way.

Posted by: Anonymous at July 29, 2007 9:28 PM

I have just brought a brownstone in Stuyvesant Heights that has every detail from 1889 still it like the day it was built. The previous owner who lived in the property for 65 years was very particular about not changing anything about the home. Only one room on the fourth floor has been modified slightly. In keeping with tradition of the house I want to change as little as possible. I want to move the kitchen to the parlor floor but I do not want destroy anything such my closets. The new kitchen in a Victorian brownstone midway down on this page: http://homepage.mac.com/mwaia/PhotoAlbum5.html gives me a idea of what I want to do. Has anyone seen more solutions like this one?

Posted by: Anonymous at July 30, 2007 10:36 AM

"Question: where are the small appliances? That's always the big thing for me, my desire to hide small appliances."

Another compromise, of course. There are several deep cabinets (some to the right of the ovens, as well as the pantry) with lots and lots of storage space for such at eye level, but in practice a few key ones live on the counter (the microwave and the coffeemaker) or on the desk to the left of the microwave (a toaster). Again, since the counter is 30" deep at the microwave the front of the counter is still available for work space.

And 9:28PM, there is plenty of light in the kitchen. What is missing is two pendants (still not found!) for over the kitchen island, but there is adequate light without them.

--an architect in Brooklyn

Posted by: Anonymous at July 30, 2007 2:18 PM