Even this small galley kitchen has plenty of room for storage. The space was 8' x 14' before renovation, and 8' x14' after! But what a difference! What had been an open passage with an 40" x 96" island became, with a new wall, a beautiful galley kitchen fit for a great chef, a true gourmand, and several helpful friends. A room to cook, to organize the day, to enjoy fine music, be surrounded by familar objects d'art, and perhaps sip a refreshing cocktail in the waning hours of the evening.
You'll notice I really like drawers; this kitchen has seventeen! A variety of drawer sizes is also important, because not everything put in drawers is the same size. Trash compactors are always the best and greenest choice, and the dishwasher offers multiple settings for different cleaning needs. These appliances are GE Profile, selected because they combine mid-range value with high-end features, in a reliable and servicible package.
While this home is on a septic system, we've found a disposal that works well with it, and is both powerful and quiet.
The appliances are Stainless Steel...inside...where it counts. With painted cabinets and warm maple floors, the appliance's surfaces are bone enamel. The hardware is Brass by Baldwin, with a simple cup design chosen not to catch on aprons or clothing.
Open shelves serve two purposes in our southern adaptation of the French Country Style: they hold necessary information, our cookbooks, and they hold precious heirlooms that remind us of wonderful cooks of past times. No truely southern kitchen can ignore heritage and aesthetics. Shelf surfaces are hand rubbed and sanded so bookends don't stick, and objects don't cling. Finishes are matte to assure a "crafted" finish, a finish that does not looked sprayed on, glossy and machine made. We want a mild hand hewn look, with noticible grain lines, so oak is the wood of choice for these painted cabinets, and maple or yellow poplar for washed or natural sealed finishes. The finish chosen reflects the light available, the size of the space, and most importantly, the preference of the client.
Wall cabinets should always be 42" high, unless the space won't allow it. Even if you can't reach the upper shelf, place those special or seasonal dinner ware pieces up high. Corner wall cabinets are installed without "lazy susan" style shelves as such devices limit the use of half the available surface storage area. In areas where small items might well be of value, such as for spices and condiments near a range or prep area, "lazy susans" are a wonderful convenience.
Always use a liner, high gloss paint or solf hand-rubbed finish on shelves that hold crystal, glassware or dinnerware; you'll avoid chips and scuffed rims on your glassware and scuffs on your plates and serving pieces.
Among other niceties are drawer dividers for flatware and silverware. The adjustible wood dividers shown here are useful for sorting oversize pieces. Built in dividers are great, and cost very little when constructed with the drawers. And silver cloth can save an awful lot of elbow grease when polishing the silver. Today, manufacturers offer a large selection of ready to install drawer and cabinet accesories. Everything from drawer dividers to slide out cabinet trays; even vertical pull out pantries, which allow access to both sides of each shelf. What is most important is that your design allow you to utilize every available shelf, drawer and cabinet productively. The items you use most often should be so easy to reach that it becomes second nature for you to put your hands on what you need when you need it!