MAKING THE MOST OF KITCHEN SPACE

I’ve been known to watch the Food Network — or, more recently, food shows on Netflix — for hours on end and one thing I’ve noticed (other than how hungry they make me) is how all of the chefs’ kitchens look relatively similar. Other than the basics, like creating a work triangle with the cooking/preparation area, sink and refrigerator to maximize functionality and ease of movement, and ensuring you have three good sources of lighting (including ambient, task and accent lighting), what’s most important is having a design that works with your own, personal flow. Patrizia Giacomini, a designer for Cuisines Steam, which is a custom kitchen design and manufacturing company, and coquo, a modular kitchen company that Cuisines Steam’s founders recently opened, has a few tips to help home chefs create their very own professional-grade kitchen. “Plan it well. A kitchen that flows well and responds to your needs is a kitchen that’s a dream to cook in, so it’s important to take the time to evaluate how you work in order to determine the flow and proper placement of the workstations,” Giacomini said. “Once that’s determined, the storage can be optimized accordingly. Take the time to analyze your habits and your needs before focusing on the look.” According to Giacomini, what makes a kitchen layout efficient is having items easily accessible, instead of stored away. “Think of using modules with open shelving so you can display your everyday objects and have them ready whenever you need them,” she said. “Be creative with your storage; invest in items that make you happy and display them with pride. Think of organizing your pantry items in drawers, to make them easier to retrieve, or in pretty jars on a shelf, and store cutting boards and cookie sheets vertically in narrow cabinets.” Easy and intuitive access to a pantry, pots and pans, utensils, crockery and cutlery can make all the difference when you’re preparing a meal, whether it’s a simple affair for one or a veritable feast for a large group of friends. “Having multiple prep spaces so several workstations can be used at the same time is another key,” Giacomini said. “Noble materials such as wood, metal and natural stone are resistant, durable and timeless; they age with dignity.” Counters made of noble materials are not only durable and classic, they’re also known for their antibacterial and anti-staining properties, making them ideal for areas where you’ll be doing most of the peeling, chopping, and blending. In addition to maximizing your counter space, installing two sinks is another pro move — but make sure the sink-to-faucet height ratio is correct and that you have the right kind of faucet for the shape, size and material of your sink. It avoids water splashing onto the countertop every time you strain pasta or wash dishes. “Small spaces are a challenge because you want to maximize on storage without crowding the space with cabinets,” Giacomini noted. “The general goal in a small space is to make the kitchen modules look like they’re part of the furniture, so that the kitchen feels integrated into the rest of the space and the overall look is harmonious.”

Super-small kitchens, like the ones found in studio-sized condos, are often laid out against one wall. An easy way to create a work triangle is by adding a movable island that can be used for food preparation and then tucked away, if necessary, when no longer needed. For people with larger homes and more kitchen space, Giacomini suggests eliminating upper wall cabinets in favour of base ones, to give the kitchen a more refined and streamlined look.

MELANIE ELLIOTT PHOTOS, COURTESY OF COQUO Modular furniture with strong, clean lines defines this kitchen area, which benefits from being near windows that provide plenty of natural light. The furniture, stained a monochromatic dark colour, draws the eye away from the light coloured walls and blonde hardwood flooring, and ties in with the dark refrigerator.

An easy way to create extra work space in a super-small kitchen is to add a movable island that can be used for food preparation, like the trestle table shown here.

PHOTOS COURTESY OF CUISINES STEAM Open shelving is a great way to keep frequently used items close at hand and allows you to display the things that bring you pleasure, like a bright green plant or some colourful jars and containers.

Black stained oak shelves appear to float along the brick feature wall in this Old Montreal loft, adding an eye-catching element to a kitchen area that has an industrial yet elegant feel.