Transform a Kitchen Into the Heart of Your Home
When you host an event at your home, whether it’s a formal dinner or an informal gathering, most of the time everyone hangs out in the kitchen — whether you want them to or not. Here’s how to transform a less-than-ideal kitchen into the heart of your home… in time for Valentine’s Day or any day!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer.
If your kitchen feels dark and dreary, the best action you can take is to reveal more light! Someone once said, “If the kitchen is the heart of the home, then windows are the soul.” Enlarge exterior windows or add a skylight to bring more natural light in and make the space feel more airy. If you can’t knock through walls or ceilings, you can more easily add pendant lights to your existing space.
Once you have a brighter kitchen, adding an island will create additional workspace, doubling as a gathering space where everyone will want to sit and chat while you cook. Make sure your island includes seating and storage, and fits into the kitchen work triangle whenever possible.
The way to anyone’s heart is through their stomach, and a great way to ensure quality ingredients is with quality appliances. This Belmont kitchen renovation added a Sub-zero refrigerator and Wolf oven/range combination. Investing in high-end appliances that last a long time, won’t break down, and perform well such as evenly heating throughout, will make this kitchen a delight for years to come.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Paul Dyer.
Special finishes such as a great backsplash provide excitement and enjoyment that you can live with a long time. But if you do change your mind, it’s relatively easy and fast to replace, without making your kitchen a construction zone.
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer.
Bring in warm elements. In this San Francisco farmhouse, the countertop next to the range is made warm and inviting by adding an end-grain butcher block to one end. A single section means it’s easier to keep clean than an entire countertop made of wood, and it’s charming!
Design by Kimball Starr / Photo by Eric Rorer.
Good space flow, warm elements, quality appliances, and natural light will make your kitchen a place that nourishes both body and mind. Give your kitchen some love today and contact us to turn your kitchen into the heart of the home.
San Francisco Bay Area interior designer Kimball Starr, provides kitchen and bathroom design for homes throughout Northern California and Lake Tahoe region.
