The Inspired Intermedia digital book collection
Issue link: https://inspired.uberflip.com/i/1515398
112 Now more than ever, kitchens are becoming the jewel box of a home — which is to say, they are exquisite in both form and function! Homeowners are thinking like chefs, with big center islands that are not only the showpiece of a space but also serve as the main area for dining and entertaining. As a result, we are seeing an interesting trend happen, and that's the resurgence of the butler's pantry as the workhorse of the kitchen. Carving out this tucked-away area in a kitchen provides room for a second ref rigerator, dishwasher, prep sink, storage, and more, to help keep the "main" kitchen as aesthetically beautiful as possible with plenty of room for gathering and dining. For example, in this "mountain modern" kitchen that exudes rustic sophistication, we added a functional walk-in pantry with a rolling ladder that allows for the storage of gadgets, appliances, and snacks. This affords the back wall of the kitchen to be entirely composed of windows, offering unobstructed views of the valley vista and beyond. Automated motorized shades integrated into the window cavities ensure thermal comfort and privacy. Adding this pantry gave the kitchen a completely new lease on life! Likewise, celebrating a stunning view or introducing more natural light into a space are additional ways to also bring vibrancy into a kitchen. It can be helpful to remove upper cabinets, which can often block views and the flow of light. If the kitchen layout allows, increasing the indoor-outdoor connection even more through doors that fold away and extend into a screened porch can also add renewed energy. These transformative shifts in kitchen design are surefire ways to breathe new life into any space no matter its style, f rom mountain modern to classically elegant and beyond. DESIGNER'S ADVICE Breathing Life Into Your Kitchen Breathing Life Into Your Kitchen by Ryan La Haie 42° North – architecture + design