Thursday, June 11, 2009

A Place for Everything...




I am busy planning my new kitchen, and you will see it the minute you open the door, so it has to be functional and look stunning.

Since the space is more of an urban loft style, I am planning a modern clean layout – a straight run of kitchen along one wall with a long table in front. This design is the best use of space, keeping the open feel rather than narrowing or cluttering it visually with cabinets. That said, I collect a lot, so I also have a plan to maximize storage as well…

The entire back wall of the apartment will be dedicated to storage – a place to have clutter but keep it unseen. The trick is to disguise it within the architecture of the room and turn it into a focal point. Since it will be facing a large 10 x 10 window, I plan to use mirrored floor to ceiling doors and a transom to reflect the light and visually double the size of the room. In addition to providing storage, you will see the reflection of the table and chandeliers - pretty.

As always I would love to find a great old doors and a transom window to place above, but depending on the space I have to work with, it may need to be custom made. As soon as the walls come down and I can do a real measure I will know for sure.

Here are a couple inspirational pictures which convey the architectural storage I have in mind.

4 comments:

Dream Mom said...

I can't wait to see your new space. I loved your studio apartment in Manhattan and I remember how you used transoms and mirrors for storage and to let in light.

Many years ago, on HGTV's Homes Across America, they featured the San Francisco condo of designer Paul Vincent Wiseman. He had a spectacular 900 square foot apartment across from Grace Cathedral. In his dining room, he used mirrored doors, it was actually arched mirrored doors, that were absolutely exquisite. He surrounded it with these furniture drawings (now antique) and it looked marvelous. He joked on the show that the doors went to the ballroom but it was interesting because the doors really blocked a window with a poor view. By installing the mirrors, no light got in the condo however it was still amazing. It was probably one of my favorite spaces, small and elegant with a beautiful view.

Kelly Giesen said...

That is a great story - I wish I could see the space! Funny enough, I was looking at a set of 4mirrored doors which had been the entrance to the ballroom at the Plaza Hotel. I thought how similar this would be to that grand an entrance, but with nothing but stoarage behind. It sure makes for a great story - reminds me of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. I loved that story as a kid.

Dream Mom said...

I think if you google him, there should be a link to Architectural Digest; you'll find the link to one of his apartments and if I recall, they showed the room.

Kelly Giesen said...

perfect...thank you!