As you might imagine, our bijou Brighton home has a bijou kitchen. But it contains everything that one needs.
Oven, hob, big fridge, washing-up machine, washing machine, microwave, sink, and a reasonable amount of cupboard space. We also have a separate outdoor larder. I'm not complaining.
Some of the nicest kitchens I've known have been small and primitive. A very good friend of ours, who lived in a huge chateau, had a two ring, bottled gas, camping stove, and an old wood-fired oven. She was a superb cook, but her kitchen was from the dark ages. It never held her back!
On a TV country home search programme that I occasionally watch, I am stunned by people who, having been shown a very large and over-equipped modern kitchen, declare it to be too small, not light enough, or doesn't have the right type of island.
WHO ARE these people? One has to presume they are women who don't cook, but just want a kitchen to flaunt in front of their friends or family. A good cook can always work, and produce gourmet food, in even the tiniest of spaces. Some of the most memorable meals I've ever had have been from outdoor kitchens. Rusty BBQ, old table for preparation, bottle opener, and good company.
33 comments:
I totally agree. We have a small galley kitchen which has the same things you have minus the dishwasher but with tumble drier instead. I find it perfectly fine and always cook from scratch. I think big kitchens just waste space and I have never understood or liked the idea of an island. I never understand why people want huge kitchens.
I'm sure it's simply an excuse for being unable to cook! Kitchens become 'showrooms'.
The first house we renovated had a huge kitchen built on the back - so big I seemed to spend all my time walking round it!
My kitchen is the same size as yours.....I don't understand these people on TV shows that exclaim about the huge areas of worktop!
They also wax lyrical about how light the bedrooms are........you are going to sleep! Why do you need it light?
I have always lived in bijou houses with equally bijou kitchens and managed fine but since moving here I now have a much larger kitchen. I quite like having more space to work in and when we have guests they all now congregate in the kitchen, which wasn't possible before.
I've never had a big modern kitchen, they've all been either a bit primitive or small.
All very odd. I imagine they are people who never had much, and now they want everything.
My wife keeps saying that we need one more room, but if we had one, she'd probably need another.
My kitchen, as a room, is big enough, but just one short strip of worktop space and very few cupboards, due to lots of doors and a very long window. There's not a lot to be done with it, so we've never bothered replacing the units we do have, which probably are as old of the house -60s/70s.
It's surprising how small most houses are, here in central Brighton. Most of my life I've lived in bigger houses, but some here are almost like 'Wendy Houses'.
Our last house had a huge kitchen and I hated it too much floor space with light coloured floor tiles murder to keep clean. We now live in a much smaller house with a small, well designed kitchen, it like yours contains everything we need and so easy to clean. I love it. Regards Sue H
One really doesn't need too much. I WOULD like two ovens, but I am quite happy. In France I have an electric oven and a wood burning one. Best of both worlds.
The first home I had all to myself was a tiny one bedroom end of terrace house on a mine in Namibia. If I stood in the middle of the kitchen I could touch the walls, the hob, the oven , the fridge freezer, the larder and the drinks cupboard. It was plenty big enough to cook for my girlfriend, now wife. However I do like a big kitchen with a view, you can sit having a drink while keeping an eye on things.
I agree about the view. Here we look out onto a tiny patio, but in France we have a BIG window that looks out onto stunning open countryside.
We live in a small flat (about 110 sq. meters) with a small kitchen. I did have two ovens installed, and an induction cooktop (gas is not an option in this high rise building.) I love it. I have had larger kitchens, but this one really works without needing roller skates to get around.
I've had large and small kitchens and much favor my current small galley kitchen. As others noted, they're easier to clean and far less steps required. My only complaint is occasionally guests (and husband) want to be in the room keeping me company and I find myself elbowing them out of the way. I once pulled a scorching hot chicken from the oven, turned around and slammed directly into a hovering guest. Chicken flew across the room. Dog wss delighted.
It is the company that usually makes a memorable meal....
And as for kitchen design, I think we need to blame the modern cooking programmes.
But, some women must never cook... my parents had a bijou kitchen when they moved to West Norfolk... and it was a husband and wife team of architects that designed the alterations... the kitchen was almost impossible to use happily&safely... to give room to move easily, the work surfaces were only 50cm deep on top of 50cm deep units....
fine, except all the work surfaces had cupboards over that were 50cm deep and only 40cm above the work surface.... it was impossible to use... I made Mum a pull down work surface that gave a clear area next to her cooker that wasn't head endangering!!
Two eye-level ovens would be my choice, but I'm quite happy with what I have. I agree, a small kitchen can be really good.
Yes, not a lot of room for more than one in my kitchen. When my wife arrives, I leave until she's finished.
That doesn't surprise me. Some architects just view things on paper and have no idea of what it would be like to use.
Your kitchen has everything you need. The size is just right. Like most of us here I do not want to have a large area to traverse. I stand at our sink or oven top and can reach everything with half a step.
At Xmas 3 of us have to step around each other but it's a jolly time. I move out and let the others get on with it.
Theres a tv series called "Recipies from a little Paris kitchen" also a book of the same name by Rachel Khoo. Worth seeking out. I have a feeling you would enjoy both.
I have a feeling that your house is a lot of fun. Lots of people, lots of good food, and plenty of energetic young people around. What could be better!
I have seen it a couple of times. Her tiny kitchen is typical of many Parisian flats. You need to stand still to do everything!
I like "Escape to the Country" but some of the prospective house buyers are most irritating and I can't help wondering if they have always seriously thought through their planned moves.
We reckonned that they always "dined out"....
The size of a kitchen does not indicate the capabilities of the owner to prepare a great meal. Size means nothing.
I can attest. My kitchen is large, and I cook maybe 3 dinner meals really well. Once you've had the 3 meals, the show is over.
I consider myself an ordinary cook.
Cro, our kitchen is not large... the cooking area is basically the same size as yours seems to be... but the Aga takes up almost one wall. We love it, but counter space is limited... especially for holiday baking.
I couldn't agree more. Very irritating.
3 under your belt isn't bad; many have none, and rely on frozen pizzas every night.
In Shropshire we had a small kitchen with a coal-fired Aga. It was very old-fashioned, but lovely.
I like your kitchen very much - It looks very well planned - Mine is small, shabby and not at all chic - Floor is muddy these days - I manage - flis x
Your kitchen looks almost identical to the one we had here, when the house was just for holidays - perfectly adequate and even had a dishwasher. When we moved here permanently and extended the house, we had a much bigger kitchen built so that there was room for our three dog's beds and for them to sleep in comfort. Needless to say, they managed to find their way into our bedroom and there they stayed!
A fantastic kitchen doesn't make a rotten cook any better!
Post a Comment