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.
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.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure it's simply an excuse for being unable to cook! Kitchens become 'showrooms'.
DeleteThe first house we renovated had a huge kitchen built on the back - so big I seemed to spend all my time walking round it!
ReplyDeleteI've never had a big modern kitchen, they've all been either a bit primitive or small.
DeleteMy kitchen is the same size as yours.....I don't understand these people on TV shows that exclaim about the huge areas of worktop!
ReplyDeleteThey also wax lyrical about how light the bedrooms are........you are going to sleep! Why do you need it light?
All very odd. I imagine they are people who never had much, and now they want everything.
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDeleteMy wife keeps saying that we need one more room, but if we had one, she'd probably need another.
DeleteMy 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.
ReplyDeleteIt'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'.
DeleteOur 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
ReplyDeleteOne 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.
DeleteThe 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.
ReplyDeleteI 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.
DeleteWe 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.
ReplyDeleteTwo 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.
DeleteI'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.
ReplyDeleteYes, not a lot of room for more than one in my kitchen. When my wife arrives, I leave until she's finished.
DeleteIt is the company that usually makes a memorable meal....
ReplyDeleteAnd 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!!
That doesn't surprise me. Some architects just view things on paper and have no idea of what it would be like to use.
DeleteWe reckonned that they always "dined out"....
DeleteYour 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.
ReplyDeleteAt 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.
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!
DeleteTheres 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.
ReplyDeleteI have seen it a couple of times. Her tiny kitchen is typical of many Parisian flats. You need to stand still to do everything!
DeleteI 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.
ReplyDelete