2017 updates

The major advantage here, besides items being easy to grab, is that eliminating doors also eliminates the need for swing-space for them to open, allowing some storage to fit into a tighter passageway.

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In the Laundry RoomA dream laundry room is big and breezy enough to have ample space to work in and alleviate some of the drudgery of washing and folding with a little natural light or fresh air. However, even the most covetable laundry rooms only need so much storage for laundry supplies.Double up on functionality by adding pantry storage. It makes for a good use of space and gives you a great excuse to make your laundry room bigger than the bare minimum.See where to put the laundry room

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Pantry or armoire-like cabinets can open up to reveal an ample baking area. This is good for those who like to leave the area a little jumbled with equipment and ingredients. All you have to do is close the doors and you have your kitchen back to an uncluttered state.

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If space is an issue, you can get clever with your baking station. This custom island has a baking station extension that tucks away.

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PlacementIn this kitchen, the baking station is delineated by its furniture-like cabinetry, lower height and prime placement underneath the window. Baking with a view is wonderful! See more ideas for storing a stand mixer

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Interior designer Lourdes Gabriela designed this peninsula in her own home as a special spot for her family to make challah bread together every week. The leather-honed Snow quartzite waterfall counter provides a great surface for kneading the dough.See more of this home

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MaterialsWhen it comes to choosing a countertop material, marble is a favorite among bakers. Marble helps keep butter from heating up too much when it’s being worked. And aesthetically, it’s pretty easy to mix marble in with other surfaces in a kitchen design, whether as a complement or contrast.This photo shows how a baking station can serve as a design asset in the kitchen. Its style and materials create the look of a freestanding furniture piece that offers contrast to the rest of the room.

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Photos by David Papazian PhotographyOne of the most special pieces in the room is the painting over the fireplace, of Parker’s twin daughters. A beloved artist neighbor in Amsterdam asked if she could have the girls over to her home. Working from a little bit of posing, a photograph of them and knowledge of historic Dutch costumes, and using layering painting techniques of the Dutch masters, the neighbor painted the wonderful portrait of them and gave it to the family. The painting incorporates special symbols — for instance, the first-born daughter is holding one bird, while the second born is holding two.The family collected the masks on trips to Kenya and South Africa, as well as many of the objects seen on the bookshelves. The large gold vase was a going-away gift from Parker’s company in the Netherlands. The Buddha was given to the family by a beloved Amsterdam neighbor. “You are only supposed to get a Buddha as a gift,” Parker says, not buy one for yourself. The didgeridoo is from Australia. Parker worked for years in fashion and visual merchandising, and her fashion, art, travel and design books are some of her favorite things to have close by.

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Plantation shutters are a popular choice for kitchens. When shopping for interior shutters, it’s important to know if you are buying custom shutters truly built for your windows or if the company will take stock panels and cut them down to fit. Often, the prices are very similar.

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