Kitchen of the Week: Smart Storage Solutions in Indiana
There's more than meets the eye in this stunning walnut and stone kitchen — stashed-away supplies hide inside sleek cabinets and drawers
While this Indiana kitchen has plenty of square footage, the clients wanted to use the space more wisely. Designer Susan Brook worked with the couple and their young children to determine exactly how they'd be using their kitchen on a daily basis. Then she custom designed beautiful horizontal-grain walnut cabinetry to address a number of storage needs, and durable porcelain floor tile and stone counters to stand up to use by the kids.
Tambour doors in several locations keep often-used appliances and dishes, along with the family's favorite snacks, hidden.
Refrigerator/freezer: Electrolux; perimeter countertop: soapstone
Refrigerator/freezer: Electrolux; perimeter countertop: soapstone
Brook installed three rollout trash cans: one under this knife drawer and two more in the island opposite the main sink. She spent time with her clients in their previous kitchen to see how they used the space for everyday living, and the new kitchen’s layout reflects this functionality — for example, a chopping board near the knife drawer with a trash can underneath, and utensil and dish storage near the dishwasher.
The marble island top is finished with a laminated, rounded edge.
Drawer pulls: Quincy, Restoration Hardware; island sink: Elkay
The marble island top is finished with a laminated, rounded edge.
Drawer pulls: Quincy, Restoration Hardware; island sink: Elkay
Glass backsplash tile and a minimalist induction range maintain the kitchen's clean look. Brook carefully planned for ample space between the perimeter and the island so multiple people could use the kitchen comfortably. Generally she recommends aiming to have enough room for two people to walk past each other, even if it means reducing cabinet depth.
Glass box tile: Crossville; induction range: GE Profile
Glass box tile: Crossville; induction range: GE Profile
Blum Aventos and Avanti hinges allow the upper cabinets to open upward to the ceiling. Brook also installed a special lower cabinet for the mixer (which is heavy) that easily lifts up and out.
Brook loves to put corner drawers in a kitchen. Not only do they take up otherwise wasted space, but the corner allows them to be extra deep.
Originally this wall was flat, with an underused walk-in pantry. Brook built in a custom chef's pantry with an adjacent bookshelf with wine storage. The two glass display cabinets on either side slightly curve in for a more finished look.
Brook designed the built-in bookshelf to repeat the cross design of this Restoration Hardware dining table. An elegant chandelier from Ballard Design and leather barrel-back chairs complete the warm, sophisticated look.
Dining table: Railroad Tie Concrete Top table, Restoration Hardware; dining chairs: Restoration Hardware
Dining table: Railroad Tie Concrete Top table, Restoration Hardware; dining chairs: Restoration Hardware
The previously plain ceiling had 6-inch recessed lights installed all over. Brook designed a plaster coffered ceiling — taking into account exactly where the cabinets would fall — and added pendants to complement additional recessed lighting.
Pendants: Schoolhouse Electric; bar stools: Overstock.com; flooring: porcelain tile, Crossville; cabinetry, shelving: custom, walnut