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How many people still prefer a table in the kitchen. Would you give it up to have a big island with stools? Or would you rather have a smaller island with a breakfast table and chairs?
Personal preference for me- ONE PLACE TO EAT. I am really troubled by formal dining rooms that no one goes into. And everyone I know will agree vehemently with the first four words of that sentence.
Frank Lloyd Wright's Usonian homes were the basis for the mid-century ranch. While these delightful designs were massively watered down, the basic structure is still there. FLW was a proponent (and by proponent, I mean despot) of built in everything. I personally prefer less furniture and lots of storage- the less clutter the better for my psyche.
We are taking our eat-in space in our mid-century and converting it to a 16' galley, and removing a wall to open it all up to our dining area.
A great resource regardless of how large your home may be is Susan Susanka's "The Not So Big House" and "More Not So Big House." Smart design!
Thanks for the input. I have "The Not So Big House" by Susanka and really enjoy it.I like her thoughts on opening spaces to each other (if you can't see it, you won't use it philosophy) Can't remember which of her books she gives ideas for people who think they need an addition to their ranch homes, but she shows how opening up the rooms to each other creates the home that people will really use!
I really want to get rid of the breakfast table. Having two places to eat just complicates the kitchen plan. Even if you have the space(which I don't), how do you make the plan convenient to two different eating locations.
I gave up the kitchen table for a large 8' island for seveal reasons. I have 2 big 36" base cabinets with drawers, and a 15" pull out, topped with an 8' piece of granite. That's a lot of storage. Plus, there are electrical outlets. I can still sit 4 people. I do a lot of entertaining and I think I will find the island more socialble when cooking during a party.With my recent remodel/rebuild, I removed the all the walls on one side of my home. The kitchen now leads into the dining area which leads into the living room. I have no need for 2 tables so close to each other.
I'm still almost through the remodel/rebuild, so I haven't put these things into practice yet, but I sure am looking forward to it. Here's a look at the almost finished kitchen island. Froday was a rally tough day - hence the Jack Daniels!
MCM - I made my island slightly smaller so that there's a 4' seating area, but still allows us to keep a kitchen table. We eat nearly every meal there, so it's important to us to all be able to sit there and be face to face. Having an extra table in the living/dining area is good for when we have larger dinner parties - doesn't get used all the time, but I don't actually feel like it's a waste of space. Maybe that's because it's not an entire room devoted to it.
Kelly - glad you mentioned the small house books. Everyone should read them!
Jo - It's so great to see your photo! What a gorgeous kitchen you've ended up with!
great counterpoint- it really is about how your house lays out, how your family lives and entertains. To say what everyone already knows, that's a core tenet of good design- and why everyone needs that Mission Statement!
And if you really don't LIKE something- little reason to keep it (if its within your resources to be rid of it).
jomoncon: I don't want to switch the conversation from mid century madam's original post. So, if you get some time and can post in the photos, I would love to see more of your kitchen! Quite beautiful!!
How many people still prefer a table in the kitchen. Would you give it up to have a big island with stools? Or would you rather have a smaller island with a breakfast table and chairs?
Originally I was going to have a peninsula with a table height section for eating in the kitchen. MIL has that and all her prep work is done sitting at that peninsula. But the spacing just doesn't work for my kitchen and the traffic flow. So I am planning to refinish an old kitchen table that my parents bought shortly after they were married and use that instead. We can move it around until we're sure of how the traffic patterns will work in the kitchen in the new house. Later if I want to change to an island or a peninsula, I can do that.
Since I am short, I HATE barstools and will not willingly sit at a bar height counter. :X
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