Kitchen Design
Kitchen of the Week
Kitchen of the Week: A Part-Time Space Fully Satisfies
A scaled-down approach doesn't mean sacrificing, in this heavenly white kitchen with all the modern conveniences
Although this pied-à-terre kitchen in San Francisco gets less use than one in a full-time home, the owners still wanted all the conveniences of a complete kitchen. Used mainly for a week to a month at a time, it has 82 square feet of space — meaning the owners had to keep their wish list to a minimum. To make the kitchen feel like home, they hired designer Mimi Chen, who brought in an elegant folding glass door, smart countertop organization and a fitting dining set — creating a casual but elegant space that's ideal for light cooking and dining.
Chen installed a long horizontal window above the countertop to help visually expand the space. A 1-inch step in the ceiling gives the kitchen and dining area a subtle sense of definition.
The kitchen's width is 7 feet, 6 inches, and Chen designed a 34-inch-deep counter. The extra depth allows for items and appliances to stay visible without blocking necessary prep space.
The Gaggenau 12-inch Vario gas cooktop takes up minimal space with its two burners, but it has the operational power of a larger cooktop.
The Gaggenau 12-inch Vario gas cooktop takes up minimal space with its two burners, but it has the operational power of a larger cooktop.
A small range hood from Zephyr ventilates the tiny cooktop and has built-in task lighting. A small custom stainless steel sink is appropriate for less dish washing, and a built-in soap dispenser cuts down on counter clutter. On the underside of the window head, a small outlet strip is hidden but convenient.
Hood: Twister, Zephyr
Hood: Twister, Zephyr
Porcelanosa cabinet pulls help dress up the Ikea cabinetry. The upper cabinetry doesn't butt into the ceiling, allowing a strip of LED lighting to define the recess.
Undercounter refrigerator: GE
Undercounter refrigerator: GE
The kitchen floors are made of durable and ecofriendly Terrazzo Crete, a custom-made polished concrete with exposed aggregates and iridescent fragments that shimmer in the sunlight.
Chairs: Overstock.com