What Goes Into a New Kitchen?

This newsletter is inspired by a current kitchen project where we needed to respect the chronology of the design stages.

For this renovation, we were replacing the appliances and in particular, adding a larger six-burner range! Since the range was island bound, the solution for ventilation was a ceiling mounted exhaust … creating a complex sourcing and ordering process for the custom hood that would have enough CFM to accommodate for the new range.

One of the challenges was the requirement for “Makeup Air,” a separate venting system to compensate for the air flow so the exhaust would not extinguish the flame on the heating system or hot water heater. The necessity for makeup air is becoming more common for any exhaust over 400 CFM, especially in tight, new-built homes.

Knowing the homeowner’s desired appliances and placement requests were paramount when I was planning and designing the layout, because the specifications of the appliances affect the size and function of the cabinetry, the cabinetry affects the workflow, the workflow affects the lighting needs. The components are all interrelated.

LESSON FOR THE DAY

Always start with your appliances. They should never be an afterthought, or an “if we have enough money” at the end splurge. The appliances, their size, placement and function determine the layout for the rest of your kitchen.

Planning a kitchen remodel can take months and having a designer by your side could be the single most valuable benefit, prompting you through each important decision in the right order, while providing all of your functional solutions and aesthetic options.

Let’s Talk About It!