Family first

Everyone wants a kitchen that looks good. And most of us also want it to be hard wearing. But, to be fair, the durability depends on the amount and type of use it is exposed to.

The owners of this house are realistic about the knocks their kitchen will likely sustain over time. With four children, and a large circle of family and friends who regularly eat with them, they put function high on their list for architect and kitchen designer Duane Stone.

"We wanted a large, easy-to-use, kosher kitchen. It also needed to be family-friendly and the hub of our home," says one of the owners.

This kitchen includes two of most things two islands, one for meat preparation, cooking and casual dining, the other for dairy foods. The second island creates some separation between the kitchen and family dining table. There are also two sinks, dishwashers, ovens and refrigerators, as well as double sets of crockery, cutlery, pots and pans, all stored in separate pantries, so the owners can easily adhere to kosher cooking practices.

Granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and stained wood cabinetry are hardwearing and easy to clean. The patterned granite on one island helps disguise spills and crumbs, while the black granite on the second island and the perimeter work areas has a brushed finish so fingerprints don't show. Stained rather than painted wood on most of the cabinetry is also easier to look after.

"This is a large kitchen, so a mix of finishes and materials makes it more lively," says the architect.

Moldings on cabinet doors and drawers are simple and contemporary, in contrast to the more traditional detailing in the rest of the house.

For more details, contact Duane Stone & Associates, 2200 Century Parkway Northeast, Atlanta, GA 30345, phone (404) 325 4907, fax (404) 248 0966. Email: dnstone@mindspring.com.

Story by: Trendsideas