Musings on a Magnificent Kitchen

Anyone who loves to cook ~ and entertain ~ fantasizes about the ultimate dream kitchen replete with top of the line appliances, a perfect triangular work space, an area for friends and family to sit and chat while you're creating delicious fare, unobstructed space to interact with and enjoy your family, watch TV or just gaze into a flaming fire in an open hearth.
Last week, as part of my current assignment, I was styling a photo shoot for an incredible kitchen layout designed by a highend cabinetry/kitchen designer in Millburn, NJ Sawhorse Designs. When I went to view the kitchen the previous day, it was messy and unkempt, kind of like your hair looks after a sleepless night tossing in bed ~ understandably the young mother has two young children, one still in a high chair and probably game at tossing unwanted food wherever. With a hint from my client that the kitchen needed to be spanking clean, I went on my way to purchase everything that would make the kitchen photo shoot spectacular ~ colorful tulips, vibrant veggies, tall columns of candles, crusty bread, cheese, napkins and placemats to coordinate with the kitchen counter stools upholstered in a deep cranberry red fabric.
When we started to focus on the total ambience to shoot, I was awed at how the kitchen of yesterday had been transformed into this dramatic, yet warm and inviting kitchen overlooking an absolutely comfy, cozy and inviting family room lit with a flickering fire. The entire layout was perfect from the entry through the mudroom, fitted with cubbies for each family member, into the welcoming kitchen and family room, separated by pillars framing an eight-foot granite counter atop decorative storage cabinets ~ perfect for setting up a spectacular array of savory dishes for entertaining a host of friends; and tucked away in a corner of the family room was a small wet bar housing a wine cooler unit and bar for hosting cocktail hour.
The transformation was truly dramatic.
And, today, the trends in kitchens are dramatic ~ no longer are they just rooms for cooking. Kitchens have become the hub of the house ~ a gathering place for doing homework, crafts, working at one's desk, family camaraderie and friendly entertaining. Cabinetry has become colorful, warmer and richer ~ resembling and replacing free standing furniture. This is the kitchen look of today, tomorrow and the future. For ideas on giving your kitchen a fresh face, take a look at the kitchens on Sawhorse Designs website. They are truly beautiful, welcoming and totally home-chef friendly.
The dinner bell has rung ~ Bon Appetit!