A pretty kitchen makeover, but
This kitchen makeover article at Country Living was brought to my attention by the team at the kitchn.
photo Country Living
I have no problems with the choice of materials, the pine gives it a nice country look, the white and blue keeps it fresh, and the open oak shelves are great.
But I do take issue with the layout – a microwave over the range doubling as a hood is first, ugly, and second, dangerous, as you have to reach across whatever is cooking on the range to access the microwave. For most people the microwave is higher than ideal for safety in this position – the bottom of the microwave should ideally be chest height or lower. It looks as though all the wall cabinets here have been placed higher than usual so that they line up with the bottom of the microwave, which gives a more open look but also sacrifices storage space.
photo Country Living
Where would I put the microwave? Well it would require some adjusting of cabinet sizes, but I would be tempted to sacrifice the skinny panty on the right, and have a deeper wall cabinet with the sides extended down to the counter, and the microwave at counter height underneath it. Or I see a stool against the wall to the left of the sink – could that cabinet run have been extended leftwards, the sink moved over, and the microwave placed between the sink and the refrigerator? Without seeing a full floorplan, I can’t be certain.
I can’t understand why there is a reading lamp on the counter either – I hope it is just for styling, and not required by the lighting plan in such a new kitchen! Some of the things stylists do really grate from a kitchen design point of view.
The other item in this kitchen I have trouble with is the open shelf cabinet between the two windows – to me that kind of thing sticking out at shoulder height but not extending to the floor is odd and awkward – I’d rather keep the wall open to display art, or have proper shallow storage all the way down – but perhaps that is just me?
photo Country Living
I do really like the salvaged dresser, the wallpaper, and the table adapted as a low cost island, but I would be happy if I never had to see another microwave/hood combo in my life!
