Microwave position – an unusual solution
Fitting a microwave into a small kitchen is often difficult to do without some sort of compromise. You need it to be readily accessible, but not to be too much of a focal point. Over the range is my pet hate, as it is both ugly and hard to reach. Under the counter on an island can be done, but this makes the microwave difficult to use. Under the wall cabinets between sink and refrigerator is convenient, but the microwave can mess up the visual rhythm of the cabinet run, or if placed on the counter, it takes up too much work surface. 
At casanaute I came across an unusual and striking solution in the home of architect Frederic Tabary. It’s a microwave elevator – so you only have to look the dreaded machine when you really want to use it. This is a solution suitable for the even the fussiest microwave hater (me?).
There are plenty more pictures of this unusual kitchen, and the rest of the house too, so be sure to check them out here.
Clearly, there is some very out-of-the-box thinking going on in this place. The dark cabinets with the stainless steel are great, though, and I love all those different shades of gray on the walls. A very unusual kitchen indeed.
Oh I love the idea of the deus ex machina – complete with heavenly music and little baroque fluffy clouds.
That’s a really fun solution, and a cool kitchen.
I just can’t seem to get around the fact the counter is really the best place for a microwave. The kids can reach it, it’s convenient for me, and there’s counter nearby to take out hot items. I really wouldn’t want the extra step of calling the microwave down from the sky, deus ex machina. Mine would always be down, unless I had a project of cooking or washing up on the counter.
I use my microwave to soften butter all the time, or to melt chocolate into butter. Or to make an individual serving of mexican hot chocolate. Lately my kids want me to buy donuts from the shop, which they take home and rewarm in the microwave. And of course, there’s the prosaic rewarming of leftovers. I don’t want to kid myself: I use that microwave many times a day.