This is kitchen planning 101 for the most often used space in your home! Kitchens adjoining a family space have been popular for many years. Appliance manufacturers have upped their game allowing the integration of these spaces with great options! Go for beautiful and functional! Whether a remodel or new build start with the wall that is the most visible from the adjoining area. If a refrigerator can be seen directly from the entry, living room or dining room make it disappear! The is nothing pretty about a large stainless steel box! Often, the more symmetrically balanced the focal point wall is the better it looks. The island or islands in front may help create this balance. Asymmetrical detailing with lighting added is more contemporary. Farmhouse, transitional, and contemporary are the most popular styles.
How do you function in your kitchen? You put away groceries, take out food, wash it and then grill, microwave, bake, or in some way prep it so this spacing is critical. Garages are usually handy to the kitchen. The outdoor kitchen is also a consideration for the main kitchen placement. The dishwasher is usually to the right of the sink. Another sink close to the refrigerator and microwave creates a handy work triangle. Does the main sink need to be large enough to stash dirty dishes while entertaining so you're not looking at the mess? A divided sink with disposal in one section? Add pet and medication needs if necessary. The work kitchen may be behind the entertainment island in a separate area (expanded butlers pantry).
A Wolff range (hood) creates enough weight to make it a focal point, but it is not easy to have both the refrigerator and the range on the same wall unless it is a long wall! So move the fridge to a sidewall and create more of a u-shape. The range eliminates the need for wall ovens so less of the visible upper cabinet space is consumed. Preferences for gas/electric enter in at this point. The microwave can be under-counter or tucked in a stack with the wall oven, steam oven, warming drawer and/or coffee prep. Walkways with an opening oven and refrigerator doors can be a hazard. Provide landing space for food and hot dishes. Wood panels add options for refrigerators and dishwashers to blend in with cabinetry.
Island or a peninsula? Consider traffic flow, seating, and continuous countertop space. Do you want to watch tv in this area? Kitchen islands form great work areas and gathering spots! A view? Do you want guests to look out to the view or at your cabinetry? Bar stools on both sides allow table type interaction. Consider the number of people you want to seat. Bar stools or chairs or both with two levels customize the space for your family and friends. The island can have a sleek waterfall end or a European farm table look.
Choose the best combination of appliances to start your focal point wall. It may be a Wolf range and custom hood and/or stunning tile. Sub-Zero, Miele, Thermador (Crestron connectivity) and others have created options for you that make all of the appliances blend with either wood panels or by using painted cabinetry that blends with the appliance finish. The appliances may be from many companies and finishes and handle compatibility need to be considered. There are so many companies that make good appliances that selection can be confusing. Therein lies the dilemma for choosing compatible appliances that will be viewed together in one area!
REFRIGERATORS Sub-Zero has been the industry standard for quality in luxury homes in the US. (In other countries, it is Gaggenau.) Sub-Zero has reformatted its line so its integrated components can be used side by side. Integrated options have no visible hinges or grilles. Options are the 36" and 48" refrigerator, the freezer options of 27" columns, refrigerator and freezer drawers, the French door and more. The built-in products can be installed side by side in a handle to handle configuration only. In a handle to hinge application, a vertical cabinet divider is required. The refrigerator/freezer does have two compressors and many chefs and homeowners conclude that the food stays fresher longer with a compressor for the refrigerator side rather than warmed air from the freezer side that a single compressor refrigerator has.
Consider:
- Miele-gray and brilliant white options
- Monogram-Cafe includes a matte white, stainless, matte black, hardware in black, bronze, stainless or copper and touch to open features
- Liebherr (European contemporary) with a stainless interior option
- Samsung "Family Hub" (check inside while shopping)-golden hued color available,
- Whirlpool Smart Appliances allow automated cooking with a mobile app
- Jenn-Air (integrates with Nest)
- Bosch's line of 24" appliances are great for compact high end living-black stainless options
- Gaggenau evolved from professional kitchens with refined engineering that is rugged and sleek, handle-less minimalist line, and limitless cooking options. The new Vario series doors open with a push.
- Smeg and BlueStar for look and color
- KitchenAid now has 8 colors and stainless for their commercial-style range
Kitchens are labor-intensive. Use as much advice as you can get from appliance manufacturers that are selling products every day along with designers that can make space visually flow and function well. If selecting from one manufacturer to simplify the process Thermador, Monogram, Kitchenaide, and Miele have good choices for every appliance you will need.
GENERAL KITCHEN INFO - Recognized quality appliances are a benchmark for luxury homes. The refrigerator needs to be integrated with wood panels or the stainless steel appliances need to be distributed around the room in a balanced design. The ovens and range will not have wood panels options. The wood panels for the dishwasher, refrigerators, and freezers are made by the cabinet maker and not included in the refrigerator price and if a handle is needed (some are integrated) then start with this over-sized handle and coordinate cabinetry hardware with it.
The next 
most sought after appliance in custom homes is the Wolf RANGE for gas cooking. Again a favorite with chefs. The scale of this range can easily create the basis for a focal point in the kitchen with a custom hood above and great backsplash detail. A recent article featured a kitchen with a Wolf range, a La Cornue rotisserie, a Miele Speed oven, a Miele Combi-Steam oven, a Wolf warming draw, and a restaurant-grade BlueStar Salamander broiler. Another had a Wolf range, a Miele Combi-Steam oven and warming drawer, another had two Wolf ranges with a separate Wolf electric wall oven, convection steam oven, warming drawer and microwave. An Officine Gullo rotisserie completed the cooking options. Miele's steam oven has water extraction build in. GE and Frigidaire have new ranges with air-fry technology. LG's 48" dual-fuel range was recognized for innovation. Blue Star has hundreds of color options in addition to custom. Dacor can match a swatch. Monogram has a built-in pizza oven. Monogram also has an Advantium speed oven.
If WALL OVENS are being used with a cooktop additional room space will be needed for them along with door opening consideration. They do give the option of electric ovens with a gas cooktop.
STEAM OVENS are the most popular new appliance. The new Wolf convection steam oven allows owners to cook sous vide in steam mode along with many options for more perfect results including sanitizing. An entire meal can be prepared in this small, time-saving oven. Most are adding but not deleting the microwave. Check if the water needs to be dealt with after each use.
Additional choices - Monogram (has wi-fi connect), Thermador and Miele. Thermador’s Pro Grand Range offers steam and convection oven, six gas burners, griddle/grill, warming drawer, and an additional convection oven. Want a more European look? French top of the line La Cornue's Chateau has ten new colors and 8,000 configurations. Bertazzoni embraces Italian culture. The Aga for color, but they heat the room-great in some areas. They do have a conventional gas stove suited for the US market. Blue Star's features and colors may appeal to you. Miele PureLine and ContourLine designs in white, truffle brown, black, and steel. Bosch range with warming drawer appears built-in. Check websites for further information.
If you are making a CUSTOM HOOD, you need an exhaust liner. Vent-a-hood is quiet and a great choice, but Monogram, Kitchenaid, Thermador, and Wolf have dependable options as well. There are over 200 companies that make hoods if you are not doing a custom design. Zephyr has some interesting styles with a dimmable LED light that exceeds Energy Star requirements! Poggenpohl Visor range hood is integrated into the cabinetry. Miele has received awards for the Lumen hood in stainless with an LED light band. Considerations for performance and minimum noise from hoods: never make the size or area of the duct smaller than the size that originates at the hood-the larger the ductwork the better. Do not exceed 50 ductwork feet and separate two 90 degree elbow turns with at least 24” of straight ductwork. When using a remote exterior blower, use one 90 degree elbow to reduce noise transmission back to the hood. Place transition pieces at least 12” from the hood outlet or remote blower inlet. Codes determine the height off the heat source and the closer it is to the size of the cooktop/range top the better it will draw. Ceiling mounted hoods that allow more design options are available from Miele, Wolf and Broan. Miele's vent in the ceiling was used in the top photo allowing space for the beautiful mosaic tile. The maximum height for this is a 9'ceiling. Overhead hoods are more effective than downdrafts. GE Hub has a smart touch screen and ventilation combo/recipes and streaming.
Add appliance garages for often used or heavy appliances. Cabinetry resting on the countertop allows for heavy mixers, toaster ovens, and coffee stations to be at the best height AND out of sight. File drawers for appliance info, storage for children's art, display cabinetry, open shelving instead of cabinetry, recycle and trash drawers, recharging and additional sinks near the frig all add to efficiency and comfort.
OUTDOOR KITCHENS are so popular that manufacturers are daily introducing new options. Grills are available from Wolf, DCS, Capital, Monogram. U-Line has an Energy Star rated outdoor under-counter refrigerator. Kalamazoo Outdoor Gourmet has a dishwasher.
Other Great Appliance Considerations
INDUCTION COOKTOPS are so fast and easy. They heat up in seconds and you wipe the glass top clean. Thermador, Wolf, and Miele are all good choices. Make sure you have enough power if you intend to use all burners simultaneously. Thermador can remotely run diagnostics-check Freedom. SapienStone in the porcelain surface. Check color options and blend with countertop if possible.
New technology makes it possible to use induction under a continuous countertop so the entire surface is available when the heating element is not in use. Place pans anywhere on Thermador's Freedom. Wolf has a countersunk cooktop as well as 15" wide modules in electric, gas or induction. Fisher & Paykel has a 12" wide two-burner induction cooktop. Miele's induction cooktop communicates with their ventilation hood through Con@ctivity 2. Gaggenau's Vario 200 Modular cooktop has gas or induction options, wok burners, grill tops, etc.
WINE COOLERS: Sub-Zero (option 30" integrated with refrigerator and freezer drawers and ice maker, 4 temperature zone options), Monogram, Marvel, Kitchenaid, GE Profile and U-Line.
DISHWASHERS: Cove, Miele (G7000 is self-dosing), Bosch, Asko have models that heat the water to a higher temperature and are very quiet. Energy Star ratings ensure water efficiency. Most control panels are hidden. The handle may be integrated and/or wood panels with a handle added. Stainless interiors add durability.
Fisher Paykel has DRAWER DISHWASHERS, check for sizes with the manufacturer.
GAS COOKTOPS: Thermador, Wolf, Dacor, and Monogram.
MICROWAVES: GE for general use/warming. Miele, Wolf, and Thermador for real cooking. Several of these are made by the same manufacturer. Sharp has a microwave drawer that is useful for spacing considerations.
Fisher-Paykel has a multi-temperature REFRIGERATION DRAWER as does sub-zero, GE and Kitchenaid.
WARMING DRAWERS: many options from the above companies.
WALL OVENS: Wolf, Thermador or any of the above companies. GE Profile 900 has an in-oven camera and air fry technology.
ICE MAKERS: U-Line, Scotsman-Brilliance for ice purists, Sub Zero, Marvel, GE Monogram with Forge Sphere Ice Press-those large ice balls for bourbon drinks, Viking and Kitchenaide. Prefer a certain shape? That may be the determining factor for the brand. Pebble ice? Scottsman.
WASHERS AND DRYERS: Miele and Asko under counters. Whirlpool Duette, Electrolux, GE Profile and Maytag for other considerations. Start with color if that is a priority!
PIZZA OVENS: Independent unit from kalamazoogourmet or order the oven from Earthstone to create a custom design inside or out.
GARBAGE DISPOSALS: InSinkErator has always been a top garbage disposal-their new low profile PRO 1000LP series is redesigned and improved. 2hp preferable.
WATER FILTRATION: Aqua-Pure, Body Grow, Environmental Water, and Overture.
Consider adding a reverse osmosis system.
Don’t forget the KITCHEN SINK! Stainless steel sinks are rated by gauge. Farmhouse sinks are popular with one large interior space and provide more space behind the sink. Other configurations that separate the garbage disposal area from the other section or sections. Function, spacing and design all enter into the choice. Material choices include porcelain, enamel, composites, stainless steel, copper, concrete or cast iron. Integrated solid surface sinks are one with the countertop, sleek and easy to clean. Add sinks for vegetable prep, drinks and pets. Blanco (check out the Ronis Entertainment Sink featuring MicroEdge), Elkay with the largest color selection in addition to a stainless steel farmhouse sink, Franke, Kohler's Neoroc in eight colors, and Rohl are some of the best and the same companies have faucets. Brizo's Coltello faucet has a LED light to indicate temperature. Grove's LadyLux3 Cafe Touch allows you to tap your foot to turn the water on and off. Kohler Setra is voice-activated to dispense precise volumes of water at specific temperatures. U by Moen /smart Faucet was awarded Best Smart Technology. Kraus Purita 2-in-1 Kitchen Filter dispenses two options. Additional companies for faucets include Newport Brass, Grohe, Blanco, Brizo, Dornbracht, Kallista. The same companies typically have bath faucets, handles, and showerheads. Add soap dispensers and water filtration from the same companies. Hands-free faucets eliminate germs, running faucets and add convenience.
79.6” is the highest a person 5’3” - 5’7” can reach. When reaching over a 25” base cabinet the distance for reach is 69”. 24” off the floor is the lowest comfortable reaching distance.
48” side to side and the front 18” of the countertop is what is used.
Adding a television? Viewing, cabinetry and electrical considerations need to be considered.
COUNTERTOPS: (Also check that section on this site) Tip: Over 70% of home buyers and those remodeling consider granite, marble, limestone, quartzite or quartz countertops essential. These products are durable and attractive. Quartz is gaining in popularity and has lighter and solid color options that are not available with granite. It is a man-made product, the costs are similar to granite but is maintenance-free. Avoid setting hot pans directly on the surface as the resins in composites may discolor. I have tested samples and have not had a problem with discoloration. The longevity of the finish with the natural stones depends on how the countertop is cared for. Stone cleaner and stone spray will extend the finish. Limestone and marble are higher maintenance. Black granite works with many cooktops and the quartz composites in gray easier maintenance than concrete.
Another showstopper is the Officine Gullo bespoke double oven range in more than 650 colors and three finishes.
Bertazzoni of Italy has Ferrari and Lamborghini colors.
W Collection by La Cornue re-creates the owner as a master chef!
The AGA Marvel Ra
nge features two hot plates, three radiant heat burners, cast iron ovens with presets at the correct temperature for roasting, slow cooking and baking. The newest color, Claret, is inspired by Bordeaux wine!
La Canche is another import to consider for color or style.
Dacor has voice kitchen technology as part of its Dacor iQ Remote App and you can pick the range color!
Alexa will also save you time! and Escali linked to an app can track calorie and nutrient intake!
Built-in COFFEE STATIONS are another luxury option. Miele, Wolf, Thermador and Bosch have varied features, some with owner voice activation. TopBrewer has just the faucet exposed. Add space in the cabinet under it for the appliance.
There is more inspiration and information on my Pinterest boards!
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