The Fundamentals of Theme Kitchen Planning
By Donald Cooper
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Theme Kitchens Theme Kitchens are romanticized versions of past or present experiences. They are identified by historical fact or the human emotions felt from gathered texture, color, and shape. To enhance the felt emotion, Kitchen Designers will use concepts outside the realm of kitchens such as architecture, furniture, and culture. A fine example of this is prevalent in the Victorian kitchen. A true Victorian would have never allowed their guest to gather in a room meant for cooks and scullery maids. The kitchens were featureless at best and were purely functional; storage bins, open shelving, and large tables used as work service were the main features. Frequently located in the basement, many Victorian kitchens consisted of several rooms divided for purposes of cooking, storage, and washing. Meant to show wealth, the other rooms of the Victorian home were embellished with detailed moldings, carvings, and wainscoting. These are the things we associate the Victorian era. Today’s Victorian kitchens are much more detailed than their true ancestor. To enforce the Victorian theme features that were once reserved for other rooms are now brought into the kitchen. Victorian Kitchen Victorian kitchens are actually high society period kitchens representing a time of Queen Victoria between 1834 and 1901. Since the subject emphasis is one aspect of the 1800s it is considered a theme. Moldings are large and detailed. Range hoods or hearth surrounds should stand out and represent a time of fireside cooking. Islands or parts of should be tabled legged and appear movable. Embellished wall and ceiling coverings of rich primary colors are preferred. Tin-ceilings will highlight an American flare of the Victorian era. Exposed cabinet ends and backs should be decoratively detailed. Cabinets of different heights should be used to mimic as separate furniture pieces.
Commonly associated with the Victorian era painted cabinetry was not a common practice until after the period. A more accurate depiction would be darker wood species.
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Old World Europe The French and English Country kitchens are similar. Like out of a fairytale the feel emphasizes on a romanticized version of an old-world cottage. Painted or faux finished cabinetries are commonly chosen. Open cabinet and creative nooks are used to create an old-world handcrafted appeal. Hardware should be simply detailed and suggest antiquity. French Country will take on a feminine side. Smaller moldings and curved lines will predominate in chosen products. In contrast the curved lines for an English Country design are predominating in the building’s architecture while the product choices are straight-lined. The decorative details of the French Country will emphasis feelings of a small farm cottage as shown in pottery or fabrics of farm animals. English country will be decorated with botanical details reminiscent of an old world country garden.
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Arts and Crafts The Arts and Craft kitchen will appear as been handcrafted by traditional artisans. The products chosen will give a sense of having been made with primitive tools and techniques of long ago. The emphasis is on natural materials while focusing on a simplistic ideas and choices. Wood species such as oak or hickory will be chosen for its heaver graining detail. For its handcrafted appearance Straight lined door styles detailed with peg joinery are preferred. Countertops should be natural materials such as stone, copper or wood. Open soffits with exposed or faux beams work well. Windows should be thought of as focal points and not covered with valances or heavy treatments. Moldings are straight lined with minimal detailing. Hardware should appear handmade and mat finished.
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Tuscany Tuscan kitchen emphasizes on handcrafted appeal with bold embellished detailing. Carvings and inlays are used to showcase woodcarvers of the past. Wood species with grain detail or worm holes are used to simulate chestnut, (Used commonly in old world Tuscany) Water is also an important feature of a Tuscan kitchen. Faucets should be noticeably detailed. Elements usually associated from the exterior such as masonry and irons are brought indoors. Hardware should be appear heavier them conventionally used. Colors should be earthen or color washed to reflect a rustic appeal. Cabinetry doors should be detailed and heavy in appearance. Single larger doors work better than double smaller doors.
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Chefs kitchen/ Industrial The chefs or industrial kitchen emphasizes on residential function it is not meant for restaurant planning. Rather it is meant to radiate a strong feeling of one. In this type of planning “function precedes form” plays a heavy role. The kitchen should not only look like a chef’s dream; it needs to function as one. The materials and appliances are planned around personal use and needs. One kitchen may be planned with a pizza oven another may require a specific baker’s area. Cookbook holders and stands may be needed. Spice cabinets need to be located for ease of use and far enough from heat and humidity. Handles should be elongated to accommodate ease of use. Two or more counter top materials and heights should be chosen for particular food preparation. Appliances should be separated to support being used at the same time. Interest detail is provided by texture and color; rather than embellishments. Materials need to be chosen for ease of clean and sanitizing.
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Period Kitchen Mimic and authentic are two formats designers use when planning period kitchens. Authentic planning should only be considered for a non user kitchen and is better left for museums and history tours. The mimic kitchen is planned with today’s guidelines and safety requirements while creating the feel of a particular time-period. For example a dishwasher would not be planned in an authentic 1800’s kitchen. A mimic kitchen is planned with concealing methods or chosen brands to accommodate the feel of the period. Color and material choices should be accurately portrayed in reference to the chosen period. 1950s through 1960s polished chrome or brightly colored plastic was the hardware of the time. Mid 1930s and 1940s metal was needed for military and was limited. The hardware would have been wood or glass. Sink products can overlap. Example, pre 1920 wood, stone, and copper are common sink materials. Cast-iron was popular from 1920s- throughout 1950s. The popularity of steel sinks began in the 1940s and continues today. Contrariety to popular belief the under-mounted sink is not a modern invention. Particularly in the late 1800s early 1900s, It was commonly seen in upper class washrooms and butler’s pantries.
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Modern / Contemporary While clean lines and minimal detailing can be associated with modern and contemporary; the materials chosen for these design concepts have more to do with a way of thinking then their characteristics. Modern scheme materials are chosen based on ease of function and up keep for today’s fast paste family. Bold colors are commonly used to accent flat surfaces; laminate cabinets are often chosen for its clean ability and wide range of color choices. The materials used in a contemporary scheme are based on the way of thinking of today’s retail market. Keep in mind in 1920 a cast-iron sink would have been considered contemporary. For example the materials used in today’s contemporary kitchen would be chosen based on the green concept of today’s thinking. The chosen counter tops might be made from refused material. Cabinetry brands would be chosen for their Green Certification by the Environmental Stewardship Program or ESP. Appliances would be chosen for its energy star rating.
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Kosher Kitchen The Kosher Kitchen is not based on style and is not considered a theme. Without going into thorough explanation Jewish law delegates there is a separation in the serving, storage, and preparation of meat and dairy and their designated utensils. The planning of this type of kitchen is not merely based on separation; it is also personalized on an individual bases. One family may find a double-bowl sink sufficient; another may require two entirely separate sinks. Appliances should be chosen with holiday settings, faucets with two separate handles should be chosen over a one handle. The preferred counter top material is stainless-steel; granite, quartz, and solid surface are acceptable with contingences. Many design themes can be incorporated into the Kosher Kitchen.
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Universal verses ADA Kitchen The ADA kitchen is planned with the regulations and standards set by the American Disability Association. Universal planning for residential use matches these regulations to the mobility and limitations of individual and family needs. Importantly, Universal planning focuses on ease of use by all family members. Accessibility, mobility and passage are the emphasis. For wheelchair mobility heights should be measured to accommodate counter top placement. ADA compliant counter heights are 34” from the floor. Sinks are no more than 6 ½’ deep. Faucets and fixtures should always be ADA compliant. Cabinet toe-kick heights and depths are increased to allow for clear passage and counter use. Storage space, Prep area and appliances need to be placed for accessibility. Electrical switches or outlets may be located to individual needs rather than the usual. Refrigerator controls need to be at arm’s length and15 to 48” from floor. Combination fridge/ freezer must have 50% of the freezer portion at maximum 58” above floor.
Design concepts are not to make you feel tied within a particular criterion; rather choose your products and materials based on your likes and dislikes. Many concepts can be mixed to create your own individual theme. 14