The Open Plan Kitchen : Is it right for you ?

The common refrain whenever one suggests an open plan kitchen is that is not suitable for the Indian style of cooking. I have never subscribed to this curry logic but yes, there are pros and cons to weigh when you decide which type of a kitchen is more your style. The first thing to assess is whether you are doing most of the cooking yourself or leave it to hired help.

How chutney merry are you? ---If your culinary gene is of a dominant strain, then chances are not only do you spend a lot of time in the kitchen, you also love to cook. If that be the case, then voila--- the open plan!! It makes cooking more fun, interactive and lets you connect with the rest of your living space, rather than imprison you in a dungeon of spice and heat, while the guests are having fun. It lets the ‘cook’ participate, but it also makes the kitchen a social space.

Make a small space look bigger—By knocking off a couple of walls and integrating your kitchen with the living/dining you can really ‘open’ up the space and make it look much bigger. This will also allow for better movement within the home and increase the level of interactivity. . It can be a breakfast bar, a work area, a part of the living space and a place to cook. All in one.

The social network ---An open plan is ideal for those who love to cook and entertain, as well as families that would like a higher degree of interaction in activities. The kitchen can be a great place to catch up on the day’s events, have a quick breakfast together or generally interact with guests even as you cook that perfect meal. The open plan is ideal if you would like to chat with friends/family while you simultaneously do your chores or be a part of the party and not just the host- who-was- hardly-there

Family focus--- When the open plan kitchen is integrated with dining and living space, you will find that a family, especially a small one, connects better and spends more time together. When you break down that wall that separates the kitchen from the dining/living you are also saying to yourself as a family---let’s talk more, become a part of the process and connect as much as possible. There is increased participation in the activity of cooking and a sense of shared duties. You can help your child with homework while you make a nice salad or catch up on your favourite TV serial while preparing a gourmet feast.

Determine your clutter quotient --- One of the primary reasons people shy away from the open plan is that it demands a high degree of tidiness and organisation. If you can’t keep you kitchen spanking clean then the open plan is just not for you. A messy open plan kitchen can be a veritable eyesore.

No compromise--- Remember, that with an open plan, you ability to cut corners and compromise due to budgetary constraints will be highly restricted. You absolutely have to get it right the best way possible so unless you are willing to make that extra effort, this is really not an option.

Gadget basics---If the plan is open then the appliances should be built in. Flush fit hobs, concealed chimneys, built in dishwashers, compact refrigerator and microwave, concealed oven etc are a must to keep the space as defined and smooth as possible.

Ventilation Funda--- This is the key to good design. There must be air circulation, light and needless to say, the cooker hood has to be a really good one with a top notch extractor fan. Without these elements the open plan is a disaster in the making.

Light up that fire---- As always, lighting is an integral part of any design alternative. In an open plan kitchen not only must the task lighting be effective but you have to also give as much importance to ambient lighting so that the place is warm and inviting and blends in with the living space around it. It should not stand out like a sore thumb.

Material clause---- What materials you choose for an open plan kitchen will largely is determined by the overall design and theme of your living area. In this case it cannot be a separate entity. It is necessary to incorporate various elements of design that will ensure a thread of continuity between the various areas—living/ dining/kitchen. An interesting backsplash is a very effective way of creating the necessary drama. Choose materials that are easy to maintain and keep clean. Cabinetry needs to be planned to meet every possible requirement and then some. Use different elements like glass, wood and steel to create niches and keep the space from being a mass of woodwork.

Floor plan--- As with any kind of kitchen design, the floor plan is the most essential aspect. Leave this to a professional. You can zone the kitchen area with a differentiation in the flooring from the rest of the living space. Your windows and ventilation options will dictate the technical aspects. Placement of gadgetry to maximise use and minimise visual eyesore is mandatory in an open plan. The cabinetry will need to be designed not just to suit your practical needs but also cater for the aesthetic appeal and an element of the theatrical. In addition, it needs to flow seamlessly into the adjacent areas and complete the picture.

No restriction on style---Although the open plan kitchen is primarily associated with modern design, it can be tailored to suit almost any design dialect. It is a misconception that it needs to be minimalist or contemporary. You can have an equally inviting country charm design or a classical elegance defined in the open plan. The choice is yours and as long as it works well with the rest of your living space, there are no boundaries.

Define space---If you would like to maintain a division between workspace and interaction, the island is a great way to achieve that. The dining space should be as close to light as possible.

When you make the kitchen the heart of your social space in the home, it is taking a big leap in the right direction only if you understand the pros and cons and take a call on whether it is suited to your family mathematics. The budgetary statistics are secondary.

Pics via Living Etc Hewitt Designs This Old House Mydeco Gap Interiors Qassimy cooking Aurdecordesign Rentals Phuket Remax Malta Styleture Safehands mallorca

Black defines luxury : Elegant bathing

In contemporary interiors, I guess there is no colour that has quite the luxuruious appeal of black. It is however, a rare colour to be found in a bathroom. The Yoko Suite by THG exemplifies how grand and dramatic this colour can be even in a bathroom.

Pics via Styleture

Tweet Space :) --- Twitter's new office in SF

The employees at Twitter moved into a new office in San Francisco about a month ago. I thought it would be interesting to share the pics with you, here on my blog

It reflects the trend that will dominate a lot of interior spaces in the year ahead ----- interesting use of pattern and texture, an eclectic approach and modern minimisalism embracing its colourful and relaxed predecessors.

Again, in keeping with trends, there is a lot of black and industrial design features that have been used.

The curves are back on and off the ramp :)

The space was designed by Sara Morishige and you can read about her thoughts and design process here.

There is a DJ in the house too !!!

Love the cute decorative pillows. The whole office is fun, interactive and very 'tweet' !!!!

Pics via Twitter on Flickr Laughingsquid   Techcrunch Craig Kohtz Business Insider

The Space behind Facebook

It has changed the way we interact. Added an entire new dimension to our lives. Caused much frustration ( Farmville updates by friends) , allowed us to connect with friends in such a convenient way, made us incredibly lazy (can't write a long email anymore !!) and brought sharing into a new dimension.

So, have you ever wondered where all the people behind facebook work ?? Should be a fun office, right ? I dug around a bit and here's what I found. Needless to say, it is everything that facebook itself is :)

This was earlier a lab facility for high-tech measuring instruments !!! It is now  a lab of a different kind !!! Located in Palo Alto, California. Designed by Studio O+A

Apparently, given the non-hierarchal structure of the organisation,during the design process inputs were taken from facebook employees, discussions held on FB and , all that info was collated and put to good use !!

FB earlier had separate divisions in various locations. These nuclear offices maintained their individual space within the new building and connected to each other using the interactive spaces !!

The senior execs are all in the centre---accessible to the netwrok around them and connected to the social, dining and discussion areas.

Much of the old structure was retained in its original form, many of the walls left bare and unfinished, the industrial look maintained and spaces created that allowed for change and redefinition.

 

And if you need to get from one place to another you can roller blade there !! Serious !!

 

They have differentiated various work/interactive areas using colours and kept the rest in a fairly industrial/unfinished form.

Images via Cool Boom

Design for small spaces: Increasing the square foot visual

When space is a constraint, you need to remove the shackles from creativity and find ways to maximise functionality without compromising on the style quotient.


LESS IS MORE: The biggest fallacy is that it is necessary to use small pieces of furniture. In fact, a couple of big pieces would be far more effective and make a room look a lot less cluttered.Introducing pieces that are versatile in their use would be more appropriate.

LIGHTING: As I always stress, lighting is the key to transforming a space. Using the proper kind of light to highlight the various aspects of the room is essential in any room, but especially so in a small one. Accent lighting for art work, the use of table and floor lamps, appropriate wall fixtures and recessed lighting can completely redefine a space. Not only does a room look more inviting, it also eliminates shadows and brings in depth and drama.

OFF THE FLOOR: Maximise the view of the floor, which means keeping the items off the floor and with sleek bases. Keep the floor as bare as possible. A reflective or highly polished floor is better than a dull one. One colourful rug should suffice to liven up the floor.

REFLECTIVE SURFACES: A limitation of space inevitably means you need to focus on elements that will give the illusion of are. Reflective surfaces do this most effectively. Whether it is a well-positioned mirror or a glass top table, both will draw in light and vision. Using mirror top tables or even steel will increase the depth of the room. While choosing accessories, try to focus on things that are made of crystal, have highly polished surfaces or glass to invigorate the play of light in the room. In a small bedroom, using mirror panels on the wardrobes would be a good way to increase the sense of space. Even an interesting ceiling with reflective faux finish will add to the square foot area.

MULTI PURPOSE FURNITURE: Creative use of furniture for storage and use will go a long way in opening up your spaces. Using a sofa that converts into a bed is ideal for a small room that needs to double up as a guest room occasionally. Chests as coffee tables and tall drawer units can be used to store items and for display. An extendable dining table that can also be used as a work desk, with stools that can be tucked away at the base would be better than a conventional six seater with chairs. For seating, consider using ottomans that have storage and can also be put away when not in use. In a kids room, use a trundle bed and storage cabinets with a drop leaf that can be used as a desk. Tall storage units which can have slim shelves in the front instead of door panels will give you a lot of ‘hidden’ storage and also serve their utility for books.

SLEEK LINES: All furniture should be as sleek as possible. Keep the legs and base sleek and slim. Use armless sofas and stools or a bench for seating. Not only does it look lighter, it also allows for easy repositioning and adds to a feeling of expanse.

VERSATILITY: Keep in mind that the more versatile a piece of furniture is, the more options you have in the use of the room. As long as it can be moved around easily, you will be able to redefine the space for virtually any need. Keep all drawer units on wheels and maintain minimum dimensions to maximise functionality.

COLOUR: A monochromatic tone works best for a small space. If you want to introduce colour keep it to one element, whether a rug, an interesting artwork or decorative pillows. Basically, as long as the room the eye to absorb without finding too many elements to hinder a composite view, your purpose is achieved.

POINT THE ARROW UP: In a small room, push the vision as far up as possible. Take the drapes all the way from the ceiling to increase the vertical. Make storage panels slim, but take them all the way up to the ceiling and ensure that they blend in with the walls as far as possible. Placing shelves high up on the wall and using them for display is another way by which you can increase the feeling of space and draw the eye upwards.

LIVING OFF THE WALL: The biggest mistake in a small room is to line all the furniture against the walls. Think out of the box and position furniture so that it does not accentuate the walls. Bring the focus to the centre or to a certain element in the room. . An interesting screen placed in the corner with a floor lamp and a stylish chair will bring in the necessary drama to a room

HANG IT: Use wall space for storage panels that are positioned at different levels and use the same for display as well. It is better to have 5 small pieces used for storage than one big piece. Mount media units on the wall, thus allowing for ample storage but keeping them off the floor. Use interesting artefacts on the walls to draw attention to the accessories and take the focus away from the size of the room. Try and ensure the accessories and furnishings coordinate well so that the various elements add to the warmth and character but do not detract from the overall visual enterprise. Do remember that all artwork needs to be positioned at the correct height and cannot be taken high up.

PARTIONING: Use partitions as a room divider in place of a wall. You could use the entire partition as a storage element and have it serve as a wall. Wardrobes in a small room need to give you maximum storage but not make the room smaller than it already is. The basic rule of cabinetry - the bigger it is, the more you need to make it blend in with the walls.

BREAK THE RULES: Be innovative and the less you conform the more likely you are to see your perceived limitation as unexplored possibilities. In a bedroom, don’t opt for the conventional bed. Get one to suit the dimensions and optimise the use of space while retaining the need for design. You do not need to have things in pairs or sets. The more you try to create uniformity the less likely you are to be creative.

Once you decide to see your space in a creative way you will realise that no matter what the limitations, you can cater to all your needs and still make it make the space aesthetically pleasing. The square foot visual will stretch as far as your imagination.

Read the article in Outlook Money