Outdoor Kitchen - Part II

I met with my outdoor kitchen client last weekend, and presented my design for her new outdoor kitchen!  I also was able to see the landscape plan, which was completed by RedTree Landscape Design out of Fort Mill, SC.  It was amazing.  I was in awe of all of the beautiful plantings, trees, and hardscaping that the designer has planned for the yard, which is now just a green grassy expanse.  The elements and principles of design are basically the same between interior design and landscape design (consideration of scale, proportion, balance, space, texture, color, etc.), but it's the execution and the tools that differ significantly.  Regardless, I have little experience with landscape design and am so appreciative of their talent and abilities!

Photo courtesy of RedTree Landscape Design

 Now onto the kitchen!  For those of you who are spatially oriented, the first drawing shows the floorplan of the space.

The space divides up nicely into entertaining areas (bars), lounging areas, and grilling/food prep areas.  In the landscape plan, the designers proposed some raised beds and climbing vines along this bottom corner, adjacent to the grill area.   Supposedly there are some shade-loving plants that will thrive in that space, as long as they are well-irrigated.  They also proposed a water feature against the blank wall that is to the left of the daybed.  Brillant ideas! I think it will really break up all of the hard surfaces and sharp edges in this space and better integrate it into the overall landscape.  

In last weeks post, I mentioned that I wanted to replace the brick pillars with columns and add symmetrical bar areas on either side of the fireplace.  Here's a sketch illustrating my idea, which shows an elevation of the bar area as seen from the pool:

The client desired a 'lush, Charleston-inspired garden' that also incorporates some Asian sculpture and art that she had collected on her travels.  With those 2 themes in mind, I kept the lines clean and simple (alas, my hallmark) with some lowcountry elements like the louvered panels and replica gas lanterns above the bar area.  Here's a picture of the lights from Lowcountry Lighting Originals, which I love for their simplicity and great design:

Photo courtesy of Lowcountry Lighting Originals

Here's the same elevation, but from the porch.  Notice that the bar area on the left will be primarily for serving, whereas the bar area on the right I foresee as being more of the 'working' bar, with the sink and beverage center:

The grill area is off in an area on it's own, which is perfect, since you don't want to be a) dodging guests with a steaming hot tenderloin or b) worried about smoking the guests as well as the meat.  

 You may notice in the upper right hand corner of this last sketch, that I added an interesting antique architectural corbel.  Since I did not want to replicate the louvered panels over the grill (since we need all the venilation we can get), I thought a soft, curved line to juxtapose all of the angular lines would add some visual interest. 

Lastly, my client requested a prep area and serving area like an island, but 'a little quirky'.  I designed this  table, which is inspired by all of those beautiful red wooden bridges that are so common in traditional japanese gardens:

 The tabletop is wrapped in copper, which is a food-grade material (think antique french copper pots) and it will patina to a finish that only grows more beautiful with use and age.  

I hope you enjoyed reading about my outdoor kitchen project.  I hope that by the end of the summer I'll be able to share photographs of the finished product.

Thanks for reading,

Bronwyn

Outdoor Kitchen

My latest project is designing an outdoor kitchen for a Charlotte family.  They already have a great place for it:

The plan is to have the kitchen area to the left of the fireplace, and a bar area to the right of the fireplace. They are also adding a pool in the backyard, so the outdoor living space will extend from this outdoor kitchen, to a dining area, and then the pool and possibly a firepit.  My preliminary design includes creating symmetrical bar areas on either side of the fireplace, cabinetry using planked PVC board (like AZEK), and possibly replacing the brick pillars with columns.

Here's another view of the space, from the covered area:

They have plenty of space to include everything they want, namely:

1. Grill

2. Beverage Center / Undercounter refrigerator

3. Sink

4. Green smoker egg

5. Storage / cabinets for outdoor dinnerware, serving pieces

6. Workspace / serving area

Since outdoor kitchens have been on my brain lately, I thought i would share some of my thoughts pertaining to creating a kitchen in the great outdoors.  You'll use many of the same basic guidelines to plan an outdoor kitchen as you would an indoor kitchen,  however these are a few of the things that you really need to pay special attention to, first and foremost:

1. MATERIALS

Water is the enemy.  And so is extreme heat, and cold, and bugs.  Therefore you need to consider materials for the flooring, cabinetry, countertops, and sinks that will withstand these evils.  For example, you will often see stainless steel used in outdoor kitchens.  I think it looks a little industrial, but it is weather resistant and easy to clean. I would caution against using it on the countertops since it can get REALLY HOT if you have a kitchen that isn't covered.  Another idea is to use  MDO (Medium Density Overlaid), which is a pressure treated material that can be used like regular plywood.  Weather-resistant woods like teak, fir, or spanish cedar would also be good choices for the cabinet fronts.

As far as countertops are concerned, there are lots of options.  I prefer using concrete since it is durable,  versatile, and can be fabricated to whatever size/shape desired.  Other nice options are Soapstone or Slate.  I also recently learned of a material called Basalt, which is a type of lava stone which looks very natural, as seen in this kitchen:

Image via House Beautiful

2. SPACE

Think about the elements you want in the outdoor kitchen, and then determine the space you may need to accomodate these items.   It is so important to have plenty of workspaces, as well as landing zones on either side of the grill and either side of the sink.  The general rule of thumb is at least 18" on either side of the sink, and 12" on one side of the grill and 24" on the other.  It's always nice to have a prep area or a serving area somewhere in the kitchen too.

There should be enough storage for the grill tools, charcoal, ligher fluid, mitts, serving platters, etc but you don't need nearly as much storage space in your outdoor kitchen as you do inside.  You may want to consider having a set of outdoor dinnerware that is kept outdoors so the amount of stuff you have to bring from your indoor kitchen is kept at a minimum.

Image via House Beautiful

3. BEAUTY

Last but not least, make your kitchen beautiful.  Consider the beauty of your surroundings and position your kitchen so you can take advantage of a great view, or a secluded corner of your yard.  Don't stop with just the kitchen - add decorative details just like you would indoors, including interesting planters, outdoor draperies, or candlelit chandeliers.  Get creative with the materials or the layout.   Use color and texture.  

Image via House Beautiful

I'll share drawings of my outdoor kitchen design project soon.  In the meantime, I hope that my ideas will motivate you to get outside and start cooking!

Thanks for reading,
Bronwyn

Work in Progress

This week, I'd like to share some in-process work.  I am working on a townhouse project right now that was started by my very talented mentor Emily Bourgeois.  She completed the 1st floor renovation (including the kitchen) last summer, and now I am helping to complete the project which will include design of the master bathroom and guest bathroom on the 2nd floor, selecting carpeting, paint colors, and selection of furniture, lighting, window treatments, and accessories for both the 1st and 2nd floors.

Emily made some major changes to the first floor, which opened up the space and allowed for a great kitchen/den area in the back of the townhouse.  She also added a large wall of glass doors which lead to the back patio.

In the powder room, she designed an interesting pedestal sink, with a single sconce above:

The floors were refinished with a soft chestnut stain, the walls painted in a soft grey, and the moldings and door casings were replaced with more updated profiles.  A large column was added at the front entrance, near a freshly painted mossy-brown front door:

We accomplished quite a bit last week while my client was on vacation.  First, the 2 leather chairs and floor lamp from Acquisitions and the ottoman from Interiors Marketplace arrived:

It's a little disjointed right now, but a good start.  I call the color on the leather chairs 'Butterscotch'.  The ottoman is covered in a beautiful oatmeal belgian linen.  (I've noticed that I have a tendency to describe colors in terms of food. . . )

The banquette and stair railing that Emily had designed were delivered yesterday.  The pieces were fabricated in iron and then powder-coated in a striking blued steel color:

It may not seem like much yet, but once we choose a leather for the seat, add the dining table, chairs, and new chandelier, the room will be transformed!

The goal of the project is to incorporate many of the client's traditional antique casegoods (e.g. chests, tables, and chairs) with more updated upholstered pieces in velvet, linen, and leather.  He has some interesting art, including a portrait of a distant relative that we've termed 'the judge'.  We've already decided this should go above his bar so he can keep an eye on the festivities.

I have drawn up sketches for the master bathroom and guest bathroom on the 2nd floor.  My friend Katie Harrell at Crossville Tile & Stone helped me to pick out some simple tile for the 2 baths.

We're going to use a hexagonal marble tile on the floor of the master bath, and a 4" x  8" taupe subway tile on the shower wall:

In the guest bath, we're going to use 6" x 12" pieces of lagos azul limestone on the floor and 4" x 8" large white subway tiles on the shower wall and bathroom walls.  

Here's the washstand we are hoping to use in the guest bathroom.  It's from the Gramercy collection at Restoration Hardware:

It's just starting to come together, and there's so many more details that I could share but I will wait until things are further along.  I wouldn't want to ruin the surprise!

Thanks for reading!

Bronwyn

Farmhouse Kitchen

As I mentioned in an earlier post, I've been working on a farmhouse renovation in Chester, SC.  The renovation includes completely relocating the kitchen area and starting over with appliances and cabinetry, and hence a whole new design from scratch.  And since it is a farmhouse, I am naturally designing a rustic kitchen which will fit right in with the home and the surroundings.

In almost every magazine or blog I read lately, I see 'rustic' kitchens so often that it's beginning to seem like a distinct style of itself!  What I find to be so appealing about these kitchens is their authenticity....meaning that they are generally simple, basic, and functional.  However like all things trendy, I'm sure there are plenty of farm-inspired kitchens out there with huge fireplace hearths that harken back to the good old days when-a-big-cast-iron-pot-was-hanging-in-the-fire that will never, ever will have a true woodburning fire in them.

Regardless, here are some of my favorite rustic kitchens:

Source unknown

This next one is described as 'Modern Williamsburg', by my friend architect Ken Pursley (recently featured in Southern Living).  I love how the range area looks like it's surrounded by a huge stone mantel.

Large rustic wood beams on the ceilings, planked walls, and iron hardware are common characteristics of these kitchens, as seen in this next photo:

Photo courtesy of My Home Ideas

I also love the idea of having a fireplace and a big old table in the center of the kitchen, like in this Steven Gambrel kitchen:

 

With all of that great inspiration, I stuck it in a big cast iron pot, stirred it up and came up with these designs.  The first drawing shows the kitchen sink elevation:

On this project, we were working with a Feng Shui expert who provided parameters that dictated much of the layout of the kitchen.  I would have put an interior steel casement window above the kitchen sink since it would have brought in so much more light, however according to Feng Shui, you want to feel somewhat isolated in your private spaces and therefore will feel cozier without the window and the general public gawking in at you.  (Don't quote me - that's just my interpretation of what she said).   I was able to convice her to add a transom window to bring in some light.  Also, lacking a window it did allow for a large open shelf which spans the space above the sink.  

The island was inspired by an old antique French butcher's block that I recently saw at an antique mall:

This next drawing shows the refrigerator wall, which includes 2 full-sized refrigerators:

The fronts of the refrigerators are paneled with old wood to resemble old ice-boxes or meat-lockers.  I found these great hinges from the Roseland Ice Box Company:

Lastly, the pantry is made to feel like an updated larder (basically another name for an unrefrigerated refrigerator - go ask any Brit you know):

OK, so maybe those truly authentic kitchens of the past never had a warming drawer or a 6-burner gas range but if given the choice between that and a fireplace I know which one I would choose!

Thanks for reading,

Bronwyn