Parlor Kitchen #5: Where the Party's At
This may be our favorite one yet: This kitchen was designed to be at once functionally and aesthetically pleasing. The house is 22 feet wide hence allowing us to have a rather decent sized room of approximately 16×15. It’s so true that everyone congregates in the kitchen while the living room remains empty during large…
This may be our favorite one yet:
This kitchen was designed to be at once functionally and aesthetically pleasing. The house is 22 feet wide hence allowing us to have a rather decent sized room of approximately 16×15. It’s so true that everyone congregates in the kitchen while the living room remains empty during large gatherings. We had to sacrifice the dining room by about 1 foot to give it to the kitchen and I think the move really paid off. We’ve also tried to maximize storage space by framing an sitting nook with cabinets overhead.
If size was no object, I would have a kitchen island as long and large as possible. There’s something so cozy and functional about being able to carry out tasks on a surface in the middle of the room, be it cooking, eating, working, or simply hanging out. Outside the French doors is a slim balcony that leads to a staircase that goes down to the garden. We attach flower baskets to the balcony rails and put some fruit/herb planters on the deck. I’d highly recommend your friends to add some exterior focal point outside their kitchen as it’s the best way to take advantage of a parlor level kitchen layout.
It’s been about 3 years now and I can’t think of anything else I’d change about the kitchen. And oh yeah, the AGA rocks.
Bootyful.
Update: Check out more pics and description of the project on the jump.
Ideas for the Parlor Floor Kitchen? [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #1: Architect-Designed in The Slope [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #2: Contractor’s Own Kitchen [Brownstoner]
Parlor Floor Kitchen #3: Jeffrey’s 35-Footer [Brownstoner]
Parlor Kitchen #4: Spreading Out in a 22-Footer [Brownstoner]
….a couple more photos to help put the kitchen in perspective. The parlor layout (22×50) is living room in front, dining room middle, and kitchen in back, plus hallway, staircase, powder room, the usual suspects.
As for materials – kitchen is rather straightforward and I think can be done to fit a range of budgets. Cabinets are paint grade wood with BM Dove White, floors are black slate from Home Depot, countertop & backsplashes are Carera grey marble, farmhouse sink, etc. The only statement piece is the AGA, but otherwise, the other components are run of the mill and don’t need to be expensive.
Having said that however, it really pays to have good carpentry, good painting, good lighting, and lastly, a good eye.
If anyone is interested in a re-conditioned Aga like the one in the picture’s i know were you can get one cheaper than a brand new one, to see it in the flesh you would think it was brand new, any colour you wanted a real peice of british heritage in your own home. go look at http:/countrystyle-cookers.co.uk, or email for brouchure sales@countrystyle-cookers.com. Believe me if its something you were interested in these people are the first people to call.
Amazing job. Can I ask where you got the cabinets?
Wow, you New Yorkers are bitchy!
Honestly, if I hear one more person picked apart under the guise of their presumed “carbon footprint” (when the commenter is simply jealous of the featured householder’s income/house/taste/whatever), I’m gonna scream. It’s ridiculous. Stop it.
“Nurse! Scalpel!”
“I’m sorry, Doctor! I’m confused! The operating room lights have shades on them!”
“Nurse! I trust you are competent to remain on the Operating Room Floor? Sterlize the instruments, at once!”
“Doctor, I’m sorry. Where is the sterlizer?”
“It’s the blue thing, you idiot”.
“Doctor, I’m afraid I can’t find the patient”.
“Look in the refrigerator, Nurse”.
“Doctor, I … can’t … find the refrigerator … and – the patient seems to have left the banquette”.
Doctor runs into the dining room and yells “Is there a nurse in the house? Oh, ye gads, this is quite luxe. The patient is missing – yes, I’d love a glass of Bordeaux. Say, don’t I know you? Ah, yes, Nest magazine – my wife had a subscription. Have you looked at the Bear Stearns mess?”
Hi TJ, I didnt write what you’re quoting. You are quoting “Anon” at 1:26. Not only did I not write it, I disagree with it completely.
I always sign my name.
Lovely pictures and the AGA is fab.
But, the whole aura does not scream “brownstone” – it screams modern house or condo. Nothing wrong with that – but a 100+ year old brownstone should be more than brown triassic sandstone on the outside – it should scream BROWNSTONE on the inside as well – otherwise what’s the point.
Lovely kitchen and dining room, tho – but doesn’t get my vote for best Brownstone Parlour floor kitchen – I need more….
I don’t want to be like any of you when I grow up. When I grow up and purchase my brownstone, I will not invite any of you over!!
Amy, I don’t anyone here who likes high-end appliances “can’t deal with those… who wouldn’t be caught dead with them.” It’s just that so many of the people who post against such things write amazingly rude and judgemental comments. Such naked hostility naturally draws a negative response in turn. It simply goes both ways, which most of the negative people here don’t seem to quite grasp.
I’m the “clever” one from above, and I think the “communist” has a point. I can say I “like” a kitchen or I “admire” its design but once you start “salivating”, “drooling” “envying” it, some unmarked line has, indeed, been crossed into rampant materialism.
Like 10:21, I like cool and neat things, and I know a lot about some of the products people covet here, and it’s plain not justifiable on a performance level. Why is it that those you wanting these absurdly expensive appliances can’t deal with those of us who wouldn’t be caught dead with them? We’re not the appliance police. They are not banned.
If you flaunt your wealth, prepare to take some heat for it (pun intended).
To 11:11: yes, maybe you do need a class in tolarance and perspective if you think these comments are “smug, self-….goons.” You might be one of those who refuses to acknowledge that the world is changing and your over-consuming life-style may end, perhaps not in your lifetime but soon, but then that’s not your problem, is it?