A Case for Closed Kitchens

timeless white kitchen cabinets, black quartz counter, gold sconce over window, sunflowers and lemon decor, subway tile to ceiling, glass cabinets, jadeite collection

A Galley Kitchen Dreams are Made of

In the age of ripping out walls to create big, open concept kitchens, we were so pleased to keep the quaintness of this darling galley kitchen during it’s metamorphosis.

Have you let yourself even consider keeping a contained kitchen?  It’s not for everyone, but we’ve been sold a one-size-fits-all kitchen renovation the past couple of decades – the open concept kitchen – which necessarily involves deleting a wall and installing a big island to separate the kitchen and dining/living area.

Not that there’s a thing wrong with that!  It’s what we normally do because it suits the lifestyle of most families and entertainers so well.

However, there is another way, and it has more pros than you may think!

Let’s get into it, but first, let’s start at the beginning:

Before

The Kitchen

As you will see, we kept the footprint so as to maximize storage, but gave the whole space a major upgrade including

1. Refinished maple floors (natural stain)

2. Fresh white shaker cabinetry

3. Beautiful leathered quartz countertop (Good Stone Graffit)

4. Farmhouse sink

5. New light fixtures and under cabinet lighting (note – no potlights!)

6. Moved appliances for a better work triangle, and for aesthetics – I always love that range / hood fan moment as your first sight line coming into a space!
timeless white kitchen cabinets, black quartz counter, gold sconce over window, sunflowers and lemon decor, subway tile to ceiling, glass cabinets, jadeite collection
white galley kitchen with black quartz countertop, farmhouse sink, gold hardware
white galley kitchen with black quartz countertop, bowl of limes, gold hardware

In other words, we kept the footprint but gutted the space and created the most charming kitchen with a highly functional workspace for this culinary couple – chocolatiers in their past careers!  So maximum storage, ample counter space, and smart spatial planning was top priority.

But of course, so were aesthetics!

If you’ve followed us for a while, you know we’re on a mission to create timeless spaces our clients will love forever.  And this renovation was no exception.  With crisp white shaker cabinetry, classic subway tile stacked up to the ceiling for height and that professional feel, vintage elements such as traditional hardware and lighting and glass cabinets to showcase the clients beautiful jadeite collection, this kitchen has all the makings of a Nancy Myers set.  (Permission to pause and google Nancy Myers set kitchens – she created the beautiful yet approachable kitchens in Father of the Bride, It’s Complicated and Something’s Gotta Give, to name a few!  Films decades old now, but the designs are evergreen)

subway tile to ceiling, chimney hood fan, classic white kitchen cabinets, timeless white kitchen
timeless white kitchen cabinets, black quartz counter, gold sconce over window, sunflowers and lemon decor, subway tile to ceiling

By keeping the wall, we were able to utilize both sides of it and build a bar on the dining side.

The Bar

bar in dining room, white cabinets, butcher block countertop, floating wood shelves
bar in dining room, white cabinets, butcher block countertop, floating wood shelves
bar in dining room, white cabinets, butcher block countertop, floating wood shelves
bar in dining room, white cabinets, butcher block countertop, floating wood shelves
bar styling

Team Galley or Team Open Concept?

Let’s discuss the pros and cons of a Contained (Galley) Kitchen vs an Open Concept Kitchen

Pros

  1. Maximize storage with full walls of cabinetry.
  2. Keep the mess contained and out of sight from other rooms
  3. Tight, functional work triangle.
  4. Darling-factor <3

Cons

  1. Limits sight lines to other rooms
  2. No grand island moment
  3. No seating unless there’s room for a little table or banquette.

Let us know, are you Team Galley or Team Open Concept? 

We love both and love to listen to our clients and see how the space could be best utilized before making our decision.

kitchen styling, bowl of limes, fluted candle, black quartz countertop, subway tile backsplash
timeless white kitchen cabinets, black quartz counter, gold hardware, sunflowers and lemon decor, subway tile to ceiling
timeless white kitchen cabinets, black quartz counter, sunflowers and lemon decor, subway tile to ceiling

The Final Touch - Styling

Don’t forget to style your space (whether new or old, whether updated or tired) it makes a massive impact on the finished look, and helps bring your personality to an otherwise timeless backdrop!

I hope you enjoyed touring our latest kitchen remodel!  We had so much fun working with these clients to create their darling dream kitchen.

If you need help with your kitchen renovation, whether that’s floorplanning or interior design consulting in order to maximize function and aesthetics or to hire a renovation contractor for the work itself, check out our renovation page on our site and book a Free Discovery Call below to get started today!

Live well my friends!

Meghan

Juxta Interior Design

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