Fresh Kitchen Ideas to Inspire Your Next Redesign

Jerome Buttrick, of Buttrick Projects (previously Buttrick Wong Architects), is a seasoned kitchen designer with more than 50 completed projects under his credit. His ability to build a functional and aesthetically pleasing kitchen, which has become the heart of many contemporary homes, is shown by the work he did for Julie's kitchen in Mill Valley, California. So we had him fill us in on some of his thoughts:

vaulted ceilings and shiplap paneling in a San Francisco kitchen

Above: Buttrick redesigned this kitchen in the historic Filbert Cottages in San Francisco's Russian Hill, which has cathedral ceilings and shiplap paneling.

Inquiring remodelista: how do you go about planning a kitchen?

Kitchens, which Jerome Buttrick calls "the spirit of the house," serve as a central gathering place for family and friends and should be designed with the rest of the house's common areas in mind. The kitchen in many older homes is separate and compact. People these days want their kitchens to serve as multi-purpose rooms, with areas for eating, socializing, and working.

Mill Valley resident Julie217;s buttrick-designed kitchen has niche10 display

Pictured above is Buttrick's showcase niches built into the under-counter cabinets in Julie's Mill Valley kitchen. Photograph taken by Remodelista contributor Matthew Williams.

The Kitchen: What Do People Want?

JB: They want a functional work area, storage solutions, and, whether or not they recognize it at first, some fundamental boundaries to keep the wine-sipping visitors away from the chaos of the kitchen.

RM: I'm trying to envision a kitchen that serves as a place to work and a place to relax.

BW: An island or adjacent breakfast table is the typical place for this, although it all depends on the specifics of the design. For a similar effect, you may set up a cozy breakfast nook in the kitchen with some built-in sofas and armchairs. These two areas need to be blended into one another so that it doesn't appear like one was forced on top of the other.

Kitchen triangle, RM.

JB: When planning a kitchen, I tend to think less in terms of the classic triangle arrangement and more in terms of creating a continuous work space that includes the refrigerator, sink, and range. This is a matter of ergonomics, and until it is resolved, the kitchen will not function optimally. The kitchen's cooking area need not be connected to the rest of the room as closely as the refrigerator and sink must be.

What is your preferred material for kitchen counters, RM?

There is no such thing as a flawless countertop, but my personal preference is for white Carrara marble and other organic materials. Although patina doesn't bother me, Carrara requires sealing with Porous Plus by Miracle. The concrete surfaces made by Concreteworks in Oakland, California, are also very attractive to me.

To brighten up this San Francisco apartment's pre-war kitchen, a window was installed: a s 11.

To brighten up this pre-war San Francisco kitchen, a window was installed over the sink; a shade conceals the homeowners from prying eyes.

RM, do you want upper cabinets?

Upper cabinets are functional; you may make the fronts of the cabinets solid and consistent, or you can make them seem more airy by installing glass doors. Cabinets with glass fronts provide visual depth and make the room seem more open. If you decide to go this route, make sure the glasses and plates within coordinate with one another. Even if you replace the clear glass with obscure (frosted or ridged) glass, everyone will still be able to see the Mickey Mouse cups. Dinnerware sets from Crate & Barrel or Heath Ceramics are two brands that I often suggest to friends and family because of their timeless style and affordable price points.

RM: What else is crucial?

J.B.: Having access to the outdoors is a major perk; if possible, build a deck and set up a spot to dine al fresco or host a BBQ.

Range hoods, RM?

JB: A hood in the line of sight demands attention; else, it serves just as a visual distraction. Our bespoke hoods often have clean, uncluttered forms.

Microwave juggling, RM.

They are unattractive and should be taken into account at the earliest possible planning stage, as stated by JB. You may tuck them away on a pull-out shelf or conceal them in the space behind the island. An appealing second oven and microwave, the Miele Speed Oven is built into the wall.