Aimee,

I have no idea what hamptons looks like, I seem to more a transitional kind of gal, albeit I haven't put my kitchen in yet in our new build however, I do had the computerized 3D drawings like you have and they are fantastic to be able to sort of navigate through the design and to be sure you have it right.

I suggest you browse the thousands of pictures available on Houzz and get a feel for what you're after. You may find you like something completely different or find a perfect hamptons kitchen to duplicate.

Just search for hampton kitchens or just kitchens in a certain colour and then you can filter the style, size, flooring etc...to narrow down just how many kitchens you can find.

Good luck,

Barbara

I'm not sure about the black sink and appliances, sounds more modern than Hamptons. A traditional black cooker / rangehood would be nice though. I would go for the traditional white butlers sink.

The beams are a great feature, I'd be tempted to leave them as is, unless you feel the ceilings are too low.

Here's some picks to get you started:

Pennsylvania Farmhouse Inspired Kitchen · More Info

Ultimate Farmhouse Kitchen · More Info

Farmhouse Kitchen · More Info

Battersea, Victorian Terraced House · More Info

I'd look at the flow of your layout first. The walk in pantry looks too far away from the main kitchen and ? Around the corner from the main kitchen? Think about your daily processes and having to walk around the kitchen Into the pantry to go to the fridge...

As a house flipper in Australia I try to make sure to have the correct balance of form and function in order to appeal to the chef (or wannabe chef) in everyone and I must agree with Sharene. Whilst clean lines and wide open spaces look appealing, the layout looks like a non functioning kitchen to me. The idea of the work triangle has been developed over many decades and with good reason. Walking backwards and forwards from a fridge miles away with armfuls of fresh produce or bottled items multiple times will very quickly annoy you. Even a cup of tea will be an issue. Either you carry the cup to that end bench, put the milk in then carry it back to the sink so you can bin the teabag, or vice versa. What a pain!

That wall space between the glass doors and the window looks like wasted bench space to me. I can see it ending up with paperwork, phones, keys and the like piled on it, but not actually being used as workable bench space. I would place the fridge there. Yes it is a prominent spot, get a fridge that looks good! The open shelves facing the other room should become a closed cabinet to store the things not used every day like serving platters and specific dishes etc. That way you can relocate the items that would have been stored in that cabinet. Also you seem to assume that you will be facing the window to chop and prepare...........I doubt that will happen often. You will be more likely to chop and prepare near your cooktop so you are not carrying a chopping board of ingredients right across the kitchen dropping stuff on the floor on the way. People also tend to rinse, drain and chop then cook within reaching distance.

I'm also surprised at the location of the pantry. Picture yourself carrying either a basket or tray of spices back to the cooktop, them taking up bench space, then having to carry them back around there........oooops.......I forgot salt.......or oil........here I go again! I can see you eventually putting up open shelves on those walls above the bench too as you are obviously someone who likes to cook with that big cooker and will hate not having things within easy reach.

The glass door cabinet you currently have clearly houses things you use often...............even things like wine glasses. You go to the pantry to get two, then a friend arrives, you go and get another one, then another friend and on and on. Unless you line them up on the bench top taking up space and looking awkward and untidy.

Sorry to be a buzz kill but I just think in time you are not going to be happy with that layout!

I'll be interested to see the pics!

@Aimee,

I know this dilemma was never about your layout and only about the "style" but sometimes it's easy for us readers to digress a little but it does help the author, you, to have a good look or a good think about it, leave no stone unturned so to speak!!

This kitchen whatever the layout, only needs to suit you as the cook in the home. My kitchen is being designed exactly the same way, for me and not hubby or anyone else in the family as I'm the resident cook too.

If for example, I placed the microwave in the usual spot above the oven, now seen in almost all modern kitchens, then only hubby could use it, as I'm terribly height challenged ha-ha.....but I'm having a wall cabinet placed far lower down on the wall, thus suiting both of us!!

Again I'm not having any overheads, well a few slimline cupboards but they are like half the height of a standard overhead, so I can still reach the shelf but I'm not having any normal overheads, as they would be useless to me and I'm building for me not for anyone else, so if a future buyer wants overheads, nothing will prevent them from doing so.

I see you have no overheads in your pics either, perhaps height challenged like me??

Currently, we're living in a tiny home (7sqrs) whilst building our dream home, my fridge isn't even in the kitchen, I have to take about 5 steps and travel through the lounge and into a back room to access it and I have lived with it for several years now and it's no bother at all but I must admit, it will be nice when it's back in the kitchen where it belongs, it's simply too big for this little home.

Good luck with your reno, it sounds very exiting, I wish I was as advanced as you were!!!

Finished pics would be lovely.

Cheers, Barbara

Barbara I'm glad I'm not the only one who has to include height considerations in planning. I had to get my kitchen fitter to lower the oven & microwave. As a result I ended up with a really slim space above that is actually perfect for trays & chopping boards. Sometimes the best results come from tackling a problem. Maybe I should pull together an ideabook about designing kitchens for small people (rather than small spaces).

@Ace Your Space,

Finally another midget, hope you don't mine me saying that!!

The only way I can access the overheads in this little home is to step up on the cupboard shelf, that great for the shef isn't it ha-ha....and climb up on the island bench. I'm still managing but at 59, I certainly don't want to keep having to do that!!

I hear people say, "you can put less used things in the overheads" personally I think that's bunkim, these things go up there and stay there because they are too hard to get down, well unless you're a taller person.

I totally agree, as a pro and being short to boot, you have much to offer shorter people like me for one. Certainly I would love to pick your brain about bench heights for example?

I have lowered my microwave box to approx 400mm above the standard 900mm bench tops.

I would love to go a little lower with the benchtops if possible.

I'm looking at a Bunnings kitchen and with the adjustable legs, I'm sure I can lower everything even 25mm. I was warned about watching how low | was to go, as dishwashers for example, only just fit under a standard bench.

Perhaps you could put together a thread that others can read that shares your experience.

Cheers, Barbara

Barbara you've prompted me to start a project pulling together some ideas and my own graphics. You'll see my own solution for reaching those high cabinets. http://www.houzz.com/projects/1727259/the-small-space-lady

Those tall cabinets can be a good place to put chocolate :)

@Ace Your Space,

Like the idea about chocolate but it's one thing in our home, that can sit in the fridge for several months without ther "rats" getting to it!!

Look forward to your new project on all things small!!

Cheers,

Barbara

Hi Aimee...we have just published a new blog post on Hamptons styled kitchens- 5 tips on how to create one- you may find it useful to clarify your ideas :)

http://www.bluetea.com.au/hamptonskitchen/

@Blue Tea Kitchens,

Please excuse my ignorance but I did mention very early in this thread that I had no idea what Hampton style actually was and after looking at your link, I am even more confused.

I get modern, I get country, there's a distinctive look but there appears to be everything rolled in together in all your beautiful examples.

I thought Hamptoms was a whiteish look with a slight bit of a country feel but then I see black, handles no handles, country look, all modern!!!

I'm definitely lost ha-ha

Exactly what defines a Hamptons look??

Hi @Barbara it is a bit confusing isn't it? I think that white and pastel coloured inset doors remain true to a traditional Hamptons style. Black cabinetry, handles or handless is a more contemporary take on this style. What do you think?

I think Hamptons kitchens have the broadest range of acceptable styles of any other ha-ha

My description would be, a slight bit of country with a modern twist and the slightest hint of industrial with the pendants shown in most of the attached pictures but all in all, based on the attached pictures, very elegant!!