A Designer Reveals: How to Bring Joy to Your Kitchen
In an extract from her new book, designer Anna-Carin McNamara shares the secrets to a happy and functional kitchen
Georgia Madden
19 April 2019
Today’s kitchen is about so much more than just cooking – it’s where we eat, entertain and catch up with the other members of our household. As such, the space needs to be welcoming as well as functional. In this extract from her new book Make a Home to Love: How to Bring Joy, Order and Beauty Into Your Home the Scandinavian Way, interior designer and Houzz professional Anna-Carin McNamara – who specialises in Scandinavian-influenced interiors – reveals how to cast a critical eye over your kitchen’s layout and features, and make sure they’re working for you.
This extract is accompanied by images of Anna-Carin McNamara’s work on Houzz
— THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED —
COMMENT TO WIN!
We have two copies of Anna-Carin McNamara’s book, Make a Home to Love: How to Bring Joy, Order and Beauty Into Your Home the Scandinavian Way (Brio Books), worth $34.99 each, to give away. To enter, simply answer this question in the Comments section in 25 words or less.
My secret to a happy kitchen is…
Competition ends at 5pm AEST Friday, 10 May 2019. Competition is open to Australian residents only. Click here for full terms and conditions.
— THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED —
This extract is accompanied by images of Anna-Carin McNamara’s work on Houzz
— THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED —
COMMENT TO WIN!
We have two copies of Anna-Carin McNamara’s book, Make a Home to Love: How to Bring Joy, Order and Beauty Into Your Home the Scandinavian Way (Brio Books), worth $34.99 each, to give away. To enter, simply answer this question in the Comments section in 25 words or less.
My secret to a happy kitchen is…
Competition ends at 5pm AEST Friday, 10 May 2019. Competition is open to Australian residents only. Click here for full terms and conditions.
— THIS COMPETITION IS NOW CLOSED —
A Swedish kitchen is a special space. As with many cultures, the kitchen is the heart of the home, but Swedes honour the meaning behind that – the heima – particularly well. The kitchen and dining rooms are frequently combined, and meals are eaten around a traditional dining table, rather than a large, central kitchen island or bench.
Eating together is important to Swedes. They love their breakfast, and most families follow the Scandinavian tradition of a sit-down cooked meal by candlelight. Yes, candles at breakfast time!
Eating together is important to Swedes. They love their breakfast, and most families follow the Scandinavian tradition of a sit-down cooked meal by candlelight. Yes, candles at breakfast time!
Candles are important to Scandinavians. You can’t have too many. Nothing creates more atmosphere than a room filled with candles in strategic places. In our family, we light candles at the dining table for every meal. As soon as anyone comes down into the kitchen in the morning, the first thing they do is light the candles.
I light candles with a match and not a lighter. I love the smell of the sulphur; it takes me back to my primary school days. Our teacher began each day by reading a chapter from a book. Before he started, he would turn the lights off. In winter, that meant it was pitch black at 9.00 a.m. He then sat down at his desk, took out the matchbox, and struck a match to light a candle. The sulphur smell would fill the classroom; after a deep breath, he would start to read. It was the highlight of the day, and that smell still invokes a state of wonder and anticipation.
Lighting a candle is like saying, ‘Come gather here and relax. It’s time to share food and enjoy time together’.
I light candles with a match and not a lighter. I love the smell of the sulphur; it takes me back to my primary school days. Our teacher began each day by reading a chapter from a book. Before he started, he would turn the lights off. In winter, that meant it was pitch black at 9.00 a.m. He then sat down at his desk, took out the matchbox, and struck a match to light a candle. The sulphur smell would fill the classroom; after a deep breath, he would start to read. It was the highlight of the day, and that smell still invokes a state of wonder and anticipation.
Lighting a candle is like saying, ‘Come gather here and relax. It’s time to share food and enjoy time together’.
Australian kitchens are also very much part of family life. They often connect to other areas, such as the family room or dining room, and also directly to the outdoors. The kitchen becomes the hub of the house with a vantage point to both inside and out.
8 Life Lessons to Learn From the Nordics
8 Life Lessons to Learn From the Nordics
When reviewing your kitchen, consider the following:
- Does the current layout support the sort of cooking and the entertaining I want to do?
- Is it a space conducive to eating?
- Does it have all those practical elements that I need to store, prepare and cook food?
- Is there a large enough workspace, free from debris?
- Is it functional – is the stove the right size, for example? Are all the burners working?
- Does it have enough lighting?
- Does it have enough seating?
- Is there ample storage?
- Do I really need all those utensils, crockery, glassware and gadgets?
You’ll probably find you only use 20 percent of your utensils on a regular basis. The other 80 percent you might use once in a blue moon or when you’re making a specific dish.
Take a good, honest look at your utensils and think about how often they are used. Kitchens are regularly groaning under the weight of excess things – even the pantry will likely be full of food that has expired!
Take a good, honest look at your utensils and think about how often they are used. Kitchens are regularly groaning under the weight of excess things – even the pantry will likely be full of food that has expired!
Whether we’re talking appliances or the ingredients themselves, think about what it is that makes you constantly bring these things home before you use what’s already sitting there on the shelf.
The best way to reevaluate your habits is to physically go through your cupboards and drawers, item by item. I bet you’ll find there are items you’re unaware you even own, needlessly taking up space.
5 Items You Can Declutter From Your Kitchen Cupboard Today
The best way to reevaluate your habits is to physically go through your cupboards and drawers, item by item. I bet you’ll find there are items you’re unaware you even own, needlessly taking up space.
5 Items You Can Declutter From Your Kitchen Cupboard Today
Many Australian kitchens feature a big island bench where people can sit around having a drink and talking while the host prepares the food and entertains.
While most people cite this as an ideal social space, there is a downside to arranging your kitchen in this way. I recently designed a kitchen for a client who told me, ‘I don’t want an island bench. I feel like I’m constantly on call, or behind a bar just serving everyone. I never really get to sit down and eat because everyone interrupts me. Even when we’re not entertaining, the kids sit around the bench, waiting to be served, and I feel like a barmaid’.
While most people cite this as an ideal social space, there is a downside to arranging your kitchen in this way. I recently designed a kitchen for a client who told me, ‘I don’t want an island bench. I feel like I’m constantly on call, or behind a bar just serving everyone. I never really get to sit down and eat because everyone interrupts me. Even when we’re not entertaining, the kids sit around the bench, waiting to be served, and I feel like a barmaid’.
With this in mind, we designed a galley kitchen with the sink opposite, and a beautiful dining area adjacent so that my client would never feel like a barmaid again! After all, it’s her kitchen, and why shouldn’t she find it a relaxing space too? Now she sits down and eats with her kids at the table, and is much happier for it.
My point here is that the design should always take your lifestyle into consideration.
Forget Lagom – Here Are the Scandi Trends You Should Be Embracing
My point here is that the design should always take your lifestyle into consideration.
Forget Lagom – Here Are the Scandi Trends You Should Be Embracing
Other families have very different needs and often clients are adamant that an island bench is the only way. Everyone can come and help with the food preparation, so it’s not just one person cooking while everyone else is sitting at the table with their tongues hanging out.
There are advantages and disadvantages with both styles. Consider whether your current layout helps or hinders your enjoyment of the heart of your home.
There are advantages and disadvantages with both styles. Consider whether your current layout helps or hinders your enjoyment of the heart of your home.
One final point is to make sure your current ventilation is adequate. Many city apartments don’t have any exhausts at all and the air just recycles within the apartment. The only way to remove odours is to open the window. Furthermore, the bedroom is often situated next door to the kitchen, so cooking smelly things like fish can cause problems!
How Do I… Boost Light and Airflow in My Home?
How Do I… Boost Light and Airflow in My Home?
Fragrance is often the first thing you notice when you enter a room. Strong smells will take over as the dominant sense and you will react negatively, often on a subconscious level. Adequate ventilation in the kitchen, the bathroom, and throughout your home should definitely be top of your list.
This is an edited extract from Make a Home to Love: How to Bring Joy, Order and Beauty Into Your Home the Scandinavian Way, by Anna-Carin McNamara, published by Brio Books, RRP $34.99. It is available at Booktopia.
Tell us
Does your kitchen make you happy? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Is your kitchen in need of a revamp to bring some peace and order to your home? Find a specialised kitchen designer and renovator near you who can help tailor-make a space to your needs and style
Tell us
Does your kitchen make you happy? Tell us in the Comments below. And don’t forget to save your favourite images, like this story, and join the conversation.
More
Is your kitchen in need of a revamp to bring some peace and order to your home? Find a specialised kitchen designer and renovator near you who can help tailor-make a space to your needs and style
What are you working on?
Related Stories
Most Popular
Renovation Insight: How to Choose a Kitchen Designer
The right designer can bring your dream kitchen to life – three kitchen designers reveal where to look and what to ask
Full Story
Kitchen Expert Advice
7 Common Kitchen Design Challenges & How Experts Get Around Them
From bad layouts to poor storage, here are seven issues pros come up against (and overcome) in clients' kitchen renos
Full Story
Kitchens
A Good Fit: 10 Questions to Ask a Potential Kitchen Designer
By lwkkitchens
A good designer knows which questions to ask about your kitchen project. But what should you ask them before you sign?
Full Story
Most Popular
8 Dos and Don'ts for a Well-Functioning Butler's Pantry
Having a little help behind the scenes is key to a pristine kitchen – here's how to create a functional butler's pantry
Full Story
Most Popular
Key Measurements to Consider When Designing the Perfect Kitchen Island
By Anne Ellard
Discover the correctly proportioned kitchen island bench dimensions so your space works as well as it can
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
10 Times You Should Hire a Kitchen Designer
These specialists can solve layout issues, save costs, update an older space and create custom design details
Full Story
Popular Houzz Series
How Practical Is... Handleless Joinery?
Handleless joinery is popular in modern homes. But how suitable are cupboards that can only be opened with a touch?
Full Story
Renovation Guides
Room by Room: Experts on Ways to Avoid Common Renovation Blunders
From the kitchen to the garden, and all areas in between, experts identify common mistakes and share priceless insights
Full Story
Most Popular
From Planning to Pendants: Kitchen Lighting Essentials
By Joanna Tovia
This valuable guide will give you all you need to know about choosing kitchen lighting for fabulous form and function
Full Story
Kitchen Renovations
A Kitchen That Uses Special Elements to Punch Above Its Weight
This couple wanted a well-designed kitchen that incorporated their pre-bought furniture; this designer delivered
Full Story
Thanks to everyone for entering this competition. We really enjoyed reading about your secrets to a happy kitchen. The winners of this competition are r_frendo and ljrobson - congratulations.
What were their secrets??? We want to know!
Nancy - scroll back to the 24th April for their comments.
When can we have a chef for a prize??