Stickybeak of the Week: An Eat-in Kitchen Made of Wood and Clever Ideas
This creative kitchen shows that even architects can get designs wrong the first time around, but the best ones will easily adapt to change
Eva Bodenmüller
3 October 2016
What the architect plans is not always what gets built in the end. This was the case with the kitchen of a single-family house in Lower Bavaria, Germany. Initially, the architect designed a kitchen that was asymmetrically positioned in the room, open-fitted in the big entry hall. But practical thoughts led Thalmeier Einrichtungen to structure the room with a freestanding wall. “This project was characterised by dialogue between us, the owners and the architect,” says Wolfgang Moser, master carpenter and interior consultant at Thalmeier Einrichtungen.
Room at a Glance
Who lives here: A young family
Location: Lower Bavaria, Germany
Size: 40 square metres for kitchen and dining area
Designer: Thalmeier Einrichtungen
“The original idea was to put the kitchen in the entrance hallway of the house. It would have been freely connected to the first floor by an open air space. Thus, kitchen smells and noises could have penetrated the whole house,” Moser. After a long planning period and many versions being considered, the developers decided to go for the suggestion to separate the eat-in kitchen from the entrance hall, by building a freestanding wall unit with sliding doors.
Who lives here: A young family
Location: Lower Bavaria, Germany
Size: 40 square metres for kitchen and dining area
Designer: Thalmeier Einrichtungen
“The original idea was to put the kitchen in the entrance hallway of the house. It would have been freely connected to the first floor by an open air space. Thus, kitchen smells and noises could have penetrated the whole house,” Moser. After a long planning period and many versions being considered, the developers decided to go for the suggestion to separate the eat-in kitchen from the entrance hall, by building a freestanding wall unit with sliding doors.
The custom-made wall unit the carpenters created has two sliding doors and a cupboard that can be accessed from the entry area. When the doors are open, the original open-plan design of having access to all living areas becomes evident. The pocket doors are then barely recognisable as they are closely flush to the wall.
“The handles are custom-built by a local locksmith,” says Moser. They allow users to open the oak doors, which slide along ceiling rails and on small wheels on the ground.
If the doors are closed, the open, fitted kitchen turns into a separate room.
The kitchenware isn’t stored in the entry hall of course, but in white Epizodo kitchen cupboards by Intuo.
“The clients asked for a lot of wood, in combination with white,” says Moser. The white kitchen elements are finished with a dark granite benchtop by Strasser Steine. Additionally, the combination of several electrical appliances by Miele, plus a pantry that stands separately at the rear panel, are crowned by granite. It was the owner’s idea to leave the space above the devices empty up to the ceiling,” says the master carpenter, who likes the airy construction. Only a few shelves are attached to the rear side.
“The clients asked for a lot of wood, in combination with white,” says Moser. The white kitchen elements are finished with a dark granite benchtop by Strasser Steine. Additionally, the combination of several electrical appliances by Miele, plus a pantry that stands separately at the rear panel, are crowned by granite. It was the owner’s idea to leave the space above the devices empty up to the ceiling,” says the master carpenter, who likes the airy construction. Only a few shelves are attached to the rear side.
The benchtop on the kitchen island is a custom-built element. It is made of solid oak, with Bora sockets facing the kitchen – very handy for blenders and other kitchenware.
Cooking is done on a stove by Gaggenau, the sink is by Blanco. All cookware is stored in the cupboards and drawers under the bench facing the kitchen.
Moreover, the kitchen island features nine drawers that face the dining area. They accommodate all the utensils that are required for a beautifully laid table – from the dishes to cutlery and glasses. The stools in front of the island invite you to grab a bite to eat, or to sit down and chat to the cook.
Just above the stove, a flush-mounted ceiling extractor fan helps prevents odours. Just like the lighting, it is installed in a suspended ceiling.
Just above the stove, a flush-mounted ceiling extractor fan helps prevents odours. Just like the lighting, it is installed in a suspended ceiling.
A cupboard is located in the rear part of the room, hidden behind a wall panelled in oak veneer. The door is barely visible and only the most attentive visitors would notice the small ventilation slots above.
In the end, it’s not the technology that matters in this kitchen, but the comfort the carpenter, owners and architect have aimed for in the design. Whether guests want to sit formally at the dining table and under the pendant light from Fritz Hansen, or relax at the rustic oak bench, this kitchen caters for all.
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In the end, it’s not the technology that matters in this kitchen, but the comfort the carpenter, owners and architect have aimed for in the design. Whether guests want to sit formally at the dining table and under the pendant light from Fritz Hansen, or relax at the rustic oak bench, this kitchen caters for all.
TELL US
What do you like about this kitchen design? Tell us in the Comments section.
MORE
See more Houzz stickybeaks
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Some lovely timber detailing on this project. We encourage our Clients to make time to consider, in particular, the items that they touch. The door handles, the light switches etc - whilst small, they are used on a daily basis. This project has some great examples.
looks nice, I particularly like the dining table with the pendant light...envokes memories of dinners at home in a small dining room with people enjoying themselves. Space does not have to be huge, in fact a small dining room creates the intimacy of a small restaurant..
This kitchen/dining room has a beautiful ScandiJapan look. Very peaceful with areas to place many collectables with colour and movement. You can add lots of quirky sculptures and pottery with pots of plants (the real kind) which compliment the timber finishes. Just gorgeous!