INTERIOR DESIGN by STACY DOWNS | photos by ANNA PETROW
THE TOP 5 FACTORS
What's New in Kitchen Design? The kitchen is the heart of the home. It’s where you gather with family and friends, and it’s the room you’ll likely to invest the most in if you’re remodeling. Since there are numerous decisions to make and countless options to consider, we walked through the latest in kitchen design with Geri Higgins, owner of Portfolio Kitchen & Home in Kansas City. “The kitchen is working harder for us than ever before,” she says. ORGANIZATION TO THE MAX Yes, the Marie Kondo method is affecting kitchen design – big time. “In your home, especially your kitchen, all that we touch should have meaning or purpose,” Higgins says. It means paring down on the paring knives but keeping your favorite coffee mugs. “An edited kitchen is becoming the norm,” Higgins says. “Space, no matter what the size, should be utilized fully and purposefully.” “Our design team has a specific outfitting meeting with each client. It’s very important to inventory all your items and assign them priority by use and function. Everything has a place of its own.” Out: Underutilized space, cavernous cabinets without organization or function. In: Specialty inserts designed to capture and utilize space for everything including dishes, linens, and gadgets;
56 | TODAY KANSAS CITY | Winter 2019
inserts that elevate zones for tasks such as baking and prepping. STRATEGIC STORAGE While a more open floor plan for the home is still going strong, using large furniture pieces, placed strategically, offers privacy, interest, and storage. Out: Seeing the kitchen sink as soon as you walk in the front door; wall-towall upper cabinets that do not offer specific and useful storage. In: Monoliths and butlers’ pantries to support the kitchen. INTEGRATED AND MULTIFUNCTIONAL Organization, varied work zones, and integrated appliances are the trifecta of style and function. Refrigerators and dishwashers are concealed behind cabinetry that open with a simple tap. Hospitality zones have built-in coffee makers, wine dispensers, and even warming drawers that are great for appetizers or mugs. Some design elements will pull double duty. For example, sinks that allow you to wash dishes but that are also complete chef centers, with colanders, knife storage, and more. Pro ranges can now be personalized with items such as a sous vide, steam oven, or warming drawer. Out: Obtrusive appliances. In: Seamless convenience.
