I have a serious design dilemma on my hands... and I think you are just the group for a little direction.
As some of you have read here, M and I are moving north (all the way across the country) in less than 2 months. I have been scouring for the perfect place online (which has been hard, because I love to get a feel for something) and I have mostly been looking at newer construction with floor to ceiling windows right in the heart of the city. However, I just can't seem to find that perfect place. I have always been enamored with the idea of a big open floor plan with kitchen, dining, and living room en masse...
but, under the direction of my mother to consider some other options, I have come across the most adorable little victorian (duplex) that really would also be a designers dream. It has sparkly old windows, and little nooks ideal for a chaise lounge or two, and a garden for my little furbabies to frolick in. Not to mention the space that we would need and more, for less than what it costs to live in the city. But, the galley kitchen is awful. Something I swore up and down I could never live with again. I even have this same fork to hang on the wall and couldn't make it look like this...
I love love love to be in the kitchen cooking, people are drawn to kitchens... but should I forgo the fact that its not my city loft with the perfect kitchen for the opportunity to create great spaces like these...
( the unit's living room even has some dark wood ceiling beams!)
I can imagine kicking myself every time I'm in the kitchen, but also every time I don't have a great workspace... what do you think? Have you been in this situation before, what did you choose, or think I should choose?
I don't know, Keely, I have seen a lot done with galley kitchens, even though yes, they are really unappealing. But if you can afford to do some build-outs in it, you might be able to make it workable. Also, I would calculate how much time you spend in the kitchen vs. the rest of the house. Plus, will you be working in the city? What will the commute be living outside of it vs. living right there? Argh, I have SO been there, it's a difficult decision. Good luck with it, I know you'll get lots of good advice here. Also, WHERE did you get the fork? I love it!
ReplyDeleteThanks Shari! I hate more than anything to give an answer like this because I wish I could tell you to run to some store we have here in the US but, I got it in a little boutique in St. Tropez, France. They have the whole set, amongst some really gorgeous other pieces, I have seen similar ones a couple other places but can't seem to recall where... here is the website for the store where I got mine... www.moodsainttropez.com
ReplyDeleteThese are some big decisions you have on your hands! I'm not sure what the best thing to tell you is, but go with your heart. If you love being in the kitchen then don't deprive yourself. My fiance is a major cook and our kitchen is nice, but it's by no means spacious. So we have vowed that the next place we live must have a large kitchen because it's where we spend most of our time (I don't even cook but I like to be in there with him). Other parts of the house are important too (a garden? yes please!) but at the end of the day if you can only have one or the other, it sounds to me as if the kitchen means more. Good luck, I know it won't be an easy decision...
ReplyDeleteI think the size and openess of a kitchen is pretty important, but I guess it depends how much time you spend there. Love that first kitchen!
ReplyDeleteI'd go for the second choice. Just becuase it sounds like it has more character with the wood beams. It always looks cluttered to me when all the rooms are open to eachother. But either way you will make it work!
ReplyDeleteI love homes with character, but the small kitchen is a hard pill to swallow. If you are buying and can eventually remodel the kitchen then go for it! If renting, then don't do it, we rented a place with a decent size kitchen, but no counter space, old outdated appliances and I hated cooking in there so much that I did it as little as possible, it was just too frustrating.
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