Galley Kitchen - A Layout Powerhouse

Galley kitchens include counters that run parrallel (and can include an island). They are popular in apartments because they work well in a small footprint. However, just because they are associated with apartments, doesn't mean they have to be low on style.

Contemporary Kitchen by Tucson Design-Build Firms Alta Constructors, Inc.

Pros

• No odd shaped and difficult to reach corner cabinets
• Can fit into a smaller footprint
• Efficient with a lot of counter space
• Makes planning the "work triangle" easy. 

Cons

• Not as great with multiple cooks
• Doesn't convey an open floor plan

Contemporary Kitchen by Berkeley Architects & Building Designers Charles Debbas Architecture

Contemporary Kitchen by Los Angeles Interior Designers & Decorators Christina Karras

Traditional Kitchen by Victoria Architects & Building Designers Christopher Developments

Transitional Kitchen by Philadelphia Architects & Building Designers Rasmussen / Su Architects

Contemporary Kitchen

Farmhouse Kitchen by Sonoma Architects & Building Designers Amy A. Alper

Feels Like Home // Nooks and Crannies

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Tim Clarke via Sunset 

Do you have a childhood memory of finding that one spot in your house to burrow into and feel safe and secure, breaking away from the rest of your family for a short time? 

Now that homes are being built with more open floor plans, many are lacking a places for adults and children to break away while still being connected. "These are places at the edges of the rooms, or in between the rooms. The window seats, the arched writing nook in the bedroom, and the cushioned bench in the entry." - Michaela Mahady in Welcoming Home. 

Reese Witherspoon's home in Ojai via Elle Decor

You don't need a nook built in to your home to achieve this. You can carve out a small area of your home to be able to "crawl" into and look out from. 

Betsy Burnham via Lonny

Just like children, adults need a place to break away and re-focus. Nooks and crannies aren't just for children. Hiding under the covers of our bed doesn't have to be the only place adults can feel secure and hidden. 

via Michael Graydon - Toronto, Canada

Mimi London via Architectural Digest. Photo by David O. Marlow

Do you remember the feeling of safety as a child while escaping to a special nook? Do you have one as an adult? 

Case Study: Staircase Nook

That space under the stairs. So many people with two story homes know they could use that area underfoot for storage but aren't sure how to do it. 

A friend of mine has an open space already carved out under her staircase. But right now it is an empty slate. Along with her husband, the three of us thought through some of their storage needs and how they would like the space to function. Filing, organization and a place to empty their pockets and charge their electronics.

So I came up with a few concepts to incorporate some ideas that they hoped for. Both include a floating unit so that they could easy store and hide their shoes. 

Concept one included a space to the left where they can hang cold weather clothing. Concept two has more drawers and because of the slanted wall they are placed more abstractly. 

On the left is the docking station. It is deep enough to hide a laptop and phones but open for easy access. The drawing on the right shows a filing drawer that I wish I had three of. It includes a spot to put "to be filed" mail and papers for when you just don't have time to file it away, but you don't want it to pile up on a desk. 

Do you live in a two story home? Is that space under your stairs going to waste?