Whether you’re looking to update a small galley kitchen, a spacious gourmet room or something in between, there are plenty of new ideas to consider. But before you get started, it’s important to think about the overall flow and layout of your space, how family and guests will use the kitchen and what kind of storage and functionality you need.
Designed to reduce clutter, the one-wall kitchen has cabinets installed against a single wall. This efficient layout is ideal for smaller spaces that don’t have the space to accommodate an island or a separate pantry. Cabinets can be configured with upper and lower shelving or a combination of both to create an open, sleek aesthetic.
For larger kitchens, an L-shaped layout provides more floor space for movement and cooking. A popular choice in modern homes, this configuration is often paired with an island that serves as a casual seating area and adds another workspace to the kitchen. For a more traditional look, consider a U-shaped layout. This configuration works well in many types of rooms and allows you to easily incorporate a breakfast bar or island.
A popular choice for upscale kitchens, the island offers ample counter space, a place to gather as a family and an extra workspace. Depending on the size of your room, you can opt for a small or large island.
The kitchen is a heart of any home and can be a focal point that unites the family. It’s the perfect place to create a timeless style and showcase your culinary skills. The most important consideration when designing your kitchen is ensuring it’s functional for your needs. Consider the number of people you’ll be feeding and the type of cooking you’ll be doing most often. Then you can decide how to best arrange your appliances and accessories to maximize efficiency and minimize clutter.
Grissom’s novel is about possibilities for love, connection and humanity under the degrading conditions of patriarchal society and chattel slavery. She makes clear that a strong sense of family is necessary for survival in unbearable circumstances. Despite being an outsider among the slaves and indentured servants at Tall Oaks, Lavinia is accepted by Belle, Mama Mae and Papa as one of their own daughters. She becomes like a sister to Dory, Fanny and Beattie as they form close bonds of support and protection.
Ultimately, though, The Kitchen House is a little too formulaic. Tragedy follows tragedy in a relentless cycle, and after the first few gut-wrenching shocks the book loses its impact. Grissom isn’t afraid to depict the cruelty that enslaved people experienced, but she doesn’t dig deep enough to reveal any insights about why it happened. The story is still a powerful read, but it could have been so much more.
