Desperate to find a semi open or closed kitchen house plan
Barbara Harper
13 days ago
last modified: 13 days ago
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Home plans that aren't 'open'?
Comments (17)You are describing just what my husband and I wanted when we built our house three years ago. I bought book after book of home plans and scoured the internet, but I realized I would need to design it myself. It's interesting, though, because what I wanted was a traditional, "rooms are rooms" floor plan without many fancy features. I was looking for something really plan - so I was surprised I couldn't find it. We ended up designing a really simple house - people always comment that it seems historic because of the simple design. In any case, we love the separate rooms - I like the way that actual rooms encourage a coziness in each and a way to differentiate mood and function by the space. Since I knew what I wanted, I decided to save the money on an architect and instead used a "residential designer" (CAD operator, really) to draw the plans up for me. It was a really fun process and the end result is exactly what I wanted. I was also able to design for architectural features that I knew I wanted to include, like three sets of antique, mahogany French doors I bought at a flea market. It sounds like you might like the freedom to do the same. (And, we love the French doors inside...they separate the dining room, living room, and study from the main foyer/entry hall, and we use them all of the time. Plus they are gorgeous!) I wish I could tell you where to find architecturally pleasing, traditional home plans, but I didn't find it myself. I did take a look at many Souther Living plans and the Fuller plans in particular, but still didn't find it. The closest I came was the set of plans sold by Historical Concepts, but the houses are smaller than we needed. They are really awesome houses, though, I have seen several built and they are full of detail and traditional design which it seems you might find pleasing, too. Best wishes to you!...See MoreWhat do you think about my new open plan home?
Comments (28)I spent quite a big chunk of my childhood living in Argentina, with a similar culture and lifestyle to Paraguay. We also had a live in housekeeper with her own bedroom and bathroom, but years ago people did not entertain in their kitchens, so there was only one kitchen, which was a separate room with doors. It seems the open concept house, with most of the action taking place in the kitchen, has also become a concept for those in some areas of South America, hence the need for 2 kitchens. Did you know that many of the mainland Chinese immigrants with larger homes also have 2 kitchens. The second kitchen is quite small and called a Wok kitchen. All the greasy/smoky cooking is done there. You will see these quite often in CA. Since the parilla is going in an "indoor" room you will need to use a vent hood above it to remove smoke and grease. I miss a good asado de tira and mollejas! Any plans for a basement? We had one under part of the house in Buenos Aires and it was a great space for storage and my father had a small workshop set up for himself. The floor in the entry was glass block which let light into the basement area. It was a very modern house at that time. You could do much better with closet placement in the bedrooms and storage (pantry, linen closet, utility closet). The maids room needs a closet. What are you storing in room "deposito"? I know that in many area of South America closets are done as furniture pieces that buyers will add after they buy a house, but since you are building it would make sense to build them into the plan....See More1957 Kitchen - Open or closed? Updated or vintage?
Comments (25)I am also of the opinion that I don't like to see a vintage bungalow made into open concept. I would keep the kitchen wall intact. On the other hand, I don't find the vintage cabinets either practical or attractive (believe me when I tell you that I am a sucker for most vintage design details, but not this one!) They waste space and restrict function. So you will have to remove a lower to install a dishwasher -- 18" instead of 24". Or get a portable one that you can stow in the space between the frig and cabinets. You could do as someone suggested and find a cabinetmaker to build "matching" cabinets to wrap into the wasted space. You could also build a wooden counter that bridges the space (and would be a cubby for a portable dishwasher and a rollout cart.) Or the between the stud pantry. If it were mine, I would replace the cabinets with vintage/classic looking, frameless new ones, in a layout that maximizes the space, in a vintage-y color. A new counter to go with as well. A thought -- do you need the back door? or perhaps, could close it up where it is and change one of the windows into a door? In order to give you more room to add a dishwasher and still have the storage. I have a wood floor in my kitchen and like it. No problems -- it is 70 years old and was hidden under original linoleum....See MoreClosing up my small, open concept home.
Comments (12)I can see why something is neccessary to delineate the space, but not want to reduce the floorspace. A question to ask could be how thin any construction could be. This might help with any decisions. It might be worth exploring custom options to fit a full floor to ceiling screen located as I drew out above and exploring materials - maybe frosted glass ? wooden floor to ceiling slats with glazing between? or another material between? or just slats set at an angle ? or slats that can have the angle adjusted so they can be 'open' for light to travel, or 'closed' to obscure the sight line, or partially opened? It could be a combination 1/2 wall with glazing above or slats. Another option might be to consider not having an island and placing the 'wall' at the lounge edge of the island bench so the kitchen becomes a galley style so only the dining space and bench with the stove is visable....See MoreBarbara Harper
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