As with so many kitchens, the hub of this home is multi-purpose, serving also as an improvised office and playroom. Incorporating those functions, the open floor plan now allows for young children to easily navigate the area, and a corner office niche frees up surfaces from the clutter of household paperwork. Guests have their place in the kitchen, at an out-of-the-way nook with built-in banquette.
An island with its own sink provides additional work surface and, just as importantly, helps direct traffic away from the main prep area. To further improve traffic flow, we eliminated one of three existing kitchen doors, redirecting basement access through the new family room. The addition of a dual-door refrigerator with shallower doors than traditional models also allows for additional clearance around the island.