Functionality Ranks High in This Chefs' Home Kitchen Remodel
The proprietors of San Francisco Bay Area restaurant State Bird Provisions renovate their kitchen for cooking at home
Barbra Bright
22 May 2018
Houzz Contributor. San Francisco-based designer.
http://www.barbrabrightdesign.com/
Houzz Contributor. San Francisco-based designer.
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Kitchen at a Glance
Who lives here: Stuart Brioza, Nicole Krasinski and their son
Location: Alamo Square District of San Francisco
Size: 24 square metres (260 square feet)
Designer: Kenly Lambie Shankman of Studio Muir
Chef Stuart Brioza and pastry chef Nicole Krasinski – owners of State Bird Provisions and The Progress restaurants in San Francisco, and authors of the new cookbook State Bird Provisions – appreciate kitchens with commercial-quality tools and appliances and efficient layouts.
But the 1900-era Victorian home they bought in San Francisco had a stove that was not vented and an electrical system composed of outmoded knob-and-tube wiring typically found in homes built before 1930. The kitchen had not been remodelled since the 1970s. To renovate their kitchen, they chose designer Kenly Lambie Shankman. Together they decided to expand its footprint by incorporating space from two adjacent rooms to make way for a 10-foot island.
Who lives here: Stuart Brioza, Nicole Krasinski and their son
Location: Alamo Square District of San Francisco
Size: 24 square metres (260 square feet)
Designer: Kenly Lambie Shankman of Studio Muir
Chef Stuart Brioza and pastry chef Nicole Krasinski – owners of State Bird Provisions and The Progress restaurants in San Francisco, and authors of the new cookbook State Bird Provisions – appreciate kitchens with commercial-quality tools and appliances and efficient layouts.
But the 1900-era Victorian home they bought in San Francisco had a stove that was not vented and an electrical system composed of outmoded knob-and-tube wiring typically found in homes built before 1930. The kitchen had not been remodelled since the 1970s. To renovate their kitchen, they chose designer Kenly Lambie Shankman. Together they decided to expand its footprint by incorporating space from two adjacent rooms to make way for a 10-foot island.
Layout
The renovated kitchen is on the home’s first floor and opens to the family room and an informal dining room.
Brioza and Krasinski embrace the concept of simplicity in design and the idea that function can be aesthetically pleasing. “There’s nothing more frustrating than being in a beautiful space that doesn’t work,” Krasinski says.
For Brioza, cooking and prepping on parallel aisles created by the long central island is about function, with function equating to economy of steps. Efficiency was, in fact, a guiding principle in this kitchen’s design, as it is in their commercial restaurant kitchens. “If your kitchen is more functional, you’ll cook,” Brioza says.
These are the most popular features being requested in new kitchens
The renovated kitchen is on the home’s first floor and opens to the family room and an informal dining room.
Brioza and Krasinski embrace the concept of simplicity in design and the idea that function can be aesthetically pleasing. “There’s nothing more frustrating than being in a beautiful space that doesn’t work,” Krasinski says.
For Brioza, cooking and prepping on parallel aisles created by the long central island is about function, with function equating to economy of steps. Efficiency was, in fact, a guiding principle in this kitchen’s design, as it is in their commercial restaurant kitchens. “If your kitchen is more functional, you’ll cook,” Brioza says.
These are the most popular features being requested in new kitchens
Pot rack
For example, in lieu of storing their pots and pans in the deep drawers next to the range, the couple prefer to use a hanging rack. They decided that deep drawers required too many steps: Opening the drawer, unstacking pans to reach the right one, re-stacking pans and finally closing the drawer. Instead, they can simply grab the needed pot off the rack.
Island
Brioza and Krasinski hand-selected the 10-foot cypress slab for their custom island from Arborica, a local reclaimed-wood lumberyard. The body of the island is powder-coated to match the range across from it.
For example, in lieu of storing their pots and pans in the deep drawers next to the range, the couple prefer to use a hanging rack. They decided that deep drawers required too many steps: Opening the drawer, unstacking pans to reach the right one, re-stacking pans and finally closing the drawer. Instead, they can simply grab the needed pot off the rack.
Island
Brioza and Krasinski hand-selected the 10-foot cypress slab for their custom island from Arborica, a local reclaimed-wood lumberyard. The body of the island is powder-coated to match the range across from it.
Designed to be a workhorse, the island is 37 inches from the range, allowing Brioza to turn around and immediately access the spice drawer and kitchen tools. If your spices aren’t accessible, they won’t be used, Krasinski says.
Check out these ways to store spices
Check out these ways to store spices
Originally, the island sink was to be inlaid directly into the wood, but then Brioza and Krasinski remembered that water and wood don’t mix. While seeking a suitable solution, Brioza discovered a bronze drainboard, shown at the end of the island in this photo. The bronze inlay will eventually take on a patina and add another organic element to their kitchen.
The chefs chose the island’s open style for its functionality. The open setup means they can see and readily access their small appliances.
Cooktop zone
With efficiency as the kitchen layout’s guiding principle, the area by the range and double oven has frequently used supplies at the ready. Open shelving, a knife rack and spices nearby help the cooks reach less and save steps.
With efficiency as the kitchen layout’s guiding principle, the area by the range and double oven has frequently used supplies at the ready. Open shelving, a knife rack and spices nearby help the cooks reach less and save steps.
Knives
The chefs like to store their knives on a magnetic knife holder, where they can easily access them.
The chefs like to store their knives on a magnetic knife holder, where they can easily access them.
Condiments
Because the couple cook every day, they keep the seasonings and oils they use most often next to the range.
Because the couple cook every day, they keep the seasonings and oils they use most often next to the range.
Open shelving
Choosing open shelving rather than cabinets to the left of the range was another nod to efficiency. Instead of opening a door, getting the item out and then closing the door, the homeowners simply grab the item off the shelf and start using it. Plus, “open shelves allows a sense of artistry and organisation in decorating the shelves since they are exposed,” Brioza says.
Cleanup sink
Krasinski had lived in apartments with double sinks that were too small to fit large pots. So for the main cleanup sink, she selected a 30-inch single bowl. (A smaller prep sink is located in the island.)
Soap niche
Instead of an under-counter soap dispenser, there’s a niche for corralling liquid soap and sponges.
Wondering what’s the right sink material?
Choosing open shelving rather than cabinets to the left of the range was another nod to efficiency. Instead of opening a door, getting the item out and then closing the door, the homeowners simply grab the item off the shelf and start using it. Plus, “open shelves allows a sense of artistry and organisation in decorating the shelves since they are exposed,” Brioza says.
Cleanup sink
Krasinski had lived in apartments with double sinks that were too small to fit large pots. So for the main cleanup sink, she selected a 30-inch single bowl. (A smaller prep sink is located in the island.)
Soap niche
Instead of an under-counter soap dispenser, there’s a niche for corralling liquid soap and sponges.
Wondering what’s the right sink material?
Pantry
To the left of the open shelving and sink area stands the pantry. Again, this is organised with function in mind. “The functionality is that you put things in based on frequency; it’s the frequency of use. If you’re using it all the time, you want it to be very easy and very accessible,” Brioza says.
To the left of the open shelving and sink area stands the pantry. Again, this is organised with function in mind. “The functionality is that you put things in based on frequency; it’s the frequency of use. If you’re using it all the time, you want it to be very easy and very accessible,” Brioza says.
Countertop and backsplash
Originally, Kasinski and Brioza envisioned a super black countertop for their kitchen, but when they saw a slab, they felt that it looked too much like a permanent marker. Instead, they chose Virginia Black Satin, a black granite with faint swirls of white that has a textured matte finish. They extended the granite 36 inches up the wall as the backsplash.
Originally, Kasinski and Brioza envisioned a super black countertop for their kitchen, but when they saw a slab, they felt that it looked too much like a permanent marker. Instead, they chose Virginia Black Satin, a black granite with faint swirls of white that has a textured matte finish. They extended the granite 36 inches up the wall as the backsplash.
Appliances
Because they work in commercial kitchens surrounded by stainless steel, Brioza and Kasinski decided to forgo that material in their home, except for the dishwasher. Their 48-inch BlueStar range is powder-coated grey and has copper accents. The large cooking surface has eight burners.
But for Krasinski, one of the best things about the setup is the second, smaller oven. For intimate family meals, it heats up in half the time.
The 36-inch wide turquoise refrigerator was inspired by a visit to glass artist Dale Chihuly’s studio; he had 1950s turquoise appliances that Brioza photographed. “It’s a bold color, in a soft way. And we wanted something bold,” Brioza says.
Because they work in commercial kitchens surrounded by stainless steel, Brioza and Kasinski decided to forgo that material in their home, except for the dishwasher. Their 48-inch BlueStar range is powder-coated grey and has copper accents. The large cooking surface has eight burners.
But for Krasinski, one of the best things about the setup is the second, smaller oven. For intimate family meals, it heats up in half the time.
The 36-inch wide turquoise refrigerator was inspired by a visit to glass artist Dale Chihuly’s studio; he had 1950s turquoise appliances that Brioza photographed. “It’s a bold color, in a soft way. And we wanted something bold,” Brioza says.
Floor tile
Hardwood runs throughout the house, and Brioza thought that breaking it up with tile would be interesting. He wanted to add a black-and-white element as an homage to old French kitchens and chose this pattern to bring what he describes as a “classic” feel to the kitchen.
The stools stand on the opposite side of the island from the range, where they won’t get in the way.
Hardwood runs throughout the house, and Brioza thought that breaking it up with tile would be interesting. He wanted to add a black-and-white element as an homage to old French kitchens and chose this pattern to bring what he describes as a “classic” feel to the kitchen.
The stools stand on the opposite side of the island from the range, where they won’t get in the way.
Seating option
In addition to the island stools, a table and chairs provide more seating. The island tends to be the first choice for snacks and homework time, but the family uses all the seats, Krasinski says.
Ceiling
During the remodel, the homeowners discovered that the original ceiling was redwood. Both Brioza and Krasinski wanted to keep it, but that would expose their electrical wiring. So they covered the original ceiling with drywall and layered it with 1-by-1-inch pine boards in a symmetrical pattern that subtly adds another design element to their kitchen.
In addition to the island stools, a table and chairs provide more seating. The island tends to be the first choice for snacks and homework time, but the family uses all the seats, Krasinski says.
Ceiling
During the remodel, the homeowners discovered that the original ceiling was redwood. Both Brioza and Krasinski wanted to keep it, but that would expose their electrical wiring. So they covered the original ceiling with drywall and layered it with 1-by-1-inch pine boards in a symmetrical pattern that subtly adds another design element to their kitchen.
The other side
On the kitchen’s opposite wall, the couple have shelves and furniture pieces that they use for storage, but they find that they still need more. Future plans include replacing the cool eclectic cabinetry on the west wall of the kitchen with what Brioza dubs a “bench-denza” – a seating bench with an integrated multipurpose cabinet that stores platters, cookbooks, wine and a cocktail bar.
Notably, the kitchen has no microwave. Krasinski says she prefers to reheat leftovers in a pan.
On the kitchen’s opposite wall, the couple have shelves and furniture pieces that they use for storage, but they find that they still need more. Future plans include replacing the cool eclectic cabinetry on the west wall of the kitchen with what Brioza dubs a “bench-denza” – a seating bench with an integrated multipurpose cabinet that stores platters, cookbooks, wine and a cocktail bar.
Notably, the kitchen has no microwave. Krasinski says she prefers to reheat leftovers in a pan.
“We’ve noticed when you open up a design magazine and you look at the pictures, it’s very clean, minimal, less is more,” says Brioza, pictured with Krasinski. “But every day, I need stuff around.”
Photo by Ed Anderson
State Bird Provisions: A Cookbook by Stuart Brioza, Nicole Krasinski and JJ Goode (Ten Speed Press, 2017)
Read more:
Kitchen Tour: A Statement Island Creates a Dream Kitchen
Tell us:
What did you like about this kitchen renovation? Tell us in the Comments below.
State Bird Provisions: A Cookbook by Stuart Brioza, Nicole Krasinski and JJ Goode (Ten Speed Press, 2017)
Read more:
Kitchen Tour: A Statement Island Creates a Dream Kitchen
Tell us:
What did you like about this kitchen renovation? Tell us in the Comments below.
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Finally a working kitchen! I'm so tired of seeing glamorous kitchens where all the appliances are hidden, spices are stored next to the heat of the stove, and everything is paneled, monochromatic, and sterile. This one has texture, character, and begs to be used!
I love seeing these functional kitchens! When working with designers be sure to tell them about your passion and preferences around cooking. This way your designer will provide more prep space, more practical appliances and layouts conducive to cooking, among other options.
It's so convenient to hang the pans from the ceilings – and over an island they are out of the way of cooks and their guests too. These are great design ideas for functional kitchens.