My husband and I are having our house built. We want a Tuscan-style kitchen, and there are three issues I can’t find help with.
1. I see many beautiful range hoods that have wonderful designs on them, done in a stucco-style appearance, but I cannot figure out where they came from – do you have names of any range hood companies that might supply the kinds of hood I’m looking for?
2. I want a very uniquely shaped island with bar-seating (the general shape of the island will be rectangular). Any ideas where I can look for design ideas? I have poured over dozens of magazines and books, and gone online, to no avail.
3. We will put banquette seating at one end of our kitchen, and I need design ideas; help!
Replies
As to the hood, most of the unusual, not run of the mill range hoods are merely "you build it" covers over a stock fan/lights/filter unit. Some even have the fans remotely located, for sound and on occasion, due to direction or length of run. Wolf, fantech, thermidor, vent a hood are all brands that offer just the box. You build the cover to your style.
I am in no way familiar with Tuscan styling, think I had some wine from Tuscany once. Have you searched the net in the direction of Tuscany, rather than kitchen design?
Best of luck.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
Calvin,
you're funny! Thanks for your thoughts on the kitchen hood - have tried ordering catalogs from several range hood companies, but most of them have gone to online only and will not mail catalogs anymore. I have trouble really getting the "big picture" from a small photo online, so am frustrated by this process. But will keep trying. . .
2. I want a very uniquely shaped island with bar-seating (the general shape of the island will be rectangular). Any ideas where I can look for design ideas? I have poured over dozens of magazines and books, and gone online, to no avail.
3. We will put banquette seating at one end of our kitchen, and I need design ideas; help!
A little more detail here: Since it sounds like you already have your island design figured out, what is it exactly you are looking for in terms of "design ideas"? Do you mean construction details? Also, what does "banquette seating" mean, and again, what specifically are you looking for?
Huck,
thanks for your prompt reply. The general design of the island needs to be a rectangle to fit in with the kitchen layout, but I want something other than your basic rectangle, which I consider very boring - maybe some unique angles to it or something? I'm just not sure, which is why I'm trying to find lots of photos of uniquely shaped islands to look at for ideas.
Banquette seating is built-in, along a wall.
Hmmm, this sounds like a cabinet-design issue. I'm not sure what look you're after, but whoever is building/supplying your cabinets should be able to help you out here. Also pertinent: What kind of countertop will the island have? And what style of cabinets are you going with, and what is the sytle of your home/interior?Built-in seating: Like in those "breakfast nooks" that used to be all the rage? In other words, is this a bench-type seat?
You might need to do one of two things. Throw out all preconceived notions of what others consider a Tuscan design and start working with thoughts about materials' choices then build from there or break down and go visit a designer for ideas. So much goes into a kitchen from the functional aspects to the aesthetics. Do you cook or is this a show piece only? If you do cook, what would be your 'ideal' setting for spending hours preparing your meals? Making bread on a minimum of countertop space is maddening at best.
Maintenance of the surfaces is pretty big. Like was said, stucco with grease (regardless how meticulously clean you might be) seems the likely outcome of such a choice. What about copper or a pewter finish instead of stainless steel. Tile?
What kind of colors do you want? Textures? These are all matters of taste which none of us here can answer for you. Think about what delights your eye and start at the place you want as a focal point. Work outward with all the elements like functional areas, traffic flow, your island, your eating area, and take your time planning. After you lay it out, light it up with various styles of lighting for function and ambiance. Consider every detail down to the placement of things like switches and outlets. It all has a cumulative effect on your enjoyment and satisfaction of the space.
It boils down (no pun intended) to you... your use of the space, your goals, your tastes, your budget, your unique ideas being integrated into your space. Take it apart one thing at a time and put it together like the puzzle it is then step back and look at your plan. Start with a list of what you must have. Make a separate list of what you want. Then start playing with ideas. You might be surprised at how a design will evolve after you've put in enough time and thought...
Are you gonna cook in this kitchen with a stucco hood?
Who cleans your kitchen?
What's with these kitchens with rough stone surfaces around the cooking area?
What do they look like when grease and crud gets spread around for a few years?
Curious Joe H
wow, Joe, had never thought about these questions you posed. I just thought the "stucco" look was appropriate for a Tuscan-style kitchen, but you've definitely given me "food" for thought! Do you have other suggestions for that hood design? Thanks so much for taking the time to respond to my plea for help.
Tracy. Have you taken a look at Taunton's Kitchen ideas book?Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
Quittin' Time
What do they look like when grease and crud gets spread around for a few years?
Good point Joe, that would drive DW crazy.
I look at it a slightly different way. If you like the look and can accept the consequence a few years down the road, that's aging with character. Better than new.
Tracy
What are you doing for cabinets?
By that I mean are you having them custom made? If so wouldnt your designer be of some help.
Not trying to chase you out of here, just looking for some more info.
Doug
Kitchens is an area that usually benefits from a dedicated designer, often associated with your cabinet/countertop supplier. Or, use a kitchen designer--there's an association that certifies them, but I forget the name--and they'll not only do the design with you, but also supervise its installation.
who's designing the kitchen?
who's installing the kitchen?
who's GC'ing the house being built?
this stuff shouldn't be too hard to come by ... unless you are tryingt o save money and do it yourself.
Are U GC'ing yourself and are planning to sub out the installs ...
or are U just looking for more ideas to help out the designer.
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry in Carpentry
Pgh, PA
I've built several range hoods. The one in the picture uses a fan/light unit made by Dacor. http://www.dacor/design.com. I believe the model # is PK22
Maverick,
Great look...What are the construction details???I was gonna do something similar but never got a solid design that I thought would hold up...Was gonna use tumbled marble tiles...Ended up using a big copper unit...
simple really. build a frame from 3/4" plywood around the fan unit. then staple 1/8" plywood to the vertical ribs. Tape the joints with durabond, then successive coats of joint compound, sand and finish.
I bid $1200 for the unit without the fan. next time probably double that. sometimes I dont mind taking a hit if it lets me express artistic freedom
Welcome to BT, first off. (If you click on your own name--in blue--you will be taken to the profile section, sometimes the least little bit of location info helps answers here--sometimes <g>.)
On the banquette seating, there's a very good Susanka article in either last month's or the month's before Drawing Board in FHB. It has some very usefull information on proportions, angles, and the like. It's one of the few references that actually uses some dimensions. If possible, try to orient it the long way across the end of the kitchen, as it will make a natural are for visitors to congregate in the kitchen. That will also make it usefull as a "buffett" station when entertaining, too.
On the "unique" island, remember that it's not just a rectangle, it's a 3d volume. Just because the plan view is rectangular does not mean it's a plain rectangle. The "bar seating" will want a "void" where the stools go--this area can be a simple overhang, or it can be framed into the "box" of the island. Or, it can have "table-style" legs to give a furniture look. The top surface material need not be uniform, as long as it is logical & usefull. (I'm not a big fan of mult-level islands, as they are often a lot more work to "live" with, even if they "look" very nice.)
What sorts of things are going in the island? You said Tuscan, my recollection of Italian kitchens is that most have a central cooktop, desinged to let everyone share i nthe cooking experience. That cahnges the way I'd "handle" "bar seating" as a designer. One of the things that come to my mind is that the narrow "ends" of you island are natural locations for cooking utensil bins & spice & condiment storage.
Ok, rememory kicks in, for a traditional Tuscan touch, you likely will need a good haning pot rack over the island, whether you up or down draft the cooktop (not having an updraft hood can be very nice over a cooktop--you ge much better task lighting, fo one).
I guess you've researched the tuscan style so you at least have the background for your needs. Just in case....... here's some more.
http://www.artsparx.com/tuscanstyle.html
Which includes further links you can pursue.
#3. For your bench seat, just apply some of the design elements to the ends or arms if you include them and pick a pleasing fabric or covering or applique that goes with the overall theme. Not too much you can design into a long seat on a wall.
#2. "A uniquely shaped... general shape...rectangular". Huh?
Your available space and desired quantity of seating will be the factor in designing an island as well as what other function you need to have in or on the island. Do you plan to add a sink or cooktop, granite top for making good Italian pastry, extra storage or roll around capability? You may end up with the common rectangle and add on embellishments that complement the decor.
#1. Building a surround for a stock hood item seems to be the way to go. Your imagination can give you the shape that goes with the room and the finish will follow the theme. Speaking of finishes... it was mentioned that rough surfaces will or can cause cleaning headaches down the road. There is a finish called Venetian Plaster that gives a smooth, hard, non-porous surface that lends itself to any variety of look. The process can mimic marble, just what any self-respecting Tuscan kitchen requires. How many kitchens have a genuine (faux) marble rangehood?
You might find better or at least other answers to your questions on the House chat forum as that is more "interior decoration". As far as banquettes--look at Sarah Susanka's website, or in any of her books (I also think "Inspired House" magazine had an article about them).
I was thinking of using plain tile backer, like Durock built around a metal fan hood. Just stain or paint the Durock or tile it, as another person suggested.
Tracy:
You might want to check out this thread 55227.1 Some pix and discussion regarding Tuscan-style kitchens.
You may want to consider tiling your range hood, instead of using stucco. Tile is also integral to Tuscan-style design and you can have some great fun.Trikeenan Tileworks (http://www.trikeenan.com) makes some beautiful tiles, including both field and decorative tile, that could be combined to create something unique and special that fits your style.Here's a picture of a tiled range hood - this is more like Southwest, rather than Tuscan, but you see what they've done. You can go traditional or a little wild and colorful, like this one.
thanks so much for sending along the photo, but I cannot download it for some reason - could you please try again?
thanks so much; I love looking at photos - they are the best help, really. Appreciate your willingness to share.