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I have been in both types of homes and vastly prefer the modern open kitchen. What isn’t mentioned is that the kitchen in the old times was small and isolated

I have been in both types of homes and vastly prefer the modern open kitchen. What isn’t mentioned is that the kitchen in the old times was small and isolated from the living and dining rooms where the guests were entertained. The kitchen was the domain of servants and women, who mere meant to provide the food but not the conversation. In modern times we have come away from that and our design reflects that. We are much more egalitarian. Kitchens are now incorporated into our entertainment of guests. That large island is now likely to be where food is served buffer style. There is lots of place so that guests and come in and conversation with whomever is cooking the food. More than anything, the more “modern” style reflects the kitchen becoming a public space whereas before it was a private space. I prefer the modern public space kitchen.

simonsarris 5y ago
Note, there has actually been a jump from hearths (kitchens as living rooms, as you will find in almost all dutch art of this period) to separated kitchens (more of a Victorian and/or very upper class thing), and recently a return to a pseudo-hearth "kitchen as gathering space." But it's not precisely new. I am somewhat surprised by your comment, because I do not think the contrasting painting is particularly closed (the ceilings are taller, I thnik), and the kitchen I designed for myself[1] is fairly open, though it is not as spacious or dependent on electric light (it is touched by a wall of southern windows). In some ways I consider the richo kitchen more claustrophic than open, owing to the large amount of upper cabinets. What makes the richo kitchen feel off, in terms of openness, is the hallway effect with the adjacent rooms. But my critique is mostly one of the materials making the space and the utilitarian feel. [1] A couple images are here: https://twitter.com/simonsarris/status/1450480908822265865 https://twitter.com/simonsarris/status/1450480908822265865 Note there are now two sets of shelves, we have been slowly adding to the kitchen since we built the house.
- PaulDavisThe1st 5y ago
  That's a very nice human-scale kitchen you've made there. One of the NY cooking staff recently put out a call for photos of people's pantries. Given that the people replying are likely to be somewhat more into cooking than an average person, I was amazed at the simplicity and "non-professionalism" of all the images I saw. Just simple shelving with somewhat random supplies packed in a not particularly access-efficient way. Quite different from what you'd expect to find behind the cabinet doors of your "richo kitchen". However, I question your use of the term "utilitarian" when you're describing the "richo kitchen". To me it feels much more decorated than (for example) your own kitchen, which has lots of wonderful small aesthetic details, but the overall vibe of which I would be more likely to call "utilitarian". Your kitchen is there for you and your partner (I assume, from the photo) to prepare food and clean up. The "richo kitchen" is that too, but also a statement about wealth, specifically the wealth to have cabinets enclosing that much stuff.

simonsarris 5y ago

Note, there has actually been a jump from hearths (kitchens as living rooms, as you will find in almost all dutch art of this period) to separated kitchens (more of a Victorian and/or very upper class thing), and recently a return to a pseudo-hearth "kitchen as gathering space." But it's not precisely new. I am somewhat surprised by your comment, because I do not think the contrasting painting is particularly closed (the ceilings are taller, I thnik), and the kitchen I designed for myself[1] is fairly open, though it is not as spacious or dependent on electric light (it is touched by a wall of southern windows). In some ways I consider the richo kitchen more claustrophic than open, owing to the large amount of upper cabinets. What makes the richo kitchen feel off, in terms of openness, is the hallway effect with the adjacent rooms. But my critique is mostly one of the materials making the space and the utilitarian feel. [1] A couple images are here: https://twitter.com/simonsarris/status/1450480908822265865 https://twitter.com/simonsarris/status/1450480908822265865 Note there are now two sets of shelves, we have been slowly adding to the kitchen since we built the house.

PaulDavisThe1st 5y ago
That's a very nice human-scale kitchen you've made there. One of the NY cooking staff recently put out a call for photos of people's pantries. Given that the people replying are likely to be somewhat more into cooking than an average person, I was amazed at the simplicity and "non-professionalism" of all the images I saw. Just simple shelving with somewhat random supplies packed in a not particularly access-efficient way. Quite different from what you'd expect to find behind the cabinet doors of your "richo kitchen". However, I question your use of the term "utilitarian" when you're describing the "richo kitchen". To me it feels much more decorated than (for example) your own kitchen, which has lots of wonderful small aesthetic details, but the overall vibe of which I would be more likely to call "utilitarian". Your kitchen is there for you and your partner (I assume, from the photo) to prepare food and clean up. The "richo kitchen" is that too, but also a statement about wealth, specifically the wealth to have cabinets enclosing that much stuff.