How to Make an Open-Concept Kitchen Work in a Small Space

Written by Timber Home Living Editors

 
Kitchens are so much more than the sum of their parts; they’re where life in a timber home happens. It’s essential that today’s open-concept kitchens look good and function even better, but it’s all the more imperative in a pocket-sized space like this one. This “Kitchen of the Month” is a super star on a small scale. Welcome to the Schreibers’ stone-farmhouse addition by Heavy Timber Truss & Frame.

Why We Love It

• The space is bright, thanks to a variety of divided-light windows scattered around the room, including a clerestory window positioned high among the frame.
• The L-shaped island is one-part prep area, topped by durable granite, and one part casual dining table, topped with fine-grained wood. The hand-rubbed ebony paint is a nod to the home’s Colonial roots.
• The 8-inch-thick Douglas fir timbers and tongue-and-groove ceiling make a major impact in the diminutive eat-in kitchen. Mixing wood tones accentuates the timber work.
• Porcelain tile in a variety of widths creates an inexpensive mosaic underfoot.
• Colonial farmhouse style is evident throughout the space, which is part of a timber-framed addition attached to an 18th-century stone house in rural Virginia.