The path to the outdoor deck cuts between the nook and the kitchen proper. You can see the built-in broom closet against the right wall. A freestanding Simple Human trash can is nestled between the pantry cabinet and the patio door. The patio door and a variety of recessed cans, undercabinet LEDs, ceiling fan, and chandelier over the table provide good light. Photo by Ellene Newman

Instead of sacrificing precious counter and storage space in the U, I designed a between-the-studs shallow broom niche for the new eating alcove wall. It’s about 3-1/2" deep — enough for a broom and dustpan, and a few cleaning supplies on the shelf above. It's easy to grab the broom even when someone is seated at the table. Although the rest of the kitchen has frameless cabinets, the broom cabinet uses a framed front. Canyon Creek, the manufacturer, has both framed and frameless lines. Photo by Ellene Newman

Although the kitchen is small and does not have a high ceiling, it feels spacious with its U-shape symmetric plan and wide walkways. We eliminated an existing window to place the dual oven range in the center of the “U”, which allowed for 2 sufficient prep areas. Photo by Israel Orange

Miriam and Dovid D. live in a small home in Baltimore have 6 kids. Their 3-year-old is autistic. Although counter space was adequate in their old kitchen, low-hanging cabinets over the peninsula obstructed the work area and the kitchen felt claustrophobic. Objectives: • A second sink and 2 dishwashers • Keep Shimmy safe — a closed kitchen with a door • Separate milk and meat prep spaces • Seating for 3 or 4 • Access to the deck and backyard through the kitchen We put up a wall to separate the kitchen from the dining room. This wall zigzags to include the sliding patio door and and an eating nook within the kitchen area, and puts the kitchen entry at an an angle. The door to this closed kitchen is clear plexiglass — a physical but not a visual barrier. The door can lies flat against the wall when open without intruding into the adjacent rooms or blocking the traffic pattern. Drawings by Ellene Newman

A wide angle shot of the "U". The milk and meat prep areas are just about equal. This kitchen is very symmetric. The cabinet style is Belmont, from Canyon Creeks' Millennial frameless line. Photo by Israel Orange

Pantry side — the work area is a little over 4' wide. Upper cabinets have been dropped an inch from the customary 18" to 17" to make them easier to reach by a petite homeowner. Photo by Israel Orange

The 15" wide tray cabinet holds a variety of baking sheets and a folding stepladder. The engineered quartz countertop is Nevern by Cambria. Photo by Ellene Newman

The little eating nook is nestled into an alcove and keeps the path to the patio door opening clear. The table is a 42” round dropleaf. Miriam’s bold choices in color and the glitzy chandelier add some sparkle. Photo by Israel Orange

The path to the outdoor deck cuts between the nook and the kitchen proper. You can see the built-in broom closet against the right wall. A freestanding Simple Human trash can is nestled between the pantry cabinet and the patio door. The patio door and a variety of recessed cans, undercabinet LEDs, ceiling fan, and chandelier over the table provide good light. Photo by Ellene Newman

Instead of sacrificing precious counter and storage space in the U, I designed a between-the-studs shallow broom niche for the new eating alcove wall. It’s about 3-1/2" deep — enough for a broom and dustpan, and a few cleaning supplies on the shelf above. It's easy to grab the broom even when someone is seated at the table. Although the rest of the kitchen has frameless cabinets, the broom cabinet uses a framed front. Canyon Creek, the manufacturer, has both framed and frameless lines. Photo by Ellene Newman

Although the kitchen is small and does not have a high ceiling, it feels spacious with its U-shape symmetric plan and wide walkways. We eliminated an existing window to place the dual oven range in the center of the “U”, which allowed for 2 sufficient prep areas. Photo by Israel Orange

Miriam and Dovid D. live in a small home in Baltimore have 6 kids. Their 3-year-old is autistic. Although counter space was adequate in their old kitchen, low-hanging cabinets over the peninsula obstructed the work area and the kitchen felt claustrophobic. Objectives: • A second sink and 2 dishwashers • Keep Shimmy safe — a closed kitchen with a door • Separate milk and meat prep spaces • Seating for 3 or 4 • Access to the deck and backyard through the kitchen We put up a wall to separate the kitchen from the dining room. This wall zigzags to include the sliding patio door and and an eating nook within the kitchen area, and puts the kitchen entry at an an angle. The door to this closed kitchen is clear plexiglass — a physical but not a visual barrier. The door can lies flat against the wall when open without intruding into the adjacent rooms or blocking the traffic pattern. Drawings by Ellene Newman