When we sit down with our clients to discuss their new home design, we hear about their family, their lifestyle, and the way they want their home to feel and function. A focus that emerges in most every case is the importance of the kitchen. When my family designed and built our home approximately five years ago, the kitchen was at the top of our list as well.
The kitchen is often called the heart of the home -- and clearly our heart is in the kitchen. Why do we all respond so emotionally to this space?
Kitchen time is happy time. This is where we cook our meals, bake our treats, savor delightful smells, hear about each other’s days and lives. Food brings nourishment, good food brings pleasure, and time together transforms our gatherings into memories.
As I made Sunday brunch this morning for my teenage daughter and her two friends, the simple essence of our kitchen was realized. Bacon sizzled on the cooktop and released an enticing smell of good things to come. Crepes were cooking, eggs were being scrambled, and my daughter and her friends rehashed the 9th grade party we had hosted the night before.
Brunch prepared and served – the three of them instantly found their places at the center island. Teenage hunger is a powerful force, so they happily gobbled up the cheesy eggs, bacon, and peanut butter crepes topped with chocolate chips and a dusting of powdered sugar. They enjoyed the late Sunday morning indulgence and I felt satisfied that my food preparation made them full and happy.
Just one morning -- one slice of life that took place in the heart of our home. As I cleaned up the pots and pans, I realized clearly once again why our kitchens produce daily smiles, frame our happy times, and hold our hearts.
