Room for All Ages

This Texas couple adds a space for cooking, entertaining, and living with their three children.

Kitchens have come a long way. Not just a place to cook anymore, this room is where the entire family gathers, entertains, and dines. With three children and two busy careers, Bari and Ned Furst of Austin were ready for their dream kitchen. They wanted a place that the whole family could enjoy.

After realizing that they needed someone to meld their ideas together, the couple called designer Linda McCalla, who had helped them with other rooms in the house.

Start With a Plan

After receiving the drawings from James LaRue Architects, the team began to fine-tune the details. For example, Bari knew she wanted white cabinets, so she cut a picture out of a magazine that featured what she desired. Linda used this image as a reference point. Challenged with creating a warm space using the light-colored cabinets as a backdrop, Linda accomplished the task with different textures.

The V-groove-paneled ceiling is stained a rich color, visually bringing down the high ceiling to create a cozy atmosphere. Pairing neutral-colored granite countertops with a tumbled travertine tile backsplash adds warmth to the cabinets. The earth tone tiles are laid on the diagonal and accented with decorative inserts in an antique terracotta finish.

Island Ideas

Linda used the island to break up all the white cabinets in the kitchen. By glazing the piece, it appears more like antique furniture. Turned legs give it a farm table feel. The island contains extra-deep drawers for storage on one side and refrigerated drawers on the other. An additional sink, which is great for multiple cooks to maximize efficiency, is located at one end.

The final element is one of the most important in the kitchen. Three barstools make it possible for the children to do homework, grab a snack, or just keep mom and dad company when they are preparing a meal.

Child-Friendly Space

The Furst children range in age from 6 to 12, so the room needed to be accessible for everyone. Space-saving refrigerated drawers hold drinks and after-school snacks. Set in the island, the drawers are easy for the youngsters to reach.

Linda also kept the kids in mind when selecting the barstools. The entire kitchen features forgiving surfaces that reflect the family's busy lifestyle. "We knew hands covered in peanut butter and jelly would be touching things, so we used inexpensive red cotton duck cushions on the stools," she says. They can easily be removed and laundered.

Tile Art

The commercial-style oven and hood create a focal point. Linda used decorative tiles to fill the space above the oven. The antique terra-cotta botanical piece was a natural fit for the room. Still, it appeared a bit small in the large space above the stove. So, just as you would frame a painting, Linda used coordinating picture molding to surround the piece. She also incorporated mosaic tiles as a wide border to further enhance the look.

Work Station

Bari and Ned wanted a small office area with room for a computer in the kitchen. Using the same granite and cabinet style, the desk fits seamlessly into the space. Drawers were outfitted with file racks to keep paperwork organized. An open cabinet, filled with slots, stores mail. This is the perfect spot for catching up on bills. The desk was kept at countertop level, so the desk barstool can be used for additional seating at the island.

Clever Solutions

The couple made great use of comer space by installing an appliance garage to keep the countertops free of clutter. They also had the island outfitted with electrical outlets that are concealed with a drop down panel.

A Decorative Touch

Glass cabinet doors are a great way to display a collection of china. But if your china is white and the cabinets are too, the look is lost. Linda suggests adding a pattern to the inside of the cabinets like she did with this yellow rooster toile wallpaper. The subtle color picks up the warmth of the walls and calls attention to the dishes.

Cooking To Relax

In addition to Bari and Ned's usually hectic work schedules-both are anesthesiologists-they're also busy parents. For them, cooking is a form of relaxation. "When we redesigned our kitchen, we went for the bigger range for Ned," says his wife. It's perfect for making Grilled Chicken Quesadillas. The Fursts prefer family-friendly fare during the week, but on the weekends they gravitate toward the bold flavors of Tex-Mex. They are particularly fond of brunch, which gives them a chance to leisurely prepare dishes. "Saturday morning is an opportunity for us to really bond as a family," says Bari.

Creamy Cauliflower Salad

MAKHS 4 SERVINGS

PREP: 15 MIN.

SEPARATE 1 head of cauliflower into florets, and coarsely chop. Combine with 4 sliced green onions, 2 diced celery ribs, 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded sharp Cheddar cheese, 1 cup Ranchstyle dressing, and 3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley. Toss with cooked and crumbled bacon, if desired. NOTE: To lighten, use 2% reduced-fat Cheddar cheese and low-fat dressing, and omit bacon.