By knocking out the kitchen wall in a 1,400-square-foot beach house, designer Janene Bourgerie Cayton made room for a kitchen and dining room that adjoins the family room. The kitchen then became L-shaped and roomy, with a work island that has seating on one side. Cayton made efficient use of wall space without sacrificing windows, alternating sources of natural light with glass-fronted cabinets and open shelving. Vertical-grain Douglas fir cabinets bookend the work area, conceal the fridge and dishwasher, and comprise below-counter storage. A continuous backsplash hews to the L-shape and pulls the workspace together, making for an area that’s ideal for multitasking and flows perfectly. Fir cabinetry and pendant lamps acknowledge that though this may be a kitchen, it’s part and parcel of the living space. All the same, top-of-the-line appliances and well-plotted workspace leave no doubt that some serious cooking happens here.

About the Author

Amy Albert

Amy Albert is editor of Custom Home and a senior editor at Builder. She covers all aspects of design. Previously, she was kitchen design editor at Bon Appetit; before that, she was senior editor at Fine Cooking, where she shot, edited, and wrote stories on kitchen design. Amy studied art history with an emphasis on architecture and urban design at the University of Pennsylvania. She lives in Los Angeles. Write her at aalbert@hanleywood.com, follow her on Twitter @CustomHomeMag and @amyatbuilder, or join her on Custom Home's Facebook page. 

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