Guess My Age

Running the Jewett Farms + Co. Instagram account is pretty fun. I get to sift through photos of beautiful kitchens and see how much people enjoy them. Not a bad gig. I had a realization recently as I watched the likes come in for a repost of a kitchen that, as Matthew commented, was an oldie. I took a moment and looked up the date of the project and he was right, it really was an oldie. But, man is it still good. And that is what creating great kitchens is all about. A kitchen that will continue to be functional and beautiful and surprise you with its age for years to come. So, how do we create timeless kitchens?

Durability and quality

For a kitchen to shine for many years it needs to work. If drawers are stiff or shelves slip then the kitchen is not serving it’s purpose. We create durability by combining high quality materials with traditional joinery methods. From cabinet boxes to doors, drawer boxes to drawers slides, we choose the right materials and then do the work to build things right.

Well designed layout

A layout that flows well, leaves room for more people to work in the kitchen and has some entertaining space will always be desired in a kitchen. The key to working out a great layout is thinking about the way you move in the kitchen. While the things you put into your cabinets and drawers may change over time, your large appliances will not. Use them as your touchstone and work around them.

Fit within your home

There’s definitely some flexibility with this one, but designing a kitchen that is vastly incongruous with the history or aesthetic of the rest of your house will potentially make it feel dated more quickly. If you live in an historic home you’re not committed to a wood burning oven and low ceilings, however maintaining elements that link the new design to some of the original details of the home will make your space feel as though it fits.

Myths

To create a timeless kitchen you don’t need to stick with white cabinets and shaker style doors. There’s room for creativity and color in your design. Remember that lighting can be swapped out and so can knobs and pulls. Tile and counters are a little trickier, but that doesn’t mean you should choose the safe option over what you really want. If you love something, chances are you’ll love it for a while, but maybe ask a designer for a second opinion, just in case.

Maintenance

Timeless design doesn’t mean impervious to the passing of time. If you want your kitchen to stay beautiful and functional you will need to regularly maintain it. Over time door hinges will move and will need to be adjusted to keep our doors closing perfectly (make sure your hinges are high quality and adjustable) so learn how to do that. Clean your cabinet faces gently without using harsh chemicals. Occasional paint touch ups might be needed, your cabinet maker should provide touch up kits. Try to maintain a relatively constant range of humidity – super tough in New England – but know that wood will expand and contract as humidity rises and falls.

ok ok

We won’t leave you hanging. Kitchen one at the top of the page was designed and built in 2011. Kitchen two in the middle is from 2012. And the last kitchen comes from 2013. Despite being 10 years old, these kitchens still pop on instagram and inspire new designs. I have no doubt that they will continue to do so for many more years to come.