Design Post | The Cabinet Wall
Design Post is a series that simplifies the complexity of interior design. Because we all want to live in places that feed the soul.
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Set aside, for a moment, the idea of what is typical, expected, and maybe even written in stone - upper kitchen cabinets. In it's place, consider what it would be like to have more kitchen windows to the outside world, or more wall space on which to hang art, or simply less visual bulk taking up space in your most-used room in the house.
Sound intriguing?
Since most of us can't take away upper cabinets willy-nilly, without having another storage option in place (we do need to put our kitchenware someplace!), consider the cabinet wall. Placed on an inside wall, the cabinet wall is just that - a floor-to-ceiling (or nearly) wall of cabinets, and sometimes drawers, that offer an incredible amount of storage in a considerably small foot print. The depth is often a standard 24," however, I wouldn't hesitate to go less than that, even down to twelve inches, if need be.
The above kitchen incorporates a cabinet wall with doors and drawers outfitted with simple brass pulls and knobs. The shaker style white oak doors continues the warmth of the wood floor and brings contrast to the white, modern kitchen.
Although a much smaller space with lower ceilings, this kitchen benefits just as well from the cabinet wall, which is ingeniously incorporated on perpenticular walls. The plank door style has a modern yet natural feel and the tab pulls are functional and unobtrusive. Here, a stainless steel integrated refrigerator was also beautifully incorporated.
This is a beautiful example of an unfitted kitchen with open, workbench base cabinets, a single open shelf, a free-standing refrigerator, a dining table and chairs, and a large, painted free-standing cabinet wall. The open shelves above and cabinet doors below are reminiscent of the cabinetry one might see inside an old fashioned general store.
Taking that same old-fashioned idea and building it in, this cabinet wall has an historic feel with the unpainted beadboard back and lower wood drawers with bin pulls. The simple, painted shaker style cabinet doors with black porcelain knobs complete the look.
This integrated cabinet wall has an open feel with glass panel doors and glass shelves. No toe kick at that base helps it read as furniture. The added design element of the subway tile that's used around the room, continuing across the back of the cabinet wall is an unexpected, delightful touch.
In designer Brooke Giannetti's kitchen, a Swedish antique hutch was built-in as a cabinet wall, visually balancing an integrated refrigerator on the opposite side of the open pantry visible here. Brooke's thoughtful incorporation of furniture in her kitchen help the space read as comfortable and homey.
In the Jersey Ice Cream Company's most recent renovation, (also seen in the first photo in this post) an entire wall was outfitted in soft gray cabinetry. An integrated refrigerator is camouflaged behind matching panels. The small-scale pulls on both knobs and drawers provide an unassuming visual touch.
What are your thoughts about a cabinet wall? Do you have one? Would you like one?