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Wednesday, August 17, 2011

Dining & Kitchen



Kitchen



Dining



Dining Cum Kitchen


Here is the kitchen and dining area. I wanted the kitchen to last at least 30 years. There is no way that European style all wood kitchens can last that long without warping or rotting, especially in this very high humidity and very wet kitchen and dining areas. I stubbornly eschewed the fashion of the day and insisted on a brick and tile countertop base.

The tiler's eyes widened when he realized what I intended. He said "Madam, it will look very ugly. We haven't built something like this for 20 years." I was quite surprised but it must be true because my Mom's kitchen was built 30 years ago and my own first kitchen was created 20 years ago. Mom's kitchen is still going strong, and she has only had to change the wooden doors.

Seriously, I had no idea what the end result was gonna look like. But between an robust ugly kitchen and a wimpy stylish kitchen, I absolutely made up my mind for robust. So... if you're looking for something out of style magazine made of sleek lines and expensive artistic kitchen utensils, that's not my kitchen.

My kitchen is one where a hodge podge of unassorted plates are stacked out to air dry before the next use. Note also the wooden chopping board that is 15 years old and cannot be mistaken for style by any stretch of the imagination. The countertop is 750mm deep instead of the usual 600mm deep. This means I can stack a mini fridge for dried medicinal herbs on the countertop and still have space left over for food preparation. I tell you, this kitchen is a pleasure to work in compared to my old kitchen which was cramped and full of wood.

The countertop extends outwards into a tongue that is 1.5m by 1.1m. This space doubles up as the dining area for when we dine en famille. Further down the space is a sort of library like corner which holds an 8-seater dining table. This table doubles up as my study table. When guests come, we will eat here.




Study Cum Dining

13 comments:

My Sinfonia said...

looks great! my kitchen needs an update too...Your place is completed?

Blur Ting said...

That's how I want my kitchen to look like! My kitchen is only 7 years old and it looks like time for replacement soon.

Petunia Lee said...

Sinfonia - Yup! We've moved in!!

Petunia Lee said...

Ting - Yeah... that's the problem with the European style wood kitchens. They don't wear well in our climate. The ol' style Peranakan brick and tile counters are still going strong after 4 generations. I visited an old Peranakan shophouse in Malacca and the countertop still looked new.

But... maybe they went and restored it for visitors... teeheehee!

Malar said...

I'm really amaze with your kitchen touch! It's so simple and nice. I don't really prefer the classy type which is nice to see but limited in using....

Petunia Lee said...

Malar - Thanks!! I'm glad you like it!!

Open Kitchen Concept said...

Looks nice! You have a very very high level 1 - i noticed that when I went by your place... and a very HUGE house by the look of these pictures!

Petunia Lee said...

OKC - You came by?! You shoulda come in!!

Ivana said...

See nothing wrong with the kitchen. Like it! = )

Petunia Lee said...

Ivana - Merci bien! It's a dream to clean!!

Mummy N said...

Chanced upon your blog and love what you have done to your nest. :)

Petunia Lee said...

Mummy N - Thanks for dropping by!

Open Kitchen Concept said...

Hehe.. I was there a few weeks back.. don't think you moved in yet as there were still a few men working away... I was with MY WHOLE family so it wouldnt have been nice anyway. :D Love your kitchen...