Counter-fit kitchen

On paper, Paula and Greg Jacobson's kitchen contains the elements of a standard upscale remodel — yet the finished design is full of their taste and style.

Comfort and colour define the space. Kitchen designer Deborah Krasner adjusted surface heights and suggested ways in which Paula, a part-time cooking instructor who has arthritis and fibromyalgia, and Greg, who is a foot taller than his wife, would both be happy working in the room.

Krasner says four zones — hot, cold, wet and dry — trump the old triangle theory of equidistant access to stove, sink and fridge.

Here are five features that make the Jacobsons' kitchen livable and lovable:

1. Krasner advised against using a different colour for each chair but Paula had to have a range: “I go for vibrancy every time.''

Her husband chose the chairs for style and comfort. Tall stools would have been uncomfortable for Paula. So the island's seating area was kept at dining-table height.

2. The backsplash is the kitchen's showstopping focal point made up of circular tiles chosen by Paula. There are four sizes and seven colours: eggplant, plum, robin's-egg blue, navy blue, red, yellow and lime green.

Each colour is used elsewhere in the room, including in the seating area. The gas cooktop and wall ovens are set lower to accommodate Paula, who is 4-foot-10, but the soapstone countertops along the “hot'' wall and on the “cold'' sink wall are at a standard 36 inches, a height suitable for her husband.

3. An 11-foot-long island may cause extra steps but Paula stays on the cork-flooring side when she's cooking, with access to all work zones. The island is a comfortable 32 inches tall.

4. Vertical pullout pantries put staples on display: “I can see everything in them,'' Paula says. There are a lesser number of overhead cupboards. Dishes and glasses are in drawers next to the dishwasher.

5. There are 13 drawers fitted into the normally unused toe-kick space below, where standard lower cabinets would end. They work especially well for Paula because of her height.

Sites to help you plan kitchen renovation

When it comes to renovating a kitchen, there are so many questions and so many choices.

Start right by planning. Here are websites that will make it easier without taking away the fun.

Houzz.com

Check out this site for photographic inspiration. Visitors can upload photos, add comments and compile “idea books''.

HowStuffWorks.com

This has an article on “How to Design a Kitchen'', divided into 10 subjects such as islands and shape.

Kitchens.com

This delves into basic layout concepts and budgets and keeps on top of trends.

MyDesignIn.com

Your back will thank you if you visit this site before deciding where to place the fridge. Sign up to lay out any room in 2-D and 3-D formats.

Superkitchens.com

Worksheets help with kitchen renovation, such as estimating costs and financing options.

— By Kathleen Hom/Los Angeles Times-Washington Post
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