The Golden State: Where & How to Live, Secure, Visit, Enjoy and Thrive in California

Dream Kitchens

To save time and energy, storage is provided for supplies and equipment near the places where they are first used. Articles in constant use are near at hand; those seldom used are farthest off. Cabinets have been designed especially to hold the various kinds of kitchen articles.

Corner space in cupboards and on counters is often wasted, for it is hard to reach. Revolving cupboards in corners of the U are a good solution.

A broad window over the sink and its counters, and another in the dining corner provide good natural light and cross ventilation. A fan built in the wall above the refrigerator helps to ventilate and carry off cooking odors.

Semi-indirect artificial light illuminates the work surfaces with a minimum of glare and shadow. The fixture is a U-shaped wooden trough with four 40watt fluorescent tubular bulbs mounted on it. The dining corner has a semiindirect incandescent fixture.

Center

Of all food-preparation jobs, making cookies and other baking require the most counter space. Allowing for this, a mixing counter should be at least 36 inches long, with 42 inches more desirable. In this kitchen 44 inches is provided.

Keeping flour handy is a problem in kitchens where much baking is done. In this kitchen replenishing the small container is easy. A small metal bin above the mixing counter replaces the flour canister which usually takes up counter space. Directly above is a big bin for about 40 pounds of flour. Pull out a metal shutter in the bottom of the big bin and flour feeds into the small bin just below.

Next to the small bin is a bin for granulated sugar, and beyond it is one for other sugar or flour. The small bins are removable for easy cleaning.

The wall cupboard with revolving shelves at the right bend of the U is part of the mixing center. It is big enough so that staples in daily use can occupy the outer part of the shelves and yet leave room near the center for reserves. These shelves are extended down to the counter, providing storage at working level for the heaviest and most often-used staples.