What do you think defines a high-end kitchen?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't agree at all that size=high end. I've seen many very high end kitchens in rather small spaces. Prep sinks and desks for instance seem to very American and very useless waste of space.

Look at these kitchens: http://www.bulthaup.de

They are very expensive/high end, and don't have many of the items mentioned.

I agree with most of this, but I'd also say to consider the typical American lifestyle as you reno. Many Euro kitchens have what we'd consider teeny-tiny fridges because culturally they've been more likely to make trips to the market/butcher/whatever several times a week. With Costco and the like here in the states, many go on giant monthly shopping trips with a couple supermarket runs. At best, it seems like people go on supermarket runs every 1-1.5 weeks.

I'm the PP who wrote the above. Agree with the fridge, but many high end kitchens now do have larger ones. I was thinking more of the list that had seating for 8-10, prep sink plus another, 2 dishwashers, a desk, a fireplace, a walk in pantry, a racetrack for the kids, pull out bed, stairs to the maids' quarters, blah blah blah.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I don't agree at all that size=high end. I've seen many very high end kitchens in rather small spaces. Prep sinks and desks for instance seem to very American and very useless waste of space.

Look at these kitchens: http://www.bulthaup.de

They are very expensive/high end, and don't have many of the items mentioned.

I agree with most of this, but I'd also say to consider the typical American lifestyle as you reno. Many Euro kitchens have what we'd consider teeny-tiny fridges because culturally they've been more likely to make trips to the market/butcher/whatever several times a week. With Costco and the like here in the states, many go on giant monthly shopping trips with a couple supermarket runs. At best, it seems like people go on supermarket runs every 1-1.5 weeks.

I'm the PP who wrote the above. Agree with the fridge, but many high end kitchens now do have larger ones. I was thinking more of the list that had seating for 8-10, prep sink plus another, 2 dishwashers, a desk, a fireplace, a walk in pantry, a racetrack for the kids, pull out bed, stairs to the maids' quarters, blah blah blah.

Totally agree on all that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:gas stove top with 5 or 6 burners - I personally don't like the water spigot but some like
double wall ovens
two dishwashers (one possibly in the butler's pantry)
two french door refrigerators
separate microwave in an upper cabinet
all appliances with wood fronts - no stainless(!)
walk-in pantry with lots of shelves for food stuff & serving platters, etc.
no lower cabinets - all drawers that pull out
plenty of outlets
under cabinet lighting throughout plus recessed lighting
two sinks - one standard size and one smaller size in the island
the hot water spigot in the main sink (forgot what it is called but I use mine every day)
an island with storage underneath and seating at one end but no cooktop(!) and only a small prep sink
large eat-in area with room for a table and chairs to seat 8-10
family room off of the kitchen
mechanical arm to hold cookbooks or ipads up off the counter at readable level (just saw this at a friend's house - her husband devised and it was really, really cool)
butler's pantry leading to the dining room (so no open kitchen here) with the butler's pantry to have a dishwasher, lots of crystal storage, independent ice maker

Your list is fantastic. I have most of this in my kitchen. I don't consider it high end. I'm lucky enough to have the space to support this layout. But a high end kitchen can be done without this much space.

OMFG, would someone please tell me the DCUM obsession with being obscenely wealthy and then pretending not to be? It's just toad-like. Oh, is the Lambo not high end because someone has a more elite edition? If you're going to brag about your luxury lifestyle, then FFS, just own it.

Humble bragging is a practically a competitive sport on DCUM.

[Anonymous]

By definition, a "high end" kitchen has to be large, to house the people during cocktail parties. Even if you hire staff to serve your guests, people end up in the kitchen at the end of the night, inevitably. You can have a crap kitchen, in a crap house, install a pot filler - then call it "high end", but IRL, it just is not.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:gas stove top with 5 or 6 burners - I personally don't like the water spigot but some like
double wall ovens
two dishwashers (one possibly in the butler's pantry)
two french door refrigerators
separate microwave in an upper cabinet
all appliances with wood fronts - no stainless(!)
walk-in pantry with lots of shelves for food stuff & serving platters, etc.
no lower cabinets - all drawers that pull out
plenty of outlets
under cabinet lighting throughout plus recessed lighting
two sinks - one standard size and one smaller size in the island
the hot water spigot in the main sink (forgot what it is called but I use mine every day)
an island with storage underneath and seating at one end but no cooktop(!) and only a small prep sink
large eat-in area with room for a table and chairs to seat 8-10
family room off of the kitchen
mechanical arm to hold cookbooks or ipads up off the counter at readable level (just saw this at a friend's house - her husband devised and it was really, really cool)
butler's pantry leading to the dining room (so no open kitchen here) with the butler's pantry to have a dishwasher, lots of crystal storage, independent ice maker

Your list is fantastic. I have most of this in my kitchen. I don't consider it high end. I'm lucky enough to have the space to support this layout. But a high end kitchen can be done without this much space.

OMFG, would someone please tell me the DCUM obsession with being obscenely wealthy and then pretending not to be? It's just toad-like. Oh, is the Lambo not high end because someone has a more elite edition? If you're going to brag about your luxury lifestyle, then FFS, just own it.

Good one. How many more posts do we need of rich people who claim to drive old cars and buy their clothes at Old Navy (it's ALWAYS Old Navy, apparently Gap is too upper crust).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:gas stove top with 5 or 6 burners - I personally don't like the water spigot but some like
double wall ovens
two dishwashers (one possibly in the butler's pantry)
two french door refrigerators
separate microwave in an upper cabinet
all appliances with wood fronts - no stainless(!)
walk-in pantry with lots of shelves for food stuff & serving platters, etc.
no lower cabinets - all drawers that pull out
plenty of outlets
under cabinet lighting throughout plus recessed lighting
two sinks - one standard size and one smaller size in the island
the hot water spigot in the main sink (forgot what it is called but I use mine every day)
an island with storage underneath and seating at one end but no cooktop(!) and only a small prep sink
large eat-in area with room for a table and chairs to seat 8-10
family room off of the kitchen
mechanical arm to hold cookbooks or ipads up off the counter at readable level (just saw this at a friend's house - her husband devised and it was really, really cool)
butler's pantry leading to the dining room (so no open kitchen here) with the butler's pantry to have a dishwasher, lots of crystal storage, independent ice maker

Your list is fantastic. I have most of this in my kitchen. I don't consider it high end. I'm lucky enough to have the space to support this layout. But a high end kitchen can be done without this much space.

OMFG, would someone please tell me the DCUM obsession with being obscenely wealthy and then pretending not to be? It's just toad-like. Oh, is the Lambo not high end because someone has a more elite edition? If you're going to brag about your luxury lifestyle, then FFS, just own it.

Good one. How many more posts do we need of rich people who claim to drive old cars and buy their clothes at Old Navy (it's ALWAYS Old Navy, apparently Gap is too upper crust).

Ha. I'm the irate pp you quoted and you're right - it's always Old Navy. I think Gap has the stink of trying too hard to be designer-y to feel sufficiently downmarket for our faux-middle class friends. I wish they'd quit their down market clothing habits though. I depend on Unique and consignment stores having decent stuff and Old Navy does not hang together well enough to justify buying at almost-new prices.

[Anonymous]

Moltini or La Cornue (not CornuFe) range
Steam Oven
Separate Refrigerator and Freezer columns
Double Dishwashers
Butler's Pantry
Large Walk in Pantry
Functional,well thought out cabinets designed for the primary cook
No cabinet fillers
Lots of counter space

The space should be designed to allow for the number of cooks/children to comfortably move around and work.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:A full staff.

hah! Only in my dreams, but definitely agree!

[Anonymous]

I define "high end" by the quality of the food coming out of it. By this measure, the "highest end" kitchen I am personally acquainted with is quite small, with 1960s era cabinets, vinyl floor, one sink, a standard-size white fridge, and a standard white range. Also, very little counter space. But the food! Everyone I know relishes an invitation to dine at her house.

The rest is window dressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I define "high end" by the quality of the food coming out of it. By this measure, the "highest end" kitchen I am personally acquainted with is quite small, with 1960s era cabinets, vinyl floor, one sink, a standard-size white fridge, and a standard white range. Also, very little counter space. But the food! Everyone I know relishes an invitation to dine at her house.

The rest is window dressing.

That's a high end chef. One that can make magic because of her skills, not her equipment.

[Anonymous]

This has been interesting to read. I think of 'high-end' as a blend of features and fixtures. But folks really sounded off when someone listed a bunch of features (although there were some features included, like wood-paneling on appliances).

I have to agree, though, that those items on the long list would be on my list for a 'high-end' kitchen. For additional features, I would add wallpaper (not in keeping with the tile backsplash craze these days, I know), wood floors and real window treatments, even draperies if appropriate. I also would add that the cabinetry be all wood, not particle board or laminate faces. Counter-tops would need to be in an understated stone that complemented the cabinetry and wallpaper.

In my mind, there is a difference between being high-end, expensive and luxurious. High-end implies to me well-chosen features and fixtures to meet function in a nice way; expensive means it cost the most; and luxurious, well, then you need a gilded golf cart to glide on the golden rails to get from one end to the other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This has been interesting to read. I think of 'high-end' as a blend of features and fixtures. But folks really sounded off when someone listed a bunch of features (although there were some features included, like wood-paneling on appliances).

I have to agree, though, that those items on the long list would be on my list for a 'high-end' kitchen. For additional features, I would add wallpaper (not in keeping with the tile backsplash craze these days, I know), wood floors and real window treatments, even draperies if appropriate. I also would add that the cabinetry be all wood, not particle board or laminate faces. Counter-tops would need to be in an understated stone that complemented the cabinetry and wallpaper.

In my mind, there is a difference between being high-end, expensive and luxurious. High-end implies to me well-chosen features and fixtures to meet function in a nice way; expensive means it cost the most; and luxurious, well, then you need a gilded golf cart to glide on the golden rails to get from one end to the other.

Very nice differentiating description.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

By definition, a "high end" kitchen has to be large, to house the people during cocktail parties. Even if you hire staff to serve your guests, people end up in the kitchen at the end of the night, inevitably. You can have a crap kitchen, in a crap house, install a pot filler - then call it "high end", but IRL, it just is not.

In what universe do people at a high end cocktail party end up in the kitchen, even if the kitchen is high end and super roomy?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A full staff.

hah! Only in my dreams, but definitely agree!

If you have staff the kitchen does not need to be high end as people here are describing it though it does need to be large enough for the staff running it to not bump into each other.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This has been interesting to read. I think of 'high-end' as a blend of features and fixtures. But folks really sounded off when someone listed a bunch of features (although there were some features included, like wood-paneling on appliances).

I have to agree, though, that those items on the long list would be on my list for a 'high-end' kitchen. For additional features, I would add wallpaper (not in keeping with the tile backsplash craze these days, I know), wood floors and real window treatments, even draperies if appropriate. I also would add that the cabinetry be all wood, not particle board or laminate faces. Counter-tops would need to be in an understated stone that complemented the cabinetry and wallpaper.

In my mind, there is a difference between being high-end, expensive and luxurious. High-end implies to me well-chosen features and fixtures to meet function in a nice way; expensive means it cost the most; and luxurious, well, then you need a gilded golf cart to glide on the golden rails to get from one end to the other.

Very nice differentiating description.

Thanks, it worked for me to sort it out! My sister has an addition: ostentatious is that it makes you giggle or gape when you first see it.