The kitchen, often referred to as the heart of the home, has been getting a lot of use these days. With the kids home from school, working from home, and doing your best to practice social distancing, we know your kitchen has been seeing a lot more of you lately. This week, we’re dishing out a little pretty, a little functional, and a little fun to help inspire you in your most active space!

We love kitchens for what they represent: warmth, sustenance, entertainment, and family. These days especially, it’s where you prepare meals, entertain the kids with hands-on activities, and organize your day. A lot of work takes place in that one room, but how’s it working for you?

 

A Cook ’ s Kitchen

Our clients from our Gainesville Project reached out, because they were ready for a refresh. Their kitchen was dated, and cut off access to their favorite room & outdoor views. Not to mention, it needed to be more functional for this family of six. It just wasn’t working for them anymore.

Our Gainesville Project Before – check out all the light it’s blocking. We just had to get remove it.

We removed the wall separating the kitchen and sitting room to create an expansive kitchen with a beautiful eat-in area. Not only did we find room for the breakfast table, but we took advantage of all that space by installing a large island and peninsula. Each one gave us plenty of additional seating. They’re the perfect spots for eating as a family, doing crafts with the kids, or partaking in some cocktails.

Our Gainesville Project After; look at how light, airy, and spacious it is!

One of the things our clients love most about their space, is how much storage they have. Each cabinet and drawer provide the perfect place to organize all the dishes, utensils, and equipment they need to run an active household. What do we love? It’s hard to say – there’s too much to choose from! However, we could get used to the idea of starting & ending the day at this kitchen table.

See those chairs? They are great for kids. Check out more family friendly furnishings in our last blog post.

By joining together our clients’ favorite space with their most outdated one, we created an incredibly stylish and functional space to host family & friends alike. Now their updated kitchen is truly the heart of their home. 

 

Taming the Chaos

Having a newly renovated kitchen isn’t the only reason to get more organized. There’s always that one drawer, cabinet, or surface that becomes a catch-all. Life gets so busy that decluttering and organizing is often put on the back burner. After spending the last few days at home with a full house, you might be ready to add some order back to your life.

Rachel Rosenthal is our go-to for any home organization. She’s got plenty of smart storage ideas for every spot in your home. Today, we’re zeroing in on her tips for the kitchen. We know fridges and pantries are rather packed right now, making it hard to see exactly what you’ve got. These days, we don’t want any food to go to waste or go bad because it’s not seen. Rachel’s solution: clear bins & baskets, that group together similar items. Everything has a place, and you know how much you have left.

Check out more step-by-step tips and all the items Rachel uses in her posts here and here. Peruse the rest of her blog for more ideas for all your spaces.

Best part about organizing while stuck in the house, you can turn it into an activity for the kids. Make it a race or matching game. You’d be surprised by how much fun they have, and by how much space you have once everything has its place.

 

What’ s Cookin ’?

Looking for something to do with the kids? Cooking and baking are the perfect activity for any age group. Not only does it keep hands and minds busy, but you’re also teaching your children practical skills with a little bit of art and chemistry. That’s right folks, we said it. Cooking is both an art and a science. It may just become your favorite “class” until the kids are back in school.

Team EBI has children in a variety of age groups, and we’ve got the recipe to help engage kids in the kitchen. We’re talking pizza – a family favorite! This recipe is adapted from a family recipe for the FACS (Family and Consumer Science) or Home Economics classroom. Which means it’s perfect to do as a family or somewhat independently.

Don’t have all the ingredients? Swap out the dough for bread, bagels, or biscuits! You can still make mini pizzas, and everyone can choose their own topping. Have a favorite recipe? Now’s a good time to break out the cookbook and share! The kitchen is a great place for family time, and for learning. It may just become your favorite “class” until the kids are back in school.

 

Looking for a kitchen update? Want to work with us? Click here to get started!