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We all want the handcrafted art tile, ingenioius built-ins, and chunky trim that are essential to Bungalows . . . but do they work with modern appliances like a pro-style range? Of course they do, says architect Peter LaBau in The New Bungalow Kitchen, a richly illustrated design guide that is chock-full of historical tips and kitchen design basics.
Gorgeous original photographs and illustrations show just how easy it is to bring the bungalow style into your home. This is the only book you'll need when remodeling your kitchen (or even building one) in the Bungalow style.
The American love affair with the Bungalow continues. And in this most adored housing style, it is the kitchen that homeowners must most often restore, renovate, or remodel. But no one wants an authentic Bungalow kitchen, which was a rustic space that usually featured just a stove, a hoosier, and a sink.
While there are books that describe the authentic Bungalow kitchen, there are few that show readers how to update a Bungalow to handle today's lifestyle needs and personal preferences. Happily, manufacturers today understand the demand, and there are many material and appliance options for homeowners - and the designers they hire - to bring contemporary convenience and beauty to an updated or new Bungalow kitchen. The New Bungalow Kitchen not only provides wonderful historical nuggets about Bungalow kitchens, it offers a plethora of ideas about how to create a tastefully restored or remodeled kitchen, or build new within the style.
From the Introduction
I can't begin to think of how many old houses I have been in over the course of the last 25 years, which was my tenure as the president and co-founder of The Classic Group, Inc., an architecture, interior design, and construction company in the Boston area. The company was born out of my belief in the practical and respectful integration of design and its execution - in other words, living design - and my love for historic and traditional American architecture.
As it was in my company, writing The New Bungalow Kitchen gave me an opportunity to bring together history and living design as they pertain to Bungalow-style kitchens. And it gave me the opportunity to set down on the page what years of working on historical and traditional-style homes had taught me. Having just moved on from running the firm, I was eager to explore the popular Bungalow aesthetic, a period style that's beloved for its craftsmanship, richness of detail, and flexible design. Of the many historical styles, it's perhaps the most easily adapted to the way we live today, which is one of the reasons why it's so appealing to me.
The New Bungalow Style
Clearly, I'm not the only one inspired by the Bungalow aesthetic. What continually fascinated me in the writing process was how architects, kitchen designers, and homeowners had interpreted the style. Not all the kitchens in the book are located in Bungalow or even Arts and Crafts style homes, nor are all the kitchens original to the homes. Some are brand new; a few are barely-renovated originals. And because I have an idea about the style, I've included a project of my own. No other book has attempted to show how the Bungalow aesthetic can be interpreted in this most hardworking room of the house until The New Bungalow Kitchen. From the 17 beautifully-crafted kitchens photographed herein, a new definition has emerged.
It was important to me to express how I would work through the creation of a Bungalow-style kitchen in this book just the way I would with one of my clients. After so many years, I have developed an instinct for guiding people through the process. For example, first you must understand the historical context of the space you are endeavoring to improve. Then you must follow a series of logical steps for making it over in a new and functional space that fits your lifestyle. A newly constructed house - and its kitchen - that is styled on an older precedent is much the same.
This book is meant to inform you about the Bungalow style and its Arts and Crafts origins, and to help you to take liberties within the language of the style. In it, you'll learn the basics of Bungalow-style kitchens and their place in history. Layout strategies, discussed in Chapter Two, are at the heart of any renovation or new-build. I focus on how to treat walls, windows, floors and ceilings in Chapter Three. Cabinetry and storage - both major considerations for any kitchen but especially important to the Bungalow style which is virtually built on the idea of craftsmanship - are the main topic. "The Working Kitchen" or Chapter Five examines appliances that deliver convenience, and the final chapter explains how to apply lighting and hardware.
I know from my own use of many home design books by The Taunton Press that whether they are read cover to cover by a homeowner, or only used as a picture source book by a design professional, a good, logical framework is essential to their value. I hope you'll find this to be the case with The New Bungalow Kitchen, and that regardless of whether you are a homeowner or design professional, you will find this book a valuable part of your library.
Today, the kitchen is where we gather, we eat, and we work in our homes. To create one that reflects the beauty and history of the Bungalow is a true accomplishment. It's my hope that my book gives you the tools you need to get started on this wonderful journey.
- Peter LaBau
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