Case Study Part II: The Design Details
In our last post we talked about the ergonomics of curved furniture and how it has the potential to affect the atmosphere of a kitchen.
To realise this potential, the crucial thing to consider is where the curved piece or pieces will sit in your space. How these pieces interact with each other and their surroundings, as well as dimensions, practicality and aesthetics, all need to be carefully thought about. In this post, we will outline the key decisions made when designing this bespoke curved walnut and hand-painted kitchen, and how they affect the ergonomics of the space as a whole.
The plan of the kitchen from above shows the positions of the curved pieces and how they interact with each other. The client desired a circular dining table at 1200mm in diameter that was in a central position in the room. We have kept a distance of at least 900mm between the table and the surrounding furniture. This allows room for both comfortable seating and spacious walkways behind the chairs. The concave curve of the painted display unit follows that of the table-top to guarantee consistent, easy access around the back of the table. It also creates an aesthetic harmony between the two pieces. The curve allows more natural light to enter the room from the French doors and increases the sight lines from different positions in the kitchen to the outdoors.
The walnut pantry then creates a convex curve to contrast with the adjoining display unit, creating an “S” shape. This design gives great access from the cooking area to the dining table, with the gentle guide reducing potential hazards, allowing for effortless movement throughout the space. The island mirrors the wall unit curves at its breakfast bar, promoting socialisation. The cylindrical peninsula of the island serves as a quirky storage solution, whilst tying in with the aesthetic theme of the kitchen. It also mirrors the shape of the nearby circular dining table, putting the finishing touch to the design.
The way in which these pieces interact with each other not only creates an interesting aesthetic, but also increases natural light and ease of vision throughout the space, as well as keeping the walkways easily manoeuvrable, thus resulting in an efficient, stress-free kitchen perfect for relaxing and socialising.
