To think kitchen Islands are the artex of the future?

[GervaseFen]

I was watching a home renovation programme and every time they stick these massive blocks in the middle of the kitchen before ripping out the walls to 'connect' to
the garden. This time the island was a huge rectangle and took up most of the room with a little table in the space at the end. I can so image the future shows having people walking around and identifying these as the first thing to rip out and exclaiming over how much space they gain.

as this is the reality for many people who can't afford better, I am not sure it's such a sweet picture

Blimey, who knew that an Aga and a big enough kitchen to put it in is a sign of poverty these days?

People want to have a kitchen full of labradors and wellingtons. They want a cat who sleeps in the laundry.

yes, people WANT a house too small to put laundry anywhere but in the kitchen, that's inspirational

Kitchen full of labradors, wellingtons you are thinking about belong to big old-fashion very expensive family homes, away from the newbuilt with grey carpet throughout maybe. Houses so small you can't turn around and get away from laundry and shit have never been aspirational.

Thisismytimetoshine
well, I don't, but my house is organised in a practical and very welcoming way

My bad, I forgot for a minute this is MN, this is indeed inspirational...

yes, people WANT a house too small to put laundry anywhere but in the kitchen, that's inspirational hmm
You persist in confusing laundry with the means to clean it. There's no reason for laundry, be it clean or dirty, to hang about the kitchen for longer than the time taken to convey it to or from it's usual storage.
The washing machine by itself is no more dirty than any other kitchen appliance, why would it be?

sorry, I am reading the thread about the hot tub in the kitchen, it's brilliant

yes, people WANT a house too small to put laundry anywhere but in the kitchen, that's inspirational

So I lived for 38 years in a house with a washing machine in the kitchen - well various houses all with that arrangement cos basically you have to be a bit loaded or a lot lucky in the SE of the UK to get any other arrangement. I can 100% assure you that never, not even once, in those 38 years did anyone ever dry anything in the kitchen. The machine was in there but the sorting and drying always happened elsewhere. There is no way clothes could smell of garlic or any other cooking smell as they did not hang around in the room. Also I have yet to meet anyone in the UK with a laundry room big enough to actually dry laundry in. I'm sure it exists but it is very rare. So the drying issue is no different with the two arrangements.

@SantaClaritaDiet

sorry, I am reading the thread about the hot tub in the kitchen, it's brilliant

Link please!!!

Also, this thread has not yet touched on the practicality of a separate washer and dryer (came with house and i hate) vs a combined washer dryer and what i really aspire to: a kitchen so big you can have two dishwashers - one full of clean stuff you havent yet unloaded and one you can put your dirty stuff.

Here you go

www.mumsnet.com/Talk/am_i_being_unreasonable/4007264-To-think-a-hot-tub-in-the-kitchen-isnt-a-great-idea

@HerNameWasEliza

yes, people WANT a house too small to put laundry anywhere but in the kitchen, that's inspirational

So I lived for 38 years in a house with a washing machine in the kitchen - well various houses all with that arrangement cos basically you have to be a bit loaded or a lot lucky in the SE of the UK to get any other arrangement. I can 100% assure you that never, not even once, in those 38 years did anyone ever dry anything in the kitchen. The machine was in there but the sorting and drying always happened elsewhere. There is no way clothes could smell of garlic or any other cooking smell as they did not hang around in the room. Also I have yet to meet anyone in the UK with a laundry room big enough to actually dry laundry in. I'm sure it exists but it is very rare. So the drying issue is no different with the two arrangements.

🙋🏻‍♀️ I dry my laundry in my utility room! not that it’s especially big but I have a Sheila’s maid, great use of space.

Kitchen full of labradors, wellingtons you are thinking about belong to big old-fashion very expensive family homes

Yes, that is what is aspirational, and that is why the picture in my post is on a gift card for a shop selling AGA gadgets.

However, the AGA lifestyle dream is more sheep farmer than Downton Abbey.

Not my utility but it works really well.

Anyway, whether you are a sheep farmer or just a person with a really expensive oven, you probably have enough space for a utility room if you want one.

However, most small British houses are unlikely to have space for a washing machine in the bathroom, but they probably will have space under a kitchen work top, therefore that is where the washing machine goes.

I actually think that a bit about the whole knock through kitchen diner thing. It is just this weird interior world where everything is identical and so much grey.

I have a lovely house. I am very lucky. But it has a separate kitchen, and dining room and kitchen. And again, I am lucky: they are all the right size and all lead off each other in the right way. But I am all for rooms. And nothing gray.

Now read the whole thread. Each to his own. I am sure if I had a really superb island, I would treasure it.

I really love wallpaper and lots of other things that are often frowned upon on these threads.

We have one of those small wooden ‘islands’ on wheels. Cost about £150, it’s less than a metre long by about 50cm wide and it’s a godsend that gives extra storage and workspace. It’s not a replacement for a table in any way as the space isn’t big enough for one. I love my tiny island and think it was worth every penny!

@justaweeone

I was tempted but went for a big table instead Don't regret it at all

Your kitchen is lovely

You need seperate rooms for everything, from brushing your teeth to shitting to washing your clothes to cooking your food.

😂😂😂😂

It’s not like we’re running the gusset of our knickers over the work surfaces,

This thread is a scream 🤪 not helping my insomnia though!

Growing up, I only had a dinner table in the kitchen. We used it as kitchen island . I wish kitchen still built that way

I can see the point of medium sized islands, that provide storage and a table surface to eat at least breakfast at, as well as being good prep areas.
But I really can't see the point of ones that are so large you can't reach from one side to the other, but have to walk around.

My husband is always going on about getting an island in our less than expansive kitchen - I don't want one, because the gate-legged table in there is just fine, thanks. To get one with storage would mean no overhand and therefore I'd constantly be clocking my knees on it - and to get one with an overhang that would be big enough would leave us with barely any space to walk around.

Artex - awful stuff, but not quite as bad as the earlier alternative of polystyrene tiles! (Which probably aren't legal any more).
Anaglypta wallpaper is ok for hiding rough plaster, and certainly better than woodchip. The 60s and 70s had a lot to answer for in home reno terms!!

YANBU. But it’s not comparable with removing Artex from every wall and ceiling. I think the fashion to have a larger space with an island will remain as one option. Badly designed kitchens, whether they include an island unit or not, will normally be the first thing to be replaced, IME.

Kitchen islands are a misuse of space. I am not fond of that sort of kitchen. It lacks warmth and charm.

They lack...