Kitchen design for the 21st century

Driemen (former publisher, Best Kitchens & Baths magazine) explains in his book how kitchen design theories developed 60 years ago by Mary Kohl Heiner and Rose Steidl of Cornell University's College of Home Economics are gaining popularity in contemporary kitchen design. Their research revealed that task-specific work centers-as opposed to the work-triangle design popular in the latter half of the 20th century-were best suited for the kitchen. Interior photographer Hill's accompanying color images show 20 kitchens that have incorporated this concept; also included are descriptions of how the inhabitants worked with architects and designers to incorporate their lifestyles into the final design. Alternately, architect Labau focuses on the kitchens of nearly 20 bungalows located throughout the United States that have been updated to suit 21st-century needs while keeping with the Arts and Crafts style. He discusses a variety of choices for lighting, flooring, hardware, windows, and the like and adds sidebars to give a historical perspective on how the kitchen functioned in the first half of the 20th century. Both are recommended for professional, academic, and public libraries. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.