Owner's Voice Vol. 44: Overcoming Floor Plan Constraints—An Ideal Kitchen Brought to Life Through Artisanal Craftsmanship: "Mr. S's Home in Kanagawa Prefecture"

Kitchen Challenges That Arose During the Home-Building Process

Mr. and Mrs. S’s home, where lush greenery sways in the breeze beyond the large windows.
In the center of the living-dining-kitchen area, enveloped in the warmth of wood, stands the sleek stainless-steel “iNO I-LAND.”
In one corner, a row of square dining counters stretches out, tracing a graceful L-shaped line across the spacious open-concept room.

The couple’s decision to choose this lot stemmed from the husband’s long-held dream of owning a garage house.
The lot, spanning approximately 350 tsubo, offers ample space even after accommodating a garage large enough for their two beloved cars.
They also say that maintaining a proper distance from the neighbors was an important condition for their new home.
“Our previous home was a condominium near the station,” the wife explained.
Even with the windows closed, we could still hear outside noise, so we wanted to live in a quieter environment,” said the wife.
After finding a lot that met their criteria, they began building their home with a homebuilder they’d had their eye on for some time.
However, just before construction was set to begin, when they reviewed the original peninsula kitchen layout on the blueprints, they realized the space between the refrigerator and the kitchen was too narrow.
“With this passageway width, it’s hard to open the refrigerator door, and you have to go around it to do anything.
“I just couldn’t stop worrying about the traffic flow in the kitchen,” said the husband.
That said, if they switched to an island kitchen, wouldn’t there be no room left for a dining table?
Although their concerns were mounting, the ground-breaking ceremony was just around the corner, and they had to rush to finalize the fixtures and appliances.
Was there any way they could keep the floor plan as is without sacrificing either usability or a place to eat?

Then, an unexpected opportunity presented itself to the couple.

Another cozy spot that came to be right next to the kitchen

The final design features an “iNO I-LAND” that’s accessible from all 360 degrees, connected in an L-shape to a counter-style “Dining Block.”
For the kitchen, we selected the “PARALLELO Sink,” which allows you to “wash, chop, and plate” right in the sink.
The “Zero flow kitchen” allows you to cook without taking a single step away from the sink.
Furthermore, the “Dining Block,” which runs at the same height as the kitchen, integrates the cooking and dining areas into a single space, reducing the burden of serving and cleanup.

At first, the wife was concerned that installing the “Dining Block” might make the room feel cramped.
However, in reality, it allows for easy movement around the kitchen without significantly obstructing traffic flow.
Not only that, but the counter—which can be used for both meals and work—has now become an indispensable part of the couple’s daily life.

“You can see the view outside really well from this counter, so it’s the best seat in the house.
We switch between the counter and the dining table depending on our mood that day,” says the wife.
In addition, the husband, who works from home, uses this counter as a secondary workspace.
“I often use my computer while standing at the counter,” says the husband. “I can concentrate better that way than when I’m sitting.”

For the kitchen cabinet doors, they chose the new “Quilt mat” design.
“Only the seam-like lines have a glossy finish, while the surface is matte.
I like that it’s not too flashy and blends gently into the wood-toned space,” said the wife.

The kitchen has become more than just a place for cooking—it’s also a space for dining and working.
The functional beauty they experienced there led to the joy of selecting furniture and lighting.

A Colorful and Cozy Living-Dining-Kitchen Where Personal Interests and Handicrafts Come Together

The couple’s goal was to create a soft, inviting space that complemented the wooden floors while still highlighting the presence of the stainless steel.
Above the dining table hangs the “Klunker Bar L100 Natural,” featuring a string of natural crystals.
When the brightness of the glare-free lighting is dimmed, the delicate glow of the crystals spreads throughout the room at night.
The S family’s living-dining-kitchen area is also adorned with items that captured their hearts at the showroom, such as the “Perch Light Floor,” the “Rabbit Chair Velvet,” and the yellow “Bakan Chair.”
“We looked at other options, but in the end, we couldn’t find anything we liked better, so we came back to these. It’s just like with the kitchen (laughs),” says the wife.

While Mrs. S values charm and harmony with the space, Mr. S—a car enthusiast—was drawn to the craftsmanship of the artisans who polished the stainless steel to a mirror finish.
“The smoothness of the polished stainless steel and the curves of the corners are amazing. I could look at them forever,” says the husband.
Apparently, when his car enthusiast friends visit, they touch the kitchen to appreciate the craftsmanship.

In addition to the flexibility of being able to cut the legs of tables and stools to adjust them to the user’s height, the couple also resonates with Toyo Kitchen Style’s commitment to Japanese craftsmanship, which is reflected in their decision to employ artisans at their own factory in Gifu.

Whereas they used to keep the TV on constantly to drown out noise, in their new home they only turn it on when they want to watch a movie or the news.
Amid these quiet moments, a kitchen brought to life by skilled craftsmanship supports a daily life that is truly their own.

Centered around the deep green “TSUDOI Sofa SQ2SA,” the space is dotted with bird-shaped lamps and vibrant chairs. The items the wife fell in love with at first sight, combined with the glow of natural crystal, add color and a touch of whimsy to the wood-toned living-dining-kitchen area.

(photo: Kentaro Isibashi / text: Shihoko Tomibe)

Previous "Owner's Voice" is here.

Back Number