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Designer's Notebook By Ellen Cheever, CMKBD, ASID, CAPS When redefning a kitchen's focal point for a large or openlayout space, it's important to look at how to combine lines and various shapes, defning the space by the forms that are created within it. M ost kitchen designers are well-versed in the elements and principles of design and how to apply these aesthetic guidelines when creating a classic kitchen. For this story, we'll defne "classic" as a kitchen that is partially or completely separated from adjacent living spaces. W hen pla nning such a space, designers pinpoint one area of the kitchen and then organize the details of the space to highlight this area. In this example, the back wall is a beautifully balanced elevation: the oven tall unit and the refrigerator are 'framed' with an alternative material paneling. The island provides a very interesting architectural element: The oversized eating counter thickness, with its dramatic reversed L-shape end panel that wraps the corner and then extends to the foor, makes this dining area the 'star' of the (understated) show. Photo: Courtesy of Darren Walker, Kitchen Craft Cabinetry – Ottawa, www.kitchen craftottawa.ca; photography by Gordon Kitchen Photography, Ottawa, Ontario. 38 | Kitchen & Bath Design News September 2013 Mantel hoods or elegant metal sculptural hoods are great focal points in such spaces. Using decorative ceramic or porcelain tile backsplashes coordinating with some type of geometric pattern below or around the hood area is another great way to create a sense of visual excitement and pull the viewer's eyes toward the highlighted cooking area. GREAT ROOM FOCAL POINT A diferent approach should be taken for a kitchen that is part of a multipurpose living area. In these open-plan living environments, the focal point may be the view outside the space, or an adjacent art-flled living area. In these cases, the kitchen needs to be visually interesting, but a space created to play a "supporting role" in the overall area. In addition to changing how a focal point is identifed, designers may fnd it useful to combine materials, select certain fnishes or link diferent work centers together so they appear to be large or even over-scaled blocks of the kitchen work spaces. This approach to managing space is visually efective for living/cooking/ dining communal spaces. Ventilation equipment can also support this new approach to integrating the kitchen into a grander living area. Interesting new ventilation equipment in-