Our company provides cabinetry in addition to our design/build practice. People bring drawings in, sometimes from other companies. Our lovely and talented design assistant takes care of this division; I only step in when I hear her moaning.

This was the example this week of a drawing from a big box store:

Now, I know I live in the world of experienced and talented designers, architects, and contractors. I also don’t expect everyone to have the knowledge I do. But basic kitchen design rules for safety and ergonomics should still apply.

This isn’t kitchen design; this is poorly-trained, box-fitting sales.

Firstly, the regular height wall cabinet should not extend over the range. That’s plain dangerous. And what’s the deal with the offset higher wall cabinet? Maybe they’re not installing a hood fan (there’s no code that says you have to, but the room sure gets messy and greasy after a few years without one), but this…is horrible.

Secondly, which you wouldn’t know – there’s plenty of space to relocate that pantry elsewhere in the kitchen. The counter between the range and the pantry is 9” wise – sure, enough room to move a frying pan on the stove, and put a spatula or spoon on the counter, but not much else. Keep this figure in mind: the average pot diameter without handles is 10”.

When someone says they’re a kitchen designer, ask their credentials, experience, and training. I think that the big box stores have a lot to answer for if this is the type of quality that’s coming out of the kitchen departments.

We will be redesigning this. If the client wants the kitchen this way, we’ll thank them for thinking of us, but we will refuse this project.

I’m still shaking my head.