Open concept Kitchen - where to put my dining room dishes?? (granite, cabinet)
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Becasue she doesn't have enough empty wall space to put a large piece of furniture on.
I don't think the OP said that? She referenced building some kind of built in on an exterior wall. I was assuming that meant there was so wall space surrounding the dining area? In my open floor plan, the dining area is in the corner next to the kitchen so I have 2 wall sides, although one of those wall has windows. But on the other wall, I have room to put a buffet. I could put in a built in on that same wall if I wanted, but I love my antique art deco buffet.
I don't think the OP said that? She referenced building some kind of built in on an exterior wall. I was assuming that meant there was so wall space surrounding the dining area? In my open floor plan, the dining area is in the corner next to the kitchen so I have 2 wall sides, although one of those wall has windows. But on the other wall, I have room to put a buffet. I could put in a built in on that same wall if I wanted, but I love my antique art deco buffet.
Whoops. you're right.
I guess I'm in the "why don't you buy a china cabinet/hutch?" crowd. I was thinking that with her open concept she didn't have enough walls to place a large piece of furniture on.
I still say keep looking! There are plenty of newer homes here in the South that have formal dining rooms.
Our garage is off the kitchen, and fortunately, the former owners put the old kitchen cupboards and counter on the back wall of the garage. I have a buffet in the dining area where I can store some dishes, but the garage cupboards are a lifesaver.
If you have a walk in pantry, this would be good for dish storage too.
Sounds like you have improvised a Butlers Pantry, the best solution if you have the space
I'm in SC and we have a house with a formal dining room as well as a large eat-in kitchen. We never use the dining room though. But we do have two china cabinets in there since I collect Fiestaware and need a place to store it.
Really, I think a china cabinet is an overly simplistic suggestion. A china cabinet seems very dated in this day and age. They are not really terribly practical, since most are made to display only a few dishes in the top, with only limited real storage in the bottom.
Our vey!
We just moved to "the south" Ga. I thought I was already in "the south" Tx.
Was used to sprawling kitchen with tons of cabinet space and open plan for dining and kitchen nook seating.
I had to buckle and buy one of those buffet/cabinet things to store entertaining pieces and wine glasses, shot glasses, platters.... I swore I would never purchase one of those old lady looking things!
Well went to this unique consignment store here in Ga. And found a black shabby chic hutch looking thing that matches our black/brown 8 seated dining room set for the stand alone dining room.
WE LOVE it. We are digging this Southern older home concept of divided off the kitchen rooms.
Good luck on your search.
Really, I think a china cabinet is an overly simplistic suggestion. A china cabinet seems very dated in this day and age. They are not really terribly practical, since most are made to display only a few dishes in the top, with only limited real storage in the bottom.
I don't think that's true at all. Maybe you're thinking about a secretary or hutch. I have a large marble topped buffet in my dining room. It holds all the big serving bowls & platters, pitchers, etc. that are awkward to fit into kitchen cabinets, plus I don't need those things taking up real estate in my kitchen cabs! And since it has a dark marble top, it's very practical. I can set things on it during meals and not worry about whether the plate is hot or something is wet. It's one of the most functional pieces of furniture I have.
It's all in how you use things. My mother used to store her "good" china in the drawers of a dresser in the guest bedroom! There werent' any clothes in there, so why not? she took them out when needed for large gatherings, and put them back in the drawers until the next time.
Really, I think a china cabinet is an overly simplistic suggestion. A china cabinet seems very dated in this day and age. They are not really terribly practical, since most are made to display only a few dishes in the top, with only limited real storage in the bottom.
It doesn't have to be the old fashioned buffet with hutch of days ago with leaded glass and all of that. There's plenty of new style type of sideboards that can both hold plenty of dishes while fitting in with an overall decor. Look at Pottery Barn - they have loads of things like that. I have a sideboard in my dining room because there's not enough room in my kitchen. I did an open shelved one so all of my dishes are stacked on it. Since I did all white dishes in there, it looks pretty good. I like the look of stacked dishes too. Quite 'in' right now as well.
Unless you want to have it on display, buy either a large buffet, or a really nice, long dresser with drawers deep enough to stack your dishes in with plate holders etc. If there are shallower drawers on the top row, put cutlery and linens in there. Either way, the stuff is easy to get to and the top is a good serving space.
Moving south in a few years - all these homes have huge open concept kitchens and family rooms. Large islands and 'off the kitchen is something like a 'keeping room' where you can have a huge 'kitchen' table that seats 8-12. However, all these new southern homes have NO dining room. Anyone have photos of some kind of built in for dining room dishes I don't want to get rid of? With no dining room, these homes must be getting some kind of storage. Suggestions?
Well, the argument over whether Maryland is a Southern State or not seems to never come to any conclusions, so I can't help you there. I do however live in an open concept with no formal dining room.
As I mentioned in another thread I have a buffet off the kitchen, which is technically in the "dinning room" area. In addition to that, and next to it, is a china cabinet. I would prefer to have built-ins, but whatcha gonna do?
I am considering adding a row of short cabinets, perhaps only 18" tall, along the wall above the buffet for added storage.
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