Reflections at the Kitchen Sink

Is it the joy and escape of seeing views and receiving light while washing dishes? Do we mentally go back to the days when the outdoor pump supplied water for the cooking and cleaning? The kitchen sink, window and sill are associated in ways we can’t explain. City kitchens and galley kitchens sometimes don’t have a window over the sink. If there is no window over the sink we feel displaced.

When designing a kitchen without a window centered above the sink, interior design directors Samuel Fleming Lewis and Stephen Kladder like to create the illusion of looking beyond. A customized, framed mirror and shelf made to match the upper cabinets creates additional light and a faux sill or shelf to display a plant, a vase of flowers, art objects, wine bottles, interesting kitchen items or the wedding ring.

Samuel changes the display often and rotates objects from other rooms into the kitchen “window”. Small sculptures, vintage amber glass, fresh cut flowers from the garden, stacks of small plates, martini glasses, white vases or interesting salt and pepper shakers have been showcased in the kitchen.

A six inch deep framed “sill” allows just enough space for display without the claustrophobic feeling of facing a deep cabinet while standing in front of the sink. The mirror adds depth and reflected light. When designing a new kitchen standard cabinet trim parts can be ordered to frame the mirror and create a shelf. This look can be achieved in old kitchens by removing an un-needed kitchen cabinet that is centered over the sink. Replace the cabinet with a framed mirror that fits within the open space.

Unless you are very vain, don’t worry about looking at yourself every time you use the sink. Because we are not used to seeing a mirror over the kitchen sink, the tendency is to ignore it. Otherwise, the mirror provides another place for you to view your pretty or handsome face.

For design direction visit instudio-sf.com