apartment therapy changing the world, one room at a time

Congratulations! How exciting. It's nice to be able to start from with a blank slate. I would definitely recommend a designer because there will be so much to think about besides just the kitchen. You've got flooring, lighting, maybe some facade work for your fireplace?

When I think of a woodburning fireplace in the kitchen the first thing I think of is how jealous I am but the second thing I think of is wood. With lots of beautiful light and an outdoor garden coupled with the rustic elegance of a fireplace, I would think cabinets with a beautiful wooden finish and a good commercial type range/convection oven with hood would be great. I think Maxwell's recommendation of Henrybuilt offers that modern and organic feel at the same time. Their craftsmanship is unique and beautiful. If your tastes are little more traditional, Kraftmaid (Home Depot, Expo) presents a nice all around system and their Venizia line is their modern system.

It would be nice if you, your architect and kitchen designer could all get together to put some ideas together. Can't wait to see the final result! And the progress.

Congratulations! Beautiful space! I hope we get to see pictures when you are finished.

Your description of what you wanted in a kitchen sort of reminded me of the pictures in a craigslist posting:
http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/rfs/390389124.html

Obviously the space isn't the same, but the modern wood-look and under-counter appliances might give you some ideas.

Can we come toast marshmallows in your fireplace when it's ready?

wow, you demo-ed without a plan of what you are going to do? That's brave, what are you going to do for a kitchen until you get finished?

For pure inspiration, the majors include Manhattan Center for Kitchen & Bath and New York Kitchen and Bath, and even Home Depot can be helpful. Of course there are plenty of showrooms for the elite brands like Poggenpohl, Baulthup, etc., though some require appointments. I had a miserable time at all of the showrooms in the A & D Building, so I would advise against them. I didn't find Henrybuilt's showroom to be too helpful, as it is quite sparse.

Um, yeah, you are pretty brave to demo without a plan. But I guess it means you are without a kitchen for a much longer time, and will have no surprises down the road.

But I'd seriously hire a kitchen planner or designer.

I'd look at magazines and books before I went shopping. Something about the notes (low ceiling, opening to garden) makes me think British, so look at British style pubs and people like Kelli Hoppen.

There was also a kitchen on an early episode of Kenneth Brown's HGTV show that worked really well, with zebrawood cabinets where the grain ran horizontally.

Wow, moving forward with a plan for your kitchen is extremely risky and crazy(but in a good way). Hope you guys have a sense of humor/adventure in you.
I love the idea of having just base cabinets and just having open shelving. I've always loved the kitchen in Jerry's apartment in the show Sienfeld. I would suggest putting a twist to it by doing base cabinets with a really nice countertop that is a nice contrast with the walls. For upper shelving, either invest in some really nice floating wall shelves or maybe do something alittle different by using Ellen's Brackets http://www.mockett.com/default.asp?ID=4&action=detail&partCode=SH9VS75with really nice wood shelves so that you can keep the air feel of the space especially with the light from the garden and the low ceilings. Stick with light colors or off white with one really good accent wall with tile or a accent paint color.

Thanks very much to everyone who commented. You were all helpful and don't worry we do have 'some kind of a plan' (and definitely a sense of humor). And don't worry we have a tiny wee kitchen on the 4th floor.The problem is I thought this would be the fun bit - there are a few kitchens I've seen that I've thought wow! such a Boffi but they're just not right for us or the space. The floor is going to be reclaimed Tobacco Barn planks which are quite light in color with loads of knots and flaws which will be filled with black grout. The walls will be whit(ish) painted brick (treated with ideas from AT) it's just the actual look of the cabinets and the movable center piece that I'm stuck on. I don't want too many different woods....nothing I've seen has made me think - that's it!
It's funny that Patrick mentioned British publications as this Brownstone renovation reminds me so much of Islington town house ones. I will get friends to send me mags from home as soon as possible. I just don't want to mess up at this point.....

Aileen.

There are several great sources for kitchen cabinets around NYC. I would start shopping/looking at the very top of the line manufacturers, and work my way down. Visit design centers and showrooms and get ideas, then reproduce them in less expensive cabinetry. You will be surprised by the innovative features you will see in a high-end showroom, that are reproducible at the low-end, but are usually not shown in a low-end showroom.

Downsview Kitchens is a Toronto based manufacturer with showrooms all over the U.S. Their cabinetry ranges from traditional to contemporary and their showrooms exhibit a number of interesting innovations.

Expo Design Center, a division of Home Depot, has several showrooms/stores around the metropolitan area. Their showrooms essentially function as a one-stop source and feature 12-20 kitchens in various styles by various higher-end manufacturers. Again, whether or not you buy anything, Expo is an excellent idea source.

Ikea of course.

Poliform-Varenna is an Italian manufacturer with interesting contemporary kitchen ideas and innovations. They have showrooms in both Manhattan and Manhasset on Long Island. Hit them during a sale and you can get some great bargains.

Manhattan Cabinetry shows some beautiful work in their showrooms and website, haven't seen one of their kitchens, worth a look though.

Consumer Reports I believe published a recent issue on kitchens. Also Fine Woodworking, Fine Homebuilding, and This Old House Magazines frequently examine kitchen design, cabinetry manufacture, and construction issues.

Since your kitchen is currently gutted, a helpful approach to kitchen design is the box test. Get some boxes that mimic the size and height of your counters/cabinets and arrange them in the space, then live with them a while and see how you like the layout.

Aileen,
It's hard to tell without a floor plan showing all entryways into the room, but I would think about putting the stove in an island near the wall opposite the garden door, so that the cook could be looking out over the whole room as he/she prepared dinner (and also get the pleasing sight of the garden). Since the room is so large, I'd avoid putting everything along the walls. And do you need standard hanging kitchen cabinets? With all that space and those low low ceilings, it seems to me that free-standing furniture - dish cabinets and sideboards, etc. - would look especially nice, and would go with the rustic, casual, and warm vibe you're seeking.