The Big (Kitchen) Island

I am usually the analytical blogger, but for a while I have wanted to write a post inspired by this kitchen island, affectionately called “the Big Island” by the family that designed and enjoyed it. Here is a bit of eye candy for your Pinterest boards or “next house” scrapbook.

The Big Island kitchen is casual gathering place for extended family throughout the day (MLS 603687)

The Big Island as Gathering Place

The interesting thing about the “Big Island” that inspired this post is that it illustrates a change in the way luxury resort-style homes are designed today versus the early 1990s when the house was built. At that time, the kitchen and laundry room were in a separate wing of the house from the dining and living areas. Food had to travel down a hallway to get to the table.

The redesign of this 1990s Kohala Ranch residence was envisioned by Philpotts Interiors

The new kitchen is located adjacent to both the dining room and the lanai seating area, where groups can be seated for meals together. There are pocket doors to close off the mess in the kitchen from the dining room view during a more formal meal.

Here is another example of a Big Kitchen Island, this one from a Hualalai resort home listing:

Modern lifestyle kitchen with Big Island designed by Vancouver-based Architerior Design (MLS 619204)

Making a Big Kitchen Island Functional

During the day, everyone can wander in from the pool and grab a bite at the Big Island kitchen counter…or plug in their electronics in one of these slick pop up plugs. And of course the cook can plug in a food processor while cooking dinner, or a blender to make smoothies for breakfast.

Citrus from the garden ready to be juiced for lemonade…or something stronger!

Kitchen islands also work to make a luxury condo kitchen as functional as a larger space. For example, this Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort condo has an island with cooktop, wine cooler, and a couple of stools for whoever is keeping the cook company. Letʻs call this the Oʻahu or Maui Kitchen Island since it is smaller than the Big Kitchen Island.

Kitchens at Kolea at Waikoloa Beach Resort use an island to provide efficient use of space (MLS 613726)

And donʻt forget, part of the indoor/outdoor lifestyle we enjoy in Hawaiʻi means that cooking often takes place outdoors. And that is the subject of another post…

And now if you will excuse me, it is almost lunch time and my own Big Kitchen Island is calling me…