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Pro Spotlight: Design a Kitchen Around How You Live
A Greensboro kitchen designer shows how to create a space that reflects your home and your needs
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Who: Gina Arledge of The Kitchen Studio
Where: Greensboro, North Carolina
In her own words: “Homeowners should feel they’ve been given a kitchen that’s always been there — a kitchen that their home deserves.”
In her early days as an interior design student, Gina Arledge wasn’t keen to continue with her field of study, but a chance encounter with two kitchen designers changed her mind. The focus of their conversation? Function and efficiency. From that moment forward, Arledge, now the owner of The Kitchen Studio in Greensboro, has shared her passion for designing elegant, well-planned kitchens with clients.
“I’m happiest on my draft table, planning spaces around function and efficiency,” she says. “For certain, function is at the forefront of any good design, particularly kitchens. It’s also the opportunity to rediscover a space that’s as unique as the homeowners themselves.”
Where: Greensboro, North Carolina
In her own words: “Homeowners should feel they’ve been given a kitchen that’s always been there — a kitchen that their home deserves.”
In her early days as an interior design student, Gina Arledge wasn’t keen to continue with her field of study, but a chance encounter with two kitchen designers changed her mind. The focus of their conversation? Function and efficiency. From that moment forward, Arledge, now the owner of The Kitchen Studio in Greensboro, has shared her passion for designing elegant, well-planned kitchens with clients.
“I’m happiest on my draft table, planning spaces around function and efficiency,” she says. “For certain, function is at the forefront of any good design, particularly kitchens. It’s also the opportunity to rediscover a space that’s as unique as the homeowners themselves.”
Consider your lifestyle. To get to the root of how you need your kitchen to function, Arledge recommends looking closely at your lifestyle. “That means taking into account how often you cook, whether you cook with family members, how tall you are, how much seating or entertaining space you might need,” she says. “It’s an approach that will give you a sneak peek into what you want your kitchen to ultimately become.”
Know what matters. Arledge suggests going into your project with an understanding of what you really love about your home and why. When she visits a client for the first time, the first thing she says is: “Show me your favorite thing about your space.” It could be “a view, a piece of furniture, an heirloom,” she says. “I want to understand what makes them feel good.”
Planning a new kitchen to better suit you? Follow Arledge’s tips below for a kitchen that truly reflects you and your lifestyle.
Planning a new kitchen to better suit you? Follow Arledge’s tips below for a kitchen that truly reflects you and your lifestyle.
1. Collect Inspiration
While it’s a designer’s job to help you discover what’s possible for your space, it all starts with your own ideas and inspiration. For a client in the Summerfield area, that meant arriving at her first meeting with Arledge with her favorite photo of mullions.
“That was the only requirement she had,” Arledge says. “The house was on a horse farm, and we wanted to respect the existing architecture. As a nod to the farmhouse theme, we incorporated lanterns and used rustic alder wood for the island, and we included mullions within her cabinetry.” The result is seen here.
See more of this project
While it’s a designer’s job to help you discover what’s possible for your space, it all starts with your own ideas and inspiration. For a client in the Summerfield area, that meant arriving at her first meeting with Arledge with her favorite photo of mullions.
“That was the only requirement she had,” Arledge says. “The house was on a horse farm, and we wanted to respect the existing architecture. As a nod to the farmhouse theme, we incorporated lanterns and used rustic alder wood for the island, and we included mullions within her cabinetry.” The result is seen here.
See more of this project
2. Combine Rooms for a Fluid Space
For homeowners with large families or who enjoy entertaining, Arledge recommends combining rooms to create a better flow. Such was the case with clients in Sedgefield, who wanted more casual space for family gatherings.
“We removed a wall and put the new kitchen where the old dining room was, which created more balance,” Arledge says. “We also designed a window seat with textiles to soften the kitchen and breakfast area and make them feel like one. The new layout improved fluidity in the space and prevented it from feeling crowded when they’re entertaining.”
See more of this project
For homeowners with large families or who enjoy entertaining, Arledge recommends combining rooms to create a better flow. Such was the case with clients in Sedgefield, who wanted more casual space for family gatherings.
“We removed a wall and put the new kitchen where the old dining room was, which created more balance,” Arledge says. “We also designed a window seat with textiles to soften the kitchen and breakfast area and make them feel like one. The new layout improved fluidity in the space and prevented it from feeling crowded when they’re entertaining.”
See more of this project
3. Use Unexpected Textures
Homeowners sometimes have preconceived notions about what kinds of materials should be used in kitchens, but Arledge advises being open to unconventional ideas. For example, a client in Starmount wanted her kitchen to feel soft and comfortable but also wanted a mix of textures.
“We had the idea to mimic the home’s exterior brick on the inside of the kitchen, essentially bringing the outside in,” Arledge says. “We also gave it an industrial feel with the pendant lights, copper hood and rustic alder island.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Gina Arledge and examples of her work, visit The Kitchen Studio’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Homeowners sometimes have preconceived notions about what kinds of materials should be used in kitchens, but Arledge advises being open to unconventional ideas. For example, a client in Starmount wanted her kitchen to feel soft and comfortable but also wanted a mix of textures.
“We had the idea to mimic the home’s exterior brick on the inside of the kitchen, essentially bringing the outside in,” Arledge says. “We also gave it an industrial feel with the pendant lights, copper hood and rustic alder island.”
See more of this project
More: For more information on Gina Arledge and examples of her work, visit The Kitchen Studio’s Houzz profile.
This story was written by the Houzz Sponsored Content team.
Established in 2001, The Kitchen Studio focuses on beautiful kitchen designs that not only strive to meet each... Read More
Review by Stephanie Gilmer:
I would suggest kitchen studios to any of my friends or family. Working with Megan was so much fun. She has such a great eye and is so stylish. She was super accessible and always responded with such ...More