Zen, derived from the Sanskrit Dhyana, means meditation. So how does one reach an ultimate Zen state? By completely gutting their kitchen, of course!

What was your jumping off point for this 17' x 8' kitchen?
I was really directed by the client and her magazine clippings.

The homeowners were seeking a Zen botanical kitchen. Can you elaborate on that vision?
My client is a floral designer. She loves plants, flower arranging and gardening. She also tries to lead a Zen lifestyle. Her business is called Zen Botanical Design. She collects Asian teapots and other such items. Therefore I wanted her kitchen to be modern and uncluttered. I incorporated shelving so she could display her plants and Asian collectables.

The tomato red color makes a bold statement. What was the idea behind it?
Red is often thought of as an Asian color, so the tomato red is a modern version of that.

With such a low ceiling, in addition to the small size of the room, how did you make the kitchen feel open and spacious?
I chose light wood cabinets in Maple with a clear finish and allowed for shelving to be spaced between some cabinets. Even though doing this took away from storage space, it opened up the room by breaking up walls of cabinetry. Above the eating area, the ceiling could be made higher, so I designed a raised niche in that area which makes it more open.

How did the ceiling height affect the design?
Half the ceiling could not be as high as the half by the dining table. I did not want it to look like it was just a random line down the middle. I had to have the contractor open one side of the ceiling to see if it could be raised at all. He said he could get more if the ceiling was completely torn out and redone. I decided to make the whole ceiling even by raising the short side and lowering the tall side about the same. Then I used the higher side to create a niche above the dining table.

You removed cupboard space for an informal dining area. How did you compensate for that lost storage?
I found room for a second tall pantry cabinet next to the window by the table. There are also two cabinets under one end of the table. The countertop extends and floats over a part of the lower dining table that would be dead space. This way there is more counter space on which to prepare food.

The kitchen is on the small side. How did you make it conducive to preparing meals and entertaining?
It is somewhat small in the work area, while the dining area gets slightly wider. By carefully placing appliances and storage it is easy to work in. My client claims that she enjoys working in her new kitchen and that it functions perfectly. Right across from the range are deep drawers for storing pots and pans. Items that are not used often are stored in the cabinets under the dining table and in the second corner pantry. Next to the dishwasher are the utensil drawers.

Any other tips to avoid a cluttered mess of appliances?
Next to the stove is a garage door. Housed behind the lift is the electric mixer, an appliance the homeowner uses often.

What were the client's must-haves?
Seating for the four family members, a farmhouse sink, and adequate storage.

What type of flooring was used?
The flooring throughout the house is Oak. Before construction we thought that we could just patch the wood floor in the kitchen wherever needed. It then became clear that it would be easier to redo it all. It was redone in the same Oak as before, keeping a continuity to the space.

In terms of Zen design, lighting is said to have an effect on ones mood. How did you utilize lighting in the space?
There is lighting from new recessed cans that were installed around the perimeter of the space. There is also under-counter lighting and a pendant over the dining table. The lights can all be dimmed.

Are there any Feng Shui elements in the space?
No Feng Shui. The footprint could not be changed in any way.

Were the glass shelves used to make the space seem less cluttered, almost to create a type of illusion?
Absolutely! They allow light to flow through and open up the space while allowing for creative display.

Did you add the recessed shelving unit?
Yes, the red niche was put on a wall where cabinets would not be able to hang. This became the place for miniatures collection of porcelain garden inspired objects.

Is this interior design indicative of the homes in the surrounding neighborhood?
She lives in an area with many town homes. The kitchens are usually modern and on the smaller side.

With many Americans facing downsizing, what tips can you offer for maximizing small spaces?
Put storage everywhere you can and use lighter colors for large spans of space. Built-in furniture is a great way to maximize space and create a clean, streamlined look.