Balanced Workstations Help a Small Kitchen

With three active doorways, a brick chimney wall, and a floor-to-ceiling window to reckon with, all the kitchen's contents—including the chief cook and head dishwasher—found themselves pushed up against the room's sole uninterrupted wall. Designer Beth Haley helped improved the flow by reconfiguring the space into distinct stations devoted to prep, cooking, and cleanup. By removing a short peninsula and a table that was shoved in front of the one window to serve as additional work area, the designer made way for a granite-topped island with a prep sink, under-counter storage, and bar-stool seating. Period-style materials such as galvanized zinc and beadboard combine with four well-coordinated shades of green, gray, and gold paint to create a vintage look.