A design journalist, speaker, moderator and consultant who once worked at C&G Media Group, Sophie Donelson is a former editor of House Beautiful and a frequent guest on television’s Today Show, Good Morning America, and Open House. After growing up in Massachusetts and studying at Emerson College in Boston, she came to New York to join the publishing scene. Uncommon Kitchens is her latest book.
Now living in Montreal, she’s enjoying a quieter life in a vibrant city, “I’m learning French, biking everywhere, buying baguettes, watching French films, enjoying local wine and produce.” With her sons—Teddy, 11, and Whitaker, 6— she finds the kitchen is “the center of our lives. Messing around gives the boys a lot of autonomy.” Teddy can poach an egg and cooks up a competent steak, while Whitaker likes to surprise them with desserts concocted from honey, marshmallows and chocolate sauce.
What mistake do people make in approaching their kitchens?
Cooking and cleaning are just two of the tasks that happen in the kitchen. There’s also a big social element: It’s a gathering place, we assemble there, talk on the phone, pay bills. There are a lot of other purposes, it’s the room with the most impact.
Why is now a time to rethink the kitchen?
During the pandemic, people became much more familiar with their homes and realized they want to make them interesting—a place that feels good every day.
What should be the aim in kitchen design?
It should be a space that makes you feel good. It should bring joy to your life. The kitchen can be addressed like any room in the house. It’s a good place for art, collectibles, fresh flowers, potted herbs—there’s no reason not to take those decoration elements into the kitchen where you spend a lot of time.
What should be your starting idea?
You shouldn’t start with a design or function idea. Start with how you want to feel in your kitchen. Make sure the room you spend hours in is as cheerful and comfortable as the living room; the kitchen is the room where life unfolds.
How can you avoid the expense of overhauling the entire room?
It doesn’t have to take a renovation or a lot of money. There are a lot of ways to make incremental changes. Replace a small area of countertop with a butcher block surface, add a piece of furniture from another room—maybe a comfy chair—hire a painter to paint or refinish upper cabinet fronts. Uppers and lowers don’t have to match.
How do you “uncommon” a classic all-white kitchen?
There are lots of decorative elements. Café curtains, a skirted sink. I love having a washable or indoor/outdoor rug in the kitchen. Rugs and curtains make a homier, sweeter space.
Should all the appliances match?
Most people are comfortable keeping their appliances in a similar color or finish. But when was the last time you bought a bedroom set with matching dresser, vanity, headboard? A lot of the kitchen can be much more a la carte.
How do you update the classic kitchen cooking-storage-cleaning triangle?
A classic triangle works well in some spaces, but in a larger room with too much floor space, it works to differentiate functions, creating separate cooking and cleaning areas to save footsteps.
How can you counteract the rigidity of all the box-shape appliances and cabinets?
Textiles add softness. Or set out a big vessel of apples or fruit, something that’s curvy and shapely.
Why consider introducing colors that “fight”?
You may prefer a mood that is soothing and calm. But if you want to feel pepped up, look at more challenging colors in different tones—a sage green and bright citron yellow have a “conversation” that calls out their differences, creating energy.
Why do you favor a kitchen lamp?
Lighting is the most important element in any room. Commonly, kitchens are lit overhead and undercounter, but a puddle of light on the counter is incredibly inviting. Even a vintage lamp no bigger than a kettle or teapot provides a level of warmth and hominess
