Kitchen Cravings
I blame my severe kitchen cravings on the tiny town of Woodstock. Once I spent a lazy ski weekend in the Land of Real Kitchens, there was no turning back.
I knew I was in trouble when I saw the massive, rough-hewn table in the sun-flooded kitchenette. I envisioned cooking dinner for twelve, with beautiful place settings and sprays of flowers, the kind you see in food magazines but didn’t think existed.
I came back fixated on every flaw in my workspace. The Real Kitchen had backsplashes; mine just had splashes. This kitchen had flagstones; my floor predates the Stones. It had sliding spice racks; mine had spice avalanches.
After hearing me rhapsodize and pine, an otherwise sympathetic friend suggested that I just simply move to Vermont. But that’s not the point. I want all the light and rough-hewn wood and workspace… just in miniature. I want – I need! – to add these to my apartment:
- A rustic wood dining room table that tucks away yet folds out for eight. For years (I’m embarrassed to say) we’ve crowded around wrought-iron patio furniture, which moved inside for the winter and never moved out.
- A wood island prep space. Our dinner parties are communal affairs, with plenty of contributing cooks but almost no workspace.
- A wall-hanging spice rack. At least once a week, as I rummage for seasonings, I start a cascade of spice out my cabinets. I shield my face reflexively as spice bottles clatter to the floor.
If all goes well, I will be embarking (eep!) on a Great Kitchen Renovation this weekend, to bring more Woodstock to Brooklyn… stay tuned.
I trust you’re not craving the dog?
No, but she sure was a sweetheart. I only crave puppies by proxy. I’ll let my friends get dogs and then visit them at the park.
I too want a big wooden table someday, although I predict I would be too lazy to fold it out and back in time and time again! Look forward to hearing about your renovation!
We had a big wooden table…. once… but as it turned out it was too big for our kitchen! We had to squeeze ourself around the table and especially when those friends where occupying that table… no more space in our tiny kitchen.. Still miss the large table though now that we have a more sensible sized one.