"Nowadays, the shape of the ideal kitchen is undergoing major changes."

So says Miki Honma, a kitchen journalist who has been reporting on kitchens in Japan and around the world for many years. Rather than emphasizing functionality as a place for cooking, the kitchen is a part of the interior and a place for self-expression to realize a lifestyle that suits oneself. In the first part, she was taught Honma's special theory for creating the ideal kitchen.

1. The way I think about creating a kitchen has changed

“Don't you think the kitchen is just for cooking?”

That's the question I asked my readers at the beginning of my new book, ``INTERIORKITCHEN that will change your life'' (Shogakukan). This book summarizes the stories and theories of people who have created their dream kitchens, based on the six years of research I have done since 2012 for Real Kitchen & Interior.

What did you learn in those six years? This is because many people came up with ideas for kitchens and interiors from words other than housework or cooking. Then, for some reason, it was all about ``being myself''.

2. See the kitchen from a distance

When thinking about a kitchen, I recommend looking at it from a distance and thinking about it as a landscape.

Yumi's kitchen in the photo is a combination of back cabinets (storage on the wall) with walnut doors and an island made of a plaster-like material. In fact, there is a large window next to the kitchen that overlooks the greenery of the garden. In my daily life, the kitchen looks like a grove of trees, and the scenery matches the greenery.

Of course, you may be wondering if such a beautiful kitchen is just for looks, but that's not the case; the storage is well placed for dishes, cleaning tools, seasonings, etc. When it comes to storage, the current style is to have the tools you like in the right place, rather than the amount you can store.

3. Lighting, chairs...you can think about whatever you like.

Lighting, a cafe, your favorite chair - there are people who think about their kitchen with these keywords in mind. Many people would be surprised if I told them that they can come up with ideas based on what they like.

``Before thinking about the kitchen, I got the idea from the lighting hanging there,'' which is the kitchen pictured below.

The wooden slit design in this kitchen is an original that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. I showed the custom kitchen company and designer the Finnish lighting I wanted to use in the kitchen, as well as the collection of chairs I had collected since my days living in a rented house, and conveyed my image of a cafe-like kitchen with this kind of interior.

The cooking zone on the wall where the IH cooking heater and storage are organized is matte gray, a color that doesn't show dirt or scratches. By conveying the image rather than specifying a detailed design, a kitchen with free ideas was created. By clarifying what you like during the meeting, you can keep the image in mind and adjust features and budget. By the way, it seems that the couple had fun creating this kitchen and house by sharing ideas, but by thinking about the kitchen from the interior perspective, it will be easier for men to participate in the kitchen design.

4. Smartness and individuality turn dreams into reality

The homes are not necessarily architect's or designer's homes, but are often renovated ordinary homes or homes built by home builders, and are basically ordinary homes rather than filled with special touches.

By expressing your individuality by focusing on the kitchen, where you often spend most of your time at home, you are able to use cost and labor wisely to create a comfortable daily life. What these people have in common is a combination of ``smartness'' and ``individuality.'' It's not because I have money.

In response to such needs, the number of Japanese kitchen manufacturers and custom kitchen brands has increased dramatically over the past few years. Just as with clothing, glasses, and digital devices, kitchens are also becoming more and more sophisticated in all aspects of durability, design, and functionality. This trend is also supported by the fact that the performance of range hoods, IH, gas, and dishwashers has improved, making kitchens less dirty and less prone to damage than before. Furthermore, by making full use of the Internet, users can easily access information on what they want directly, even if they are not professionals.

The photo above shows a house built on a narrow plot of land. A simple, slim white kitchen and table are ordered in the same size. Steam oven on the back wall. An IH cooking heater that can be cleaned just by wiping it. Steam vegetables and fish in the oven and cook brown rice in a cast iron pot. The line of movement is short, and ideal eating habits can be achieved within a limited space.

Because this is the home of someone who had a strong desire to have a nice house and kitchen, the dreams and future of Japan are being realized here.

→Continue to How to create and think about your ideal kitchen (Part 2)

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Miki Honma

After graduating from Waseda University's Faculty of Letters, he joined the editorial department of the interior magazine ``Indoor''. After becoming independent, he specializes in reporting on design-based living from an interior perspective, from kitchens, furniture, homes, home appliances, and kitchen tools. He has conducted over 300 interviews on architect homes, focusing on interviews from both sides, including users and manufacturers. He also conducts many interviews overseas, including in Germany, Italy, and Scandinavia, and his seminar activities are also increasing. His books include ``A New Way to Choose a Designed Kitchen'' (Gakugei Publishing) ``INTERIORKITCHEN that Changes Your Life'' and ``Real Kitchen & Interior'' (Shogakukan)

https://realkitchen-interior.com/