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Design Review: Volume 2, Issue 3 (October-November 1949)

A Kitchen for New Zealand Mothers

A Kitchen for New Zealand Mothers

Since the average New Zealand housewife has no domestic help and cannot afford, even if obtainable, the electrical labour-saving devices she envies, apart from pressure cookers and perhaps a refrigerator, she must rely entirely on good planning.

From my experience in the usual household, the kitchens of our small homes are used for everything and by every member of the family. This can be exasperating for the poor mother trying to prepare food. The answer, therefore, is to divide in two—one half exclusively for the preparation of food, and the other for the rest of the family.

So when I build my ideal kitchen it will be larger, 15ft by 10ft, even at the expense of a smaller lounge, because with children growing up I shall spend a large part of my life there. It must face the morning sun, have windows on two walls, if possible with window boxes which can be reached from inside, growing parsley, mint, etc.

The sink-bench will divide the kitchen in half, being at right angles to the outside longer wall, with the sink in central position (see illustration). In this way the bench can be used from both sides and it will also act as a “counter”. Under the outside wall-end of the bench will be a cupboard to hold a refuse bin. The cupboard will open outside and will be closed off from the inside except for a well-fitting lid in the bench top so that scraps can be disposed of direct to the bin instead of the endless trips outside. This, of course, must be carefully done in order to prevent odours entering the kitchen.

The cupboards and drawers in the bench beyond the sink will open on both sides, and at the end, which will be rounded for bodily protection, will be storage space for trays. The stove page 55 will be on the outside wall beside the bench (with windows above) with cupboards on each side of it the same height as the bench, and there will also be cupboards of bench height returning round the wall opposite the bench. Their height will be made to suit the person habitually using them.

Underneath the stove and probably to raise it a little, will be a drawer to hold oven trays, while provision at one side will be made for a tea towel rail and a shelf to hold salt and pepper and tea which are in constant use. The safe will be near the stove.

The low cupboards about 2ft wide which line up with the sink bench make a three-sided continuous working area, and when stocking them, materials should be arranged in the routine of cooking work. The upper wall space opposite the bench will be 9in cupboards with plenty of shelves to contain uniform containers for small groceries, so that you can see at a glance where things are. On this wall in the corner will be the hot water cupboard opening, if possible, through to another side to be used as a linen press.

Drawings by Helen Noakes

Drawings by Helen Noakes

The refrigerator will be on this wall next to the hot water. Cupboards from ceiling to floor will take up the remaining wall: these may open both into the kitchen and the other side where the dining department would be. The door opposite the bench end will lead into the house. As there is no door in the working half of the kitchen there is no thoroughfare through it. In this way, with the minimum of movement, cooking can be done while keeping an eye on the children in the other department.

The side parallel with the bench will have a good-sized table that can be folded up against the wall if more floor space is needed. The built-in seat at the side has storage room underneath it. Perhaps an ironing board can be incorporated underneath the table-top, to be lowered independently for skirts, with power point nearby also handy for the sewing machine. The outside door will be on the wall opposite the sink-bench with a broom cupboard behind it which will open into the kitchen.

Outside the back door on the porch will be a well-ventilated store cupboard for cases of fruit, sacks of potatoes, shoes and their cleaning gear, to say nothing of bottles and hanging game or ham when necessary. Lighting is most important, especially over sink, stove and the table which will be used for everything, including homework. There must also be toe-room throughout, and the side on which all doors open must be carefully worked out.

Finally. no one will ever make me have my wash-house part of the kitchen —the bathroom perhaps. Babies' washing and football clothes do not go with the preparation of food.

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