An open kitchen draws family and guests to the heart of a Michigan home.

By Gisela Rose

The Layout

The driving desire behind the design of Debbie and Joe Nachtrab's Bay Harbor, Michigan, kitchen sounds more like the goal for a traditional family room than a workroom for cooks. "I want people around me," says Debbie, a mother of three, grandmother of three and an avid cook. "I don't want to be secluded from the rest of the house."

Her kitchen's setup ensures that won't happen. A large opening in the wall lets conversation flow between the kitchen and the dining area. Quarter-sawn white oak cabinetry and reclaimed chestnut ceiling beams create the warm feel of a living room filled with furniture. A large central island with a prep sink invites friends and family members to gather and lend a hand when meal prep is underway.

This heart-of-the-home approach to kitchen layout reflects the wishes of many modern homeowners. Most of us want to chat while we cook-with family during homework time, with friends dropping by and with guests during get-togethers large and small.

Indeed, it's hard to keep people out of the kitchen with its warmth and aromas and the bustle of the cook's activity. If a kitchen isn't set up to handle a crowd, it's guaranteed to feel crowded. That's why Debbie chose a design that lets her kitchen function all at once as a cooking center, a dining space and an entertainment hub. You can do it, too.

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