Built-in Designer Breakfast {or Kitchen} Nooks

With the kitchen being the heart of the home, more and more homeowners want to incorporate breakfast or kitchen nooks in the space. To maximize space and storage, adding a custom bench may be the best option. I am currently finishing up a project where we added a custom built-in bench and cushions and I hope to show it to you soon. Meanwhile, here are examples of some beautiful designer kitchen nooks.

{photo credit:  William Waldron  via Elle Décor}

Designers, Nate Berkus and Anne Coyle featured a custom table with stainless-steel top on a Saarinen base in this sleek modern kitchen. A pair of vintage side chairs are paired with an “L” shaped built-in beach covered with custom blue & white nautical stripe cushions and pillows. A contrasting light fixture from Lucca grounds the space.

Florida’s Celerie Kimble creates a light and airy breakfast nook in this Palm Beach home. The custom bench is topped with a boxed style cushion with a contrasting welt in citrine. The simple round table {with green top?} is paired with yellow bamboo chairs. The vintage chandelier adds just the right touch of whimsy.

San Francisco-based designer Palmer Weiss creates a cheery, retro breakfast nook in this kitchen. The banquette seating is upholstered in a sunny yellow and white ikat fabric and is topped with solid lime green and lemon motif pillows. Weiss pairs Bertoia chairs and a white rectangular table with a Saarinen base. The clean white Le Klint pendant is a great complement to the table. Don’t you just love the retro poolside photo?

{photo credit: Karyn R. Millet via House Beautiful}

Designer Kari Cusack creates a nautical feel in this breakfast nook with a blue, white and yellow color scheme. Overlooking the San Francisco Bay and passing sailboats,the nook features an eight-sided peak "tower" from which a chrome-plated chandelier is hung. The dark and chunky table adds a nice contrast to the white built-in bench.

In this coastal-inspired breakfast nook by designer Amanda Nisbet, a picnic style table and bench are paired with a custom “L” shape upholstered bench. The fabric in the bench’s cushion & pillows picks up the sea blues and lime green in the painted furniture. I love how a darker shade of blue was applied to the spindle chair – the varying shades of blue adds more visual interest. The darling artwork also picks up the color scheme beautifully. The coral chandelier adds to the “beach” theme without being too cutesy. 

New York-based designer Katie Ridder creates a  cozy breakfast nook with a bright red tufted banquette.  A 1950’s style table and wall art give a nod to the retro ice cream parlors. Ridder mixes it up by pairing the bench and table with cane & woven chairs. I love the built-in bookshelf as a backdrop – perfect place to house cookbooks, pottery and treasures.

 

{photo credit: Joshua McHugh via Elle Décor}

In this kitchen, designer J. Randall Powers selects chunky Biedermeier chairs, a contemporary Christian Liaigre table, and a sleek custom upholstered banquette seating. The large scale  artwork is just the right size to frame the space.

Are you a fan of breakfast nooks?