Owner's Voice Vol.34 M Residence in Kyoto

Seeking the brilliance of stainless steel that shines on white floors

This time we visited Mr. and Mrs. M who live in a condominium in the center of Kyoto City.
The wife says, "We renovated the apartment when we bought it because we wanted to create a space with a different atmosphere since our children had become independent.
We were particular about the flooring.
Having been familiar with wood-grain floors in the past, she wanted to create a bright, modern space by using white tiles for the floor.
She chose Toyo Kitchen Style's "Zero flow kitchen iNO" (iNO) to harmonize with the floor.
While narrowing down her search to stainless steel kitchens, the wife visited the showroom with her husband after finding it on the Internet. She was immediately taken by the iNO at first sight.

I was attracted not only by its beautiful appearance, but also by its functionality," she says. "It has legs like furniture, so a robot vacuum cleaner would fit in smoothly, so air wouldn't get trapped under the floor, and the sink is large and multifunctional.
I'm not particularly good at cleaning, so I felt reassured by the specifications that would make what I'm not good at a little more comfortable.

On the other hand, the husband says, "I left the choice of the kitchen to my wife," but he was convinced by the stylish design and functionality that could not be found anywhere else.
With both of them feeling the same way, they decided to choose "iNO" for their kitchen project.

What is the reason for the mysterious power that makes us want to keep "clean"?

The wife says, "At first, I thought that an open kitchen would be too messy.
At first, I thought that with an open kitchen, I might end up putting things on the counter and making a mess.
But in fact, that didn't happen, and I put things away right away.
I guess the desire to maintain the beauty of the kitchen comes naturally.
It's strange, isn't it, because I'm not very good at cleaning, but it happens."

One of the reasons for this can be attributed to the abundant storage space.
In the M residence, drawer-type storage with the same height and door color as the kitchen was installed behind the kitchen.
The kitchen is equipped with drawer-type storage behind the kitchen, matching the height and door color of the kitchen, and the hanging cupboards have been eliminated to achieve both a sophisticated look and excellent storage capacity.
In the drawer storage behind the kitchen, we store small items used in the living room, such as books and chargers, in addition to tableware and cooking utensils.
There's still plenty of room, so the drawers are clutter-free and easy to get in and out.

The large PARALLELO Sink in the kitchen is also convenient for cooking and temporarily storing dishes, and it is deep enough to keep things from looking cluttered in the middle of work, which contributes to the tidy impression.

Incidentally, the wife is also a big fan of the "Onda Stool" and Moy's "Container Table" placed next to the kitchen.
I usually have my meals here when I'm alone," she says.
I feel very at home here," she says.
The stools have a seat that conforms to the body and swivels 360 degrees, making it easy to sit up and down.
A ring-shaped footrest keeps her in a comfortable position no matter which direction she faces.
There's also drawer storage nearby, so you can conveniently reach for whatever you need while seated."
The table and stools are all black, giving the white and silver space a crisp, three-dimensional look.

Grill plate connects family gatherings

The planning was led by the wife, but when the project was completed, the husband said, "It's really convenient.
I especially like that the sink is deep enough to prevent splashing and that there are two faucets so you can fill the induction cooktop with water without leaving the pots on.

Another of the master's favorites is the Gaggenau grill plate he purchased at Toyo Kitchen Style.
According to the wife, "This is for my husband only.
Whenever our college-age children, who live far away from us, come home, he uses this grill plate to cook meat right in front of them.

The plate is capable of evenly grilling meat even at high heat, making the surface fragrant and the inside juicy.
The family members are amazed at the results, which are just like those at a specialty restaurant.

The wife is usually in charge of cooking, but on days when the husband is in the kitchen, he is the sole "eater.
This unusual division of roles brings freshness to family time.
The time spent around "iNO" nurtures the bonds of the family.

(photo: Kentaro Isibashi / text: Shihoko Tomibe)

Previous "Owner's Voice" is here.

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