Kitchens have a rich history in Rockridge. Some long-time residents remember their parents’ and grandparents’ kitchens with Wedgwood stoves and birdcage refrigerators. In the oldest houses, the original stove was most likely wood-burning and, without refrigeration available, perishable food was stored in a “cooler,” which consisted of a screened cabinet open to the outdoors on the north side of the house.
Today’s Rockridge kitchens have come a long way — new colors, sustainable materials, energy-saving appliances, and ample storage and workspaces are all features of the kitchens on this year’s tour. And every kitchen on the tour conveys the Rockridge spirit of good food, warmth, and hospitality.
The 2022 Tour has so many interesting and different styles of homes. We have a beautiful large historical home, a storybook home, homes that included a complete remodel, and homes that only included the remodeled kitchen. Kitchens are also brightened with pops of vivid color and unusual surfaces for counters and backsplashes. Several kitchens use highly sustainable materials. There is an English Tudor home that incorporated vintage structures into the design and a tiny garden cottage — just to describe a few.
Challenges faced by many of the homeowners included inefficient use of space and placement of appliances; lack of convenient storage; and cramped work areas. Others felt closed off from the garden or the rest of the house and wanted the kitchen to be more integrated into the family living areas. A solution common to several houses on the tour was to rethink the interiors — converting the many small rooms in a typical Craftsman to larger rooms to allow for a smoother traffic flow between the kitchen and the rest of the house.
Not sure you’ll remember the many amazing ideas after taking the tour? Don’t worry, Kitchen Tour guests will receive a copy of the comprehensive Tour Brochure, describing each kitchen and listing resources for those contemplating a remodel of their kitchen. Docents with extensive knowledge of the remodels will also be on hand to answer questions about each owner’s goals and challenges. No matter what you have in mind for your own kitchen, you’ll find the design and construction professionals who can make it happen for you. 2022 Rockridge Kitchen Tour tickets are on sale now online for $47.00 plus service charge (until September 30) and will also be for sale on the day of the tour for $55 plus service charge. Purchase advance tickets online at RockridgeKitchenTour.org
