Behind the Design: The McDermott Kitchen
I live in a very culinary-inclined household. My hubby is an amazing chef (currently starring on this season of Rachael vs Guy, Celebrity Cook-Off on the Food Network… make sure you tune in Sunday night's 9pm/8c and root for Team Guy!!!), and I love getting my hands dirty in the kitchen as well. We are definitely big foodies!
When we moved into our home, one consideration that was super important to both of us was that the kitchen had to be the hub of the home. We needed there to be enough space for both of us to be cooking at the same time, and also needed it to have an open concept so that we could keep an eye on our brood of little ones while they played, watched TV, crafted, etc. And, I think we got everything we wanted in this kitchen.
Food Network Magazine stopped by to take some pictures of Dean and I in our kitchen (aka our favorite room in the house), and I wanted to share with you guys.
Here are some great detail shots of our kitchen from this month’s issue of Food Network Magazine:
This is Dean’s “Recipe Idea Board”. He doesn’t like writing down his notes in a notebook, so he put a big piece of butcher paper up on the fridge and writes all of his culinary tips, ideas, and inspirations there. Not only is it useful for my man, but I love the way it looks and is great for when I need to jot something down quickly. Like the fact that we are out of milk. Which happens daily with our bunch! Hmmm... Just got inspired to look into a backyard mini cow!
I bought Dean this set of copper pots with iron handles for our 6 year anniversary this past May. I love traditions and the traditional 6 year gift is iron. He keeps them hanging above our kitchen island. I love the look of copper pots in a kitchen. Feels homey and rustic and makes me want to cook fabulous stews and hearty soups!
I must admit, I’m kind of obsessed with these barstools. They’re made from recycled plastic and were woven by tribal craftsman in Central India. I love the idea of reusing materials to create something new, and really like the pops of color that the stools bring to the room. I got these guys on Fab.com (which is also where I got some décor for Finn’s nursery).
To see the rest of the pics and read more about our kitchen, pick up the latest issue of Food Network Magazine!
What would your dream kitchen look like?
Love,
T
Photo Credit: FoodNetwork.com
36 comments
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Love the kitchen! I also like those bar stools. I love taking something that is considered junk and turning it into treasure! -
I think I just had a kitchen-gasm! You have my dream kitchen! I'm a chef and a mom and a craftista and this is exactly what I need out of a kitchen. Thank you for sharing it with us! -
I love your large kitchen! It is SO Tori and Dean. I watch all the reruns of your shows. I find all of them interesting because there is always something new going on. The only show that I haven't watched is the wedding show. I haven't been able to get into that show mainly because I haven't seen it on You Tube. That's the only way I can see your shows. The children are so fun to watch. I know you probably get tired of people telling you who the chikdren look like, but I have to say this. Hattie "Bell" looks just like Tori! I'll bet Tori's baby pictures look just like Hattie. Liam looks like Tori's brother, Finn looks like Liam did when he was a baby, and Stella looks like Dean! I have been a huge fanfor the past 3-4 years. I love seeing the two of you use your talents and skills. Dean can make anything. He is a great dad and will figure out how to make something if his kid or the family needs it; especially if it is for a birthday party! Toriis a wiz at organizing, creating, getting people together, and she is a PR par excellant! Both Dean and Tori know their way around the kitchen, but Dean is more the chef, and Tori's forte' is by far being a baker! Please remain true to each other! Your love was truly made in heaven! -
Hi Tori...this is the first time I have ever signed up for a blog. I need to come clean n let u know I hated 90210, but I think I was about 10 years to old for that show...but I think you have grown into a wonderful wife and mother and if it wasn't for you husband being on Home and Family, I probably would have never gone to your site. Just want to say, your kitchen is beautiful and I'm looking forward to all your posts and ideas. Lynn -
I love your kitchen & the granite choice! I would love to have my kitchen remodeled!... I do like your white cabinets! You had them in your other home too! It does brighten everything up! I love your copper pots that are hanging from the ceiling! I do like them even more because of your traditional reasoning behind them! I do have a few of them.... I have a slanted/ cathederal ceiling and don't have an island in my kitchen, so that would never work! It's a big wrap around ledge.... I Love all the room you have inside your kitchen too! Like you said, you both can work & cook at the same time without being in each others way!! That's a BIG PLUS for you BOTH!!.... I love your stool choice as well! Totally different & it works!.... Love it!!.... Can't help but notice your little strainer!! I bought the same color for my mom for xmas & I have one in red! Aren't they Adorable!! Great for fruit or veggies.... Anyway, Thank you for sharing your home with us!! Xo
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Thanks for sharing Fab.com. Awesome site and I love your barstools. I featured your kitchen today on our blog. http://twoinspiredesign.com/2013/01/18/editorial-fab-com/
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Saw your kitchen in Food Network magazine...loved it. Getting a more detailed description here was fun to read. -
Your home is amazing!! My favorite kitchen has always been my grandparents bc they had a huge fireplace in theirs. It was big and open, spacious bc like you they had a big family, six kids! I think my Grandmother said it was a kitchen/hearth room actually so that has always been my dream kitchen and it had a dutch door leading to the backyard, my absolute favorite! -
That's a sexy kitchen. I'd love to have that much space to move around to prepare dishes! Impeccably designed but I'd expect nothing less from you. Great job! -
My dream kitchen would look exactly like yours! I have always been into recycling so of course, I love the barstools. The pots hanging from the ceiling are very nice and really make it look so homey and rustic and yes, makes you want to cook soup. Since we are getting ready for snow on the east coast that does sound like a good idea! Great picture also of you and Dean in the kitchen. Pretty couple!
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Very beautiful kitchen, love the pic of you and Dean standing in the kitchen together.
Love You Tori,
Beatrice
Moreno Valley, Ca -
Love the fresh,clean kitchen. I like the bar-chairs the best! How amazing that they are eco-friendly& made in India! Wishing you & your family years of wonderful memories made in your new home! -
omg I'm so jellies of your kitchen! my husband will be too when he sees it! when he has time, he LOVES to cook. He wants to pull the old microwave out that's over our stove/oven and put a vent hood in it's place! AUGH! we got a counter top microwave to replace the one installed but I don't see the hood in our kitchen. I wish we could win the lottery so we could have the kitchen of our dreams! -
Lovely..:) I have move on from white kitchen.Well....remodeling kitchen now and went with cherry cabinets and love it .... having white kitchen for 7 years ....I want easy cleaning...:))))) -
Uh, my kitchen sports blueberry wallpaper. So, yeah, I would happily take yours! ;)
http://www.thedoseofreality.com/2012/09/26/for-the-love-of-god-use-the-backdoor/ -
My dream kitchen is exactly like your kitchen. OMG I would do anything for kitchen like that (well not really anything...lol) -
Actually, my dream kitchen would look a lot like yours! I recently just revamped an area in my kitchen and got the bug to do more. Hoping one day I get my dream kitchen :) http://www.mamachitchat.com/2012/12/my-pantry-makeover/ -
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Tori & Friends...I recommend Bio Green Clean for cleaning just about anything. It's a wonder for pet stains and odors and grease. The best part is that it's plant based and so safe for the little ones.
Your kitchen is a beautiful!!! -
I wish there was an edit button here. I couldn't find the last line above which explains the huge space. By the way, the bucket I mentioned is a 5 gallon bucket, NOT a 5 pound bucket. Oh, you need the veggie peeler to shred the bar of Fels Naptha soap into thin strips. The Arm & Hammer product is called Super Washing Soda; and it is NOT the same thing as baking soda. Washing soda is for washing clothes. These are old timey ingredients, and that is why some stores may not have all of the ingredients. Harris Teeter just recently discontinued the box of Borax. If you find it, you might want to buy an extra box or 3 more soaps. The Fels Naphtha is a heavy duty washing soap, you can order on line if you can't find it, but if push comes to shove, and you really want to make this, people have been known to substitute Ivory bar soap or Zote soap.
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Luv! luv! your kitchen....I also enjoy cooking and baking ALOT so I hope to one day live in a house with a spacious kitchen. Our kitchen now is not tiny but the way they built this counter island thingy around the cooking area is so wrong and does take up space so two people cooking is a crowd :(
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I forgot to mention this! I have learned abiut a recipe for laundry detergent. There are various ways to make it, but I saw it on a blog, and that person make enought to fill a 5 pound bucket! The ingredients cost less than $15 to make, and it lasts for about a year! My friend and hervsister have been making this for about 2 years. If you're interested in the recipe, I can direct you to her blog. I am going to make it. I have bought some of the ingredients: a box of 20 Mule Team Borax, a box of Arm & Hammer, and 3 bars of Fels Naptha soap. I need to go to Home Depot and get a 5 gallon bucket with lid for mixing everything. After mixing, put it out of the way for 3 days. After that, you need to stir it well before each use. It will look like a watery gel, but that is normal. If you have empty liquid detergent bottles, you can fill them up with your homemade detergent, or you can buy your own jugs. Depending on whether your detergent is regular or concentrated, the size of the cap determines how many caps you use. For normal load, use a cup of the mixture which equals about 2-2 1/2 caps of a regular detergent cap.
I can't wait to make my laundry detergent. I have to get one more thing: something with a long handle for stirring the soap in the 5 gallon bucket. You will also need a vegetable peeler for the 1 bar of soap. You need one soap per batch, and the items you buy will be enough forv3 batches. Just think, for $15, you can buy enough ingredients for 3 batches wjhich will last about a year.
You need to have directions, and this is longer than I had planned to write, so let me know if you're interested, and I will directvyou to the site.
I find this very interesting. I had just bought 2 bottles of Tide the day before I saw the recipe from a Facebook friend. It is getting difficult to find the Borax and the Fels Naptha soap. Even though I won't be making my soap until I use the 2 jugs of Tide that I just bought last week. You -
The kitchen is beautiful. Dean is rocking those jeans! Tori, you are beautiful. I think you are so gorgeous when you are pregnant. When you wore your original designed caftan for the delivery if Finn, I could not have been prouder of you. You looked magnificent in it! I don't think you need to be pregnant in order to wear it.
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