Friday, November 14, 2025

Kitchen of the Week: A Finely Tuned Kitchen in Kobe by a Considerate Japanese Workshop

A couple of years again we found the Japanese equal of Plain English and Henrybuilt: KitoBito (“bushes and other people”), a customized kitchen design firm impressed by conventional Japanese strategies and—much more appealingly—made with out using nails or screws. (For our authentic put up, see Constructed to Final: Joinery Kitchens by KitoBito of Japan.)

The workshop is run by Masayuki Yoneto, an professional in joinery (particularly, mortise and tenon joints), and his spouse, Michiko, herself schooled within the artwork of advantageous woodworking, in the small city of Misaki in Okayama prefecture. “How comfy it’s to have a comfortable place to relax,” they are saying, as a motto of types. “Let’s make such a kitchen for ourselves and our household.” Immediately we’re visiting their serene Joinery Kitchen in a younger couple’s new construct in Kobe, clever particulars and professional joinery included. Let’s have a look.

Images by Yoko Inoue, courtesy of KitoBito.

 kitobito
Above: KitoBito’s principal purpose on this challenge: making the millwork really feel much less like kitchen cupboards and extra like furnishings. The decrease cupboards are manufactured from oak sourced from Akita, Japan. Knots and imperfections are celebrated: “The thick and white components of the bushes, they’re the witness that the tree lived within the forest,” the corporate says. For environment friendly storage, the corporate put in drawers, fairly than cabinets, all through.

Observe additionally the multitiered Japanese fridge at proper, with separate sections that hold gadgets like greens and meats at completely different temperatures.

the kitchen has stainless steel counters—made by hand with a vibration finish 18
Above: The kitchen has chrome steel counters—made by hand with a vibration end that provides it a matte, fairly than shiny, look—and a backsplash of white subway tile. The millwork conceals a small-scale dishwasher. Observe the slim drawer beneath the stovetop: It’s a fish grill, widespread in Japan instead of a full oven.
shelves and a built in tool rail hang above the stainless steel sink. s hooks c 19
Above: Cabinets and a built-in software rail cling above the chrome steel sink. S-hooks corral instruments and mugs.

Above: 
The kitchen showcases Masayuki’s masterful data of joinery. The drawers had been handmade on the KitoBito workshop and maintain trays of flatware.

the kitchen and the adjacent dining area in a neutral palette. the joinery kitc 22
Above: The kitchen and the adjoining eating space in a impartial palette. The Joinery Kitchen design is customizable (the chrome steel counters might be changed with marble, for instance); observe that fixtures and home equipment—such because the range, faucet, dishwasher, and vary hood—will not be included. Contact KitoBito for extra data.

On the point of design a kitchen? Begin with our Transforming 101 posts. For extra worldwide customized kitchens, see:

N.B.: This story initially ran on February 8, 2018 and has been up to date.

(Visited 3,799 instances, 2,312 visits right this moment)


Related Articles

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Latest Articles