We've long admired artist and designer Michelle de la Vega's low-cost kitchen. Situated in a 250-square-foot garage in Seattle that de la Vega converted for herself, it features a mix of new elements and reclaimed materials from local salvage yards.
We also imagine this configuration installed in a garden shed, a barn, or any other outbuilding to create instant (and separate) summer guest quarters. See the rest of de la Vega's tiny home in the New York Times and in her portfolio at Michelle de la Vega.
Above: The compact kitchen is situated on a wall of the main room, with a loft bedroom overhead. Photograph by Ira Lippke for the New York Times.
The Basics
Above: De la Vega's industrial overhead light is akin to the 12-inch Benjamin Sky Chief Porcelain Stem Mount Light; $208 at Barn Light Electric.
Above: The John Boos Economy Stainless Steel Kitchen Work Prep Table measures 30 by 48 inches; $259 via Amazon.
Above: For an industrial-retro look, consider the American Standard Enameled Cast-Iron Wall-Hung Sink; $434.87 at eFaucets.
Above: The versatile stainless-steel Grundtal Wall Shelf is $19.99 for the 31.5-inch-wide size at Ikea.
Above: Wine crates used as storage drawers and shelves are a great idea; contact your favorite winery to see about getting used wine crates. Other sources include your local wine store, Craigslist, or Wine Pine, which sells Classic Wine Crates for $20 to $35 each depending on size.
Appliances
Above: The compact Danby Designer Series (DAR125SLDD) 4.4 Cubic-foot Refrigerator includes glass shelves, a crisper drawer, and tall bottle storage; $245 at AJ Madison. For more ideas, see 10 Easy Pieces: Compact Refrigerators.
Above: Not just for camping, the Coleman 2-Burner Insta-start Triton Propane stove offers 22,000 BTU in two independently adjustable, high-performance stainless-steel burners. It can cook for up to 1.1 hours with both burners on high (4.5 hours on low) on one 16.4-oz propane cylinder (sold separately). Make sure adequate ventilation is available; $59.95 at Amazon.
Above: The Cuisinart Toaster Oven Broiler with convection is $89.95 via Amazon.
Above: A classic Waring Two-Speed Blender is $169 at Food Service Warehouse.
Accessories
Above: We like the straightforward simplicity of the Grundtal Magnetic Knife Rack; $14.99 at Ikea.
Above: Japanese luxury camping company Snow Peak makes a convenient, all-in-one Chopping Board and Knife Set; $39.95 for the medium size via Amazon.
Above: The 12-piece baked enamelware Pioneer Camp Set includes four place settings; $109.95 at GSI Outdoors. For more options, have a look at UK-made Falcon Enamelware and Barn Light Electric's Enamelware, made in the US.
Above: A 20-piece set of Sedlig Flatware from Ikea is $39.99.
Above: A set of 24 assorted size Duralex Picardie Glass Tumblers is $72 at Williams Sonoma. Sets of six are also available ranging in price from $13.50 to $30 depending on size. See Object Lessons for more iconic cafe-ware made by Duralex.
Above: When there is no dishwasher, the Simplehuman Steel-Frame Dish Rack is very handy; $79.95 at Williams-Sonoma. Go to 10 Easy Pieces: Countertop Dish Drainers for more ideas.
Above: A trash bin with a top is essential to an open-space kitchen; the German-made Wesco Singleboy 3.4-Gallon Trash Can is $129.95 at Crate & Barrel. Looking for cans that can also take on recycling? Margot rounded up 10 Recycling Bins worth considering.
For more camp style, see:
• Form Meets Function in the Great Outdoors
• High-Style Camping Gear from Japan
• 10 Easy Pieces: Folding Camp-Style Chairs
• 9 Folding Camp Stools for Parade Watching.
More looks to steal? See all of our Steal This Look features.
N.B.: This post is an update; the original story ran on June 22, 2010.
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