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^Expansive prep and clean up counter looks out onto gardens and woods climbing up behind the house.

^In order not to obstruct the views to
the mountains, cooking on the large five burner gas cooktop is vented by a powerful down-draft blower system.

^Microwave is hidden behind an upward retracting door and is wonderfully accessible to the refrigerator and the sink.

Retirement dream home in the mountains celebrates light and openness

A retired couple has created their dream home–designed by architect Ramsay Gourd–in the hills and hollows of Vermont, with ample room for two home offices, plenty of dogs and visiting grandchildren. The open kitchen-family room takes advantage of beautiful morning sun coming in through the expansive kitchen windows, and as well as a spectacular view of meadows, hills, and the setting sun.

The island is the focal point of the room with an abundance of counter space that functions well for all kinds of family activities There are places for toy and game storage in the island, as well as the usual food serving items, all helping to organize this heart-of-the-home gathering space.

<Cold food storage in the built-in refrigerator is next to the pantry where the dry goods and lots of additional serving pieces are stored. The entrance to the pantry is balanced on the left by the built-in oven (the least used appliance therefore furtherest away from activity) which has the island as its landing counter. Vertical dividers over the ovens provides baking sheet storage but is still accessible to even the shortest cooks.

>Flatware storage drawer is really two drawers in one
with a sliding cutlery tray piggy-backing over
silverware dividers below.