Atrium Kitchens

 

Open and airy kitchen from www.housebeautiful.com.

This beautiful California sunshine (yet still brisk temperatures) have me dreaming of a place I can go to escape the cold that still allows me to bask in the sun.  Thanks to Pinterest, I have found inspiration of such places in none other than the kitchen.  I personally think over-scale windows and/or skylights in the kitchen are a FABULOUS idea.  What woman (or man) wouldn't love to make their favorite meals and treats while enjoying some natural sunlight or gazing up at the stars?  Below are some of my favorite inspirations I have found:

I love the dark panes in the glass ceiling and the other french accents (source unknown).

Camouflage the skylights in a coffered ceiling as seen here from 

Sutton Suzuki Architects (one of my favorite architecture firms in SF). 

If it's good enough for a world-renowned chef, it's good enough for me.  Tyler Florence designed 

House Beautiful's 2011 Kitchen of the Year with a large atrium skylight over the island.

With a view like this, who wouldn't want a kitchen made of glass? (Source unknown).

These large skylights add extra light and depth to this gallery-style kitchen.  

Designed by William V. Noval.

The large, over-sized windows create a dramatic effect for an 

otherwise understated kitchen (source unknown).

Create an illusion of a larger space with walls full of glass (source unknown).

I can just imagine the fun gatherings this homeowner must have in this amazing kitchen--with a 

fabulously tall ceiling complete with clerestory windows and skylights! Featured in House Beautiful.