“One of the things I was adamant about when we upgraded the kitchen was the need for a breakfast nook,” Shawna said. “Yes, we’re on the go a lot of the time. The kids have school, sports, and everything else. I work, my husband works. Our schedule is crazy. But we need a place that’s calm, happy and quiet all of the time. A place to sit down with a cup of coffee or for the kids to enjoy their cereal in peace. That’s the breakfast nook.”
Breakfast nooks have been a mainstay of American kitchen design for a long time. They first became popular in the 1920’s – an era also characterized by busy family lifestyles. Over the years, styles of breakfast nooks changed – if you lived through the 1980’s, you might remember an awful lot of wraparound pine benches – but today, these popular dining room features are bright, airy spaces full of light and fresh air.
You know what that means – great windows are required. In Shawna’s home, statement making large windows that reach practically from floor to ceiling surround the breakfast nook. “These are from the Harvey window company,” she explained. “We chose them because the quality is very high – everyone knows the Harvey name! – as well as the fact that they’re just gorgeous. They all open, which is great when we want the summer breeze, but they’re also highly energy efficient. That means in the winter, we’re all comfortable sitting in the breakfast nook – even my youngest, who always feels every breeze.”
Other popular window options for breakfast nooks include double hung replacement windows, in vinyl clad and wood and vinyl combinations. A picture window can also be a very good choice for a breakfast nook, particularly when positioned strategically within the space to capture a fantastic view.