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The OG open plan kitchen

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Mid Mod Remodel
The OG open plan kitchen
Jun 04, 2026 Season 24 Episode 7
Della Hansmann | Mid-Century Design Expert and owner of Mid Mod Midwest

Any Pinterest or web search on “mid-century kitchen” is going to yield a plethora of open plan kitchens featuring a central island. But as we learned a couple of weeks ago from friend of the pod (and mid-century houses everywhere), Atom Stevens, a mid-century kitchen is a room with four walls.

So where did this “open mid-century kitchen” myth come from?

I’m wrapping up our kitchen season with a deep dive into one of my all-time favorite open kitchen plans - it’s also very likely THE OG island kitchen - The Stahl House (Case Study House 22), designed by California architect Pierre Koenig.

In today’s episode you’ll hear:

  • Why this open kitchen is actually defined by constraints. 
  • Which elements make this dramatic kitchen eminently useable.  
  • How to adapt Koenig’s creative design moves to work in even the most modest mid-century ranch.  


Get the full show notes with all the trimmings at https://www.midmod-midwest.com/2407

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