Kitchens are more than where we cook a meal and wash dishes. It's where our day begins and ends, where family gathers for conversation, homework, and snacks, and where we entertain friends. With the prominence of this space in both our homes and our lives it's no wonder that kitchen remodeling is the number one home improvement project.

Kitchen designer Beth Veillette gives you professional design advice for kitchens and budgets from small to large. Throughout the book you'll find design options for all components found in the kitchen as well as how to successfully combine them to create a great kitchen. A wide range of styles, materials, and layouts are featured in hundreds of photos that provide fresh ideas for everything from the floor material to wall color, lighting to seating, and appliances to window treatments.

Create the kitchen you've always wanted - order today!

Introduction

Chapter 1
Planning Your Kitchen

Choosing a Style

Kitchen Checklist
Putting It All Together: Mixing Materials Enlivens a Kitchen
Create a Clip File
Gathering Ideas
Making a Wish List

Assembling Your Team
Design for the Ages
Putting It All Together: Transformed Space within the Same Footprint
Details That Work: A Pull-Out Computer Counter
Putting It All Together: Connecting Kitchen to Den
Crunching the Budget

Chapter 2
Layout That Works

Kitchen Shape
Designing an Efficient Kitchen Layout
Putting It All Together: Making Good Use of a Small Space
Putting It All Together: An Island on Wheels

The Work Zones
Putting It All Together: Annexing an Adjacent Room
Details That Work: A Hide-Away Cutting Board
Putting It All Together: Converting a Pantry into Command Central
Putting It All Together: Hiding the Laundry

Eating Areas
Choosing Colors

Chapter 3
Cabinets

Face Frame or Frameless?
True Full-Overlay Doors
The Essentials: Cabinetry
Details That Work: Built-In Door Storage

Stock, Custom, or in Between
Putting It All Together: A Well-Equipped Cook's Kitchen
Details That Work: Working with Windows
The Essentials: Cabinet Materials
Details That Work: A Custom Cat House
Knobs and Pulls and Slides
Design Gallery: Knobs and Pulls

Maximize Storage
Putting It All Together: Plentiful Storage in a Small Space
Putting It All Together: Hiding Command Central
Design Gallery: Storage

Chapter 4
Countertops and Backsplashes

Materials

The Essentials: Countertops
Details That Work: Create Extra Counter Space
Putting It All Together: A Swirling Stone Pattern Captures the Eye
Details That Work: A Built-In Drain Board
Details That Work: Customized Concrete Countertop
Details That Work: Built-In Cutting Boards
Putting It All Together: A Remodeled Kitchen Serves Up Extra Space
Design Gallery: Backsplashes

Chapter 5
Sinks and Faucets
Sinks

The Essentials: Sink Types
Putting It All Together: A Creative Approach to Sink Placement
Built-In Conveniences
Garbage Disposals
The Essentials: Sink Materials
Details That Work: A Clever Corner Shelf
Putting It All Together: Reflective Surfaces Enlarge a Small Kitchen
Faucets
Pot Fillers

Chapter 6
Floors

Floor Materials
Details That Work: Inlay Flooring
Putting It All Together: Tile Makes a Small Space Feel Larger
Environmentally Friendly Cork and Bamboo
The Essentials: Flooring
Radiant Floor Heat
Details That Work: Combining Materials

Chapter 7
Appliances
To See or Not to See?
Details That Work: Appliance Shelves

Cooling Tools
Wine Coolers
Putting It All Together: Modern Appliances Meet Vintage Cabinetry

Cooking Tools
The Essentials: Ranges
Gas vs. Electric
Details That Work: A Range of Hoods
Putting It All Together: A Thoughtful Layout
Trash Compactors
Dishwashers

Chapter 8
Finishing Touches

Lighting
Energy-Efficient Lighting
Design Gallery: Ambient Lighting
Design Gallery: Task Lighting
The Essentials: Light Bulbs
Design Gallery: Accent Lighting

Coloring the Walls
Putting It All Together: Sparse Decor Makes Color Pop
Details That Work: Hand-Painted Cabinetry
Natural Light

Window Treatments
Design Gallery: Window Treatments

Seating
Putting It All Together: Using Color to Refresh an Old Kitchen
Design Gallery: Bar Stools
Accessorizing

Design Gallery: Pot Racks

Today's kitchen isn't so different from what it was when I was a kid. It's where I did my homework, baked cookies with Mom, colored Easter eggs, and carved pumpkins as a family. As an adult, one of my most cherished memories is making lobster bisque with my mom in my kitchen. I don't remember the bisque as much as I remember just about every moment of the time we spent working and socializing together that afternoon.

Today's typical family is running in different directions. At the end of the day, though, the family finds comfort and relaxation as they join together in the kitchen.

Because of the availability of incredible looking appliances, phenomenal cabinetry styles and finishes, and beautiful countertop materials, we no longer need to keep the kitchen out of sight. Today's social kitchen is often open to a family room and/or includes a lounge area- a table and chairs, a breakfast bar or a table with banquettes. Guests and family members are invited to join in and are comfortable as spectators sipping a cup of coffee on a counter stool or jumping in and helping out with meal prep. A new kitchen won't make you a better cook, but you can design it so that it makes the time you spend doing chores, preparing meals, or socializing with friends and family more rewarding and enjoyable.

Here I open up to you the world of kitchens- creative designs, successful solutions for tight spaces, new materials that add just the right touch of pizzazz and practicality. Although the photos will inspire you and help you dream about the many styles and finishes available, you'll also learn the pros and cons of different materials and types of components you will encounter as you revitalize your kitchen. My goal is to motivate you to get started on what will likely be the most important home improvement project you'll ever undertake.