Kitchen

If you love to cook and your kitchen is your favorite room in the house, then you are going to absolutely love this book. I was fascinated by pictures of Elizabeth David's kitchen which is not at all what I expected. First you get to assess your needs. What is it you really want from your kitchen? There is an amazing kitchen layout on pg. 10 where the dining area, cooking zone and a fireplace all blend together to create a warm cozy setting. Who does not imagine a fire burning as you are kneading bread or icing cookies in the winter. Various questions are asked and you can check off a list to determine your most pertinent desires. The number of people you are going to cook for, how many meals you cook at home, the type of foods you use and how you shop will determine the type and amount of storage space you need in your kitchen. There is a special section that helps you envision how your kitchen will look with the use of graph paper. Of course there are plenty of computer programs. This is explained in detail in the "Plan Your Design" chapter. Useful Addresses on pg. 82 gives you not only the mailing address and phone number, they also include the website address. There is graph paper you can photocopy if you wish. Kitchen Elements is quite the chapter and you consider flooring, wall coverings, cabinet finishes, stoves, ovens and eating areas. I wasn't quite that enthusiastic about the unfitted kitchen plan. The Family Kitchen plan is more friendly, and it is simply the best way to cook and entertain all at once. Plus, it has a fireplace. Have fun planning your dream kitchen! ~The Rebecca Review

This was a most unusual book. It covered the material thoroughly, but in contrast to the many other fine kitchen design books I have, this one has 3D colored drawings that helped tie the great photographs together in my minds eye. I found it to be a great idea book that brought form and function together very well.

This book has a wide variety of practicle ideas for how to design different styles of kitchens. It deals with everything from color choices to placement of appliances. It also has a wonderful list of supplier resources. I have been looking for a good book that provides not only style ideas but practicle information. This one covers everything from, qualities of flooring and counter surfaces, unique approaches to storage, and appliance placement. It's a great book and a real bargin.