QUARTERLY DESIGN TIP: TIPS FOR REMODELING YOUR KITCHEN Welcome to my design-tips page! The books in my Domestic Bliss Series contain numerous interior-design tips, however my fictitious designer, Erin Gilbert is typically working with a large budget. My own budget for interior design is, well, let's say considerably more limited; the design work that I do is in my own house and my friends' homes. Therefore, most of the monthly design tips you'll find here will be of the budget-conscious variety. Enjoy! Many books and businesses focus exclusively on kitchen design, so my goal here is merely to pass along a few quick points to consider, having ultimately found my own kitchen remodel to be such a rewarding venture. Beyond anything else, you need to ask yourself what will make you happy when you're cooking and less unhappy during the cleanup afterwards, all the while sticking with a remodel budget. To help you select among myriad options of materials, appliances, and styles, take a look at websites such as Kitchens.com and visit home designs stores and open houses. The work triangle truly is paramount. The distances among the sink, stove, and refrigerator need to be roughly equal, not too small or you won't have enough work space, and not too large, because those extra steps add up, meal after meal. Having mentally redesigned my kitchen for years, I had an excellent idea of what I wanted at the onset. I would make better use of our existing space by opening up the kitchen. Toward that end, we removed the carpeting in our eating area and switched to hardwood floors (Brazilian cherry) throughout the kitchen and eating area, as well as the dining room and foyer. We removed the peninsula and their dreadful overhead cabinets, then added extended the cabinetry and countertop along the full length of the inner wall. We also designed an island to regain the counter seating area and the lower cabinets. All wonderful decisions, but my triangle was a long, skinny disaster. What would make me happy when I'm cooking, I realized, was to be able to face my family and guests. I therefore changed my design and improved the triangle by selecting a separate electric oven (with a microwave above it) and placing my gas cooktop in the island, employing downdraft ventilation so that I wouldn't be facing a bulky hood. This idea was not met with enthusiasm; it was more expensive and presented construction obstacles, but it was my personal Waterloo, and I've never regretted it. Get top-grade cabinetry that can withstand the demands and constant use of a kitchen. I adore my granite countertops, but not as much as I love my top-of-the-line drawers and pull-out shelves, where my every kitchen item is easily stored and accessed. Good lighting is worth every penny it costs. Install dimmer switches and consider where you'll need to access them as you're using your kitchen. Choose the materials you like. Many people share my affection for cherry cabinetry and granite countertops. My preference for ivory appliances, however, has become passe but I can argue at great length in its favor. Regardless, the point is that you will be building the kitchen of your dreams, and you deserve nothing less! BEFORE: AFTER: Read previous design tips.