CATEGORY

To many families, the kitchen is more than a place where food is cooked and eaten. It's where parties begin and end, homework is done, pets are fed, bills are paid, and secrets are told over endless cups of coffee. Everyone's got a different dream kitchen, whether it's a serene Arts & Crafts-style kitchen, a bustling farmhouse kitchen, or an up-to-the-minute gourmet kitchen with hand-selected granite countertops and professional-level appliances. The nice thing about The Kitchen Idea Book is its accessibility: it doesn't assume a particular budget level, layout, style, or set of functions, but offers a wealth of ideas to suit every taste and pocketbook. Even better, it gives the would-be kitchen remodeler a vocabulary to use in designing and outfitting his or her own dream kitchen. With detailed sections on overall design, cabinets, shelves and pantries, countertops and backsplashes, appliances and sinks, lighting, floors, walls, and ceilings, it covers far more than the basics. Its sharp photography and "For More Information" section are the icing on the cake--this is the book to have for planning a new or remodeled kitchen. --Barrie Trinkle