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FeedCruising Kitchens
Photo by Steve McHugh
Still, I can’t help myself when it comes to new kitchens. Every one of them offers something intriguing, from clever designs and appliances to innovative new materials. And no matter what you do to the space—enlarge it, remove its walls, wrap it in granite—function comes first. Cooking remains the prime objective, though it may sometimes seem almost beside the point. Kitchens must balance form with function. Utility and beauty in equal measure.
That’s more true of some kitchens than others, of course. My own, at the moment, is developing a decided list toward utility. Which adds some urgency to my kitchen obsession. It’s one I share with a lot of American homeowners. Last year, we spent $215 billion on remodeling, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Kitchens and baths are our most frequent remodeling projects, and kitchens top the list for reasons as simple as they are telling: They yield the best return on investment, and homeowners naturally concentrate on areas where they spend the most time.
Handy access to food and drink is part of the draw, of course, but so is the warm familiarity of the room. We do a lot of living in today’s kitchens; many are hubs of activity, accommodating with ease cooking, eating, doing homework, watching TV, and simply hanging out.
No matter what your kitchen needs might be, you’ll find rooms designed to meet them in this issue. First, tour two strikingly different whole-house renovations that center around the kitchen. “Harvest Home” (page 54) and “Life’s Work” (page 60) each show the results of extensive remodels—one completed in six months and one over the course of two decades. And their kitchens? Different looks, but both display couple-friendly cooking spaces designed by the man of the house. Contrasting styles are also on display in “Red-Hot Green” (page 66), our update on the trend toward eco-friendly kitchens. And don’t miss our coverage of award-winning designs from the members of the Minnesota chapter of the National Kitchen and Bath Association (page 70). You’ll find a cornucopia of ideas that translate owners’ needs and wants into stunning kitchens and baths.
Get set to go cruising!
Chris Lee, Editor
clee@midwesthomemag.com
11 ISSUES (1 YEAR)
