The Cook's Kitchen

If you are most comfortable with a whisk in one hand and a spatula in the other, then your kitchen should be a space that lets you get to work. When choosing products, function should be foremost in your mind: bakers will want to install a marble countertop area for rolling dough; a butcher's block section works equally well for chopping. The interiors of your cabinets are even more important than the exteriors: make sure you include plenty of storage for trays, pots and pans, and ample pantry space. Consider two sinks—a large single basin for washing, and a smaller prep sink. Your appliance purchase demands much consideration; be sure to consider how many BTUs you want your burners to crank out, how many zones you'd like your refrigerator to have, and what capacity dishwasher you need to handle your mess.