For ages the kitchen has been solely a place to work (hard) to prepare meals for the family.  They were viewed as a necessary tool of daily living.  In many cases they were hidden from the rest of the house because of the uncomfortable amount of heat they would produce.  Thankfully, those days are past and now the kitchen has become the heart of the home.  Even when entertaining for formal parties, the kitchen is often the main gathering place.  Almost every activity in the home includes time in the kitchen.  Because of this, the kitchen has been opened to the rest of the home and is frequently an extension of the family room. 

Over the next several posts we will discuss things to consider when planning this essential part of your home.  Let your kitchen shine because you probably already spend most of your day there.