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Everyone has one. A list of all the fancy features and gadgets and really cool (and useful) things we want for our kitchens. Some items on our lists might be just for show, something fancy that we might never really use, but it’d look neat in our kitchen. Others probably have a purpose, something that would make your time cooking or clening up easier and faster.

My list certainly has both. On the impractical side, I would love to have one of those refrigerators that looks just like your cabinets. The room would just flow so much better without a big, metal box in the middle of our wall. A dishwasher that looks like a cabinet drawer and is so quiet your baby can sleep while it runs is on my wish list too, for pretty much the same reason. Dishwashers are definitely workhorses (especially at my house) but not much to look at.

A fancy backsplash is another of my impractical needs. You know, the impossibly intricate mosaic kind made of thousands of tiny pieces of glass. Maybe it could even be arranged in a fussy picture design, like an underwater motif or a nod to the southwest complete with a cactus and a kokopelli?

On the more practical side, I’d simply love a kitchen with more counter space. Who couldn’t use that? Better lighting (okay, and more stylish light fixtures) is another thing I could actually use. And a pantry, a real walk-in pantry, with spacious shelves and floor space, would also be on my list.

It may be awhile before I get the cabinet dishwasher or my fancy backsplash, but being able to get some of the items on my wishlist, like the lights we’re installing this weekend, helps me feel better about the place where I spend a good chunk of time each day (also known as “my office”). So, dish,  what things top your kitchen wish list? Can’t wait to hear your ideas, practical or not. Regards!

If you’ve ever redecorated or remodeled a room or house, you know the decisions are endless. This shade of white or that shade of white? Wood floor or carpet, or tile? Valances or blinds for the windows?

Choosing countertops is no different. If anything, I think it’s gotten harder to choose the perfect countertop for your home. There are so many choices now. There’s the standard laminate (which, if you watch any redesign show on HGTV, is always the first thing to go in the kitchen). Granite countertops are immensely popular right now, a must if you are trying to sell your home. There’s butcher-block counter tops (my favorite) that allow you to cut and chop right on the counter.

Fancier (and pricier) options for countertops these days include quartz, stainless steel, lavastone and even paper composite! So when it comes to countertops, how do you decide which is right for you? There are a few key things to consider. Price, first and foremost. You don’t want to spend weeks eating noodles just so you could afford the fancy countertops.

Durability is another thing to consider. If you’re the type that’s constantly cooking, something that stands up to the test of time is essential, whereas those who cook by ordering takeout can go with something a little less durable. Ease of cleaning is another factor to consider.

Below are several links that can help you decide what things are important to you when it comes to counters, and which type of counter best fits your needs.

http://www.kitchens.com/products/countertops/materials.aspx?ekmensel=c580fa7b_226_502_btnlink

http://interiordec.about.com/od/kitchencounters/tp/tp_countertops.htm

Gone are the days when kitchens are supposed to be all one color. Designers are playing with different palettes and styles and consumers are loving it. As kitchens grow in size, so does the amount of creativity that goes into designing them. Today’s kitchens often tout a certain style or wood on the bottom cabinets and a contrasting or complementing (but definitely different) style or wood on upper cabinets. Another popular option is using different styles or wood colors to separate the different workstations. It is not uncommon to see an island or planning desk looking decidedly different than the cabinets that surround it. Countertops are often mixed and matched, too. While this trend works well in larger kitchens, professionals recommend using one color and style in smaller kitchens to produce a cohesive look that will help the small space appear larger. To find out more about this mix and match trend, see these articles: http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20080608/news_1hs08kittren.html and http://www.chicagotribune.com/classified/realestate/newhomes/chi-choices_nh_125jan25,0,7012719.story. Regards!

If you’re like me, you have lots of big ideas, but it isn’t necessarily easy to make them materialize. I know what I want and sites like www.housebeautiful.com/pictures and www.kitchenbathideas.com/gallery are unbelievably helpful when turning my thoughts into real solutions. They offer high-quality photos of a variety of styles and rooms. Kitchenandbathideas.com even offers blueprints of the rooms they photograph. For other pics and ideas, try your favorite furniture or accessory store. I love Pottery Barn’s catalog and website for photos and unique ideas. Most cabinet manufacturers also offer slick catalogs and websites with high-quality pictures of their cabinets in cool, up-to-date kitchens. So, go ahead, find a picture of your dream room and get busy!

If you have your own sites you visit regularly for decorating ideas, please share in the comments section. I have mentioned some larger commercial sites, but I am always looking for individual sites with great designs and would love to get your feedback.