What do you need in a kitchen?

<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SKp81hPXmd4h5EweXe-ndtuZfFZ0OdZ2r3zpM5TpE_UA1PjdMe06F3rs7dYYX_tzyPsCd_RTU9Kmz9210a8cuHcr8ueOAieBdDRjoJ8_5BGPYucHJGfdVou4reVRoCjo0Cn0ogOYk2dl/s1600/coffeebarFK.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998676681723554" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9SKp81hPXmd4h5EweXe-ndtuZfFZ0OdZ2r3zpM5TpE_UA1PjdMe06F3rs7dYYX_tzyPsCd_RTU9Kmz9210a8cuHcr8ueOAieBdDRjoJ8_5BGPYucHJGfdVou4reVRoCjo0Cn0ogOYk2dl/s400/coffeebarFK.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 235px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;">Would you like to start the day grabbing your cup<br />of coffee at a built-in coffee bar? My favorite part<br />is the cork backsplash. Very eco-chic.</span></span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />This weekend, my sister-in-law Susan and I went shopping for kitchens. We are technically now in a race to see who can put their gutted kitchen back together first! She and her husband (with the help of their sons) just dismantled their kitchen over a week ago. If you have been reading my blog, you know mine was hauled away during let’s just say warmer weather.<br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3nmO8d5JffHks-SUGmx97MB2sslvXjfanJ-3UfU_4n3zJycNHeZ8GJxVWla4FGXkLXiZgXNiKg_NrrdmW1UUoeXrrd30c5T4tXDOHrFhpAgZV6f8RqvtNdzR0Y8j6LxdVXSlw-jyU0ZJ/s1600/graygranite.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998511337488738" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv3nmO8d5JffHks-SUGmx97MB2sslvXjfanJ-3UfU_4n3zJycNHeZ8GJxVWla4FGXkLXiZgXNiKg_NrrdmW1UUoeXrrd30c5T4tXDOHrFhpAgZV6f8RqvtNdzR0Y8j6LxdVXSlw-jyU0ZJ/s400/graygranite.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 390px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Can you fall in love with a piece of stone? I love the<br />water-color like pattern on this brownish-gray granite.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />While ours was barely hanging on by the hinges (in fact many drawer fronts had been glued back on repeatedly, some unsuccessfully), her big problem was an inefficient, dated layout (part of my problem, too) and not a lot of square footage (okay, that was also our problem). As they say, people always end up in the kitchen, so if the kitchen is small or hard to move around in without getting in the cooks way, then that can start to wear on you year after year, especially as our little ones become tall, hungry ones.</span><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs07gGTsWzGbLu-SOKlZwvvROeeJlJgoPmoCLYtgRnlW0GU10Ddl2s45qITdAgKooe3Qx8hCRhOEHxmPY9TQuEaj_-yjt77FEqdBFz8k1pgYXjrH9Z3iAUT3ZeofPAdJ4EUIyUKUsBO-q/s1600/tilebacksplashFK.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998362132506850" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWs07gGTsWzGbLu-SOKlZwvvROeeJlJgoPmoCLYtgRnlW0GU10Ddl2s45qITdAgKooe3Qx8hCRhOEHxmPY9TQuEaj_-yjt77FEqdBFz8k1pgYXjrH9Z3iAUT3ZeofPAdJ4EUIyUKUsBO-q/s400/tilebacksplashFK.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">This kitchen featured cabinets made out<br />of sustainable bamboo. By adding a<br />farmhouse sink with a mosaic tile backsplash<br />done in a traditional running board pattern,<br />this Asian-inspired modern space<br />looks more early-American in style<br />(and feels “like home” to me).</span><br /></div><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br />While my kitchen has been relocated temporarily into our dining room, Susan is fortunate to have a second kitchen located on the third floor of her home. Having to cook and serve meals by heading up two sets of stairs each day (for Susan) or preparing family meals in shifts because the toaster oven can only fit so much on the tray (that would be me) is hardly an inconvenience when you think of what is happening in Japan right now. Even so, I will be very thankful when I our modest sized kitchen is back where it belongs, and I can cook and clean without tripping over extension cords and we can all sit down to eat a home-cooked family meal at the same time.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4HT5K96ZCuNQd_Z_ok8N7T-NLrDx6Qt8vq_XG_CkZo_csUF1_b-a6tMsKosau_TWDsuhgr909vEto1UyJYFzk06qyQdgZNTTl53DUONMw_JHJ7Oq-Rc5m7qc1_ZPhzBEYnf4mJkL1ZNt/s1600/recesseddoorFK.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998505942523394" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgx4HT5K96ZCuNQd_Z_ok8N7T-NLrDx6Qt8vq_XG_CkZo_csUF1_b-a6tMsKosau_TWDsuhgr909vEto1UyJYFzk06qyQdgZNTTl53DUONMw_JHJ7Oq-Rc5m7qc1_ZPhzBEYnf4mJkL1ZNt/s400/recesseddoorFK.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 267px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >These cabinets look like they should be in my<br />100+ year old farmhouse. I love that they<br />are recessed, furniture-like, with a colorful<br />interior and vintage inspired hardware.</span><br /></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />As I said to Susan, even if you have all the time in the world to wait to get it done (she is thinking by the fall or the holidays) it can be very unsettling to walk past a room that is down to the studs. It just doesn’t feel like home. When I see the footage of the homeless Japanese who are now living, eating and sleeping together in shelters, are missing loved ones, and no longer have their belongings or a place to call home, it truly puts everything in perspective. I have everything I need, all I am missing is a full sized stove. But soon I should be able to get out and use the grill again, so that will add some variety to our evening meals : )<br /></span><span style="font-size:130%;"><br />With that said, I hope the photos on this post taken during our visit to <a href="http://www.familykitchens.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Family Kitchens</span></a> in Salem are helpful to you if you are planning your dream kitchen, or are a virtual field trip if you are in the mood to daydream. I think the name of their business says it all – our kitchens are a sacred room in which to honor our families (and ourselves) through nourishment. While bells and whistles are nice, what we basically need is an efficient space to easily prepare the meals that keep us healthy – and comforted – in our homes.</span><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsez30u_jCMlnr9jT6rZp6o9_eJ8dIPoDERz70BPmRSIGWsZt-xnY2l96YikJsAumTEkJnY9OJ_P7GWCJDefCT6arT3PR2vLN7_qVcMNjtnxq_qktx62hIcTAQs2mpl8DRe6rIrqARUbdt/s1600/martinibarFK.jpg"><br /></a><br /> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27qh9VavgsuGhUxPNzej9Egeye0tMET8QrKg1EPBqi-QqJ3IKwK2qtfEGZ5OYUlSUmy05Ax4mCJ4ekTHcCk21TLRu_8Bbzxa_99hHPQZZnHtBkJNOsU4cK1EfXk9Spspd98beSucenDLR/s1600/corian%253ATVFK.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998365297123122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh27qh9VavgsuGhUxPNzej9Egeye0tMET8QrKg1EPBqi-QqJ3IKwK2qtfEGZ5OYUlSUmy05Ax4mCJ4ekTHcCk21TLRu_8Bbzxa_99hHPQZZnHtBkJNOsU4cK1EfXk9Spspd98beSucenDLR/s400/corian%253ATVFK.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 373px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Do you like to watch cooking shows or the news<br />while you prepare your meals? A built in television<br />(or wall mount) will free up valuable counter space.</span></div><br /><span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv75TY-PVilG7sXylLW2gc4xfAEYBBjgqoup4c5jczJ4eZ4wotmClx5QK8zDUswenVEptzNRL-dmTrUdibRwiLhPEpxDo29nVqLmsuzcznepw716vv6-tBXkulOyf8_K-4SxDq5Wb-scjB/s1600/mixerFK.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998349541665650" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv75TY-PVilG7sXylLW2gc4xfAEYBBjgqoup4c5jczJ4eZ4wotmClx5QK8zDUswenVEptzNRL-dmTrUdibRwiLhPEpxDo29nVqLmsuzcznepw716vv6-tBXkulOyf8_K-4SxDq5Wb-scjB/s400/mixerFK.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 299px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;font-size:100%;" >Do you bake a lot and need a place to store a large<br />mixer? If moving heavy equipment back and forth<br />is difficult for you, this might be a good option.<br /><br /></span><span style="font-size:100%;"><span style="font-style: italic;"></span><br /></span> <span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span> <div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsez30u_jCMlnr9jT6rZp6o9_eJ8dIPoDERz70BPmRSIGWsZt-xnY2l96YikJsAumTEkJnY9OJ_P7GWCJDefCT6arT3PR2vLN7_qVcMNjtnxq_qktx62hIcTAQs2mpl8DRe6rIrqARUbdt/s1600/martinibarFK.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998371443436786" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsez30u_jCMlnr9jT6rZp6o9_eJ8dIPoDERz70BPmRSIGWsZt-xnY2l96YikJsAumTEkJnY9OJ_P7GWCJDefCT6arT3PR2vLN7_qVcMNjtnxq_qktx62hIcTAQs2mpl8DRe6rIrqARUbdt/s400/martinibarFK.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 225px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Is a martini bar a luxury or a celebration of the<br />unique design elements that are available?</span></div> <br /> <span style="font-size:130%;"><br /></span><br /> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBmswQadzu0jWfmBGGq4CVcLATDExNRmr7CQbzC8kMh__lMVSPQvxuWlv1PdYs-Iy1uYvuE5RyEKTSHzvDb8RUcN-FbT-3pTlHjMsO5Ono-RyDe9PPbJpOJeELhdVKA-_JXTRFFS7g360/s1600/tinceilingFK.jpg"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998511909740690" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRBmswQadzu0jWfmBGGq4CVcLATDExNRmr7CQbzC8kMh__lMVSPQvxuWlv1PdYs-Iy1uYvuE5RyEKTSHzvDb8RUcN-FbT-3pTlHjMsO5Ono-RyDe9PPbJpOJeELhdVKA-_JXTRFFS7g360/s400/tinceilingFK.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 244px;" /></a><span style="font-size:100%;"></span><span style="font-style: italic;">Do you have ceilings that have seen better days</span><br /><div style="text-align: center; font-style: italic;"><span><span style="font-size:100%;">or would you like more light bouncing around<br />in your room? Tin might be a nice solution.</span><br /> </span></div> </div><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimxSJdGiquqK-psHbTPdSZkMuppbbKu2u-vKidgpuWTFd_cLBRcqDeGkYhPB8l7WPO6bcGNHOCnrQCS1W1_Qyn27AdJ2-F9vRpqr-JuxYQekDaQ_x69Qt-mLez5_LgSBxtafetfwR3XVq/s1600/stonerugFK.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5583998350288126082" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhimxSJdGiquqK-psHbTPdSZkMuppbbKu2u-vKidgpuWTFd_cLBRcqDeGkYhPB8l7WPO6bcGNHOCnrQCS1W1_Qyn27AdJ2-F9vRpqr-JuxYQekDaQ_x69Qt-mLez5_LgSBxtafetfwR3XVq/s400/stonerugFK.jpg" style="display: block; margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 292px; height: 400px;" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">Does imagining a walk on the beach make you<br />smile? If yes, then this stone tile would be one<br />way to start your day off on the right foot.</span><br /><br /><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv75TY-PVilG7sXylLW2gc4xfAEYBBjgqoup4c5jczJ4eZ4wotmClx5QK8zDUswenVEptzNRL-dmTrUdibRwiLhPEpxDo29nVqLmsuzcznepw716vv6-tBXkulOyf8_K-4SxDq5Wb-scjB/s1600/mixerFK.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><br /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.familykitchens.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Family Kitchens</span></a><br />262 Highland Avenue<br />Salem, MA 01970<br />978.745.7700<br /></div>

What do you need in a kitchen?

Would you like to start the day grabbing your cup of coffee at a built-in coffee bar? My favorite part is the cork backsplash. Very eco-chic...

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