Quote Originally Posted by Irulan View Post
1. What do you wish you'd put in and didn't for whatever reason
2. What did you put in that seemed like a good idea at the time, but you don't love for whatever reason
3. Countertops - what do you have, do you love it/hate it/too much maintenance etc
4. biggest waste of $$
5. best $$ spent

I love to cook. I enjoy function and simplicity over decoration and frills. An example is that you'll never find fancy crown mouldings or rope mouldings, or fluted columns in any kitchen of mine as I believe they are dust collectors.

Cheers
Irulan
1. I wish I had replaced the existing window (original 1939 double hung sash that doesn't open) with a custom casement that opens. I also wish I had installed a dedicated water filter faucet. I have one in the fridge, but I would prefer one at the sink (more accessible, easier to fill teapots & glasses).

2. Nothing. I use everything! It's a small kitchen, though, with little room for extra, single-use features. My contractor sucked. I'd never use him again, that's for sure! I do have a microwave that is also a convection oven. I rarely use the convection oven because I prefer my gas oven (GE Profile--it's great). But if I ever had to bake a lot of stuff, the two ovens would be very handy.

3. Concrete. They are great.

4. Waste of money?...nothing. I use all features. I have had to replace my Bosch dishwasher, however, and I got a KitchenAid. I wish I'd gotten a KA from the beginning.

5. Best $$ spent is custom floor-ceiling bamboo cabinets. Lovely, with no extra unusable, dust-and-junk collecting space on top of the cabinets. Also full glass door to back stoop for light. If that door were still solid, it would be very dreary. I also knocked out a wall to open the 12' x 8' original kitchen to the living/dining area. Now it's all open and I love that.

Actually, the best thing is the size and design. Everything is within reach and I've it a near-perfect work triangle. My counter-peninsula is wide and useful. It's has very clean lines and is minimalist, which is my style. Under counter lights are also a must for me. Oh, and self closing drawers.

Enjoy.