Interesting thread. My tastes run a little less than most here, but the one thing we did that we both absolutely love is a counter top that is 2" higher than standard. I'm taller and I wanted a slightly higher counter top in one section of the kitchen for food prep. DH is 5'6" and, now, the major chef in the house, and he thinks that counter is the best place for chopping and kneading bread. Were we to do the kitchen again, all the counters would be that height.