Those who know me, know I love to entertain! I totally enjoy having to plan a guest list, menu and entertainment. My friends and family mean the world to me, and having them all around, no matter how crazy it gets in one place, is a great party for me! Entertaining to me means having to clean (ugh) but also, having to cook! I have a passion for it. Only having 2 humans in the home right now (2 furry ones as well) offers little opportunity to really get down and dirty in the kitchen. I get excited when the planning begins!

As a designer, I went into Kitchen Design around 2002. What an overhaul this did for my career! I learned kitchen design, and it brought me knowledge like no other. To truly know how a cabinet is built, and those who build them well is so beneficial. I also know you can put $5,000 in a kitchen or $250,000. You will get your money back!

I had, maybe, one class that I had to draw a cabinet cross section in college, which, in retrospect was quite surprising! I was clueless then, and surprised I passed the class.  But learning cabinetry and becoming a kitchen designer really helped me to learn how everything from 5 star kitchens and luxury baths are put together to the understanding of almost all furniture and its insides. It was like a light bulb went on. What a difference!

Not only that, but it taught me so much about how a space functions. I came up with my own morals in planning kitchens... Store, Prepare, Cook, and Serve. In that order. If you set your kitchen up in this "Flow" it is so  kind to the user! That along with great appliances and the infamous NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) triangle planning- refrigerator, sink and cook top are the key elements to a great kitchen work space.

I'm sharing some of my favorite with you. These are kitchens you will want to stay in, even with all the hotness!

So, you think you can't make your kitchen look like these? Take a look at a before and after I did for a client. I was a little taken back when I saw the before. Amazing what a little planning can do!

BEFORE:

AFTER:

Now that is hot!