I'm not done yet either, we're doing a low budget DIY. My WOW item will be a yellow Chambers range (craigslist). Followed maybe by some interesting (I think) vintage pendant lights (craigslist). I like to think that we're doing a green remodel. My craigslist finds may have ended up in a garbage heap, but instead will be at my garbage heap, um, my house.

I suppose my "WOW!" is my big brass hood, but the actual focal point is the single round red tile beneath it. :)

Our kitchen is large, because of our family size and kitchen use, but all DIY for the budget end of things. I used cabinet configuration, color, and backsplashes to create focal points. I ended up with a rangetop, but had originally planned an induction cooktop, which visually, wouldn't have offered much. I designed the cabinets and we painted them so that, overall, they emulate a big range/hearth area, and a backsplash individual to that area helps. As a secondary focal spot, we painted the cabinets along one of the side walls a different color and they have a different backsplash, too.

You maybe can't get as wild in a smaller kitchen with color and changes, but you can create focal points by utilizing and arranging combinations.

I don't have granite and you do...And sometimes that choice can be enough 'wow factor' on its own.

In a small kitchen your first "wow" should be an obviously good, functional plan for a small kitchen. That said, the focal point may have a lot to do with the layout or other aspects of the room. If you post a plan you will get a lot of ideas about how you can integrate a wow factor.

The freakishly long island (which is 17.5' long and was the original footprint) and the backsplash on the range wall, where we did away with the uppers.

We,like kathec, planned our kitchen around our Chambers stove, but we will also have some special tile on our sink wall as a feature and one day, will be adding a glass "arch" of cabs on our peninsula to separate our living room from kitchen. Until we can afford that ($3k at last check), we will just have it be open above the lower cabs/counter.

I think we have several focal points since we will have an island chimney hood that is noticeable, a pattern in our floor, cathedral ceilings, skylights and nice lighting fixtures (no can lights). I guess focal points are somewhat in the eyes of the beholder.

Mine's still in demo mode, but I suppose it will probably be my giant 36in white fireclay farmhouse sink in a relatively small kitchen :)

The initial view into my kitchen is to the stove area: a plain drop-in cook top topped with a handyman-constructed wood hood with display shelf that I designed myself, which is itself flanked by ordinary double-hung windows. Definitely focal, but no big wow! I went for a simple but always attractive picture. With that in mind, I was careful to place less attractive elements out of this view. Inexpensive fixes, but the view out the windows and hood and its displays are always like no one else's.

People seem to be "wowed" at our kitchen in general when they first see it.

Later they comment on the window, granite, and cabinets.

Once they start working in it, they comment on how great it is to have a prep sink and how well it functions. (They seem to always say they never thought a prep sink would be so useful or that they never thought of a prep sink in their kitchen.)

So, I guess I have several "wows"!

Almost three years later I still get a thrill when I walk into my kitchen...I like how it functions and looks so much!!!

Our kitchen is very small and plain when compared to most here, but I think the focal point is the island. I'm re-accessorizing this month to reduce the "country" feel, but the granite on the island gives me pleasure every time I look at the swirls in it.

Susanka- I've always liked your kitchen...it's such a pretty granite and backsplash combination. I hope you post pictures, when you finish your accessory update :)

I'm still in the planning stages, but one of my focal points will be the delft tile backsplash. It won't be a pricy version, but it will set the tone for the countertops and some of the other choices.

Something like this is what I'm thinking of using behind the stove, with the rest just the regular tiles, like in the second picture.

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Susanka, that IS pretty granite. I'm usually not a movement fan, but that's just gorgeous.

I have to say I love that everyone has such different styles and focal points!

In my kitchen, I wanted the backsplash to be the focal point. My initial plan was taken from the Ann Sachs website. I was leaning towards a gorgeous mosaic of natural stones. However, I never could get anyone to respond to me from that company. (Plus I wasn't completely sure and I didn't get DM's unfettered approval!)

I kept looking...then I came across a gorgeous bee backsplash in a magazine and looked up the source in the back. Brittany & Coggs. I fell in love with the artistry. What a pleasure it was to work with Tania there (indirectly through a tile design store). She sent samples directly to my home and I was sold! It makes me happy to look at every day:)

So, I built the kitchen around that. My other focal point is the raised ceiling and Niermann Weeks chandy in the eating area. I felt safe having it as a second focal point because they don't seem to compete for attention.
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doonie - who are you kidding? Your whole kitchen is a focal point, lol.....

suasanka - still loving your granite and can't wait to see it re-accessorized.

jakabedy - your style is the focal point.... I'd love to cook in your kitchen!

Doonie, I love your paint colors, too. What colors/brand did you go with?

You guys have amazing kitchens and great ideas! Would love to see more!

Yes, and my DH was the one who insisted on it! Actually he pretty much re-designed the kitchen because he didnt like the 19' island we had in the first iteration ... what were we thinking?

This will be in black matte with nickel and brass trim. It is against a wall that is stone (the reverse side of a fpl chimney).

Here is a link that might be useful: our range

dianalo, your post made me chuckle;) IRL I'm still shy about my kitchen!

sherilynn, the paint colors are BM Windham Cream and BM Linen White on the trim. Good happy colors!

Most people comment on the copper apron sink and the butcher block island. The view is the main focal point.

I think most people are just wowed in general when walking into our kitchen as it's such a huge change from what we had. My wows are the triple casement window over our sink, the cooktop/hood area, and the overall functionality of the space. I still find myself sitting and staring at it.

Here is a link that might be useful: nhbaskets remodel

You tell me:

And now:

The TV grabs most of my attention.

True to the Victorian aesthetic of "too much is not enough" I tried to include lots of eye candy. The backsplash is yet to come, and the breakfront.
Casey

@Casey: Found it! :)

Casey just have to say how much I love what you have done with your kitchen -- the two-tiered uppers, the great design around the sink. Love the fan. Love the finishes. It is so unique but so convincing as a kitchen that has "always been there." I really resonate with the objective of making the kitchen look like it was always in the house, but is your own distinctive vision as well. You have really pulled it off beautifully! Can't wait to see what you choose for a backsplash . .

My kitchen's focal point is ME.

Like other posters, our kitchen is so drastically different from the before kitchen, it's ALL a focal point! The cabs, granite, backsplash, ceiling fan (take that electrician who tried to talk us out of a ceiling fan!), built-in fridge, and pot-filler faucet all garner their fair share of attention and compliments from visitors.

Not to toot my/our own horn, but I am thrilled beyond belief with the way each and every room we've reno'd or updated has turned out. I look around and think, "we done good!" I am very happy and and really love it all. :-) :-) :-)

We don't have a kitchen yet, but we do have the two focal points planned. When you walk into the room, the focal point will be the arch-top window over the sink overlooking the grove. Turn left and behind the stove will be the tiles all the rest of the tile in the kitchen will be coordinated to. We actually have families of quail visit our property every now and then, and we love them.

Here is a link that might be useful: My quail tile

What makes me say "wow" when I see others' kitchens is if they look real, lived-in, have their personality. My kitchen, 2.5 years after its remodel, is more WOW today than it was in my "after" pics because now you know who lives there and that we really *live* there. Nothing about us is for show -- we are for comfort and function. There are doo-dads which are pretty, sure, but our kitchen works for us, baby!

I have and will always love rhome's kitchen because it is warm, inviting and tells you so much about who lives there. I don't know her at all but I feel as if I do based on her kitchen. And I like what I see!

I do have the delight and pleasure of knowing cat_mom and I feel the exact same way about her kitchen -- it's insanely gorgeous, and that's her. (she happens to be gorgeous herself!) She is sleek and modern and she looooves her cats, and it shows in her kitchen. Her kitchen (home) is also a space which is inviting and makes guests feel comfortable.

That's my definition of wow. I'm excited for your project!

The shape of my kitchen makes it unique. It was an 11x11 box, but the addition (shaped by the hillside behind) is 10x17, so it sticks way out one side. But instead of being a box shaped addition, I clipped off the corners to make pretty windows.

The resulting kitchen is so zoned, it's like a cluster of mini rooms. The counter seat is almost a secluded surprise hidden around a corner. That will be the Wow. I'm thinking of using low seating (for my short legs) and a lower counter than usual.

I would have to say the backsplash (Jeffrey Court Quartz Brick Fire & Ice) is the focal point of our small kitchen.

Jodi-

Jodi, I am so in love with your backsplash. I have it saved in my favorites folder! I can get it at our local tile store but not sure if I can afford a whole kitchen's worth. I would love to incorporate it somehow in my tile work.
Pam

rmkitchen--I am blushing, thank you! (You made my morning and my day!)

doonie I still am so in love with your chandelier. I really wish that buying 2-3 of them for over my island and table wasn't out of my budget :( I need a knock-off!

Thanks Beagles!

Currey & Co. has a pretty good knock off, but the standard color is a gold, which I did not want. When I last checked about upgrading the finish, it drove their price up significantly, so I ended with the NW.

Your kitchen is going to be beautiful.

Yea, I found the Currey & Co one and I don't want gold either.

What I am wondering is if I could find a chandelier w/ the upturning arms and same general lines then maybe just add the beautiful beading... But I'm afraid it would look like a kid's craft project if I tried to do that.

maybe I'll post a thread here asking for help finding a knock off!

Like nhbaskets, my kitchen is such a change from what it used to be and also from what is expected in my small house that it became the focal point. The room went from a small 1930's cave to a bright open kitchen with white cabinets.

I was initially surprised by the reactions of the appliance delivery men - including one who stayed for a awhile and was checking out the cabinets, the layout and passthru, and was trying to figure out how he could setup his kitchen the same way. It was also nicely satisfying when the town's building and plumbing inspectors raved about the kitchen during our final inspections.