I fear the organization mavens on the boards will want to ban me completely for this confession, but I have everything out on my counters, which range from 30" to 36" deep, specifically to accommodate deep built-ins and appliances on the counters. Magimix, 27 year-old Dualit toaster, 30-year-old Kitchenaid mixer, food scale, small food processor, cutting boards, breadmaker (sometimes two), single portable induction plate, blender (in summertime). In the butler's pantry, electric kettle, coffee grinder, coffee press. Also cooking implements in two crocks. If these items aren't out, I do not use them, and they are there to be used. Right now, various canning-related devices are out, as well, because I made both pickle recipes I received here (YUMMM to the one that we've been able to taste, Loves2cookforsix) the other has a couple of weeks to go), and today we're making jam. At least ninety percent of the folks here would probably think it's too much clutter, but I like things at hand. I can lift to clean, but if I have to lift, carry elsewhere, put away, then do the reverse to use these things, I just won't. Especially, with various physical issues. My kitchen is for cooking. It was designed to be used, and I don't feel a need to cover up its function. DH has a deep fryer that has to live in the laundry room when not in use, but it's only for turkey when the weather is too bad for outdoor deep frying. Certain spices and oils are gathered on a tray so that they can be away from direct light and cooking heat, but readily accessible while food prep is going on. I had to move everything out when I resealed the granite and marble before Thanksgiving, but, within a week or two, it was all back out on the counters as each item was replaced in order to use. And then there's this--a bit outdated because it's a few years old, but you get the idea. (The bottle of Aleve isn't always out) ; This post was edited by kitchendetective on Sat, Mar 16, 13 at 8:57

When we moved 7, 8years ago, i took the opportunity to thin out the toys. The original owner, a single mother, put in a downstairs back room baking kitchen for extra income. We use it as a project room and pantry so i still have all the toys but none of it is upstairs in the main kitchen. It has been nice to just have the basics and my favorites. No appliances like a toaster, microwave, or any counter clutter. Wanted to go back to the basics of chopping by hand, cooking fresh and rustic. No plastics, glass fridge storage pyrex, etc. Oh, sure, it all finds its way back up every once in a while but i do a 'sweep' once a month or so and back it goes. My drawers are no longer junky and stuffed. My favorite things i remember when i moved... -all fresh new spices, one set was a gift -treated myself to good cooking oils and vinegars -2 new big cutting boards,(even though i have a dozen misc ones) -restaurant quality water kettle and coffee grinder -fresh new pot holders and kitchen towels. I've always had good knives and cookware, cast iron all sizes and enameled cast iron, all sizes. No longer use non-stick anything. 2 appliances most used and loved that have easy accessed under counter storage... Breville juicer and Blendtec blender. So worth the high cost for quality. I never wanted a kitchen aid since i don't bake but found one at a yard sale last year for 15$. Finding many uses for it now that i have one. (it had a loose screw in the housing that made it run with a gruff rumble, brand new and fixed with-in minutes of bringing it home) -yard sales are still a favorite way to add something 'new' without the sticker shock. Like triciae, i always have something collected from years of traveling like a pot or bowl with something fresh from the garden or a vase with flowers from the yard. A few weeks ago it was sunflowers...last week it was a leggy purple cabbage and chives, this past weekend i treated myself to a small rosemary tree.

The Vitamix is a bit taller than the Blendtec, so it doesn't on the counter under the cabinet with the blender on the base, though getting the smaller container may help with that. I find that all the pieces that go with it, the lid, poker thingy, container, base, all end up on the counter. If it had a single convienent location to live close to where it was being used it may get put away more often between uses. I'm going to admit something here... My DH and I are not the most tidy people! There, I said it ;) ha Seriously, we are awful at putting things away and keeping things tidy. One of my goals with my new kitchen (and new house as we are building from the ground up) is to create spaces that are easier to keep clean and tidy. That said, I'm a messy person who hates mess, I know, it doesn't make sense! I would rather not have anything live on my counter at all if I could help it!

Have you been on the fence about getting a Vitamix because of price ? I just saw that VM is offering their reconditioned units for $30 off through Dec 1. Plus, you can order it as a 3-payment plan (half down plus $15 the first month and the remaining half is divided over months 2 and 3). Add that to the free shipping and other freebies I mentioned a couple posts up and that is Merry Christmas to you ! : ) I think the reconditioned units are a great deal. You get a brand new, unused container, so only the motor has ever come out of the box. And the motor is checked/serviced before it goes back out as a reconditioned unit. I think most (all?) of the reconditioned machines were ones returned under their 30 day return policy, so they have hardly been used (or maybe never used!). $299 Certified Reconditioned Standard (reg 329, new starting at 449) https://secure.vitamix.com/Certified-Reconditioned-Standard.aspx 5200, 5200c, 5200s, Creations I, Creations II, Creations GC, CIA Professional Series, Pro 200, Total Nutrition Center, TurboBlend VS, etc. are all basically the same 2hp machine with different names. $349 Certified Reconditioned Standard w/Programs (reg 379, new starting at 649) https://secure.vitamix.com/Certified-Reconditioned-Standard-Programs.aspx The Pro 500 and the 6300 are those same 2hp machines that also have pre-set buttons (Smoothies, Hot Soups, and Frozen Desserts) and pulse. $439 Certified Reconditioned Next Generation (new starting at 557) https://secure.vitamix.com/Certified-Reconditioned-Next-Generation.aspx Pro 300, Creations Elite, and the 7500 (The "Next Generation" Machines) all have the 2.2hp motor that is supposed to be a little quieter (suspended motor design), they have pulse, and they come with the shorter 64oz container with the wider bottom (17.5" tall for the base plus container as opposed to 20.5"). $519 Certified Reconditioned Next Generation w/Programs (new 689) https://secure.vitamix.com/Certified-Reconditioned-Next-Generation-Programs.aspx Pro 750 is the above "Next Generation" 2.2hp machine that has the presets (Smoothies, Hot Soups, Frozen Desserts, Puree, and Clean) plus Pulse. My VM is not this newest model, it is a 2hp that does not have the presets. I do not recommend the 2-speed models that are currently $279 reconditioned (TurboBlend Two-Speed or CIA Creations). I also do not recommend the 6000 model which ONLY has timed settings with no speed control. All of the other models above have variable speed which is important IMO. It looks like none of the Next Generation models are $30 off, but I do not remember for sure what the price was before the sale started ??? Regarding the ones with the short 64oz container that only comes with the 2.2hp Next Generation machines ... you may want to buy an extra wet container with the smaller bottom (for example, the 32oz or 48oz) because the bigger bottomed short 64oz container doesn't do well with recipes under 2 cups (you don't have that problem with the sandard/tall 64oz container that comes with the 2hp machines). The 32 oz. does great with recipes that go down to as little as 3/4 of a cup and one cup recipes like mayonnaise, pesto, salad dressings, and marinades. Plus it is easier to get these smaller batches out of it as compared to the standard/tall 64oz, because the sides are not so high. I am pretty sure you can buy extra wet or dry containers for a discounted price of $100 if you buy them within a certain amount of time of buying your machine. Note the difference in the dry container and the wet container ... the wet container pulls things down into the blades, the dry container blows them up out of the blades. So if you were blending almonds, the wet container would be best for almond butter, while the dry container would be best for almond flour. A lot of the model numbers have to do with which cookbook the blender originally came with, which containers, and sometimes where it is sold. (for example QVC models or the 5200S and 6300 which are both Costco models) Oh, and here's a tip ... You can download the Vitamix Whole Foods Recipe Cookbook from the QVC website. See the gray 'learn more' section in the middle of the page. http://www.qvc.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?partNumber=K28091 edit: to add in reg prices