I love almost all of these, although that "target" kitchen was awful and expensive, I bet. I see a theme on many of these of no uppers and no paneled appliances. I think that is what helps to make them unapologetic kitchens. I find that that look is more about function, yet it also has loads of "form" to me. I love the phrase comfortable retro modern. I have been trying to explain to people that I want a retro modern 1930-40s look for my kitchen and that I am trying to make it comfortable and welcoming most of all. People understand a 50s or 60s vibe. They understand Victorian, but there were a lot of years in between! I hope when mine is done it will be quirky and happy. I want it to be a place where everyone knows they will get a good meal and where real ingredients will be used. Nothing pretentious or highbrow. My garbage can will be a garbage can. People will be able to find it and know what it is. My fridge and freezer will be visible and open to all. The stove is vintage and is not a high end restaurant grade stove. I am cooking and baking for family and friends here. I hope to have enough space to hold my gadgets and room for others to hang out and hopefully, pitch in. I'd also like to not feel like I am far away from the action when I am cooking so it will be open plan. I don't need to hide it away. It will be more Julia Child functional than "Something's Got to Give" designer looking. I also don't want it to look like I took it out of a showroom and copied into my home. If I am successful, a new guest will not have a clue what year it was done. BTW - I am a real estate agent and can't stand the same old, same old. Too many houses have expensive kitchens with nothing special about them. Boooorrring. Buyer's don't buy safe and 100% neutral. They want something to be excited about and to tell their family & friends about prior to moving in. Most people want a little style and don't want the same look as everyone else's. It is a myth that people should do things all neutral to sell. While some common elements are fine and make people feel safe about them, there should be something that is a little special, or dare I say, quirky, about a kitchen. People buy when they are thrilled and intrigued by a new kitchen. An older kitchen will matter less, but if they are paying for improved, they want it to have some feature/s that are unique.

HA! Resurrecting this old thread because we ended up with a house that has a pretty unattractive Tuscan Traditional kitchen with the worst style -- cathedral for uppers (except one door that was maybe too narrow for the arch???), salmon/rust granite countertops that go up the walls on all four walls (bet that cost a lot), and yellowish floor tile, peach walls and ceiling AND sanded skip trowel walls/ceiling... it's so completely not the style of the house overall. And I'm going to be living with it as is I hope I can stop seeing it after a while because the only thing I can change easily is the wall color. Its the kitchen where our kids will learn to cook and I won't be stressing out about whether or not they are working carefully not to make a mess... can't ever tell if there's a mess because the busy granite counter has so much going on already! And there are boxes and boxes of extra floor tiles, maybe they were on clearance...

Les Rulez what got broke ... 1st photo rug too small, no sofa legs on it...oH My! Coffeetable too large, no clearance. (this does bug me but a different table is no biggie in such a glorious space) and the nerve of these folk putting in a room gobbling sectional in this narrow space. Tut,tut. 2nd Art too high. Doubt it is given that the owner is a professional art dealer...looks to me like he placed the art pieces for maximum perfection of viewing/noticing and so that if you are seated across from that wall at dinner, the human across from you is center stage. Circumference of chandy. (so few quoting this rulez consider the overall mass) Rug a bit small for diners at the end. Given the other fabulous eat in spaces in this beyond fabulous home, let'em eat their cake elsewhere. 3 Art extends past console. Arrest them and their clever obfuscating solution! Rug not centered symmetrically. Tsk,I bet they had their reason and it was a good one. Art too high. Which,if you plan on keeping that center object there,it isn't. Lower it and the whole arrangement would look squat. Ready for one more...note the art placement. Imagine the advice this room would get from some folks. In general though, my belief is that most here love design and just want to get it right, for themselves and for their clients. Off to feed my unicorn ;-)

Often when I've boiled veggies and there's broth remaining, I pour it into a mug and sample it. Often it has acceptable taste and when it does, often I drink it. It's quite nutritional, I've heard. morz 8, It might be a good idea to seek out a Korean food store if you are looking for pickled cabbage, for almost all Koreans love their kimchi. It may ne difficult to find it dried, though. ole joyful