| A place to gather, work, play and above all, cook, kitchens have evolved with America's family-focused lifestyle to become an "epicenter" « the heart and soul - of the household. Home improvement has become the great national pastime, with more than $214 billion spent on remodeling expenditures in the past year and almost 50 percent of both men and women homeowners putting gourmet kitchens on their " must have" lists. Kitchens continue to be the most popular remodeling jobs, providing high returns on investment. "Cooking, entertaining and eating in have revolutionized the way we think about kitchen design today," said Tori Ritchie, cooking teacher, author, food writer and TV host. "Phasing out are the stark, cold, restaurant-style kitchens that were so popular in the 1990s. The trend now is toward lively, colorful kitchens that embody warmth, encourage Tips for Remodeling Success age conversation and feature design elements from a home cook's perspective. |