Small Spaces Beautiful Kitchens

The kitchen is the heart of every home: the place where families gather, where food is prepared and shared, where we work, entertain, and eat. But many kitchens were not designed to suit this elevated role; they are small, dark, and cramped rather than spacious, light, and comfortable. Small Spaces, Beautiful Kitchens shows how to turn any size space into the kitchen of your dreams -- whether your personal style leans toward country, modern, or chic. Author Tara McLellan proves that small kitchens can be even more comfortable and efficient than larger ones. She urges the reader to focus on three basic elements: carefully thought- out organization, clever storage solutions, and space-boosting color and design features. Step-by-step instructions, illustrations, and advice from the pros walk readers through every aspect of planning, design, and implementation, from making a wish list and establishing a budget to deciding on materials for cabinets and flooring to creating stylish window displays and wall patterns. Whether a kitchen is galley-shaped, U-shaped, L-shaped -- or just plain small -- this hands-on workbook offers ideas for kitchens that suit every lifestyle, from city singles to growing families. Tracy McLellan is a veteran design writer. Formerly of Metropolitan Home Magazine, she is the author of Fabric Harmony (Rockport, 2001). She lives in New Orleans.