As many of you know by now, if there’s one thing we can’t get enough of, it’s kitchens. With one exception: food. That’s why we eagerly anticipate the arrival of Bon Appetit in our mailbox each month. We were thrilled to open the magazine’s March issue to find a fantastic Q&A with renowned kitchen designer Mick De Giulio–a must-read for his expert advice on creating timeless kitchens, the work-triangle dilemma and where to splurge and where to save.

Here’s an excerpt below; visit BonAppetit.com for more on DeGiulio and, of course, millions of company-worthy recipes.

“Where should you splurge?
The refrigerator, which gets opened 35-plus times a day, on average. Cabinets and appliances, which are super-important because they get used so much. Durability in craft and materials makes a difference.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when planning a new kitchen?
Not dreaming as big as they can. In the beginning, I ask clients that we start designing as if there’s no budget, so we can make the space tremendous. If we have to cut, we can do it later. In the end, if you opt not to do something based on budget, at least it was a conscious decision.

Does the “work triangle”—the space between the refrigerator, sink, and range—guarantee an efficient kitchen?
No. If you establish a work triangle but put your fridge in a main artery, it means that somebody’s always opening a door in the path of traffic. That’s not going to work.

Last week, Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles posted “10 Dreamy Kitchens that Deserve a Second Look” on their blog that we wanted to share with you, many of which incorporate some of Guy Gunter Appliances’ top sellers right now: Sub-Zero, Wolf, Miele, Jenn-Air and Thermador.

Truly the heart of the home, the examples above are “just the sort of place you’d like to kick back and catch up with extended family and friends over a long, leisurely evening,” as editor Kate Abney states.

From a design standpoint, what inspires us everyday? First and foremost, the beauty and functionality of a well-designed kitchen. We’re also impressed by cool, out-of-the-box little luxuries like steam showers, heated floors and warming drawers in the bathroom, and how technology and ease of use have come into play with to accommodate our every whim.

Perhaps that’s why we’re so impressed with Home & Garden Television’s (HGTV) 2010 Dream Home in New Mexico. This year, the HGTV Dream Home Kitchen features a “green” line up, with three Energy Star rated Sub-Zero refrigerators, each using less energy than a 100-watt light bulb. There is also a Wolf induction cooktop that is 50% more efficient than a regular electric cooktop, and a Wolf oven that is a sustainable product that consumes less energy without reducing performance.

Sub-Zero and Wolf collaborated with the HGTV house planners and designers to include 13 kitchen appliances throughout different areas of the home, including a Wolf warming drawer in the master bathroom; Sub-Zero refrigerators and wine refrigerators that blend seamlessly with the cabinetry.

According to Jack Thomasson, professional house planner for the Dream Home, “When you’re looking for the best appliances to enhance your kitchen and improve the quality of life in your kitchen, turn to Sub-Zero and Wolf. These appliances can make an ordinary kitchen extraordinary. Their quality is only matched by their style.”

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