For many homeowners looking to remodel their kitchen, it’s difficult to narrow down all the bells and whistles they want to incorporate into the heart of their home. The single most important thing they should take into consideration is a refreshed approach to the question “What really matters?”

Take a look below at some kitchen projects that incorporate appliances from Guy Gunter. Below, maximizing every inch of space requires careful thought and planning. Whether it’s refrigerator drawers, warming drawers, a second dishwasher (perfect for wineglasses) or an icemaker, have a handle on which appliances will benefit your lifestyle–and entertaining style–the most.

Serious cooks call for serious appliances. Below, a double-refrigerator, double oven and warming drawer combine with more-than-ample storage and countertop workspace to meet every epicurean’s fancy.

Outdoor entertaining is a cinch when you’ve got an enviable work station complete with gas grill, mini bar and warming drawers, below. A tiled floor and built-in brick niche add charm to this outdoor environment.

What really matters to you? How does your kitchen design reflect your values?

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.

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