The Kitchen Idea Book (Idea Books) [Hardcover]

Joanne Kellar Bouknight (Author)

Book Description

Series: Idea Books | Publication Date: February 1, 1999

Readers will be inspired by this series of visual ideas for some of the most-used rooms in the house. Each book is rich with beautiful color photographs, practical sidebars -- and designs of all kinds that will appeal to a wide range of tastes and budgets.

The Kitchen Idea Book guides homeowners through a world of kitchen design options with clarity and wit. The book features hundreds of clever ideas, rich illustrations, and more than 400 color photos, line drawings, and floor plans.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

To many families, the kitchen is more than a place where food is cooked and eaten. It's where parties begin and end, homework is done, pets are fed, bills are paid, and secrets are told over endless cups of coffee. Everyone's got a different dream kitchen, whether it's a serene Arts & Crafts-style kitchen, a bustling farmhouse kitchen, or an up-to-the-minute gourmet kitchen with hand-selected granite countertops and professional-level appliances. The nice thing about The Kitchen Idea Book is its accessibility: it doesn't assume a particular budget level, layout, style, or set of functions, but offers a wealth of ideas to suit every taste and pocketbook. Even better, it gives the would-be kitchen remodeler a vocabulary to use in designing and outfitting his or her own dream kitchen. With detailed sections on overall design, cabinets, shelves and pantries, countertops and backsplashes, appliances and sinks, lighting, floors, walls, and ceilings, it covers far more than the basics. Its sharp photography and "For More Information" section are the icing on the cake--this is the book to have for planning a new or remodeled kitchen. --Barrie Trinkle

From Library Journal

Bouknight, an architect and former editor of Fine Homebuilding magazine, reveals the remarkable potential of the "most popular room in the house," helping readers create kitchens that reflect their homes and their own lifestyles. Numerous photos profile kitchens of all types from traditional to contemporary, with illustrated floor plans. (LJ 1/99)
Copyright 2000 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 201 pages
• Publisher: Taunton Press (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1561581615
• ISBN-13: 978-1561581610
• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,859,234 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I keep going back to this book, September 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Kitchen Idea Book (Idea Books) (Hardcover)

A friend gave me this book--is it because I complain about my kitchen all the time? I looked through it. Then I looked through it again. And again. Now I have post-it notes all over it. The only problem is that there are TOO many ideas! But now I'm ready to redo my lousy kitchen. I want a place to eat and a second sink and a pantry and....Great book for anyone who wants to do or redo their kitchen.

44 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Aptly Titled Book to Spark Ideas for Your Kitchen, July 30, 2000

By 

kd - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Kitchen Idea Book (Idea Books) (Hardcover)

I've been through this book cover to cover four times in four days. One pass to admire and sigh at all the beautiful AND functional kitchens Ms. Kellar has compiled. Another to start to identify elements and components I personally like. Then again to try and determine which of those would fit in the space I have to work with--and the personality of my home. I've finally begun to read the accompanying text and study the floor plans, both of which make this much more than just a collection of stunning kitchen photographs. If you're planning to remodel your kitchen or you're building a house and want to design one that fits you and the way you cook, get this book before you meet with a kitchen designer or architect. It will not only help you decide what you want and but also enable you to articulate your vision more clearly to the folks you hire to do the work.

57 of 59 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good for what it is, August 11, 2000

By 

David Wihowski (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Kitchen Idea Book (Idea Books) (Hardcover)

I won't repeat what so many other reviewers have aptly said: that it is a wonderful book with beautiful photos and good ideas.

My comment, or criticism, is for readers who are serious cooks (i.e. they cook frequently for more than 2 or 3 people, and when they cook it is not just "microwave" or "instant" cooking). The book does not help much in dealing with design issues from the perspective a a serious cook. There are many ways modern kitchen design can be improved for serious cooks, but this books does not sufficiently address them. This book is great as far as it goes, but if you are serious about cooking you might want to tap some other sources as well.