Customer Reviews

The Kitchen Idea Book (Idea Books)

5 star:		(18)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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.

This book is bursting with information about remodeling and has gourgeous color photos of various kitchens. It was a great asset for me when I remodeled my kitchen. I would recommend this book to anyone remodeling or changing their kitchen. The color-coding idea for the different sections of the book makes for easy reference. The author, Joanne Bouknight, should be commended.

This is a great all-around book for anyone who is fantasizing about or seriously contemplating renovating their kitchen. The title is just right: this is an IDEA book that goes beyond pretty pictures to give you valuable information about surface options, cabinets, pantries, appliances, and lighting.

The pictures are beautifully produced and give unusually useful shots of a variety of styles of kitchen and living spaces. Detailed floor plans for many of the designs add to the value of thesepictures for the home improver. I found some of the most helpful sections those on cabinet accessories, pantry ideas, and the pros and cons of various countertops. There is also invormation on kitchen accessibility.

I know that this book will change the way you think of your kitchen and what it could be. Knowing about all of the possible options can really help you to create the kitchen of your dreams (if you can afford it! )

The Kitchen Idea Book is exactly what is claims to be: a book full of ideas for the kitchen. Bouknight writes very little text to accompany the scores of color pictures; but what text there is is concise and helpful. She includes quite a few lay-out designs, gives the pros and cons of various materials and includes a both a short list of further information and a long list of the vendors featured in the book. For the most part, however, she lets the pictures do the work as she leads the reader through the basics of kitchen design and options for cabinets, countertops, floors, appliances, and lighting. Some of the choices and color schemes are very traditional, others less conventional, my favorite of the latter being concrete countertops.

For someone remodelling or building a new home, this book is a God-send (Bouknight has given ample information to give even the least secure reader confidence necessary for talking to a designer, contractor or kitchen salesperson), for someone who would like to spruce up an existing kitchen without a complete remodelling job, there are dozens of ideas, and for someone who enjoys interior design, this book will provide hours of entertainment.

We bought this when we started thinking about a new kitchen and dining addition. It really was a big help to narrow down our choices. THere's nothing worse than feeling as if you know what you want but you can't explain it or you haven't seen a picture of it anywhere. This book has many photos of lots of different types of kitchens, not just one style or size. It isn't arranged kitchen by kitchen, and there aren't any floor plans. PHotos are shown part by part, cabinets, sinks, pantries, etc, so its handy to see all the sinks together. We have not started work on the kitchen yet but I can't wait!!

A book with a picture collection of ideas, but very dated if not outdated. Many kitchens appear based from the 1960s era. The book almost comes across as a gathering of many old pictures assembled to glean the final dollar profit in book publishing. Despite what the lead review suggests about "Its sharp photography" - photo reproduction is second rate. For those just starting the thought process and starting with minimal knowledge of kitchen building the book represents a possible starting point, but lacks true substance beyond that point. Those looking to build an upscale kitchen are well advised to look elsewhere; "At Home With America's Top (26) Chefs" is arguably the best of the best, a book with solid ideas and concepts applicable even to the more modest kitchen.

There are some great pictures in this book, but overall I wasn't that impressed, alot of the appliances look dated, as does some of the decor. Still it makes a nice reference book, but I'm glad I didn't pay full price for it.

THis book really is chock-full of ideas. Hundreds of photographs that provide both inspiration and concrete examples which I take to my contractor, saying "See? Just like this!" Also, lots of clearly-written, useful information that helps you make informed decisions. For example, there is a half-page dedicated to descriptions of various sink materials: one or two paragraphs describing the looks, benefits & drawbacks of stainless steel, enamaled cast iron, enameled steel, ceramic, solid surface, composites, german silver and slate/soapstone. What a terrific book!