Hot Zones

Spice up your cooking area with these tricks

Written by Susan Millar Perry • Produced By Nicole Sforza

Whether you're contemplating a total kitchen makeover or just want to spruce up a section of the room, follow the pros and start with the cooking area. "The stove itself is almost secondary; it's the elements around it that create an eye-catching focal point," says John Troxell, director of design at the Kreamer, Pennsylvania–based Wood-Mode, a custom cabinetry company. A handsome vent hood and a dramatic backsplash are simple details that can put an exclamation point on the site. "If you can't go all out, this is the one spot where a splurge will pay off," says designer Claudia Penna of Cabinets Plus, a kitchen and bath design firm in Palatine, Illinois. Redoing this work area also offers utilitarian benefits, like added storage, increased lighting, and the convenience of a pot filler. Read on to learn how to infuse your stove surround with style and stature.

Tips:

Build a Nook
Nestling the stove in an alcove creates a dedicated arena for cooking. Here, the arched wooden
surround conceals overhead ventilation and lights with gracious old-world charm.

Create a Focal Point
Take advantage of the space between wall studs to mount a display and storage shelf behind the
cooktop. The top of the recess echoes the curved surround.

Factor in Function
With the main sink in another area of the kitchen, this handy, swing-arm pot filler reduces heavy lifting.

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