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[quote=Anonymous]For our custom build, things we got right in the kitchen:

1. Drinking water filter at the main sink faucet. Although we installed a whole water filter (rated at 3 microns) we also did a second filter at the main sink, with its own faucet. It is rated at 0.5 microns, which in theory should remove all lead, etc., that could be in water. From our perspective, this double filtration gives us some of the best tasting tap water we've had and peace-of-mind with young kids. Absolutely critical? No, but we like having filtered water. And when you do it ahead of time, not that expensive.

2. Two sinks. We have a main sink and a secondary--though still full size--sink in the island. When cooking, entertaining, cleaning, whatever--having two fully functional sinks is really nice.

3. Great range. We splurged on the range--and it was money I'm glad we spent. I like to cook, so a powerful range is high on my list. This won't speak to everyone.

4. In view of 3, we did a pretty massive 1200 cfm vent-a-hood. It is very quiet, and keeps out smells and smoke effectively.

5. Range hood cover--we had a custom piece made, and this is a defining visual feature of our kitchen.

6. Counters--quartzite. I posted in the counter thread. I couldn't do the non-natural look of quartz. I almost pulled the trigger on marble, but then did a test piece and got worried about staining. Quartzite was the best decision. Couldn't be happier with that election.

7. Full size pantry--we have a pantry off the kitchen that allows us to hide stuff. Not that our kitchen doesn't have some clutter from time to time, but storage in a pantry helps minimize that.

8. Balance. In designing the cabinets, we wanted a very balanced look along the main kitchen "wall." We made sure that the cabinets were symmetrical on both sides of the range so the weighting would feel right. The space on each side wasn't identical, so we did some cabinets, and then have open shelves for cookbooks, etc., on one side to create the balance.

9. Build-in/hidden speakers: We like to entertain and otherwise have music on. In our entertaining spaces in the house, including kitchen, we mounted hidden speakers in the ceiling, so we can play music from our phones. Not something you'd ever do except when ceiling already open for a renovation.

10. Good/bad: We got some beautiful glass pendant lights over the island that I love--but they are a *bear* to clean. Didn't really think about that at the outset.

11. A bit outside scope--but run a gas line to permanent outdoor grill. If your kitchen is close to where you grill outside, and if this is a big project, run a natural gas line to your grill outside and get a permanent grill in place. Never having to think of propane is magical.

12. Pretty obvious: But run a power strip underneath the cabinets.

Mistakes we made:

1. Our freezer is a built in--and only 18". It is *sort of* enough for our family, but space gets tight. We have a second fridge/freezer in the basement, so we have back-up space. With our design, we really probably couldn't have gone larger. But I would have tried yet harder to see if we could have fit in a 24" built in. (Our 30" fridge is as small as I'd go.)

2. Disposal--In a stupidly frugal move, I didn't put a disposal in both kitchen sinks, just one. That was an oversight.

3. High cabinets--We have some cabinets that are too high to reach, and never really perfected that aspect of the design. It works and looks ok, but they don't do all too much.

4. Speed convection oven vs. microwave: We did a drawer microwave under the counter. I really wanted a speed/convection/microwave combo in addition to our big range, but I needed to mount it below the counter-top, and I thought it would be awkward to place below counter-height with a non-drawer. I'm not sure this is a *big* loss--and there wasn't any way to really get it to work--but a small regret.

5. Under-counter lights: Ours have a strange, light buzzing sound when on. Not loud, but enough to be annoying if everything else is quiet. I really want to replace with something else to get of, but haven't gotten around to it.

Good luck and have fun![/quote]

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