[jyl]

Sorry to sound like a whiner, but figure I should make a list of what bugs me, much of this is personal defects and poor procedure of course:

Things I don't like about my kitchen:
- When wife makes tea/coffee or gets drinks for kids, she gets between my prep space and the range
- When wife prepares hors d'oeuvres, she get gets between my prep space and the range
- When wife uses the microwave, she gets between me and the range
- Basically everybody keeps getting between me and the range
- Knives, onions, garlic, salt, pepper, spices are not kept where I do the prep
- Prep bowls are mixed in with the regular dishware
- Dishes pile up in sink, I have to stop and wash during food prep
- Not enough room for two cooks
- Open dishwasher blocks my prep space
- Dishwasher noisy when running
- Not enough heat from the burners for wok cooking, have to do everything in little batches
- Not enough vent capacity for smoky cooking
- I killed the last microwave with big ball of flame from cooking (its mounted above the range)
- Only four burners, typically one used for stock pot, one for tea kettle, so only two free
- Only 1 oven so dessert has to share temp w/ roast, and no place to "warm" food or dishes
- Not enough storage for pots and pans and lids, they get stacked on each other or hung three to a hook
- Not enough storage for knives and steels
- Not enough storage for baking pans and roasting pans and steamers and stockpots
- Existing food storage is all cabinets and only the items in front are visible, we have no idea what is in back, so buy multiples of same thing
- No place for bulky food like 5 lb potato bags, big/multiple bread loaves
- Fridge not have space for big things - e.g. if need to chill a big mixing bowl
- Fridge icemaker perpetually broken
- Fridge starting to fluctuate in temp, have to re-adjust often to keep desired temps, wires to external fridge thermometer are unsightly
- Too many dishes and glasses and mugs
- Table is used as a dumping ground for purses, kids' backpacks, mail, etc - not usable for prep or even for placing pots, dishes, etc
- Garbage can is clear across the kitchen from the sink
- Recycling bin is outside the rear door
- Get down on knees to dig through lower shelves for Tupperware, mixing bowls, food processor, mandolin, salad spinner, etc
- Grout of tile counter is coming apart by the sink
- One of the wall cabinets is coming apart, threatening to fall down actually
- Cabinet doors keep getting crooked, knobs get loose, and adjustment screws on hinges keep coming loose
- Can we get rid of the damn plastic lidded kids' cups already
- Floor is hard on my feet and ankles after 3 hours, carpet gets messy, no convenient stool to sit on when feet hurt
- Only one lighting level, which is full-on bright
- Kitchen style doesn't go w/ the house - house is 100 y/o Foursquare style, kitchen is light wood and full overlay doors w/ euro hinges