Kitchen Styles: Which One Is Right For You?

You fell for number 2? You're ROMANTIC

You, old softie that you are, need to surround yourself with plushness and visual bounty. Unfortunately, these qualities are of short supply in your basic woodsy, hard-edged kitchen design.

In order to give the romantic in you free reign, think of the soft goods in the space; the dining chair cushions drapery, place mats, and, here's a romantic-tip, how about a little bling at eye level over the kitchen sink, maybe crystal beads glistening in the sun on your window treatments. Makes doing dishes a lot more romantic, doesn't it?

Incorporate the colors of romance. Golds, silvers, taupe grays, misty greens and — Queen of Hearts that you are — reds. Sumptuous colorations combat the harshness of the acres of wood and miles of window glass found in kitchens. This helps to keep the design balanced in terms of "materials mix," while providing for your special touches that make a house a home.

Adding truly important accent pieces, with deep meaning for you, or family photos taken at favorite vacation spots, will create fond memories in your kitchen and warm the cockles of your heart.

Think too of romantic eras in history such as French 18th Century, or perhaps, Hemmingway's Spain, a silent Japanese rock garden awash in spring-like colors or a romantic mountain hideaway. All of these will make the heart glow, the simple question is, which one makes your heart go pitty-pat!