I've often noticed that people tend to pay for a nice stove and counters, then they put the small appliances they actually cook with all over the counters.

If I had a new kitchen, I would call for an 'appliance tower,' a tall thin cupboard with adjustable shelves to hold the toaster, Geo Foreman grill, big mixer, waffle iron, slow cookers, blender, etc. Right next to it would be an electrical outlet so the items could be taken out, plugged in and used.

Another thing I would have is a separate small sink where my husband could stand and fool with things and not be in the way. Don't get me wrong, he is often a real help. But if I need water RIGHT NOW and he has appropriated the sink to rinse off the ring that holds the measuring spoons together I'd like to ...

I would have my deep freeze nearby, not down in the basement. I don't believe I have ever seen a kitchen in a book that had a serious freezer, yet I depend on mine quite a bit.