Options abound for today's kitchen: specialty storage units, double work zones, homework stations and more. See how one Midwest couple customized their island to fit their lifestyle, and how you can have a kitchen that fits yours.

By Sara Reimer. Photographs by Kim Cornelison.

Island Ideology

(ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED: MARCH/APRIL 2007)

Louise and Dean Trafelet have the view from their kitchen island. Three-foot waves roll onto a sandy beach 25 feet from their kitchen window in Door County, Wisconsin. But their calming view isn't the only perk; their custom island is packed with amenities and personal touches designed to let the empty nesters savor their two loves: cooking and entertaining.

The Chicagoans purchased, gutted and renovated the lake house, their second home, in 2001. The original kitchen was too small (12x13 feet) for their needs, so they added 100 square feet to make room for a 4x9-foot island.

"Islands have become synonymous with new kitchens," says Dan McFadden, the Trafelet's kitchen designer, who works for Past Basket in Geneva, Illinois. In fact, 80 percent of home buyers say an island is desirable or essential, according to a 2006 National Association of Home Builders survey. It's also one of the most-requested kitchen features when remodeling, adding 5.3 percent to a home's value.

Why the popularity? "Islands are an outgrowth of the extended kitchen and great-room concept," McFadden says-not to mention the added storage and food preparation space. The Trafelets put that extra space to work. When entertaining, their island's work surface turns into an inviting buffet. They contain food prep and cooking to one side of the island (with the prep sink and appliances) and let guests socialize on the opposite side.

"People always congregate around the island," Louise says. "But that's what we love about it." It's the center of the house-a cozy place to cook good food, visit with family and friends, relax and watch the waves roll in.

HOW THEY DID IT

PERSONALIZED STYLE
To get the look of a sophisticated, country kitchen, the Trafelets stained the island cabinets a warm red finish to contrast the perimeter's pine cabinets. To add more interest to the design, they used Longleaf heart pine, a reclaimed wood that was prevalent in the 1800s, for the island countertop. The dark-honey-color, historic pine contrasts the surrounding granite countertops.

AMENITIES TO EASE FOOD PREP
Efficiency is just as important as style to the Trafelets, who love to cook. A secondary sink on the island lets the couple designate the island sink for food preparation and the main sink by the dishwasher for cleanup. Two refrigerator drawers next to the prep sink help save time. "I have my vegetables right there to pull out and rinse, which speeds the process," Louise says.

ROOM FOR TWO
Louise and Dean never fight for space when cooking together. Wide aisles (45 and 51 inches) around the island let them pass each other with ease. Designer Dan McFadden says 48-inch aisles are ideal for multiple cooks.

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