Open House Tuesday...Kitchen Edition

This is a special edition of Open House Tuesday. We're not going to a specific house, instead we're going to look at just kitchens!!! I was browsing HGTV.com and saw the headliner "Take Your Kitchen to Island Paradise". But apparently I read it wrong and thought it said "take your kitchen to *an* island paradise" and thought I was going to see a bunch of kitchens painted in tropical colors. But instead it is about islands- the kitchen variety. And, wow, I really love islands so it works out perfectly. But wait, there's more! Instead of just putting the pictures of the islands up, I am going to put up the pictures *and* pick one for each of the people that typically reads and comments on my blog. My Mom is an exception because I know she reads but rarely comments, so I'm picking one for her too. And I have a couple of requests...first, after looking at all the pictures please pick *one* and only one kitchen and tell us which one you picked. Second, I'd like for you to pick one for me and then I'll tell you which one I picked in the comments on Thursday. Are you ready? Here we go...

Here's kitchen #1 and I picked this one for....nobody. I thought about picking this one for Tracy because she likes to be different but in thinking about her decor, I decided that her design style is a little more traditional with perhaps a splash of whimsy...but not a kitchen she's going to hate and have to remodel in two years. Plus what's up with that tiny island?


This is kitchen #2 and (except for those hideous chairs) I'm picking this one for my Mom. It's more traditional like she is and has a ginormous island for those huge family get togethers she has. She refuses any bit of help and this kitchen is perfect with enough space for her to dash about like mad, while the rest of the family samples the 82 appetizers she's made- and my Aunts have room to help her when she's not looking.
This is kitchen #3 and I'm picking it for...Christy. I love the big island and think that it's homey and cottagey enough for Christy's big parties. I was definitely on the fence about this one because of the weird looking stone but I think with a different backsplash she'd settle in just fine.Here's kitchen #4 with another big beautiful island and I suspect that my Mom may like this one as well *but* the galley-ish style is making me say no.Here's kitchen #5 and I'm going to pick this one for my M-I-L. She has great taste and it's frilly and girly and she'd have no trouble putting a lot of pink in here. And she'd be able to host a Christmas party for us and her 85 closest relatives- seriously, I think there are that many.



And here's #6 and the one I'm picking for Angie and Julia. I wasn't sure at first but the farmhouse style sink and beautiful windows overlooking the back yard sealed the deal. I think it might possibly be too much- but we're talking about their mansions now, right? I have no trouble picturing their autumn decor fitting right in here. And probably a window treatment that changes with the seasons. Beachy in the summer, pumpkin for fall, red for Christmas...it lends itself to all seasons with architectural interest and the style of days gone by.

This kitchen is #7 and I'm picking this one for Tracy. I love the harlequin pattern on the backsplash and the exposed stainless steel range hood. I think it's a nice mix of traditional and modern and just a little bit different.OK, you know who I'm picking #8 for, right? It's Mary, of course. With clean lines, square and brushed nickel island light, blue glass tile back splash and a suite of stainless steel appliances, this one screams Mary to me. Hmmm, who to pick for #9...who to pick....who to pick? This is a tricky one because I can see Tisra all over it. With simple clean lines, stainless steel minimalism at it's finest, I wonder if she'd actually go for it. I'm going to say no though and pick....#10 for her instead. It still has clean lines but with the warmth of dark stained cabinets and interesting architectural lines. I think with her big family she'd pick a modern but not stark kitchen that is functional for the biggest family dinners, home school experiments and holiday baking. I'm doubtful that the "indulge" thing would stay though.And that's it. Please don't be afraid to say if you hate my pick, I can't imagine I'm batting 1,000 here- batting zero would let me know that I don't know nearly as much about you guys as I thought I did. But no worries because this is a strictly fun thing. And I must confess that I haven't actually picked a kitchen yet. I have a leaning but there are parts to each of them that I really like. That's the trouble with being the artsy type (which most of you are too) we just like too much stuff. I will narrow it down to one by Thursday though and I can't wait to see which ones you guys pick. Happy hunting.