<p>OP reporting back here. Have printed out all the great insights and am using as a very valuable reference. Thanks, all.</p>
<p>I was really delighted to find that Angie’s List is available here in NJ. Have been a member for over ten years and consider it a terrific resource. Will definitely consult Angie’s as we dig into this project.</p>
<p>Seems like the biggest decision is cabinets - they are much harder to change than counters down the road. Am leaning toward a lighter cherry or maple color. Also considering mixing cabinetry and surfaces. Have been seeing that in some houses and it is often really a pleasant effect. I love tile and would want a tile back splash. I especially like the really dense small tiles for a back splash that produce a sort of mosaic effect.</p>
<p>My husband is enamored with butler’s pantries. That will be our one trendy feature. </p>
<p>My big requirement is plenty of book shelves. I love my cookbooks and am excited to finally have the space to display them where they belong - the kitchen!</p>
<p>Have also decided that I don’t care for the long narrow islands but prefer something more squarish. Don’t know why just respond better to that configuration.</p>
<p>Oh, and although I have an office on the ground floor of the house I think it would be good to have at least a small desk area somewhere in the kitchen.</p>
<p>This is the fun part, of course – compiling the wish list. Then getting realistic and figuring out what we can afford . . .</p>