GROOMS IN THE KITCHEN

This kitchen has design details borrowed from an earlier time but with all of the conveniences required for today. The colors create a vintage/urban effect, using a mushroom finish on a maple classic door style. Open shelves surround the picture window above the sink while a glass door cabinet frames more keepsakes on the island. Granite countertops, decorative crown molding and light valance finish the design. Photo: courtesy AyA Kitchens.

Shelley Waugh

upboards and drawers and knobs, oh my! With the current trend of entertaining at home, men are migrating from the popular garage hangout to spend time in the kitchen. Although the kitchen has typically been a woman's domain, resulting in up to 98% of home kitchens being designed by women, a large percentage of men are now in charge of weekend cooking. With unique accents available to customize the eatery area, men are having a blast modifying this once female-dominated room. Olive oil is the new engine oil!

  According to Randy Albert of AyA Kitchens' Ajax showroom, "It is likely to see a guy design his kitchen with cherry wood and black countertops."  Men prefer 'beefy cabinets' that look substantial, and they love to spread out: large countertops to throw a slab of beef on; custom drawer dividers that enable a quick utensil grab in the heat of the moment; and anti-slam doors equipped with runners that glide as smooth as luxury cars. Visit www.ayakitchens.com.