Kitchen essentials

1 Room to move and room for your culinary expertise to be admired.

2 Windows that provide access to plenty of fresh air: never forget the expression "if you can't stand the heat..."

3 Easily cleanable surfaces - on kitchen tops, the floor, the walls, and wherever else that might be splashed.

4 Good design that allows all necessary utensils to be within easy reach; you don't want to cross the room and ransack a cupboard at some critical moment in the cooking process.

5 A place for everything and everything in its place.

6 Good light that is natural by day and artificial by night; otherwise how will you be able to tell when the bechamel sauce is about to curdle?