Kitchen Redo: The Art of Smart Design

As a result, the Millers' 2,200-square-foot first floor has almost no interior walls and only one traditional door, to the powder room. The feeling when you enter the house is that of tremendous light, space, and color, thanks to an eclectic collection of furniture, repainted antiques, and art.

And the kitchen is the anchor for all of it. More than anything, Meg wanted an open space where everyone could do separate things and still be together. She may be the first to laugh at her Colorado need for feng shui flow, but there's no question about her success in achieving it.

From her cook's perch at the stove, it's a step or a turn to the sink, dishwasher, and plates. All manner of stovetop necessities—pots, pans, utensils, spices—are in surrounding drawers. Inlaid iridescent glass tiles serve as inset trivets for anything hot. There are more cabinets underneath the front of the island for baskets and larger pieces that aren't in the regular dining rotation.

When there's a crowd, which is often, counter stools are moved to the living area, and the island serves as the perfect buffet area. Thanksgiving, birthdays, Super Bowl parties, the family's annual Bubble Bread Brunch—there's no meal that can't be accommodated by this massive counter space.