Where the Heart Is.

For many of us, our earliest happy memories can be traced to a singular place in the home: the kitchen. Wherever I travel, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee instantly takes me back to my formative years, padding down the hallway in my cowboy-print pajamas to find my mother at the table, savoring her first cup of the day while reading the morning paper. For many years, Sundays would start with the scent of homemade cinnamon rolls baking in the oven, filling our house like a cozy, welcoming embrace. After a summer day spent playing with neighborhood kids, there was one destination for an ice-cold drink to slake my thirst. The kitchen was the epicenter of all that was good. 

It still is. As grownups, our appreciation endures, but from another perspective. Whether cooking is your passion, you pull out the pots and pans only when inspiration or necessity hits, or your culinary prowess begins and ends with microwave popcorn and Hot Pockets, not a day goes by without countless stops for hunting and gathering, snacking, reconnecting and sharing. 

Technology has streamlined prepping, cooking and serving food in ways that 50 years ago would have seemed unimaginable. Storage solutions make ingenious use of limited space. Appliances follow our commands, guide our steps and anticipate our needs. To experience everything that is possible in kitchens today, executive editor Rebecca Rhoades braved the February elements and battled the crowds in Las Vegas at the annual Kitchen & Bath Industry Show (KBIS), which showcases products, trends, advancements and technology. She shares what she learned in a dedicated and comprehensive special section beginning on Page 23. We invite you to explore the present and future of this most important—and cherished—heart of the home.