Kitchen Design Ideas 2011 Pictures " HGTV Dream Home 2011 "

With a color palette inspired by the bark of the birch tree, the kitchen serves as both entertainment and gathering space.

A nearly 13-foot-long island, topped with white quartz, features three cabinets of storage shelves cloaked behind frosted glass.

Maple cabinetry in a charcoal finish counterbalances maple prefinished hardwood flooring.

Carrera marble tile in a stacked pattern mimics the look of birch bark. "Sometimes I think that's what inspiration is," says interior designer Linda Woodrum. "It doesn't have to be in your face. It doesn't mean you stencil a tree on the wall. But it's there."

"I love the kitchen. I think it's dramatic. It works," says interior designer Linda Woodrum. "There are two dishwashers. I love that refrigerator. I love the look of it. I love the functionality of it. I love everything about it."

An oversized, undermount farmhouse sink, flanked by Asko dishwashers, accommodates even the largest gatherings.

To maximize mountain views from the kitchen, dining room furnishings are kept to a minimum.

Wolf 30-inch undercounter warming and microwave drawers offer the ultimate in convenience when cooking for a crowd.

The kitchen is designed, as all spaces in the home, to handle wear and tear. "The kitchen is truly suited to the lifestyle of where it's situated. And that’s significant," says interior designer Linda Woodrum.