Cooks who work on marble countertops already know that marble is great for working with pastry and chocolate. When chilled, a marble surface is ideal for keeping dough from sticking -- particularly when you're not keen on adding too much extra flour. If you're an avid baker, it's an essential tool to have in your kitchen. And you can get one for around $30!

How do you store your dishes? It's probably most common to keep plates, bowls, and cups in overhead cabinets, but if I had the option, I think I'd much prefer a deep drawer, particularly one that's divided by a few wooden dowels, like you see here. Neat, organized, and generally easier to lift a bunch of plates out rather than get those plates down. What about you? Do you have deep drawers in your kitchen?

So, you want a little pattern on your kitchen floors but aren't crazy about putting down a rug and installing Moroccan-style encaustic floor tiles isn't an option. The next best thing? A floor stencil. This is a pretty dramatic look, particularly given how oversize it is. But in the right space it could work. What do you think? Cool and creative, or a bit too much for the eyes?

Last week I attended the 2013 Architectural Digest Home Design Show, which is a small trade show featuring a carefully curated selection of home and kitchen brands. It's a fun show to go to for that reason, since you know you'll only see the best of the best. Here are 5 brands that caught my eye:

It goes without saying that appliances play a major role in the kitchen. After all, where would we be without stoves, ovens, and refrigerators? Some of us (renters, mostly) may not give our major appliances much thought because we don't have control over which ones we have, while others may be deep in the throes of appliance research for a kitchen renovation. 

Either way, you've probably met someone at some point who raved about their Miele dishwasher, or totally splurged on a Liebherr refrigerator when they bought their first house. If you own and love a particular refrigerator, range, oven, or dishwasher, or just covet a particular brand or model, we want to know what it is and why!

While it may not be as dramatic as this art wall, I still admire the effect this shelf of paintings has on the dining room. Because they're leaning against the wall (not hanging), the overall feel is a little relaxed, despite the relative formality and weight of the paintings. Varying sizes and styles also keep it interesting, and break up the monotony of the white wall. What do you think?

Certain desserts — a fruit crumble, a smooth pudding, a scoop of homemade ice cream — are best served in a bowl, one that's not too big, not too small. Here are 5 that are just right:

Item: Hurom HH Series Premium Slow Juicer/Smoothie Maker
Price: $399.95
Overall Impression: This excellent juicer has gotten even better.

The Hurom Slow Juicer became one of my favorite kitchen appliances a few years ago, so I was curious to test out Hurom's new Premium Slow Juicer/Smoothie Maker. Would I want to ditch the old one in favor of this latest and greatest model? And what's this about making smoothies, too...? 

If you've been baking or cooking for awhile, this will sound like a no-brainer, but it's a life-changing tip for those who have never thought of it. Ready? Get rid of that ring that holds your dry measuring cups together. Forever. Do this and baking will instantly be an easier, cleaner and altogether happier experience.

When I started planning the polenta supper I shared with you earlier this week, I immediately knew I wanted a huge board for serving. My husband and I considered making one ourselves from a sanded piece of lumber, but we didn't have the time or space to work on it. So I turned to Elizabeth Bryant and Andrew Gray of Gray Works Design, whose boards I've long admired. The board they loaned me for this party was the most beautifully crafted, custom-milled slab of silver maple. It was a far cry from the rougher sort of board we would have made; this one had so much more beauty and character. 

It made me think of the role that one beautiful, handcrafted piece can play in a party or in the home; real craftsmanship is always a joy to encounter. To get more of Gray Works' perspective on this, I chatted with Elizabeth a little bit about their approach to sustainability, inspiration, and the tension between the wild and the domestic.