[eweissenbach]

We have stayed the last two winters in rentals with open kitchens. Last year we stayed in an Iris (which we have rented for next winter), and loved it. We will be building a smaller home in missouri, and buying a home in TV when we sell our current home. Both of these homes will have an open kitchen. We like everyone being included when entertaining, or just when one or both of us are working in the kitchen. We have had open and closed kitchens, and far prefer the open design. An open kitchen does require that you keep the kitchen relatively clean, which is, in my opinion, an excellent motivator. We have looked at dozens of homes in TV, and a closed in kitchen is a deal killer for us. Having said that, everyone has their own preferences, which is why they offer both.