Whether your home has 25 rooms or 2, chances are one of the favorite gathering spots is the kitchen, and it's no different in our humble abode. I will admit I often feel a tinge of guilt watching Joe cook away while I sit comfortably perched on a barstool at our island. As much as he loves to cook, standing at a stove isn't always the most comfortable place to be. I've been thinking about the well-being and comfort of cooks lately, actually, as flooring has been the central focus of several clients designs. Unless you install thick berber carpet in your kitchen (grounds for incarceration in my opinion) chances are extended periods spent standing on a hard surface aren't going to be terribly comfortable. Tile, wood, brick, and concrete floors don't provide much support, while the innovative designs of cork and bamboo offer some give, it takes a lot to make a hard surface comfortable. Meet our new best friend; the cushy floor mat. Available in many colors, sizes and price points, I found these at Lowe's for $35/each and they quickly found a place in our kitchen, comfortably stationed under Joe's feet. So next time you find yourself bending over backwards in the kitchen, give your feet (and back) a break by putting down some rubber!
