We asked some of the top contractors and kitchen remodelers in Austin, San Antonio, Houston and Fort Worth to share design tips, ideas and inspiration when it comes to custom cabinet installs. One topic that kept arising was in regards to coordinating looks of custom cabinets to catering-style and French ranges. These top-of-the-line appliances offer fantastic cooking capacity: two or more multifunction ovens, five or six gas burners, integral broilers and grills, for example. You might even get warming drawers, work stands, and rotisserie facilities. Freestanding, they are reasonably heavy and need a strong floor. A favorite with professional cooks, they cost big money, though less-expensive and scaled down versions are on the increase. Some include hanging rods for utensils. You may learn more at the links above.

The kitchen is usually the least eco-friendly room in the house. Appliances eat up energy and water, and we are carless with these resources. We use detergents and disinfectants that are full of petrochemicals and phosphates, and we fill our waste cans with non-biodegradable waste.

Whether you are creating a new custom kitchen from scratch or just going for a revamp, put environmental issues at the top of your shopping list, and buy appliances and products that have good eco-friendly credentials. 

Four Essentials for the Eco Kitchen:

1. Choose eco-friendly materials. Wood is one of the best, but make sure it comes from a sustainable source, or buy reclaimed boards. Cork and ceramics also have good eco-credentials (as long as they haven't been treated with chemical lacquers and varnishes), and stone and steel rate fairly highly. Avoid plastics unless they are recycled, and use plywoods and particleboards sparingly, if at all.
2. Opt for eco-appliances. These days, most come with a rating to show you how efficient and energy-saving they are.
3. Avoid chemical-based kitchen cleaners. Basic pantry items can clean just as effectively and won't pollute.
4. Minimize packaging. Buy food with as little packaging as possible and recycle as much as you can.