If you are at home near your range, there are a multitude of reasons why the stovetop has become a hot spot for gathering in today's kitchen.

"The kitchen remains the heart of the home," says Eliza Sheffield, vice president of marketing for BlueStar, a manufacturer of cooking accoutrements and ranges since 1880 in Reading, Pa. "There's a reason people say, 'hearth and home.' The 'hearth' has changed to include modern-day cooking appliances, but its importance in the home hasn't changed."

The range -- or kitchen stove -- is a stand-alone appliance comprised of four to 10 burners or cooking elements on top, with an attached oven for baking.

A recent survey by Houzz -- a home design website based in Palo Alto, Calif. -- finds that 32 percent of nearly 8,000 participants who are planning home kitchen renovations want a "chef's stove." For many, "dining out" really means "dining in," enjoying meals made on a restaurant-quality range from the comfort of their own kitchen, Sheffield says.

"People want to feel like a 'top chef' at home, and go beyond the basic range," she says. "Preparing food at home has evolved into 'cooking as theater,' where the cook is also having a social experience with family and friends."

Many homeowners feel a professional-looking kitchen is within range, due to a variety of hot options when it comes to functionality, finishes and size. Mainstream manufacturers, such as KitchenAid and Maytag, try to emulate the stainless steel designs found in the pro-grade profiles of BlueStar, Viking, Wolf and Dacor range brands.

When shopping for a range, consider your cooking and baking needs, floor space with gas/electrical outlet availability, and style aesthetic. Gas ranges allow for precisely controlled temperatures. While electric ranges don't have a flame, they also don't immediately cool down when the heat is lowered on cooking elements. An induction-style range uses an electro-magnet below a ceramic cook-top surface, which quickly transfers heat to pots and pans only.

Ranges vary in width from 24 to 60 inches, with price tags from under $1,000 to more than $4,000. Sheffield says BlueStar's 48-inch professional-style range is one of their most popular sellers, and starts at $7,600.

BlueStar's freestanding ranges are handcrafted and made of steel with up to 10 cast iron grates on top, depending on its size. More than 750 colors and finishes are available so customers can "build their own BlueStar," Sheffield says.

Many professional-grade ranges offer custom-color, textured finishes or stainless steel exteriors, with customizable knob colors. Stainless steel and metallic textured finishes can construct a contemporary culinary creation, while a rainbow of custom colors suit '50s chic- and Euro-inspired kitchens. Lilac-colored Radiant Orchid is Pantone's color for 2014, and BlueStar is set to satisfy people's purple penchant in their range options.

"Today's kitchens are floor to ceiling cabinets -- even the refrigerator is clad in cabinetry," Sheffield says. "The area surrounding the range is a place in the kitchen where homeowners can make a statement and the range can literally stand out."

Often, the range becomes a focal point of the kitchen with a larger, eye-catching backsplash on the wall between the range and the hood venting. A pot filler faucet plumbed into the wall behind the range makes this space one that really cooks, without having to leave the stovetop and go to the sink for water.

Customizable stovetops on ranges can support the way a home cook really cooks. A griddle for pancakes or charbroiler can be placed over burners, while a French top insert for simmering sauces or wok ring can lead to more global gastronomy.

Larger freestanding ranges have spacious single or side-by-side ovens, often pairing a convection heating element in a conventional oven for the uniform circulation of heat. For a baking bonanza, many of these ranges can accommodate full-size commercial baking sheets.

While an island is no longer uncharted territory in the kitchen, some homeowners opt for an industrial cooktop built into it. Instead of an integrated range, homeowners can cook on the island cooktop and bake in the wall ovens. Double wall ovens installed at eye level can offer twice the cooking capacity and generally run up to 30 inches wide. Double ovens can be ideal for occasions that require several different dishes to be cooked at the same time at different temperatures.

Modern in technology, Sheffield says these ranges also have a classic style, which inspires people to get back to their food roots in the kitchen. "People are hungry for the way their grandmothers used to cook in their kitchens," she says. "While these ranges are an investment, they are built to last and will pay dividends in good food."

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Heating up: BlueStarCooking.com, click the "Build Your Own BlueStar" link on the right.

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

If your home is feeling stuffed after the holidays, it's time to take stock, trim down and whip it into shape.

"Like working on personal fitness goals, getting your home organized seems to be on most persons' lists for New Year's resolutions," says Ginny Snook Scott, chief design officer and vice president of sales and marketingfor California Closets (californiatclosets.com), based in Berkeley, Calif. "Disorganization is directly correlated to stress, while an organized space can lead to a sense of calm."

The easiest way to create a Zen-like zone at home is to simply have a place for everything, and then keep everything in its place. But that can be easier said than done.

Scott says the majority of people seeking organizational assistance from professionals need help tidying bedroom closets and kitchen pantries. "Often, the parts of our homes that become the most disorganized are the places where many people use the space," she says. "Or people will just throw things into a closet and quickly close the door."

But not even an organizational guru can perform magic on a monumental mix-up without first clearing away the clutter. "The cleaning out phase is one that can cause people the most anxiety," Scott says. "Some people have difficulty starting the process of clearing out, so they can never move into the organizational phase."

Scott says to start by straightening a small space. "Pick a single task for organizing -- the hall closet, pantry or linen closet -- which can be accomplished in three hours or less," Scott says. "After you have success organizing a smaller space, you have a head of steam to accomplish the looming larger tasks, such as the master bedroom closet or garage."

Any organizational task must begin from the ground up. Get everything off the floor and, as you start to go through items, place them into one of four piles: keep, repair, discard or donate.

-- Keep: The keep pile should be filled with items you will use. But that doesn't necessarily mean you have to live with everything you keep. "Many people are sentimentalists, and don't want to get rid of everything," Scott says. "You don't have to be so quick to throw things away, but you shouldn't have to move your child's art project every time you're looking for a shirt in the closet."

Instead, Scott says, pack and move special sentimental items into a closet's extra-high storage space or into the attic.

-- Repair: The repair pile actually takes stock of items that no longer work. A broken chair that needs to be fixed might need to be discarded or donated, while one of your favorite shirts that's missing a button is a simple repair.

-- Donation: The donation pile will have items you've outgrown, which includes everything from clothing and sporting equipment to dishware and decor items. Chances are, if you haven't used an item in two years, or had forgotten about it entirely, it's time to purge it.

-- Discard: The discard pile includes items that are broken, but can also include well-worn items that used to mean something to you. "If you're having a hard time figuring out what to keep, place those items into a suitcase and store them away," Scott says. "If you haven't thought about those items in three months, it's time to get rid of them."

After culling through items in a space you want to organize, you can employ professionals, such as a local California Closets franchise, to dissect the disorganization. But be prepared to spend at least $500 for organizational services, with some projects costing thousands of dollars if customized built-in shelving and drawers are part of a revamped repository.

After clearing the clutter, Scott says there are three steps to organizing any storage space:

1. Categorize larger similar items by hanging or shelving "like" items together. Drawers and cubbies are also useful during this first step of organizing.

2. Containerize smaller items by placing them in baskets or see-through plastic cartons with lids. Then place these in the appropriate shelving unit, drawer or cubbie space.

3. Personalize by labeling shelves, containers, cubbies or drawers with their contents. This is especially helpful in a shared space, so people know where to place an item after it's been used.

Make sure to shed light on the task at hand when reorganizing a space by installing overhead track lighting or task illumination with lamps or wall sconces. "Dark closets minimize what you can see," Scott says. "And if you can't see where items go, there's a likelihood the space can go from organized to disorganized very quickly."

Creating clutter-free areas are common sense when it comes to placement of items in a space. "The items you use most should be at eye-level and easiest to access," Scott says. "Also, look for lost storage space -- underneath a staircase or a nook in the entryway -- as places to keep everyday items stowed and in tow."

-- Professionally put-together: www.CaliforniaClosets.com

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)

FINE DINING

Many homeowners are putting the design of a home's dining room on the table.

A home's dining area is simple by nature, but the space has evolved, as the kitchen-dining layout has become more open by design. While some homes still have a traditional dining room with four walls, in many new houses, the dining "room" is an extension of the kitchen itself.

"The dining table plays a big role in bringing everyone together," says Marta Eriquez, senior director of interior design for Ethan Allen, in Danbury, Conn. "It's the place where we gather to catch up, break bread, honor traditions and create new memories with those who are dearest to us."

Unlike a family room, which often has multiple purposes, a home's dining room is about eating and entertaining. The ingredients for an inviting dining room are simple: a large table with plenty of chairs and a buffet or bar cart on which to serve food and drinks.

But, because of its simplicity, a dining room can be difficult to decorate or renovate. "Generally speaking, today's lifestyle is trending toward casual. However, many of our clients in the South still appreciate separate formal dining rooms," Eriquez says. "But one thing remains constant: Wherever the home, people want dining spaces that are functional, beautiful, and comfortable."

Treat the dining room as an extension of the kitchen area and make it a feast for the eye as well. Start with the flooring of the dining room and work your way up the walls. Wood, tile or stone floors found in the kitchen can be continued into the dining room, while a large rug makes the space more inviting and can also help define the area, especially if it is one without walls.

Look to the kitchen for continuity and cues in paint colors. If the kitchen and the dining area share a continuous ceiling, it's wise to keep paint colors the same, too. However, a separate dining room has more room for creativity, where homeowners can serve up drama with dark, rich paint colors and opulent light fixtures.

Rich red or midnight blue walls can create an elegant look, while black or gray coloring can set the stage for a thoroughly modern meal. Mirrors can reflect light in the space, while stunning artwork on the walls becomes the topic of conversation at mealtime. But, make sure all design elements work together to create an appetizing aesthetic that fits with the rest of the home.

Along with the food, the dining table is the focal point of the room and can be an investment that lasts for generations. Solid wood, metal or glass-topped tables are options, but should reflect a family's supping style. "It's okay to mix formal with funky. People are using furniture in new ways these days," Eriquez says. "When company arrives, it's not unusual for us to drag a wing chair up to the dining table, or borrow a bench from the foyer. It's smart to make the most of what you already own."

Eriquez encourages playing with your food space by mixing family heirlooms with new pieces to create a culinary hot spot. And, while homeowners may be moving away from formal dining room sets -- which can include matching table, chairs and buffet -- make sure your choices have unifying themes, including color, style and scale.

A quality dining table can cost at least $1,000, and go up from there, so make sure you try out the table before "tucking in." A rectangular table with four legs placed at each corner is a sturdy design, and, while a round pedestal table can create immediate intimacy, this style may also be more prone to wobble.

The size of the dining set is determined by the amount of space in which it is placed. As a general rule of thumb, the linear length or diameter of a table determines the number of people who can comfortably sit around the table. For example, a rectangular table that is six feet long can comfortably seat six, or a round table that is four feet in diameter easily seats four.

When it comes to purchasing chairs, on average, allow at least two feet at the table for plenty of elbow room and about three feet from the edge of the table to the wall, so people can push back comfortably. For dining options, purchase a table that can expand with the addition of table leaves. The best place to keep additional leaves is in the table itself, but if you desire a more intimate setting with a smaller table, make sure to store leaves flat, not standing on end, so the wood won't warp.

A buffet is a great way to store and showcase special dishes, but can also be pressed into service during a dinner party as a place to put appetizers and drinks. Illuminate the overall dining room design with a light fixture over the table that can foster warmth and a "wow" factor. Make sure a light fixture is centered over the table and doesn't hang lower than 36 inches above the tabletop. The larger the light fixture, the higher it should hang, but it should never be larger than the width of the dining table.

When not entertaining, enliven the dining space with candles and a seasonal centerpiece on the table, no matter your aesthetic sensibilities, Eriquez says. "Today, there are so many furniture options that it's easy to create a look that's uniquely your own," she says. "It's important to create a dining atmosphere that's inviting and comfortable so guests will want to linger longer."

CAPTIONS AND CREDIT

(NOTE: These photos are for ONE-TIME use ONLY. At Home photos, with the proper credits, are to be run ONLY with At Home stories. Conversion to black and white is OK.)

(For editorial questions, please contact Clint Hooker at chooker@amuniversal.com or the Universal Uclick Editorial Department at -uueditorial@amuniversal.com)