I often read, and have posted items, on kitchen remodels being among the best for getting a return on your investment. But what if you put in ultra-high-end appliances? And, here's a question raised by an LA Time story I was reading this morning: Have kitchens, with their granite counters and shiny ranges, become home-bound status symbols?

Here's an excerpt of the LA Times story:

The endurance of the showroom-quality kitchen indicates that homeowners still regard this once-utilitarian part of the house to be an emblem of status, as significant to their self-image as the car they drive. Plus, real estate agents and (surprise) kitchen designers will tell you that a camera-ready kitchen is key to a home's resale value.

Research data on consumer preferences released by the American Institute of Architects in February indicated "kitchens continue to be the dominant design area within the home, with dedicated computer work areas and cellphone and personal digital assistant recharging stations becoming an emerging trend."

For those waiting for the kitchen to come back down to Earth, there was a glimmer of hope: The study noted a slight retreat from top-of-the-line appliances.

One factor that may speed the change in mind-set: the growing interest in green building and renovation, with an emphasis on energy efficiency, using renewable resources and generally eschewing the kind of excess that has been a hallmark of many recent remodels.

Another bit I noticed in the story that I've read and seen on designer/cooking shows: the home kitchens of professional chefs are often small. They prize efficiency over grandeur. So what about you? Small or big kitchens? And take a moment to dream on this Friday and share one or two items you'd have put in your no-limits kitchen remodel. I'll start things off: temperature-controlled wine storage. And maybe a fancy waterproof drop-down computer screen and a keyboard easily put away in a drawer that I could use to look up and read recipes while cooking.