The Seattle Times - The kitchen has evolved in the past hundred years from a small, dark servant area to a large, bright, comfortable hub of the house. It is the focal point of remodels and new construction projects, often spilling over into an adjacent family room or office. Now the kitchen is probably the most creative area of a house, and certainly the one that gets the most wear and tear. Ask people about their kitchens, and you're sure to get an emotional response one way or another.