Featured Recipes:
1. Chocolate-Chocolate Cupcakes With White Frosting
2. White Frosting

Like sunshine breaking through clouds of gray, yellow cabinets are a cheery choiceagainst a pewter background. The bright shade in this Austin, Texas, kitchen is justright for a space focused on family life. With an emphasis on organization andconvenience, it's perfect for an on-the-go mom.

Zoned for Real Life
Susannah and Jase Auby were lucky to have a large kitchen in their 1950s house. They worked with the Laura Britt Design team to update the 13- x 22-foot room.

A peninsula divides the kitchen into two spaces. One side houses a baking center and a breakfast nook; the other side handles the hardworking elements for everyday meal prep.

"I needed to reconcile my love of cooking with the fact that I have three kids ages 3 and younger who cannot safely be underfoot while I cook," Susannah says.

A baby gate is attached to one side of the peninsula to separate the two areas. Sons Wally and Cal play on the "kids' side" while mom cooks. There is even a cabinet filled with toys next to the refrigerator. Baby daughter Olive will just have to watch until she's old enough to take advantage of the kid-friendly side of the kitchen.

Custom Touches
Because Jase and Susannah are both taller than average, so are the countertops. They were installed at 40 inches tall, about 4 inches above standard height. The taller counters are also harder for little hands to reach, upping the child-safety factor.

The Zodiaq counters are stain-resistant, low-maintenance, and difficult to scratch. Creamy yellow cabinets match the Viking Professional Series appliances; Lemonade is one of 14 finishes offered by the appliance manufacturer. The unusual shade of yellow was one of the first things Susannah chose for the kitchen and guided subsequent material and color choices. The complementary gray of the backsplash adds a modern touch to the classic design. "I don't think anyone will ever say this kitchen is out of style,"says Laura Britt.

Just Desserts
The baking zone is an added luxury. At least once a week, Susannah and the kids bake a cake, cookies, or some other dessert. With its own sink, oven, and microwave, the area is efficient and convenient.

"When I'm making dinner in my regular cooking area, it is really nice to have a completely separate place to prepare dessert," Susannah says. "Plus, having the heavy mixer out on the counter encourages me to bake much more than I would if I had to dig it out of a cabinet."

Storage Done Right
Meal prep runs smoothly in this organized kitchen. The silverware and glasses are kept within easy reach of the dishwasher. Spices occupy shelves next to the stove. For speedy cleanup, a trash can is stored under the sink.

Savvy Storage Solutions Knives are kept beneath the cutting board. Everything in the kitchen is stored close to where it will be used. A drawer beside the dishwasher provides the perfect home for sippy cups used by the Auby children. Olive oil and other bottled ingredients are easy to find inside a low drawer with divided sections.