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Steamboat Springs — Bill Martin can't cook, so he has no set idea on how a kitchen should look.

Instead, Martin listens to what his clients want and tries to incorporate their desires and his expertise into every one of his original designs.

A longtime cabinetmaker, Martin has shifted his attention to design and now owns and operates Kitchens Unlimited. He is certified through the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

He has helped create contemporary and rustic kitchens, but Martin and his peers are in agreement that the rustic look is certainly the more popular of the two in Steamboat.

"People are looking for a lived-in feel," Chris Haight of Kitchen Perfection said. "We've seen contemporary here before, but it's not predominant in our area. People see mountain town, cowboys and rustic. They want that feel when they come here. I think even people that have lived here a while like that feel."

Homeowners are encouraged to create a kitchen in their own taste, and those who choose to live in a mountain or ski town such as Steamboat often try to emulate their outdoor surroundings in their homes, including the kitchen.

One relatively new trend, Haight said, is incorporating used lumber in homes. Old barns, cabins and even warehouses are being torn down, and the worn and weathered wood is a homeowner's treasure.

"It's a big business nowadays," Haight said. "You are recycling in a sense, but it still has some authenticity being that it's one of our natural elements. You need to understand what the person is really after. Our goal as a designer, per se, is to meet their expectations."

Haight and Martin suggest a person pay attention to what he or she likes. Cut pictures out of magazines. Jot down notes when visiting friends. Often, themes develop, and even if a person doesn't know the particular wood a cabinet is made from or what material the countertop is covered in, that person can visibly distinguish what he or she wants.

"Think about what works in your present kitchen and what doesn't work," Martin suggests.

"At this point, don't be concerned with what you think things might cost. All ideas are good."

Eventually, however, budget does come into play, and homeowners and designers alike need to be conscious of what the realistic financial constraints are. A good place to start is appliances.

Existing rooms are limited by size, window location and electrical and plumbing work. Moving any or all to different locations only increases costs. When designing a kitchen for a new house, it's important to consider appliance location from the start, Haight said.

He suggests clients bring in their plans, if they have them, to an initial visit with him so he can take a look.

Martin is in the business of drawing his own prints. Because he only designs, he isn't interested in steering a client toward a particular cabinet, countertop or floor design.

"A creative kitchen designer can help you plan traffic patters, storage spaces, appliance purchases, lighting, work areas and eating areas in a kitchen personalized to your needs," Martin said.