Thursday, July 18

By all outward appearances the kitchen renovation was nearly complete. The old, dysfunctional cabinetry had been demolished and the room had been gutted down to the wall studs. The new kitchen design created a workspace and an eating space separated by an island countertop near the center of the room. The plumbing, air conditioning, and electrical infrastructure lay invisible behind new sheetrock. Spacious new cabinets lined the walls of the workspace, and the eating space had a view through a bay window of rose gardens in the back yard. The microwave, hung beneath one of the cabinets, had a built-in AM/FM radio console. A hooded range, stainless steel sink, and KitchenAid dishwasher graced the center island. A side-by-side refrigerator and freezer combination stood next to the Chambers double oven along the back wall. The design was done except for some painting and wallpaper to edge the ceiling.

The supply chain architect stood admiring the design while holding a cup of instant coffee with boiling water just poured from the Instant Hot tap.

This is really great!

We re not done yet, said his wife, joining him for coffee. The design may be complete, but now the operating kinks have to be worked out.

What are you talking about operating kinks?

We will have to establish all new routines for putting groceries away, preparing food, and serving up meals. The operation of my new kitchen is fundamentally different than the operation of my old kitchen.

Oh.

Tom, the house architect,...