How about a nice Vandersteen center island? Maybe look into the Gallo Micro line as they are a bit rolled off in the HF's which might do well in a bright sounding kitchen? They are orange/apple sized balls which would look basically like a couple of track lights, if wall/ceiling mounted on their supplied brackets, and come in various colors. Both passive and active subs (also very tiny) are available as well. On the cheaper and nostalgic side a reburbished/vintage tube radio might be more fun (like a nice colorful Bakelite one).
Recommend location and type for kitchen speakers
I've not got as exciting a construction project as Albert's but I am remodeling my kitchen later this winter. I would like to have a small system there; maybe an NAD L-40 or Linn Classik. What I am having a hard time getting a grip on is how to locate speakers. Most of the work is done at one end of the kitchen along one wall. I could put in-walls there, but I would only be about 18-24" away from that wall, and the speakers would have to be about 6-8' apart (double window in between). Or they could be bookshelfs at that same location or in-walls in the ceiling, or bookshelfs or in-walls behind me (for that pick-up truck effect!). I'm obviously not going for a serious system here, just some tunes while I work. I would like to get others ideas/experiences/thoughts. Thanks.