Imagining your dream kitchen and building it can be two very different things. Fortunately, there's a new tool that makes it easier than you might expect to turn your vision into reality.

Merillat's Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner is designed to help homeowners envision their ideal kitchen design before spending a penny. Drawing on the cabinet-brand's 60+ years of cabinetry building and design expertise, this online tool makes it easy to mix and match cabinet door styles with different finishes and hardware. Since a kitchen is more than just cabinetry, the Step-by-Step planner lets you visualize the whole kitchen, including countertops, flooring, paint and other design elements--before ever stepping into a showroom.

A truly great kitchen doesn't just look beautiful—it has to work like a dream. By combining the information you provide with industry-leading research on kitchen trends, the Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner can help you identify your needs and offer customized product suggestions to help your kitchen work better for you.

Now until August 1, 2011, you have a chance to win your dream kitchen. Merillat's
Works Like a Dream kitchen contest is awarding a $30,000 kitchen makeover, along with $1,500 in Curtis Stone products, plus $3,000 for a blow-out party to show it all off! Just send a photo of your current kitchen, tell us why you need a kitchen makeover, and use the Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner to create the kitchen of your dreams. For official rules, visit Merillat.com.

Working with consumers and design experts, Merillat continues to look for new ways to make kitchens that make life easier. Whether you're starting from scratch, or just making a few updates, Merillat's Step-by-Step Kitchen Planner can help you create your own dream kitchen for the real world.