Lots of good advice here, but much of it is down to personal preferences.

Here is some random stuff we have in our kitchen that we like:

Mundial Future knifes - $700 : We like because they are much better looking than the Wusthofs and Henckels. Great feel and good quality steel, insanly sharp and relativly cheap. For general education about knifes I sugest going to youtube and finding the knife episode of 'Good Eats'.

Kenmore Stainless steel pans/pots - dishwasher safe, cheap and they cook great.

Various OXO gadgets - this company surprise me - first and only time in America I've seen good designs win over production costs. My particular favorite is the spring-loaded tongs, just because

My wife and I are gadget people though - so we have to have 'cool' as well as quality. Your style may be different.

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- Ravenheart