A Kitchen that Cooks
The light-filled kitchen combines modern, energy-efficient appliances with accents of a traditional farm kitchen, such as exposed shelves and rustic pine ceiling beams. The wheat-colored subway-tiled backsplash contributes to the classic feel of the kitchen even as it contrasts with the contemporary stainless steel appliances and the South African granite countertops.
Above the white porcelain farm sink, an arched window breaks up the mass of shelves and countertop and provides generous task lighting.
On the Farm
Primitive antiques mix with modern appliances in this kitchen for an updated farmhouse look.
Open, Relaxed and Efficient
The kitchen and breakfast room provide ample counter space and room for family and friends to move about without getting in the way of the cook. The kitchen features sage green walls, cherry cabinets, and countertops made from quartz crystals.
Accent Your Kitchen
A bold color such as aqua creates a strong visual impact in this kitchen. To avoid a busy look, architect Mark Maresca paired the strong hue with black accents, creating a crisp and clean contrast. If you are considering a bold paint color, make sure it's one you love. Then head to your paint store to have them mix a custom hue to match your favorite shade. The floor, painted by South Carolina artist Jeff Renow, provides a graphic foundation for the colorful cabinets and sleek island.
Notice the knob placement on the cabinets. Attaching the knobs in the bottom center or top center of the middle cabinets keeps things visually symmetrical.
Black granite countertops contrast nicely with the aqua cabinets and white porcelain farm sink.
A band of turquoise brings subtle color to simple canisters. The look is complete when paired with a coordinating blue bowl filled with apples. The canisters are porcelain reproductions of the more expensive antique enamel-style ones made in France.
Suburban Modern
Bright lights, large rectangular openings, and a simple palette of green, blue, white, and stainless steel create a clean look and a handsome foil for the curvilinear barstools. Open shelves around the sink and range hold smaller objects, such as dishes, serving bowls, and glasses, items the couple uses every day.
Form and Function
Classic Edwardian elements, such as painted cabinets, wood floors, and beaded board, set the tone in this service-oriented kitchen. Slate countertops offer a matte contrast for stainless accents and pristine cabinetry. Majolica tiles set in a sink alcove provide a jolt of color.
An enormous pot rack and industrial lighting fixtures contrast with a majolica tile backsplash, which provides the only color in the kitchen.
The kitchen may seem spare, but state-of-the-art appliances, custom cabinetry and lots of square footage mean that it's truly fine.
Center Stage Kitchen
A decorative ceiling treatment, light palette, and colorful artwork create a warm interior scheme in this attractive and functional kitchen. An island with a polished-granite countertop measuring 5 by 15 feet extends down the center of the kitchen. A butler's pantry with sliding barn doors and a rolling library ladder allows some prep work to take place behind the scenes.
The six-burner stove sits in an alcove and is topped by a molded hood, stone backsplash, and display ledges.
The butler's pantry is closed off from the rest of the kitchen with sliding barn doors. A rolling library ladder makes it easy to access tableware.
The vestibule area holds cabinets of antique china and an impressive aray of wine bottles displayed in a microprocessor-regulated wine refrigerator with a glass door and tilted pull-out racks.
Hawaiian Kitchen
This blue-and-white kitchen boasts a tile backsplash depicting the island landscape.
Balance and Contrast
A sturdy, sage-green island contrasts with warm ivory walls and cabinetry in this light-filled kitchen. A stainless range occupies a tiled alcove with an arched hood, while dark marble counters provide a unifying work surface. Rustic barstools, antiqued light fixtures, and rough-hewn ceiling beams contribute additional texture.
Finding Your Style: From Dark to Light
This remodeled kitchen has a nod to tradition with a modern flair to suit the needs of this family. The colorful accents add a playful touch that distinguishes the kitchen from its more formal surroundings. There is plenty of space on either side of the range for hot pots and pans. The island is topped with a chopping block, making it suitable for meal prep or as a dining surface for informal meals. The sunny bench doubles as a space for grocery bags while unloading.
The combination of the stainless steel inserts (radiator screens) and painted cabinets with bright yellow trim is both innovative and effective. Other functional features include an extra-deep sink; a drain board recessed into the countertop, which makes cleanup easy; and a two-sided cabinet that allows the recycle bin to be loaded in the kitchen and then emptied from the mudroom.
The back door opens to a wall of cubbies over a row of hooks and a bench, where the kids can sit to pull on or remove coats and boots. Cubbies function for storage or display, and the hooks give backpacks and coats a place to hang. The dark green file cabinet keeps homework and school papers organized. Above the bench, cabinets offer more storage.
Diary of a Remodel: Picture Perfect Kitchen
This kitchen is stylish, casual, and contemporary. Organized around a large preparation and storage island, this room features a palette of materials, color, and textures in earthy hues that establish a feeling of warmth and casual sophistication.
The New Western Kitchen: Open, Flexible, and Relaxed
This kitchen boasts stainless steel countertops and appliances. The architect turned a necessary support column into a sculptural element crafted from polished wood. Lower cabinets are stained green, and instead of traditional upper cabinets, the kitchen has open shelving for display. The couple enjoys cooking Indian food, so the designer turned to traditional Indian spices for color inspiration. The hues of curry and saffron dominate the room, complemented by a soft green.
Storage Strategy
In this kitchen, architect Michael Connell used standard overhead cabinets--typically 12 inches deep--below the counter in some areas instead of standard floor cabinets, which are usually 24 inches deep. This allowed him to fit in a dining peninsula and a shallow storage area without taking space away from circulation and seating. Storage needs dictated a row of cabinets stretching between the living room and the kitchen. Connell put glass doors on both sides of the cabinets, allowing the space to remain visually open.
