Modern Chic
The hidden storage, sleek finishes, and functional island won this clean kitchen a Southern Home Award by Southern Living. Ebony-stained oak cabinets bring depth to the space but are lightened with white granite countertops and a frosted glass
backsplash.
Sustainable and Sophisticated
This clean, modern kitchen balances cool and warm tones with abundant natural light.
Small Spaces
Add a little, gain a lot. That's the lesson one couple learned when they made a small addition to the cramped galley kitchen
in their home. Curves in the range hood and shelf-support brackets add softness to the geometric cabinets, tiles, and appliances.
Open shelves keep cooking staples within easy reach.
Black and White
A mismatched kitchen island stands out from the discreet cabinetry. Matchstick shades tie the wooden island and black cabinets
together.
Photo: Jean Allsopp; Designer: Kelly McCombs
Classic Kitchen
Neutral walls act as a backdrop for wooden window casings and custom cabinetry. A built-in cupboard with glass doors and open
shelving provides storage and display space for dinnerware. Windows fitted with modest, striped Roman shades allow natural
light to flood the space.
Quintessential Cottage
Create cottage style with beaded board cabinets, concrete countertops, and antique accessories.
Chalkboard Charms
A chalkboard wall in this kitchen allows guests to leave their mark. Pantry doors on the right conceal a washer and dryer.
The counter of the island extends to accommodate a small breakfast bar.
Laurey W. Glenn; Ralph Anderson
Effortless Elegance
Functional fixtures and modern appliances peacefully coexist with graceful glass lanterns and cushy swivel-seat barstools
in this simple, elegant kitchen.
Practical Fashion
Perfect for the gourmet chef and the entertainer, this kitchen's island doubles as a work space and a buffet or bar.
Custom Island
Craft your own kitchen island with inspiration from antique pieces like this custom island made of a wooden shiplap back and
bracket feet from limed oak. White marbleized subway tiles create this clever backsplash.
Quaint and Quirky
Incorporate vintage finds to give your kitchen that homey feel. Bring in bright colors by painting either old (or new) wooden
chairs in an array of pretty hues.
Jean Allsopp; Stylist: Cari South
Creative Kitchen
A sheer ivory-colored finish applied to the horizontal cypress paneling gives a light and airy feel to this kitchen. The open
storage is both a means of displaying cookware and an example of creative shelf design. The open shelving is great for showcasing
serving pieces and pottery, and guests love them because they can easily find needed items.
Wild and Retro
The punchy turquoise hue of the vintage-style appliances puts a chic spin on this coastal kitchen. A tumbled-glass backsplash
mimics natural sea glass and contrasts sleek concrete countertops.
Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn
Sweet Indulgence
Give your kitchen a look as delicious as your favorite dessert with a cheerful pastel palette. Custom-painted appliances and
two-tone cabinetry introduce an element of surprise, but by leaving everything else white, the space isn't overwhelming.
Tria Giovan; Designer: Mary Evelyn McKee
Informal Accents
A farm table anchors the gathering space in this appealing kitchen. Lightly finished wood countertops contrast beautifully
with classic subway tiles and darker hardwood flooring. Slipcovered chairs keep the arrangement informal.
Josh Gibson; Designer: Susan Massey
Zen Kitchen
Red is a color most often seen in dining rooms. But these kitchen cabinets sport nine coats of high-gloss red exterior paint,
which mimics Asian lacquer treatments and echoes the house’s Zen restraint. The bright hue also energizes the room and sets
the stage for convivial gatherings.
Jean Allsopp; Stylist: Lisa Powell
Classic Comfort
The combination of the creamy taupe-glazed cabinets and the rich black granite countertops in this kitchen is dramatic. Still,
it's the details that make this room unique. Usually reserved for a window, the tiled space behind the sink offers a way to
easily change the look of the kitchen with different pieces of art.
Play With Pattern
Instead of choosing veined countertops or busy wallpaper, try pattern in an unexpected place. Two oversize drum shades in
a crewel-like print do wonders to spice up an otherwise neutral kitchen.
Natural Textures
In this coastal kitchen, natural materials bring the beach indoors; the window treatments, the area rug, the cabinets, and
even the countertop accessories are reminiscent of the beach. The many textures are the key to perking up this neutral kitchen.
Jean Allsopp, Mary Margaret Chambliss, Beth Dreiling; Stylist: Buffy Hargett
Urban Entertaining
The owners of this kitchen were unhappy with their cabinets' door style, so they ordered new door fronts made of maple, and
then painted the original frames a glossy black. To update the existing oven and dishwasher, they bought stainless steel sheets
and applied them to the fronts of both appliances.
Contemporary Kitchen
In this kitchen, the tone is set by granite counters and sleek stainless steel appliances. The custom-designed cabinets --
stained dark cherry to match the red hues in the granite -- include pullout corner and pantry systems. The island has a chopping-block
table that can be wheeled out and used as a cart.
John O'Hagan; Stylist: Lydia DeGaris-Pursell, Jan Gautro, and Kiersten Moore
A Drink Within Reach
A sink, icemaker, and wine cooler make entertaining easy at this wet bar.
Modern Marvels
Streamlined drawer pulls and sleek cabinets emphasize the shape of this small, galley-style kitchen.
Merged Spaces
In this home, one large, airy space contains the kitchen, dining room, and sitting area. The arched doorway and exposed beams
are features that make this space appealing.
Check Mate
There isn't much wall space in a kitchen full of cabinets. So if you want a colorful room, you'll have to look to the cabinets
as the source. A bold color such as aqua creates a strong visual impact. This stylish kitchen is also practical for a large
family. The lower cabinets contain pull-out drawers that make items easily accessible for everyone.
Salvaged Wood
In this old-world kitchen, salvaged wood flooring inspires the entire space (and is an eco-friendly choice). Leftovers from
the flooring were used to create the dining table, and pecky cypress kitchen cabinets complement the warm wood throughout.
Jean Allsopp; Stylist: Rose Nguyen
A Chef's Haven
This Southern Living Idea House kitchen features cabinetry with an antique cream-colored glaze. Appearing to be a large cabinet, the refrigerator
is disguised by panels. The area features quartz stone countertops, while an ample island occupies the center and makes food
preparation a pleasure. Outfitted with heart-pine ceiling beams and sage walls like the nearby breakfast room, this kitchen
is any homeowner's dream.
Eco-Chic Space
This eco-friendly kitchen resides in a boathouse anchored on a Seattle lake. The cabinets are finished in bamboo and sky-lights
provide ample natural light and ventilation.
Jeff McNamara; Designer: Mark Maresca
Collector's Kitchen
This kitchen's cathedral window welcomes natural light and makes a bold architectural statement. An antique bin from an old
general store and European chocolate molds give the kitchen a sense of age. Waxed wood finishes underscore the look.
Pieter Estersohn; Designer: Amelia Handegan
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.
Well-Seasoned Style
Whether planning meals for just themselves or many guests, these homeowners enjoy a kitchen that's as inviting and bright
as a spring garden. The large island and plentiful granite countertops provide convenient work surfaces while anchoring the
kitchen.
Family Kitchen
This hardworking kitchen is equipped for a big family or lots of guests, and the cottage's open floor plan allows hosts to
participate in the party. A cooktop with a nonstick grill and self-ventilation system and a combination oven and drop-down-door
microwave make preparing dinner a breeze. Two under-mount sinks (featuring goosenecked faucets) complete the kitchen.
Margot Hartford; Designer: Michael Connell Architect
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.
Kitchen Renovation
The diagonal two-tone floor tiles mirror the color of the poured concrete countertops, beaded board walls and white trim.
Deborah Whitlaw Llewellyn
Surf's Up
Beach houses are great places to take risks you wouldn't normally take. This surfboard-style kitchen island is functional,
eco-friendly, and appropriate for the setting.
John O'Hagan; Stylist: Jan Gautro
Cook's Center
The gas range has an alcove of its own surrounded by cultured stone. Narrow, built-in shelves on either side of the range
are perfect for storing spices.
Rustic Kitchen
To give a new lake house kitchen the ambiance of a much older one, these homeowners used rough-hewn X-beams in the ceiling
and travertine countertops as foils to the slick stainless steel appliances. Horizontal painted paneling mimics the look of
an old-fashioned summerhouse.
Laurey W. Glenn; Stylists: Buffy Hargett, Alan Henderson
Country Kitchen
Distressed, furniture-style cabinetry in hues of cocoa and cream creates a casual atmosphere. The matte finish of the deep
brown honed-granite countertops reinforces the aged appearance. Cabinets suspended over the island showcase a collection of
colorful dishes. Glass doors and sides allow light to pass through, softening the visual impact of the cabinetry.
Shared Space
The family room and kitchen share a hipped roof, with an exposed beaded board ceiling and rafters. This type of treatment
creates a relaxed setting and continues the louvered cabinets' tropical feel.
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.
Farmhouse Influence
The sliding barn door allows this “modern farmhouse” kitchen to be hidden for formal dinner parties and serves as a place
to hang holiday greeting cards.
Classics Count
With classic marble countertops and antique blue accents, this coastal kitchen has a sleek, modern take on traditional nautical
decor.
Cabin Fever
This cabin kitchen uses warm wood tones and simple design to create a cozy space. An heirloom-style black china hutch is the
focal point, and a funky pendant lamp emphasizes the mountain flair.
Green With Envy
The green color of the cabinets absorbs light in this open, white kitchen – white on white would have been too much.
Photo: Tria Giovan; Stylist: Jan Gautro
A Kitchen That Cooks
This space 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, even as it contrasts
with the contemporary stainless steel appliances and the South African granite countertops.
Open Shelves
With open shelving instead of cabinets, plates and cookware become objects of art. Use the highest shelf for real art objects
instead of cooking supplies. The pantry is hidden behind stainless steel doors, which resemble a second refrigerator.
Van Chaplin; Charles Walton IV
Function First
This kitchen is begging for family dinners. Aside from being beautiful and bright, it boasts clever and convenient amenities
like accessible outlets. (There is one on each leg of the island.) The island appears mobile, but it is actually stationery.
The freestanding legs make the kitchen look more spacious, while the rolling butcher block offers more counterspace when necessary.
Subway Style
In this simple kitchen, green subway tiles run all the way to the ceiling. Open shelving seems to float on the tile and provides
extra storage, while sconces are great for task lighting.
Colorful Kitchen
In tight spaces, make smart use of wall space with slim plate racks instead of overhead cabinets. Opt for track lighting in
lieu of bulky mounted fixtures, and leave small windows uncovered to let in light.
Hidden Kitchen
This home's kitchen is cleverly hidden behind a tall island made of whitewashed cedar panel cabinets. Three white pendant
lights provide great task lighting and create a casual ambiance.
