Every great kitchen starts with a solid plan, but it’s the custom details that bring it to life. A sculptural island, a statement range hood or hidden storage hidden behind a sliding marble backsplash panel – these are the touches that elevate a space. In the following five kitchens, designers blend craftsmanship, creativity, and personality to create rooms that feel as personal as the people cooking and relaxing in them.
Designer: Richard Somerby Design
Place: Brooklyn, New York
size: 110 square feet (10 square meters)
Homeowners request. “This renovation involved converting a multifamily building in Brooklyn’s Park Slope neighborhood into a single-family home for a pair of professionals,” says designer Richard Somerby. “Our clients wanted a kitchen that was functional and sustainable, with honest materials and a cool, modern attitude. We re-planned the work wall and gave the waterfall stone island depth to allow cooking without crowding. A key request was open display and wall space to display the family’s ceramics, glassware, art and memorabilia, creating floating shelves along the side of the range area. ,
Corresponding description. “The light natural wood base and ‘pantry’ cabinetry were chosen for its organic materiality, contrasting with the almost metallic dark green-grey lacquered upper cabinet block, hidden range hood and floating shelves,” says Somerby. “The backsplash is a soft, hand-glazed jelly tile with subtle variations and light lippage that feels warm rather than shiny. The perimeter counter is an oiled wood, keeping the work wall light and tactile. The island is honed soapstone with integrated drain grooves. The range hood is concealed within an upper cabinet block to maintain a clean structure That’s reflected in the cast-concrete pendants that provide ample focus on the island without taking the focus away from the clients’ art and ceramic objects.
Designer tip. “Our designs often focus on contrast, especially between light and dark,” says Somerby. “Here we made the island a dark, sculptural element and kept the work wall light and tactile. The contrast is also functional: where there is stone there is dirt, preparation and cleaning, while the wooden perimeter is more suitable for everyday use.”
Pendant lights: Aplomb, Foscarini; Wall and ceiling color: Capital White, Benjamin Moore
Designer: Katherine Hatcher (design-build consultant) and James Inmon (drafting and rendering). Bailey Design + Build and Katrina Moffett of KHM Interiors (interior design).
Place: Louisville, Kentucky
size: 299 square feet (28 square metres); 13 by 23 feet
Homeowners request. “The client envisioned a sanctuary where they could relax and host casual gatherings,” says designer Katherine Hatcher. “They wanted low-maintenance and easy-care materials and a functional home that could support their family through all seasons of life. Our mission was to create a space that not only met their practical needs but also embodied the warmth and comfort of home.”
conformance statement“Cabinets painted dried thyme (Sherwin-Williams) green provide a soothing, organic natural anchor and complement the white oak-stained cabinets very well,” says Hatcher. “The Nuage quartzite island countertop provides interest, yet allows the lotus pattern accent tile to be the star of the show. The main backsplash tile has a handmade look, but is very simple and tailored with a classic brick-laid pattern. The teardrop-shaped pendants have soft curves, consistent with our organic motifs, but in Features brass bands and decorative fasteners that provide structure and a tailored look. Woven bar stools add texture but have a classic tailored shape. Dual monogram built-in refrigerator-freezers with integrated panels look like furniture and provide great storage.
Designer tip. “We designed the kitchen with two dishwashers,” says Hatcher. “This is a practical feature for people who love to cook and bake and host gatherings. It helps keep the kitchen organized and prevents dirty dishes from accumulating on the counter or in the sink, which is especially nice when the sink is located in the island in the middle of the kitchen. This is really nice when you’re entertaining. You’re used to cooking before guests arrive. You can start a load of dishes and there will still be an empty dishwasher ready to fill with dinner plates after you finish the meal. Some people don’t like taking time away from their party to unload clean dishes; Plus, many people tell us they don’t like seeing their guests leave a sink full of dirty dishes, so this is a win-win.
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Designer: Caitlin Irizarry PRD Custom Homes & Interiors
Place: Kiawah Island, South Carolina
size: 308 square feet (29 square metres); 14 by 22 feet
Homeowners request. “Our clients purchased this home as their home away from home, where they will spend most of their summers and holidays with their family,” says designer Caitlin Irizarry. “They wanted it to feel upscale and polished but still comfortable and reflective of Kiawah Island.”
Corresponding description. “We created a mix of materials, colors, and textures to give the kitchen a warm feel, while the intricate decor and cabinetry details gave the space a feeling of luxurious luxury,” says Irizarry. “We took the marble countertops above the backsplash to keep everything smooth and not distract the eye. The range hood was custom-built to mimic the styles of the interior doors and stained to pull off the rich wood tones from both the polished floors and exposed beams. The rich wood tones and dark blue-green cabinet finish Between, the kitchen needed a star of the show, so we chose a custom, unpolished brass plumbing fixture. Black, brass and stainless La Cornue range. To completely carry the weight of the metal accents – without taking your eye away from the shiny brass accents – we chose bronze cabinet hardware and island tubing.
Other special features. “We had a local furniture maker customize an octagonal table inlaid with oak and walnut that can easily seat four regulars, but can be expanded to seat 10, taking up an entire reading nook,” says Irizarry. “The reading nook is lined and upholstered with neutrals-on-neutrals palm-printed grasscloth for relaxing on rainy days and playing board games.”
Designer tip. “Always mix it up,” says Irizarry. “Colorful cabinetry with stained wood tones. Mix your metals. Go with bright polished brass accents to stand out against soft honed countertops. Never match the wood tones in the room.”
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Designer: eleanor half off EH&Co and Christy Rosado’s Buckminster Green
Place: philadelphia
size: 208 square feet (19 square metres); 13 by 16 feet
Homeowners request. “This kitchen was a part of a whole house remodel,” says Kenny Gronow, founder of the remodeling firm. Buckminster Green“The previous kitchen was over 40 years old, so it was time for a refresh. The homeowner wanted a contemporary kitchen with elements that worked with the overall design plan for the adjacent dining and living rooms. The overall shape was working in the previous kitchen, but the homeowner wanted to utilize the additional depth along the range wall.”
Corresponding description. “The counter and backsplash stone are Viola Monet marble,” says Grono. “Additionally, there is a walnut counter at the end of the island. It was fabricated by a custom cabinet maker. The walnut cabinetry coordinates with the wood elements in adjacent spaces, while the painted cabinets keep the space light and cheerful. Some cabinets are push-to-open for a seamless look on cabinets that aren’t opened often.”
Other special features. “Viola Monet Panel slide to reveal A walnut spice shelf in the space behind the backsplash, says Grono.
Designer tip. “Consider the entire space before making the final selection for the kitchen,” says Grono. “This way the kitchen spaces will feel like one whole.”
Pendant lights: McCarren, Visual Comfort
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Designer: Architect Stefania Terrazas and interior designer Melissa Sakel anthony wilder
Place: Washington DC
size: 345 square feet (32 square meters)
Homeowners request. “The existing kitchen was quite small and separated from the breakfast area by a wall, which made the space feel closed in,” says architect Stefania Terrazas. “With three small children, the homeowners wanted a kitchen that would allow them to prepare meals while staying connected as a family during meals. A strong connection to the backyard was also at the top of their list. Summer days required easy access to popsicles and fresh fruit, which flowed directly outside.”
Corresponding description. “For the countertops and backsplash, we chose Arabescato Vagli, an Italian natural marble, spanning full height for a bold and timeless statement,” says Terrazas. “This beautiful marble carving works beautifully in a modern-transitional kitchen, striking the perfect balance between sophistication and warmth. To soften the look and ground the space, we designed the island with a stained wood base, bringing natural texture and warmth.
“The island quickly became the heart of the kitchen, serving as the main gathering place. To enhance it, we introduced a striking linear double-arm pendant that adds both function and personality. For the walls, we proposed Simply White by Benjamin Moore, a clean and versatile shade that unifies the entire space and lets the texture and finish shine.”
Other special features. “We added a generous 8-foot-wide window to create a seamless visual and functional connection with the backyard,” Terrazas says. “We went even a step further, suggesting a covered patio and an extended countertop that also serves as an outdoor bar.”
Designer tip. “Kitchens inevitably get cluttered, so we always recommend adding a tall cabinet with a hidden outlet inside,” says Terrazas. “It’s the perfect home for a portable vacuum and other cleaning supplies – functional, discreet, and a total game changer for keeping things neat and clean.”
Cabinetry: Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens
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