Level Three: Base and tall cabinets in grey-stained European oak are topped with quartz countertops. The bronze leather bar stools are height-adjustable, from bar-height to table-height and any height in between. They're perfect for extra seating, as needed, in the living and dining room areas. Photograph © Darren Edwards, San Diego

Family members enter this kitchen from the mud room where they are right at home in this friendly space. The Kitchens central banquette island seats six on cozy upholstered benches with another two diners at the ends. There is table seating for EIGHT plus the back side boasts raised seating for four more on swiveling bar stools. The show-stopping coffered ceiling was custom designed and features beaded paneling, recessed can lighting and dramatic crown molding. The counters are made of Labradorite which is often associated with jewels. It's iridescent sparkle adds glamour without being too loud. The wood paneled backsplash allows the cabinetry to blend in. There is glazed subway tile behind the range. This lovely home features an open concept space with the kitchen at the heart. Built in the late 1990's the prior kitchen was cherry, but dark, and the new family needed a fresh update. This great space was a collaboration between many talented folks including but not limited to the team at Delicious Kitchens & Interiors, LLC, L. Newman and Associates/Paul Mansback, Inc with Leslie Rifkin and Emily Shakra. Additional contributions from the homeowners and Belisle Granite. John C. Hession Photographer

Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in New York with stainless steel appliances, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback and subway tile splashback.

Features: Custom Wood Hood with Pull Out Spice Racks, Mantel, Motif, and Corbels; Varied Height Cabinetry; Art for Everyday Turned Posts # F-1; Art for Everyday Corbels # CBL-TCY1, Beadboard; Wood Mullion and Clear Beveled Glass Doors; Bar Area; Double Panel Doors; Coffered Ceiling; Enhancement Window; Art for Everyday Mantels # MTL-A1 and # MTL-A0; Desk Area Cabinets- Main Kitchen: Honey Brook Custom in Maple Wood with Seapearl Paint and Glaze; Voyager Full Overlay Door Style with C-2 Lip Cabinets- Island & Bar Area: Honey Brook Custom in Cherry Wood with Colonial Finish; Voyager Full Overlay Door Style with C-2 Lip Countertops- Main Kitchen: Golden Beach Granite with Double Pencil Edge Countertops- Island and Bar Area: Golden Beach Granite with Waterfall Edge Kitchen Designer: Tammy Clark Photograph: Kelly Keul Duer

LEED Certified renovation of existing house.
Traditional kitchen in DC Metro with mosaic tile splashback, quartzite benchtops, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue splashback and white benchtop.

2 tier granite counter tops, custom cabinetry, copper sinks, hardwood floors, dark wood paneled island, bar stools, neutral colors update this beautiful kitchen remodel open to a dining area and family room area. Photographer Curtis Martin

Complete Kitchen Remodel Designed by Interior Designer Nathan J. Reynolds and Installed by RI Kitchen & Bath. phone: (508) 837 - 3972 email: nathan@insperiors.com www.insperiors.com Photography Courtesy of © 2012 John Anderson Photography.

The continuous kitchen, dining, and living space is framed by a granite rock bluff enclosed within the house. Clerestory windows capture the southern light helping to heat the home naturally. (photo by Ana Sandrin)

This beautiful 2 story kitchen remodel was created by removing an unwanted bedroom. The increased ceiling height was conceived by adding some structural columns and a triple barrel arch, creating a usable balcony that connects to the original back stairwell and overlooks the Kitchen as well as the Greatroom. This dramatic renovation took place without disturbing the original 100yr. old stone exterior and maintaining the original french doors above the balcony.

Daniel Wexler
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances and medium hardwood floors.

Shaker style oak kitchen painted in Farrow & Ball Pavilion Gray with Bianco Venato engineered quartz worktop. The island has a built in exposed oak breakfast bar with beech stools. It also features under mounted Shaws double farmhouse style sink. The three Lightyears Caravaggio steel hanging pendant lights add a subtle touch of colour. Cole and Son Woods wallpaper beautifully compliments the kitchen with floating oak shelves, oak mantelpiece and colourful ceramics adding the finishing touches this stunning kitchen.

In the center of the kitchen is a waterfall island with classic marble countertop, oversized brass geometric pendants, and blue faux leather stools with brass frames. The tile backsplash behind the oven is a geometric marble with metallic inlay which creates a glamorous patterning. Photo: David Livingston

In the design stages many details were incorporated in this classic kitchen to give it dimension since the surround cabinets, counters and backsplash were white. Polished nickel plumbing, hardware and custom grilles on feature cabinets along with the island pendants add shine, while finer details such as inset doors, furniture kicks on non-working areas and lofty crown details add a layering effect in the millwork. Surround counters as well as 3" x 6" backsplash tile are Calacutta Gold stone, while island counter surface is walnut. Conveniences include a 60" Wolf range, a 36" Subzero refrigerator and freezer and two farmhouse sinks by Kallista. The kitchen also boasts two dishwashers (one in the island and one to the right of the sink cabinet under the window) and a coffee bar area with a built-in Miele. Photo by Pete Maric.

Photography by Rob Karosis
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in New York with marble benchtops, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, panelled appliances, white splashback, stone slab splashback, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Transitional galley kitchen featuring dark, raised panel perimeter cabinetry with a light colored island. Engineered quartz countertops, matchstick tile and dark hardwood flooring. Photo courtesy of Jim McVeigh, KSI Designer. Dura Supreme Bella Maple Graphite Rub perimeter and Bella Classic White Rub island. Photo by Beth Singer.

photos by Sequined Asphault Studio We used Soapstone countertops and Steel on the Island. The cabinet are made out of French White Oak and the stain was custom from the manufacturer, Crown Point Cabinetry, in New Hampshire. We fell in love with the bar stools in this photo but are a discontinued item from a restaurant supply company.

2013 Honorable Mention: CRANawards 2011 Merit Award: Cincinnati Design Awards Photography: Hal Barkan
Photo of a transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Cincinnati with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets and glass tile splashback.

Alison Hammond Photography
Photo of a contemporary kitchen in London with flat-panel cabinets and light wood cabinets.

Contemporary kitchen in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets and brown cabinets.