Light and Bright

If there is one rule about choosing materials and finishes in kitchen design, it’s that there are no rules. Rather, a desired color palette, specific function for the space or a unique layout often informs the selection of colors and textures.

Designers’ go-to kitchen materials—granite, marble, quartz, wood, laminate, glass, stainless steel, zinc, copper, cork and pewter—offer a wide variety of options for color, texture, durability and cost.

Optimize your kitchen layout by tucking away food items, small appliances and more in a kitchen pantry. Your pantry doesn’t have to be just another set of sliding doors or cabinets. Store in style with pantries to complement every design aesthetic.

one: San Francisco Mediterranean pantry, by Lorin Hill, Architect, in collaboration with Angela Free Design. Photography by John Bedell Photography.

Seated at the peninsula in her tired, dated kitchen, a Ladue homeowner wistfully envisioned her family and friends gathered around a center island while she prepared delicious meals and snacks. While her current kitchen wasn’t necessarily small, it was narrow, making it nearly impossible to add a center island that was the appropriate size for seating and aisle space. A peninsula extending from one wall provided seating, but it cut off the flow to the breakfast room and doors to the home’s exquisite backyard patio and pool.

Three Barn Farm, Clarksville, MO.

Here’s what the professionals had to say:

Classic


“Classic. Light stains on wood always will be desirable because they allow the natural beauty of the wood to be showcased, especially on woods like knotty alder and cherry. The beauty nature produces always will be timeless.” Jennifer Lewis, Signature Kitchen & Bath.