I love the simplicity of this Carrara topped island. The little details on the antiqued cast steel legs give this island a french feel. An open concept bottom is nice too, for either easy to spot goods or you could set a stool on either side and allow for leg room since the supports run near the middle. Since marble has a wonderful heat conductivity, it is often seen in bakeries for quick cooling, and the natural veining is gorgeous. Just watch the wine glass, since marble is porous too!

Small appliances are a fantastic way to add a shock of colour or add primary direction for a kitchen palette. Incorporate a fun colour in your kitchen cabinetry as a painted back bead-board like in this kitchen, or through small appliances like the Kitchenaid stand mixer- it is available in 27 colours like pistachio or persimmon.

You have no idea just how excited I was when I found these appliances! They are stainless steel and look pretty much the same as all the other appliances out there you say? Well, yes, but LOOK at the overall dimensions! 24".....for a fridge? Pricing is not to shabby either. For the average suburban homeowner this may not be a big deal, but for a cramped condo city dweller, the smaller appliances mean so much more. What does it mean? Well, 24" or so of increased cabinet space goes a long way way when you don't have place to store dishtowels, pots, or dry pantry items.

These appliances would be a great idea for compact units needed when adding a secondary kitchen in your in-law suite/ basement rec. room/ man cave/ attic design studio. Can you handle it?!

Efficient? Yes. Gorgeous design? Heck yes. Do I want my next kitchen to be a perfect balance of white and charcoal like this kitchen? Yes yes yes! This is the newly renovated and impressively well appointed kitchen in Sparrow Manor. It is as tailored and classic as the manor's exterior:

Sparrow Manor was originally built in 1909, and is an example of Empire and Federal Architecture. Let's take another peak at the kitchen, shall we?

There are so many amenities to love like the wall mounted pot filler faucet, a stunning mosaic, chrome listello tiles, and fully loaded appliances.

This is why I am a fan of extra wide countertops instead of raised sections on an island, this is like the vast expanse that greeted our nations founders! Think of all the buffets and prep space you would have on this countertop.