Clive Christian is a company for luxury homes of the world. This luxury kitchen is decked out with light painted cabinetry and many pieces of richly carved corbels and scrolled details. With such a large and open room, you can have auxiliary features such as the two ornate display cabinets with niches for limestone sculptures. Because nothing says excess like a kitchen that also serves as an art exhibition. Oh the vanity!
But I love it.


The heritage look of this cuisine is accomplished with heavy oak framed doors and latch style door hardware. The floating island in the center lessens the heaviness of the darker wood color and thick graining. I particularly like how the angle of the corbelled footings are mirrored in the marble countertop.  


This kitchen is another Clive Christian showpiece. See the repetitive patterns and symmetry? The darker stained wood accents above the range and sink add visual interest. There are Clive Christian locations worldwide, and a VIP Design Service located in England.

Designer Cynthia Leibrock has spent three years renovating Green Mountain Ranch to be a universally designed home they can live in for the rest of their lives. It is a beautiful home that marries function and gorgeous aesthetics in the best design relationship I have seen. The kitchen is another great example of accessibility and looks. There are few upper cabinets, but the lowers are made of Santos Rosewood and that veneer has been carried up to the ceiling to continue the look of the interesting grains of the wood. What I love the most about this kitchen is the Timpani Vessel Lavatory Sink by Kohler that sits on the antimicrobial countertop. Usually used in bathrooms, this sink becomes a fun prep sink for guests to use if they are helping out without getting in the way of the hostess.  Bowls on counters as a accent are common, but this is a new twist that will get plenty of use.

The Timpani Vessel Sink is made of stainless steel as does most kitchen sinks, so why not? I could see it filled with ice and cooled drinks for a party, or just on its' own, showing off its' broad brim and that gorgeous satin finish.

Designer Julie Charbonneau of de Portier in Montreal features many wonderful wares for her discerning clientele. She show houses many French and Belgian antiques, and reproduction furniture. In the showroom, items are displayed in "rooms", like this functioning kitchen. There are so many things to love about this design.

 I am not sure which I like best, the lovely limestone backsplash tile, or the Lacanche range straight from the Cote d'Or region of Burgundy. But it is certain that cooking in this kitchen would be a pleasure. Isn't it wonderful how each tile has been installed deeper or jutting out ever so slightly, under the lighting it creates a magical texture and attention to the herringbone pattern that would otherwise be unnoticeable had they been set smoothly.

The square paneled island is topped with marble, and decorated with french accessories like this large white ceramic soup tureen. The white painted open shelves do not need black contrast, the cream colored plates and cups suit it very nicely. This retail store is open by appointment only, so book one today!

I burn, I pine, I perish! This is by far my most favorite kitchen of all time. It has been my favorite since it's debut in the Jan/Feb 2006 Kitchen and Bath Ideas Magazine.  Kitchen designer Matthew Quinn dreamed up this kitchen for the Atlanta Symphony Associates Decorators' Show House. See the range hood? That is made of scagolia stone, which happens to match the fireplace in the adjacent family room.

Are you ready for it? This is my favorite part; the hidden pantry! This wall is pantry and fridge wall, with cabinet doors hidding the two refridgerators and this lovely little nook.  I am all about surprises! I would consider a hidden pantry to be quite an afforable luxury if your space allows. This particular nook is designated as the coffee bar, however, it would be a great spot for any kind of auxiliary storage.

The dark painted pewter perimeter cabinets are stepped and topped with white marble, while the island in the center of the room is painted a creamy ivory. A mahogany topped table with sculpted legs stands beside the island for casual dinners.

Oh, and the island is a gem in itself; with the matching marble top and stainless steel apron sink.  I can't get enough of this color combination.