Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #10
Designed by Pininfarina, the same firm that designs Ferraris, this kitchen's showstoppers are the high-gloss, metallic-finish cabinets and the "Acropolis" — an aviation-inspired workspace, made from recycled aircraft aluminum and stainless steel. The Acropolis features a large Foster sink, a four-burner electric Foster cook top, bottle and knife holders and plenty of storage and cooking space. A control panel in the Acropolis also controls the audio and visual components for the entire house! Good things come in twos: two refrigerators, dishwashers, freezer cabinets and ovens, that is.
Design by Todd Huschka of Studio Snaidero Wisconsin
Photo by Landmark Photography
Futuristic KitchenNext: 9. Minimalist Kitchen #10
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #10A spacious conversation area adjacent to the kitchen is great for entertaining. The shiny stainless steel and high-tech look is repeated here with a fireplace and celerestory windows for ample lighting. Outside the windows is a two-sided waterfall, a flowing contrast to the smooth steel of the kitchen.
Design by Todd Huschka of Studio Snaidero Wisconsin
Photo by Landmark Photography
9. Minimalist KitchenNext: Minimalist Kitchen #9
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #9This kitchen, designer Amy Finley's own, is all about common sense. The kitchen is the gathering place for her five children and for weekly dinners with extended family. Things stay hot in this minimalist kitchen with custom La Cornue appliances, radiant-heated limestone floors, a stainless steel meat counter and hidden warming drawers. The ceiling centerpiece — commissioned metal artwork by a famous artist from Venice, Italy — was specifically designed to diffuse the bright San Diego sunlight from the skylight.
Design by Amy Finley of Finley Design
Photo by Glen Cormier
Minimalist KitchenNext: 8. Rustic Kitchen #9
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #9Who needs anything on the walls when you have 1,900 lbs. of onyx countertops illuminated from within by 1,600 LED lights? Beyond this bright island is an espresso bar, directly under a set of display shelves for porcelain coffee cups and saucers. Finley says, "It's a rule that everyone has to be involved in cooking the food, which is never a problem with all the countertop space, sinks and smart design! Everyone loves to cook in my kitchen when they come over. I feel really spoiled — I get to live in it everyday!" This kitchen is proof that less is definitely more.
Design by Amy Finley of Finley Design
Photo by Glen Cormier
8. Rustic Kitchen
Next: Rustic Kitchen #8
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #8If a tree falls in a kitchen, and nobody's cooking, does it still look amazing? Yes it does. This kitchen has a real apple tree right in the middle of it, with lighting fixtures hanging between the upper branches near the ceiling. But what's even more impressive are the things you don't see. Electrical outlets and an exhaust panel are hidden within the granite and pop up at the push of a button. Add to that a built-in cutting board, a wine storage area, Wolf double-stacked convection ovens and an incredible lake view while standing at the kitchen sink and you've got one amazing rustic kitchen.
Design by Gregg Johnson @LGD Design and homeowner, Zetta Stam
8. Rustic KitchenNext: Rustic Kitchen #8
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #8If a tree falls in a kitchen, and nobody's cooking, does it still look amazing? Yes it does. This kitchen has a real apple tree right in the middle of it, with lighting fixtures hanging between the upper branches near the ceiling. But what's even more impressive are the things you don't see. Electrical outlets and an exhaust panel are hidden within the granite and pop up at the push of a button. Add to that a built-in cutting board, a wine storage area, Wolf double-stacked convection ovens and an incredible lake view while standing at the kitchen sink and you've got one amazing rustic kitchen.
Design by Gregg Johnson @LGD Design and homeowner, Zetta Stam
Photo by Photography by Rebekkah
Rustic Kitchen
Next: 7. Modern Kitchen #8
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #8To truly bring the outdoors in, this kitchen's walls are made of cultured and authentic stone, and the cabinetry is made of knotty alder. Other natural materials include a copper sink, distressed hardwood floors and four-layer red Montana granite counters. Set at the heart of the kitchen and dining room is a two-sided pizza-baking fireplace. Not only is it a dual room, it's also dual fuel: gas or wood. At night, the family's five young children fire up the spit to roast marshmallows for s'mores.
Design by Gregg Johnson @LGD Design and homeowner, Zetta Stam
7. Modern Kitchen
Next: Modern Kitchen #7
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #7Built-in conveniences are top priority in this high-gloss modern kitchen: a docking station for electronics and a built-in dog-feeding station are just the beginning. Two islands — one with a programmable backsplash that changes colors — are equipped with two dishwashers, three appliance garages and a trash compactor. So where's the food? Inside all those maple cabinets! Built-ins within the maple cabinets include a coffeemaker, second oven and a microwave with crisping pan, which will crisp French fries and even bake chocolate chip cookies.
Design by Steve Johnson of Poggenpohl US Inc. and Bill Bocken
Modern Kitchen
Next: 6. Victorian Kitchen #7
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #7This modern kitchen island is complete with a Wolf five-burner glass stovetop, oven, warming drawer, many deep drawers for pots and pans and a CaesarStone countertop. It's also used as a bar area for guests. This kitchen's also high-tech when it comes to gadgets. The homeowner has the entire lighting system hooked up to Lutron's Homeworks, which allows him to control everything from his laptop. His cell phone is wired to his kitchen through Bluetooth and will ring on his home telephone when close by. Audio and visual are also wired throughout the kitchen, so if a movie is playing in his big entertainment room, someone in the kitchen can watch and listen in.
Design by Steve Johnson of Poggenpohl US Inc. and Bill Bocken
6. Victorian Kitchen
Next: Victorian Kitchen #6
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #6The design of this ornate, Victorian kitchen is based off a pre-existing curved wall. Step back in time with spherical cabinets, armoires that hide two refrigerators and two curvaceous islands prepped for cooking. Carved lions, leaves and grapes on maple and cherry wood surfaces took nearly eight months to complete, and give the kitchen a traditional, lived-in flair, while still being functional. The final look is reminiscent of 19th-century craftsmanship.
Design by Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo
Victorian Kitchen
Next: 5. Green Kitchen #6
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #6Although traditional in taste, this kitchen features plenty of built-in, modern conveniences. A six-foot-long tile backsplash along the wall slides open to reveal hidden appliances, including a can opener, toaster and coffeemaker. A built-in granite-topped desk acts as a working space with a built-in wine rack below. Plus, a third armoire doubles as storage for fine china and dishware.
Design by Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo
Rustic KitchenNext: 7. Modern Kitchen #8
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #8To truly bring the outdoors in, this kitchen's walls are made of cultured and authentic stone, and the cabinetry is made of knotty alder. Other natural materials include a copper sink, distressed hardwood floors and four-layer red Montana granite counters. Set at the heart of the kitchen and dining room is a two-sided pizza-baking fireplace. Not only is it a dual room, it's also dual fuel: gas or wood. At night, the family's five young children fire up the spit to roast marshmallows for s'mores.
Design by Gregg Johnson @LGD Design and homeowner, Zetta Stam
Photo by Photography by Rebekkah
7. Modern KitchenNext: Modern Kitchen #7
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #7Built-in conveniences are top priority in this high-gloss modern kitchen: a docking station for electronics and a built-in dog-feeding station are just the beginning. Two islands — one with a programmable backsplash that changes colors — are equipped with two dishwashers, three appliance garages and a trash compactor. So where's the food? Inside all those maple cabinets! Built-ins within the maple cabinets include a coffeemaker, second oven and a microwave with crisping pan, which will crisp French fries and even bake chocolate chip cookies.
Design by Steve Johnson of Poggenpohl US Inc. and Bill Bocken
Photo by Glen Cormier
Modern KitchenNext: 6. Victorian Kitchen #7
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #7This modern kitchen island is complete with a Wolf five-burner glass stovetop, oven, warming drawer, many deep drawers for pots and pans and a CaesarStone countertop. It's also used as a bar area for guests. This kitchen's also high-tech when it comes to gadgets. The homeowner has the entire lighting system hooked up to Lutron's Homeworks, which allows him to control everything from his laptop. His cell phone is wired to his kitchen through Bluetooth and will ring on his home telephone when close by. Audio and visual are also wired throughout the kitchen, so if a movie is playing in his big entertainment room, someone in the kitchen can watch and listen in.
Design by Steve Johnson of Poggenpohl US Inc. and Bill Bocken
Photo by Glen Cormier
6. Victorian KitchenNext: Victorian Kitchen #6
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #6The design of this ornate, Victorian kitchen is based off a pre-existing curved wall. Step back in time with spherical cabinets, armoires that hide two refrigerators and two curvaceous islands prepped for cooking. Carved lions, leaves and grapes on maple and cherry wood surfaces took nearly eight months to complete, and give the kitchen a traditional, lived-in flair, while still being functional. The final look is reminiscent of 19th-century craftsmanship.
Design by Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo
Photo by Brady Architectural Photography
Victorian KitchenNext: 5. Green Kitchen #6
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #6Although traditional in taste, this kitchen features plenty of built-in, modern conveniences. A six-foot-long tile backsplash along the wall slides open to reveal hidden appliances, including a can opener, toaster and coffeemaker. A built-in granite-topped desk acts as a working space with a built-in wine rack below. Plus, a third armoire doubles as storage for fine china and dishware.
Design by Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo
Photo by Brady Architectural Photography
5. Green Kitchen
Next: Green Kitchen #5
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #5 This Asian-inspired kitchen is earth-friendly, right down to the granite and lava stone counters that emit zero toxins. Low VOC paint, bamboo flooring and stainless steel appliances round out the eco-chic look. (Did you know stainless steel is also renewable?) The two-tiered breakfast bar, modeled after a sushi bar, has a red lazy Susan to allow for family-style meals, and a traditional Shoji screen conceals storage and pantries.
Green Kitchen
Next: 4. French Kitchen #5
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #5The color combination of cherry, red, green and stainless is enough to evoke Asian style in this kitchen. For good measure, the designer added a Japanese-inspired Tansu chest, which serves as a sleek, contemporary storage chest for fine china and silverware. The kitchen lives up to its green name, with low-voltage light fixtures and appliances that help save energy and money — not to mention the floor-to-ceiling doors that bring light and the outdoors in when entertaining.
Design by Troy Adams of Troy Adams Design
4. French Kitchen
Next: French Kitchen #4
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #4This kitchen was designed for efficient cooking, and looks fabulously French doing it — not to mention large! Designed to evoke the French Colonial period, its 10-foot ceilings, emblematic arches and intricate woodwork would have made Louis XIV proud. A decorative armoire — topped with iron pieces imported from Italy — hides the refrigerator, and a two-tiered Madura Gold granite island features a wet bar and two integrated, white ovens. The island also features a raised seating area perfect for gatherings.
Design by Jerry Hoffsmith of Colonial Craft Kitchens Inc.
French Kitchen
Next: 3. Kitchen and Family Room #4
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #4Just off the French kitchen is another bar area that gives the homeowners plenty of space for their frequent parties. Underfoot, a tapered, French limestone floor gives the kitchen some "ooh-la-la" oomph. The darker cabinets here contrast the maple wood cabinets in the kitchen, which have an opaque paint glaze called "modeling," giving a leathery effect that plays nicely off the aged metal hardware.
Design by Jerry Hoffsmith of Colonial Craft Kitchens Inc.
3. Kitchen and Family Room
Next: Kitchen and Family Room #3
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #3With enough room for 130 guests, this open kitchen and joint family room is stocked for entertaining — complete with a rolling pizza cart and a room designed around the pizza oven (see next photo). Twelve-foot marble islands and limestone floors ooze luxury and Tuscan style, while the appliances leave out no cooking option: six ovens, a wine cooler, and two dishwashers, refrigerators and warming drawers. Furniture can be rearranged around the 6' x 6' terra-cotta tiled fireplace. 
2. Southern Traditional Kitchen
Next: Southern Traditional Kitchen #2
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #2 No traditional feature is spared in this incredibly custom kitchen, right down to drawer and cabinet compartments lined with leather! Spot the carved lion's head above the custom mural, which features the homeowner's own house among vineyards. Rich oak cabinetry built in France covers side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerators, four freezer drawers and two dishwashers beside the apron sink. Flanking the mural are two pilasters where the homeowner hangs her kitchen towels and hides her dish soap. In the island is a second sink, a Kohler Pro Cook, that doubles as a pasta cooker. For the grandkids, a flat-screen TV pulls down from above the cabinets.
Design by Heather Hungeling, Clive Christian, Atlanta and
Southern Traditional Kitchen
Next: 1. Tuscan Kitchen #2
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #2The English Classical style of this kitchen is carried into the adjoining dining and living areas. All the drawers and cabinets in the kitchen area have built-in compartments, so there's a place for everything, including silverware, china, dishes, pots and pans. A vaulted ceiling with rich wood beams cap off this kitchen's grandeur.
1. Tuscan Kitchen
Next: Tuscan Kitchen #1
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #1Wooden beams, terra cotta tiles from Italy and handpainted frescoes of Italian vineyards — this kitchen cooks up Italian flavor from floor to ceiling. But it's the bread warmer and wine cellar that stores up to 1,800 bottles, that make this an Italian paradise. Appliances include two Miele dishwashers, a vegetable steamer, built-in espresso machine and a five-burner Thermador stove.
Design by Jackie Depew of Depew Design Interiors
5. Green KitchenNext: Green Kitchen #5
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #5 This Asian-inspired kitchen is earth-friendly, right down to the granite and lava stone counters that emit zero toxins. Low VOC paint, bamboo flooring and stainless steel appliances round out the eco-chic look. (Did you know stainless steel is also renewable?) The two-tiered breakfast bar, modeled after a sushi bar, has a red lazy Susan to allow for family-style meals, and a traditional Shoji screen conceals storage and pantries.
Design by Troy Adams of Troy Adams Design
Photo by Doug Hill
Green KitchenNext: 4. French Kitchen #5
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #5The color combination of cherry, red, green and stainless is enough to evoke Asian style in this kitchen. For good measure, the designer added a Japanese-inspired Tansu chest, which serves as a sleek, contemporary storage chest for fine china and silverware. The kitchen lives up to its green name, with low-voltage light fixtures and appliances that help save energy and money — not to mention the floor-to-ceiling doors that bring light and the outdoors in when entertaining.
Design by Troy Adams of Troy Adams Design
Photo by Doug Hill
4. French KitchenNext: French Kitchen #4
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #4This kitchen was designed for efficient cooking, and looks fabulously French doing it — not to mention large! Designed to evoke the French Colonial period, its 10-foot ceilings, emblematic arches and intricate woodwork would have made Louis XIV proud. A decorative armoire — topped with iron pieces imported from Italy — hides the refrigerator, and a two-tiered Madura Gold granite island features a wet bar and two integrated, white ovens. The island also features a raised seating area perfect for gatherings.
Design by Jerry Hoffsmith of Colonial Craft Kitchens Inc.
Photo by Bryson Leidig
French KitchenNext: 3. Kitchen and Family Room #4
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #4Just off the French kitchen is another bar area that gives the homeowners plenty of space for their frequent parties. Underfoot, a tapered, French limestone floor gives the kitchen some "ooh-la-la" oomph. The darker cabinets here contrast the maple wood cabinets in the kitchen, which have an opaque paint glaze called "modeling," giving a leathery effect that plays nicely off the aged metal hardware.
Design by Jerry Hoffsmith of Colonial Craft Kitchens Inc.
Photo by Bryson Leidig
3. Kitchen and Family RoomNext: Kitchen and Family Room #3
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #3With enough room for 130 guests, this open kitchen and joint family room is stocked for entertaining — complete with a rolling pizza cart and a room designed around the pizza oven (see next photo). Twelve-foot marble islands and limestone floors ooze luxury and Tuscan style, while the appliances leave out no cooking option: six ovens, a wine cooler, and two dishwashers, refrigerators and warming drawers. Furniture can be rearranged around the 6' x 6' terra-cotta tiled fireplace.
Design by Joanne Hudson of Joanne Hudson Associates Ltd
Photo by Jeffrey Totaro Photographer
Kitchen and Family Room
Next: 2. Southern Traditional Kitchen #3
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #3This cozy pizza room, located just off the kitchen, comes complete with limestone floors, mosaic tiles on the ceiling and maple cupboards with plenty of storage for essential pizza-making equipment.
Design by Joanne Hudson of Joanne Hudson Associates Ltd
Next: 2. Southern Traditional Kitchen #3
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #3This cozy pizza room, located just off the kitchen, comes complete with limestone floors, mosaic tiles on the ceiling and maple cupboards with plenty of storage for essential pizza-making equipment.
Design by Joanne Hudson of Joanne Hudson Associates Ltd
Photo by Jeffrey Totaro Photographer
2. Southern Traditional KitchenNext: Southern Traditional Kitchen #2
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #2 No traditional feature is spared in this incredibly custom kitchen, right down to drawer and cabinet compartments lined with leather! Spot the carved lion's head above the custom mural, which features the homeowner's own house among vineyards. Rich oak cabinetry built in France covers side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerators, four freezer drawers and two dishwashers beside the apron sink. Flanking the mural are two pilasters where the homeowner hangs her kitchen towels and hides her dish soap. In the island is a second sink, a Kohler Pro Cook, that doubles as a pasta cooker. For the grandkids, a flat-screen TV pulls down from above the cabinets.
Design by Heather Hungeling, Clive Christian, Atlanta and
W. Mark Hulsey and J. Scott Hall at Hulsey-Hall Interiors, Inc.
Photo by John Haigwood
Southern Traditional KitchenNext: 1. Tuscan Kitchen #2
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #2The English Classical style of this kitchen is carried into the adjoining dining and living areas. All the drawers and cabinets in the kitchen area have built-in compartments, so there's a place for everything, including silverware, china, dishes, pots and pans. A vaulted ceiling with rich wood beams cap off this kitchen's grandeur.
Design by Heather Hungeling, Clive Christian, Atlanta and
W. Mark Hulsey and J. Scott Hall at Hulsey-Hall Interiors, Inc.
Photo by John Haigwood
1. Tuscan KitchenNext: Tuscan Kitchen #1
Top 10 Kitchens Countdown: #1Wooden beams, terra cotta tiles from Italy and handpainted frescoes of Italian vineyards — this kitchen cooks up Italian flavor from floor to ceiling. But it's the bread warmer and wine cellar that stores up to 1,800 bottles, that make this an Italian paradise. Appliances include two Miele dishwashers, a vegetable steamer, built-in espresso machine and a five-burner Thermador stove.
Design by Jackie Depew of Depew Design Interiors
Photo by Mark Knight
