The classic black-and-white kitchen is realized with exuberance and Old World detail. Though ready to accommodate a busy household, this kitchen's design is also perfect for a small space, where diagonal tiling would make the kitchen appear larger.

Table and chairs: Bel Air by Jolina
jolina.com

Range: La Cornue
purcellmurray.com

Refrigerator: GE
geappliances.com

Food processor: Robot Coupe
robotcoupeusa.com

Blender: Paco Jet
pacojet.com

 
 
A cook's domain takes its Asian serenity from simple lines and exotic touches that dress up the all-business work surfaces. The sense of calm is maintained by using two islands, one for prep and one for cooking, and locating all electric devices on the walls.

Range: Wolf
subzero.com

Hood: Abbaka
abbaka.com

Stools: Dune stools by Christian Liaigre for Holly Hunt
christian-liaigre.fr
 
 
The sleek mobile island and modish lighting give a contemporary feel to this otherwise traditional kitchen. The color scheme and classic materials give it an almost masculine black-tie formality.

From "Modernist Marriage," November 2004

Lighting: hanging light designed by Chris Tippett and Ray Booth, from Kevin Reilly for Holly Hunt:
kevinreillylighting.com

Range and hood: FiveStar
fivestarrange.com

Hardware: Dornbracht
dornbracht.com

Walls: Benjamin Moore's Bleecker Beige paint
benjaminmoore.com

Island: vintage French dining table from A.D. Antiquity
 
 

This kitchen, with a mix of rustic and urban touches grounded by dark wood, gets its personality from the collectibles on the open shelves and mod nautical chairs in a natural finish.

From "Natural Charm," May 2005

Chairs: Yacht barstools by Soane Ltd., London
soane.co.uk

Viking: range
vikingrange.com

Farmhouse sink: Gracious Home
gracioushome.com

Paint:Farrow & Ball Dimity paint
farrow-ball.com

Cabinets fittings: Crown City Hardware: fittings
crowncityhardware.com

Toaster: Dualit
dualit.com
 
 
A cook's sanctuary need not be a steely, laboratory atmosphere. Highly polished fixtures, bookmatched marble on the floor and the crisp, furnished feel of a striped wallpaper make this kitchen with a warm, historical touch.

Dishwasher: Bosch Integra series
boschappliances.com

Wallpaper: Cowtan & Tout: Key Stripe in Charcoal
cowtan.com
 
 

Restrained lines and shimmery light wood give this classic kitchen an Asian touch. The layout, adaptable to any sized space, promotes ease of movement and conversation for a multitasking cook.

From "Precision Made," May 2003

Faucets and hardware: Chicago Faucets
chicagofaucets.com

Range and hood: Viking vikingrange.com

Downlights: Edison Price Darklite
epl.com

Hanging lamps and Group One counter chairs: David Schaefer for Furniture Co.
212-352-2010

Fruit bowl: Stelton
stelton.com

 

Warmly efficient and slightly masculine, this timeless contemporary kitchen accommodates a solitary cook or fast moving couple.

From "Village Den," June 2005

Range: Viking
vikingrange.com

Refrigerator: Sub-Zero
subzero.com

Countertops: Stoneworks International
stoneworksintl.net

Flooring and backsplash: D&W Ceramics
303-745-2041

Cabinets: David Turner Designs
212-674-7533
 
 
This kitchen is outfitted with laboratory cabinets for a look that is retro but sleek. Dark wood and delicate china displayed behind glass warm up the room's industrial chic.

From "Something Old, Something New," May 2004

Cabinets: Lab Fabricators
labfab.thomasnet.com
Cabinet hardware: Omnia
omniaindustries.com
Overhead lighting: Pell Artifex
212-563-9656
Task lighting: Alkco
alkco.com
Range: Bosch
boschappliances.com
Dining table: Knoll
knoll.com
Cab chairs: Cassina
212-245-2121
cassinausa.com
Double oven: Thermador
thermador.com
Refrigerator and wine storage: Sub Zero
subzero.com
Dishwasher: Miele
miele.com
 
 
A serious cook can have the family swirling around as long as the surroundings are crisp and clean and diners and kibbitzers are no more than an arm's length away. This classic white kitchen, perfect for a smaller urban space, fits the bill.

From "Straight Talk," December 2004

Lighting: 1930s Holophane lights from Remains, NYC
remains.com

Stools: Crate & Barrel
crateandbarrel.com

Faucet: Barwil
barwil.co.uk

Range: Wolf
subzero.com

Hood: Viking
vikingrange.com

Dishwasher: Miele
miele.com

Refrigerator: Sub-Zero
subzero.com