Apron-front sinks combine traditional and modern elements into one stylish selection. With exposed-bowl fronts, apron or farmhouse sinks are bigger and deeper than the traditional dish-stashing spot.

one: Vault, by Kohler, available at Crescent Plumbing Supply, Ferguson, Kohler Signature Store and Premier Plumbing Studio.

Don’t just hide your cutting board away in a drawer anymore. The latest chopping blocks are not only functional but fashionable, too.

1. Curly grain cutting board, by Anew Nature.

2. Bennett cutting boards in marble and brass, available at Ember Home Studio.

3. Olive wood paddle cutting board, ridged, available at West Elm.

4. Vintage Chapati board, available at Ember Home Studio.

Gegg Design & Cabinetry, along with Becca Design, brought a 1980s remodel into modern times. The white laminate cabinets were replaced with naturally-finished, horizontal-grain-3matched, engineered quarter-sawn Wenge and painted wall cabinets on the range wall. Tile flooring was removed and oak floors throughout the house were extended into the kitchen. Layout-wise, the old kitchen had a cooktop located in a position that was very visible from the living space, and two doorways cut off the view from the kitchen into the same space.

Function took top priority in this kitchen designed for an active young family by Castle Design and Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath. After living with their existing space for five years to determine exactly how they wanted their new kitchen to function, the renovation began with walls being removed and support beams installed, which resulted in an open, spacious family hub.

The kitchen in this summer cottage was motivated by color. Tucked between two bluffs, the vacation cottage is full of charm. As a second home, designer Karr Bick had to be frugal in design decisions. To work around the challenge, the designer paired dreamy, colored custom cabinetry for the lower base section with white stock wall cabinets. Both lines had the same door style, which helps make the look more cohesive. To make the layout more efficient, the range was moved to the sink wall and the refrigerator was coupled with a pantry.

Open, beautiful and bright, the kitchen designed by Marc Christian Fine Cabinetry and Jamieson Interior Design was part of a complete first-floor remodel. New ceiling beams, elliptical arched doorways and millwork were installed to unify the space and add architectural interest. Window frames were painted black for contrast. The custom perimeter cabinetry was finished to match the new millwork, and the contrasting ebony-stained island was built to hold Wolf ovens, a warming drawer and a microwave drawer.