With a wine fridge, built-in coffee maker and stunning views of the backyard pool, this kitchen is every entertainer’s dream. Designed by Karr Bick Kitchen + Bath, the space includes a large island splashed in natural light that is the ideal spot for cooking and entertaining. Topped with a suede quartzite countertop with a 3-inch mitered edge, the material choice is ideal for the couple who enjoy cooking. Lightly stained alder wood cabinets give a warmth to the kitchen and set the tone for the entire design.

This stunning kitchen designed by Stephanie Pohlman blends modern and classic elements to make a bold statement. The goal for the project was to keep the design very bright and clean, so Pohlman chose a soft white finish for the upper cabinets. To create a contrast as well as the unique look her client was looking for, she chose a matte black subway tile backsplash with a black-and-white mosaic to accent. The accent tile is repeated in the beverage area under floating shelves. Both designer and homeowner fell in love with the natural wood stain on the lower cabinets and island.

Youtopia Designs in conjunction with Hamtil Construction opened up a dated kitchen that was closed off and uninviting. The new layout allowed the designers to incorporate a dining island that also provided much needed countertop space. The client required a dining table-height area to eat at so she could keep an eye on her grandkids while she worked in the kitchen. Heavy, dark stained cabinets were replaced with painted cabinetry that has a custom glaze to highlight the fine detailing of the panels and moulding.

New homeowners wanted to make the kitchen their own by adding modern details while respecting the character of the house. Designer Karr Bick Kitchen + Bath was challenged with creating a seamless conversation between the natural surroundings of the home nestled in the woods with the homeowners contemporary taste. Cooking and entertaining were central to the family, so large, exposed top-of-the-line appliances drove many of the design choices.

Meet our esteemed panel of Kitchens of the Year judges: 

Julie Baum, BaumHouse Design, LLC

Alspaugh Kitchen & Bath and Johnson Design collaborated to design a three-room kitchen suite for a serious cook with a penchant for food as entertainment and hosting large gatherings. Contemporary finish materials and details combined with meticulous panel alignment and sizing result in a perfectly balanced and clean transitional design. The kitchen suite consists of a kitchen, butler’s pantry and dirty kitchen. The design is unified by the 9-foot high, warm gray-stained, rift white oak cabinetry with split-panel drawer fronts.