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Two of chef André Chiang’s restaurants have appeared on the annual World’s 50 Best Restaurants list. So it makes sense that at his new home in Taiwan, which he largely designed himself, the kitchen takes center stage. To outfit it, André worked with Vipp, the maker of everything from the black steel island and stainless-steel countertops to the faucets, cabinets, shelves, pendant light fixtures—even the tea kettle and trash bin.

Whereas others might look at a board-formed cement wall in a basement and see, well, a concrete wall, Jess and Jonathan Taylor, the design duo behind the L.A.-based firm Taylor + Taylor, were inspired. The couple had purchased a virtually untouched 1952 house in east L.A. and that concrete wall became the backdrop for a new guest kitchen in the basement. "It was really the starting point of the whole design," says Jess Taylor. "As designers, our goal is to always try to incorporate the existing surroundings whenever possible, utilize them in practical ways, and be inspired by them."

Now, a white kitchen recedes from the main space. A long island keeps the working area separate, yet still connected.

The kitchen of this renovated apartment in Rome dramatically puts a deep veined marble for the counters and backsplash against the dark millwork.

A large, marble island is the focal point of this all-white kitchen, with the marble backsplash helping to tie the space together.

For this Swedish kitchen, an extra-thin slab of Carrara marble was used for the countertop and backsplash so that it would recede into the space, not overwhelm it. The room is also outfitted with IKEA cabinets painted a serene powder blue—adding a vintage vibe, and a high-low sense of style.

This lakeside home in Quebec boasts a white kitchen with an elegant, white marble backsplash that adds just a touch of pizzazz to an otherwise simple and minimalist open kitchen.

The linear suspension pendant by Michael Raasch provides up and down lighting over the island. Like the cabinetry, the countertop is also done in Fenix. "The owner liked the idea of consistency,

When the owners walked by the Lindsey Adelman showroom in New York, they knew they had to use one of her lights. "I bought a similar one with smoked glass for my mother who was also renovating,

Both privacy screen and modern trellis, the slatted steel frame continues the angled geometry of the facade, extending the plane of the entrance and carport to the corner of the home. Concrete and clear-coated cedar slats complete the facade, and aluminum Ridge house numbers by Hsiaolin Chi for NakNak adorn the home's entrance.

Kitchen appliances are hidden behind sliding aluminum "garage" doors.

Another view of the bathroom which showcases the tub and custom tile work climbing the wall.

A spacious

Large windows allow natural light to sweep inside, creating patterns against the white walls.

The well-lit kitchen, located steps from the living room, is equipped with all new appliances, as well as plenty of counter space. Wooden countertops tie back to the encompassing forest.

The living spaces are located on the second floor as a way to create a more intimate connection with the surrounding forest. Custom Arcadia windows wrap around the spacious sitting area, framing sweeping views of the nearby oak, pine, birch, and cherry trees. Sliding glass doors open up to the adjacent terrace, extending the living spaces outdoors.