Kitchens

The photographers also shot the 93-year-old’s assistant, Alisson Vega Avalos.

Kids' Bathroom

Tongue-and-groove ceilings reference the home's midcentury roots.

The kitchen is outfitted with Miele appliances. The faucet and stainless steel cabinets are by Boffi.

The kitchen features a 24-foot-long counter made of stainless steel and walnut.

The gourmet kitchen features a large center island with a spacious breakfast bar and top-of-the-line appliances. Extensive glazing keeps the space bright and provides breathtaking views of the surroundings.

Choosing a kitchen or bathroom countertop can be nerve-wracking, and we understand why—they can be one of the most expensive aspects of a renovation, with the added responsibility of impacting the aesthetics of a space. Read on as we work our way through the pros and cons of seven of the most common countertop materials.

The kitchen's appliances are by Gaggenau, with track lighting by Masson Lighting. Fiona installed a shelf in the island so that the owners can personalize the space even more.

Gray basalt was also used for the kitchen island and backsplash.

No whiteware here. In this moody apartment in Berlin, multi-toned charcoal gray subway tiles make up the backsplash, which contrasts with the pop of rosy color on the kitchen cabinets.

“We put a lot of energy—and at least half our investment—into the bones of the building because we intend to be here for a long time,” says Lauren Snyder, who resuscitated an aging home alongside her husband, architect Keith Burns.

In the kitchen, a mini vertical garden provides fresh aromatic herbs thanks to a mix of direct sun and specialized artificial lighting. A vibrant rubber floor leads the eye forward.

In the kitchen, the cabinetry is walnut veneer with a weathered finish applied by cabinetmaker David Rogers. “The process involved sanding and rubbing in stain as well as adding a clear finish,” project architect Eero Puurunen says.

The concrete countertops, walls, and staircase echo the home's refined modern design aesthetic.

The smooth, raven-hued island in this kitchen is made of oak with a thin stone countertop. A Foscarini Gregg Pendant hangs overhead.

The kitchen area is full of charm, starting with the original painted brick wall and continuing with cabinets made from reclaimed Iroko wood. The uneven application of paint mimics the aged wood.

The House of Earth + Light had been featured in the pages of the New York Times and on the cover of Dwell’s premiere issue, and was revisited years later. In the kitchen, an elegant palette of materials defines the open space. The rear counter is sanded stainless steel; the island counter is Purpleheart (an exotic hardwood) with a range by Dacor.

In the open kitchen, wood-paneled sliding doors conceal dark cabinetry, and together with a sleek, dark counter, and a shiny bronze-clad island with a sink, the kitchen becomes part of the overall design rather than simply an area of utility.