Dan Pacek, left, and John Roynon prepare cocktails at their 12-foot “display island” in the renovated kitchen of their home in New Jersey. The couple bought handles matching those on their Thermador refrigerator and used them on a set of pantry doors, one of which conceals the steps to the basement.

A 12-foot “display island” gives this kitchen programmatic function—food and drinks are prepared here; cooking and cleaning are consigned to the back—and helps make it a welcoming space, whether homeowners Pacek and Roynon are entertaining or simply enjoying time to themselves. The soft green hue adds an inviting touch.

The kitchen takes on a gallery feel. “I’ve got art on the kitchen counter. I really want to say to people, ‘Don’t take art so seriously,’” says Montague.

The backsplash is a tarnished sheet of bronze. Raft Stools by Norm Architects provide understated seating.

Dalfred bar stool by IKEA, $40 at ikea.com Why not outfit a kitchen island or studio benchtop with a fleet of these height-adjustable four-leggers? The price is right.

Louise Jenkins, left, chats with her daughter, Freya, who sits on a powder-coated Slatted bar stool by Jasper Morrison manufactured in Lancashire.

Handmade leather Fernando chairs by Jayson Home surround a live-edge custom walnut table by Ben Riddering in the dining area.

A wall-mounted oak bar is where Siminovich and Kerner drop their keys, pound away on their laptops, and occasionally eat a quick meal with Matilda, their two-year-old daughter.

Also on the second floor, Bar Feroce’s Backyard features a terra-cotta pizza oven and a made-for-Moxy bocce drinking game. Vinyl artwork inspired by the garden of Eden, designed by En Viu, screens the windows.

The family shares a meal at the counter in the kitchen.

BURSA Hotel's 1818 rooftop bar.

Collage, designed by Stephen Ormandy: “The design was influenced by the floating nature of lily pads and the opportunity to combine individual sculptural shapes into a cohesive useful object”.

Manufactured in Europe, Fat is made from molded foam with metal legs. The line is launching in high-gloss black lacquer and made-to-order upholstery. Pictured in the lounge are Fat high chairs.

Gliss swivel stools and a Dowel bar stool share space in front of a custom maple kitchen island. The pendant lamps are by Lightolier.

"What struck me always is the way Frank Lloyd Wright used space," says designer Kevin Heisler. "I didn’t want to just copy the Robie house, so I just focused on things like the oak species and incorporated materials he used first-hand. We wanted to bring the outside in."

Alameda's centerpiece is a circular bar with a poured-concrete top. The bar, flooring, and light fixtures are among the custom elements of the space.

The living room, kitchen, and dining room sit below street level in an open, communal area. A large, operable skylight measuring six by three meters allows light to stream over the dining table—the four glass panes had to be craned over the neighboring buildings.

A kitchen, complete with a small dining area, allows guests to reverse roles and host the hosts. The blue Muuto Unfold light accents against the otherwise black and white space; the chairs are Hay Copenhague bar stools.

Jean-Christophe Aumas’ multihued Paris apartment houses both the highly sought artistic director and the stunning assemblage of furniture he’s brought back from his travels. Aumas designed the kitchen island, which is covered in marble tiles from Carrelages du Marais—the geometric floor tiles are from the same place—and strung the matrix of lights up above it. The barstools by Charlotte Perriand were discovered in a vintage store in Antwerp, Belgium. The green wall is covered in paint from Emery & Cie.

Translucent pendants hanging from a flora-laced pergola illuminate the outdoor bar at night. Local partnerships are an important part of the property’s offerings, and include a bespoke gin from Asbury Park Distilling Co.

The bar at American Son.

The bar is lined with vintage bar stools by Arthur Umanoff, which OMFGCO sourced from all over the world via 1stdibs, Pamono, and Etsy. Fritz Mesenbrink of OMFGCO tells us, “It was challenging to get that many of his stools in the same place, but we got them and had them all restored beautifully.”

Clad in copper, the bar at Yellowstone Garage is a statement piece.

The living room is situated just above the main-level bedroom at one end of the combined kitchen and dining area, where spotted gum flooring contrasts with white-painted pine walls.

The helix staircase is original, but it was adjusted to accommodate a larger landing. The Link suspension light is from Lzf Lamps.

A bar completes the casual living space.

A large window pivots open and transforms the dining space into an indoor/outdoor bar area.

Stunning bar and wine cellar. Beautiful wood and metal work. Custom interior design details and lighting. Entertainment room. Game room.

Branca stool by Sam Hecht and Industrial Facility for Mattiazzi, $1,049–$1,069 Introduced at the Milan furniture fair in April 2014, the Branca stool channels the natural beauty of trees. The gently curved seat is angled slightly higher in the front, which helps you feel balanced. The low back gives lumbar support. It’s available in natural, white, and black finishes and with a black or white footrest.