Iconic
architect and artist Frank Lloyd Wright once said:
"Form
follows function - that has been misunderstood. Form and function should be
one, joined in a spiritual union."
That
sentiment has never tolled more true than in the kitchen, the most frequented
communal room in our homes. More than just preparing and eating meals,
the kitchen is, at its essence, a place to celebrate nourishment, bounty, and
the blessings of family. So here are 15 super luxury kitchens around the
country that take Frank Lloyd Wright's words to a whole new echelon of
artistry!
Content and
photos largely provided by Forbes magazine and HGTV.
Credit: Design by Todd Huschka of Studio Snaidero Wisconsin. Photo by Landmark Photography.
Futuristic Kitchen
Designed by Pininfarina, the same firm that designs Ferraris, this kitchen's showstoppers are the high-gloss metallic-finish cabinets and the "acropolis," an aviation-inspired workspace made from recycled aircraft aluminum and stainless steel. The acropolis features a large Foster sink, a four-burner electric Foster cooktop, bottle and knife holders, and plenty of storage and cooking space. A control panel in the acropolis also controls the audio and visual components for the entire house. Good things come in twos: refrigerators, dishwashers, freezer cabinets and ovens.
Credit: Design by Todd Huschka of Studio Snaidero Wisconsin. Photo by Landmark Photography.
Light and Airy Kitchen for Entertaining
A spacious conversation area adjacent to the kitchen is great for entertaining. The shiny stainless steel and high-tech look is repeated here with a fireplace and clerestory windows for ample lighting. Outside the windows is a two-sided waterfall, a flowing contrast to the smooth steel of the kitchen.
Credit: Design by Amy Finley of Finley Design. Photo by Glen Cormier.
Minimalist Kitchen
This kitchen, designer Amy Finley's own, is all about commonsense. The kitchen is the gathering place for her five children and for weekly dinners with extended family. Things stay hot in this minimalist kitchen with custom La Cornue appliances, radiant-heated limestone floors, a stainless steel meat counter and hidden warming drawers. The ceiling centerpiece, commissioned metal artwork by a famous artist from Venice, Italy, was specifically designed to diffuse the bright San Diego sunlight from the skylight.
Credit: Design by Amy Finley of Finley Design. Photo by Glen Cormier.
Onyx and Light Kitchen
Who needs wall art when you have 1,900 pounds of onyx countertops illuminated from within by 1,600 LED lights? Beyond this bright island is an espresso bar, directly under a set of display shelves for porcelain coffee cups and saucers. Designer Amy Finley says, "It's a rule that everyone has to be involved in cooking the food, which is never a problem with all the countertop space, sinks and smart design. Everyone loves to cook in my kitchen when they come over. I feel really spoiled — I get to live in it every day." This kitchen is proof that less is definitely more.
Credit: Design by Gregg Johnson @LGD Design and homeowner Zetta Stam. Photo by Photography by Rebekkah.
Rustic Kitchen
A cedar tree is the focal point of this kitchen, with lighting fixtures hanging between the upper branches near the ceiling. But even more impressive are the things you don't see. Electrical outlets and an exhaust panel are hidden within the granite and pop up at the push of a button. Add to that a built-in cutting board, a wine storage area, Wolf double-stacked convection ovens and an incredible lake view while standing at the kitchen sink, and you've got one amazing rustic kitchen.
Modern Kitchen
Built-in conveniences are top priority in this high-gloss modern kitchen: a docking station for electronics and a built-in dog-feeding station are just the beginning. Two islands — one with a programmable backsplash that changes colors — are equipped with two dishwashers, three appliance garages and a trash compactor. So where's the food? Inside all those maple cabinets. Built-ins within the maple cabinets include a coffeemaker, a second oven and a microwave with crisping pan, which will crisp french fries and even bake chocolate chip cookies.
Credit: Design by Rick Fahmie of Kitchen Expo. Photo by Brady Architectural Photography.
Victorian Kitchen
A pre-existing curved wall served as a springboard for the design of this ornate Victorian kitchen. Step back in time with spherical cabinets, armoires that hide two refrigerators and two curvaceous islands prepped for cooking. Carved lions, leaves and grapes on maple and cherry wood surfaces took nearly eight months to complete, and the details give the kitchen a traditional, lived-in flair, while still being functional. The final look is reminiscent of 19th-century craftsmanship.
Credit: Design by Troy Adams of Troy Adams Design. Photo by Doug Hill.
Asian-Chic Kitchen
This Asian-inspired kitchen is earth-friendly, right down to the granite and lava stone counters that emit zero toxins. Low-VOC paint, bamboo flooring and stainless steel appliances round out the eco-chic look. The two-tiered breakfast bar, modeled after a sushi bar, has a red lazy Susan to allow for family-style meals, and a traditional shoji screen conceals storage and pantries.
Credit: Design by Jerry Hoffsmith of Colonial Craft Kitchens Inc. Photo by Bryson Leidig.
French Colonial Kitchen
This kitchen was designed for efficient cooking, and it looks fabulously French doing it. Designed to evoke the French Colonial period, its 10-foot ceilings, emblematic arches and intricate woodwork would have made Louis XIV proud. A decorative armoire, topped with iron pieces imported from Italy, hides the refrigerator, and a two-tiered Madura Gold granite island features a wet bar and two integrated white ovens. The island also features a raised seating area perfect for gatherings.
Credit: Design by Joanne Hudson of Joanne Hudson Associates Ltd. Photo by Jeffrey Totaro Photographer.
Family-Friendly Kitchen
With enough room for 130 guests, this open kitchen and joint family room is stocked for entertaining, complete with a rolling pizza cart and a room designed around the pizza oven. Twelve-foot marble islands and limestone floors ooze luxury and Tuscan style, while the appliances leave out no cooking option: six ovens, a wine cooler, and two dishwashers, refrigerators and warming drawers. Furniture can be rearranged around the 6' x 6' terra-cotta tiled fireplace.
Credit: Design by Heather Hungeling, Clive Christian, Atlanta and W. Mark Hulsey and J. Scott Hall at Hulsey-Hall Interiors, Inc.
Photo by John Haigwood.
English Classical Kitchen
No traditional feature is spared in this incredibly custom kitchen, right down to drawer and cabinet compartments lined with leather. Spot the carved lion's head above the custom mural, which features the homeowner's own house among vineyards. Rich oak cabinetry built in France covers side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerators, four freezer drawers and two dishwashers beside the apron sink. Flanking the mural are two pilasters where the homeowner hangs her kitchen towels and hides her dish soap. In the island is a second sink, a Kohler Pro Cook, which doubles as a pasta cooker. For the grandkids, a flat-screen TV pulls down from above the cabinets.
Credit: Design by Heather Hungeling, Clive Christian, Atlanta and W. Mark Hulsey and J. Scott Hall at Hulsey-Hall Interiors, Inc.
Photo by John Haigwood.
Majestic Traditional Kitchen
The English classical style of this kitchen is carried into the adjoining dining and living areas. All the drawers and cabinets in the kitchen area have built-in compartments, so there's a place for everything, including silverware, china, dishes, pots and pans. A vaulted ceiling with rich wood beams cap off this kitchen's grandeur.
Credit: Design by Jackie Depew of Depew Design Interiors. Photo by Mark Knight
Tuscan Kitchen
Wooden beams, terra-cotta tiles from Italy and hand-painted frescoes of Italian vineyards — this kitchen cooks up Italian flavor from floor to ceiling. But it's the bread warmer and wine cellar that stores up to 1,800 bottles that make this an Italian paradise. Appliances include two Miele dishwashers, a vegetable steamer, a built-in espresso machine and a five-burner Thermador stove.
Courtesy Sotheby’s International Realty
Glass Pavilion
This Santa Barbara, CA home for sale with a price tag of $23.9 million features a galley kitchen adorned with full-length windows and modern, chic features. Listed by Sotheby's International Realty, this kitchen also has a touch of the traditional - a custom wine room that holds thousands of bottles, the envy of any luxury home owner. Perfect to enjoy with the view!
Courtesy Sotheby’s International Realty
Northwood
When one thinks of Greenwich, Connecticut, a bastion of old money and colonial distinction, this kitchen may come to mind. Designer Clive Christian mixed elements of traditional dark woods, modern lighting, and fine granite with a natural-stone arched entrance, drawing elements of the stone-walled lined fields outside.
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While we might not have the means to redesign our kitchens into these masterpieces, certainly we can replicate some of the design ideas, styles, or use them as inspiration. So we'd love to hear from you: How would you like to remodel your kitchen?
