For a formerly cramped kitchen, this 17-foot island unifies and streamlines the space while graciously delineating areas for cooking and eating. Project: Hobson Remodel, Reno, Nev.; Builder: MB Construction, Reno; Architect: Hawkins and Associates, Reno.
Acting as an intermediary between a Manhattan apartment and its 12-foot-by-8-foot kitchen, this island offers both utility and visual interest with a design that floats on a thin steel support. Project: Custom Kitchen, New York; Architect: Belmont Freeman Architects, New York.
For a couple who craved an open plan for entertaining but weren’t keen on guests seeing the back end of dinner prep, this ingenious island’s surround conceals kitchen clutter from the adjoining living area while allowing the cook to stay in the conversation. Project: Prairie Dog Kitchen, Washington, D.C.; Builder: Steinbraker & Sons, Washington; Architect: Treacy Eagleburger Architects, Washington.
Clad in walnut cabinetry, contrasted by a limestone countertop, this island offers enough room for both cooking and casual dining. Variances in the wood are echoed in the pixilated glass tile backsplash, offering a cohesive design of equal parts rustic and modern. Project: Brykerwood Kitchen, Austin, Texas; Builder/Architect: CG&S Design-Build, Austin.
To open up a formerly closed-off kitchen, the architect employed this ultra-chic stainless steel island to connect the acid-washed steel upper cabinets with the white units below, all while maintaining the home’s airy atmosphere, earning the project a 2012 Residential Architect Design Award. Project: Neutra Glen Residence, Stamford, Conn.; Architect: Joeb Moore Partners, Greenwich, Conn.
For their own compact kitchen, the owners of studio d’ARC architects opted for a wheeled island that stands at the ready when more prep space is needed, but doesn’t constrict the space’s flow when guests arrive. Project: Custom Kitchen, Pittsburgh; Architects: studio d’ARC, Pittsburgh.
For clients who like to entertain large parties, a pair of double islands solves the need for plenty of space without looking overblown. Alternating light and dark materials for cabinetry and countertops creates a smooth design without becoming monotonous. Project: Rosedale Kitchen, Bethesda, Md.; Builder: Georgetown Development Corp., Monrovia, Md.; Architect: Studio Z Design, Bethesda.
For a contemporary kitchen, this sleek island offers a clean line of white quartz to contrast with the kitchen’s dark wood, aluminum cabinets, and stainless steel backsplash. Project: NOVE Kitchen, San Francisco; Builder: Linea Built, San Francisco; Architect: Handel Architects, San Francisco.
This kitchen, with its parallel islands, won Kitchen of the Year for how it pours its heart out—to the outdoors, that is. Situated along a wall of sliding glass, the sturdy outer island offers a gathering spot near the pool for guests, and an accessible snacking spot for the family’s four kids. Project: Appleton Living, Venice, Calif.; Builder: Core Construction and Development, Los Angeles; Architect: MINARC, Santa Monica, Calif.
