Kitchenette

14. Where: MaineWhitten ArchitectsThe kitchen allows the shelf to run right across the window to get a few precious more inches of storage. The vertical lines of the wall panels and floor boost the perception of height, making the area look wider than it actually is.

Blue walls, black slate countersNickel-gap wallboards are painted blue in this charming cottage kitchen. Heart pine floors and simple white knobs are homey; the black slate sink and counters keep the look crisp and sophisticated. Blue walls, from pale sky blue to greyish blue, work well with mid-tone wood cabinets. For dark wood cabinets, go with either a very soft blue or a very rich blue on the walls.Wondering how to pick the right shade of blue?

Natural stoneIf you are putting in natural stone countertops, such as beautiful soapstone, think about installing a sink to match. Some stones are susceptible to stains, though, so get a sample of the stone you are considering and test it out to make sure you are happy with how it stands up to staining. Soapstone is fairly stain resistant, but it is a softer stone, so you either need to be careful with it or be okay with it developing a patina over time.Here’s how to find the right stone tile for your home

9. Direct the eye upwardChoose patterns and visual elements that help to guide the gaze toward the ceiling. The vertical lines of the wall and ceiling boards in this kitchen lend the impression of greater height.

19 Frame itJust as pans can be hung successfully across the middle of a window, so too can shelves be erected. Continuing them out along a wide expanse of wall, as here, stops them looking bitty (and packs in even more storage!).

painted wood panel walls natural wood cabinets stainless steel

Graphite sink wood cabinets, window over sink

Another idea for stove placement

Sunny wooden cupboards with a nice deep sink and an arched chrome faucet. I like the white knobs, too.