Beautiful materials take the spotlight in these five kitchens, where designers layered natural stone, warm wood cabinetry, handcrafted tile and refined finishes to elevate everyday function. Thoughtful layouts, carefully edited palettes and a mix of modern, classic and artisanal details allow standout features to shine, creating spaces that feel welcoming, cohesive and timeless. Here, the pros share how they brought it all together.
Designer: Debra Geller Interior Design
Construction: Phil Kouffman Builder
Location: Montauk, New York
Homeowners’ request. “The homeowner envisioned a drop-dead stunning kitchen — artistic, modern, layered and luxurious — yet warm enough to support everyday family life,” says designer Debra Geller. “As an entertainer she required a space that could function effortlessly during large gatherings while maintaining a refined, elevated aesthetic. As part of a full-home renovation, we doubled the size of the kitchen, removed walls, reworked structural elements and installed oversized picture windows to frame uninterrupted views of the Atlantic.”
Geller uses Houzz Pro to manage her business. “We utilize Houzz Pro for client leads and for its visual planning tools, including the 3D scanning feature,” she says. “This tool allows us to scan a room onsite and convert it into a 2D plan directly from our phones, enabling us to quickly test layouts and place furnishings without opening CAD programs. It streamlines onsite meetings and allows our team to make informed layout decisions efficiently prior to implementation.”
Luxurious materials and features. “Luxury in this kitchen is expressed through scale, natural stone, customization and craftsmanship,” Geller says. “The 14-foot island is topped in Invisible Blue marble, showcasing fluid movement and subtle veining reminiscent of the ocean beyond. The perimeter countertops, full-height backsplash and custom 60-inch hood are also clad in Invisible Blue marble, creating continuity and a dramatic sculptural focal point. The island seating countertop section is Black Absolute leathered granite, selected for its depth, durability and rich tactile quality. The cabinetry is painted in Benjamin Moore Chantilly Lace, enhancing brightness and architectural contrast. The island and refrigerator wall are constructed in white oak with a custom stained whitewash finish, introducing warmth and organic texture.”
Other special features. A 48-inch double workstation sink with integrated cutting and straining accessories. Toe-kick lighting for a soft ambient evening glow. Walk-in butler’s pantry with secondary refrigerator, filtered water station and curated coffee center. Custom bar stools upholstered in vegan leather.
Designer tip. “In larger kitchens, mixing painted cabinetry with natural wood adds warmth and visual depth,” Geller says. “Keeping the perimeter light while introducing wood on the island or feature wall grounds the space and prevents it from feeling sterile.”
Cabinetry: Ciuffo Cabinetry; island light: Gabriel Scott
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Designer: Natalia Avalos Interiors
Location: Alamo, California
Homeowners’ request. “Their goal was to create a home that felt elevated yet livable — moody but inviting, refined yet comfortable,” says designer Natalia Avalos, whose clients found her on Houzz. “They wanted richer materials, more intentional detailing and a sense of flow from room to room.”
Luxurious materials and features. “This kitchen is elevated through a thoughtful combination of polished marble countertops and backsplash, a sculptural plaster hood, rich natural walnut cabinetry and warm brass fixtures,” Avalos says. “Each material was intentionally selected to create depth, warmth and a refined sense of contrast.
“The polished marble brings timeless elegance and light reflection, enhancing the overall brightness of the space. The plaster hood introduces an artisanal, sculptural quality that softens the architecture and adds visual interest beyond standard cabinetry. Natural walnut cabinetry was chosen for its richness and warmth, balancing the coolness of the stone while adding organic texture. The detailed end of the island was designed to be both practical and visually striking, breaking away from the enclosed, boxy feel that kitchens often have.” The cabinets are painted in Feather Down by Benjamin Moore.
Designer tip. “Be intentional about how you use your countertops,” Avalos says. “Identify which areas will serve primarily as functional prep zones and which can be styled more decoratively. Incorporate everyday objects — beautiful cutting boards, ceramic vessels, curated oils or frequently used cookware — and treat them as part of the design. When thoughtfully selected, these functional pieces become both practical and visually pleasing, making the kitchen feel lived-in yet elevated.”
Wall paint: Sea Salt, Benjamin Moore; project photography: Jessica Brydson Photography
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Designers: Mia Rao and Robyn Swanson of Mia Rao Design
Builder: Dave Knecht
Location: La Grange, Illinois
Homeowners’ request. “This 1870s Second Empire Italianate home is rich with history,” says designer Robyn Swanson. “The home once belonged to Civil War Capt. George Pratt and his family after the war. Also, it was the boyhood home of 1990s heartthrob David Hasselhoff. Now it’s the home base for a retired couple with three grown children, and the goal was to restore and modernize this Victorian beauty and create a family retreat to hang out and entertain for generations to come. With an addition to the back of the home, the kitchen was enlarged into the bright, airy space it is today.”
Mia Rao Design uses Houzz Pro software to manage its business. “We currently use Houzz Pro for Selection Boards, Mood Boards, orders and tracking and find it to be a great platform,” Swanson says.
Luxurious materials and features. Custom cabinetry painted in Benjamin Moore White Dove and Stained Glass (bar). White oak island with deep espresso stain. Marble-look porcelain countertops. Subtle coffered ceiling. Polished nickel faucet and island pendant lights. “These items were chosen for their classic style and quality,” Swanson says. “The porcelain counters are beautiful and durable. The stool fabric is rated for outdoor and resiliency. The idea is for this bright space to be used with love by the family and continue to look spectacular. The view from the pass-through above the sink is to the back gardens. The bright white and sea glass cabinets come alive in the natural sunlight.”
Designer tip. “Design for what you love, not for trends,” Swanson says. “The bright sea glass blue is a statement but the homeowners love it. It reflects their vibrant personalities.”
“Uh-oh” moment. “Making the kitchen larger and more open was a must-have,” Swanson says. “The original kitchen had a lower ceiling. During demo it was discovered that the ceiling was concealing a very deep load-bearing beam. The architect and the builder put their heads together and devised a plan to raise the beam into the floor joists above to create the ceiling height desired for the space.”
Range wall tile: Embossed in white, 6 by 6 inches, Pratt + Larson; bar backsplash tile: Clover Leaf in West Point Blue, 6 by 6 inches, Quemere Designs; pendant lights: Chapman & Myers Prestwick in polished nickel and clear glass, Visual Comfort
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Designer: Whitney Gelinas of Wit Interiors
Location: Berkeley, California
Homeowners’ request. “In this extensive renovation of a 20th-century Tudor, we thoughtfully restored and reimagined the home to support a lively family of six,” says designer Whitney Gelinas. “Obviously, one of the most important rooms was the kitchen. Our clients wanted a big, open space in their kitchen and dining area, as that’s where everyone naturally gathers. They also wanted extra stools at the countertop so their kids could easily spend time with their cousins. Now seven stools fit comfortably. We opened up the room and fully modernized it to improve storage, flow and durability.”
Luxurious materials and features. “This light-filled kitchen has white oak floating shelves and white custom cabinetry,” Gelinas says. “We paired a marble arabesque mosaic backsplash tile with Taj Mahal quartzite countertops for a timeless and sophisticated feel. And the emerald Zellige tile range backsplash truly steals the spotlight. We installed it in a unique pattern that brings a touch of our clients’ vibrant personality and love of color to the kitchen.” The custom cabinetry is painted in Chantilly Lace by Benjamin Moore.
Other special features. “We’re really happy with how the arched wall between the dining room and kitchen and the curved hood turned out, both thoughtfully designed to echo the doorways found throughout the home,” Gelinas says. “We also love the balance of hues in the details, including a matte black Bertazzoni induction range, warm brass hardware and plumbing fixtures and smoky glass pendant lights, which help make a space filled with mostly hard finishes feel layered with character and texture.”
Designer tip. “Don’t be afraid to mix backsplashes and play with unique tile layouts,” Gelinas says. “Layering different materials, like pairing a marble mosaic with handcrafted tile, adds depth and personality. Varying the scale, shape or pattern keeps the eye moving and makes the space feel custom rather than cookie-cutter. It’s a simple way to elevate your kitchen and create a look that feels thoughtfully designed and completely your own.”
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Designer: Michelle and Jeff Price of 805 Interiors
Location: Westlake Village, California
Homeowners’ request. “The original kitchen was a dated faux Tuscan style with brown-on-brown finishes and a maze of ’90s soffits that made the ceilings feel oppressively low and forced a cramped, inflexible layout,” says designer Michelle Price. “Our goal was a transitional Mediterranean Revival, replacing those dated features with a blend of artisanal textures and modern restraint, while bringing real architectural integrity back to the space. We stripped the soffits away and introduced architectural beams to reclaim the volume of the room, adding authentic Mediterranean character in the process. This completely opened up the space and allowed us to maximize the stunning lake and mountain views.”
Price uses
Houzz Pro to manage her projects. “We love the Clipper and use it for all of our sourcing, as well as the Room Board features,” she says. “This was a whole-home project, so the Room Boards were invaluable for organizing. We use all the ordering and tracking features as well as proposal and invoice creation, so our client benefited from us having information and answers quickly at our fingertips.”
Luxurious materials and features. “We knew the range and hood would be the focal point of the kitchen, so we designed an arched niche finished in Venetian plaster and set it off with hand-painted Portuguese tile for a truly bespoke moment,” Price says. “To let that anchor breathe, we intentionally kept the rest of the space quiet: custom white oak cabinets stained in a warm, medium tone and neutral zellige tile for the remaining backsplash to bring an organic, old-world feel. The countertops are leathered Taj Mahal quartzite, chosen for its soft texture and natural variation. The sink wall has a large window framing stunning views. Unlacquered brass fixtures feel both refined and timeless.” The flooring is smoked white oak.
Designer tip. “I always tell my clients that every space should have only one or two ‘stars’ and that everything else needs to play a supporting role so those stars can truly shine,” Price says. “Homeowners often make selections in isolation, feeling that each element needs to be special or exciting on its own. The result is usually a space that feels disjointed or overly busy. Giving your stars room to have their moment is what allows a design to feel cohesive and intentional.”
Paint colors: Cloud White (walls) and Ballet White (island), Benjamin Moore
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