Gather Round

Find character-filled kitchens from top designers that invite you to stay awhile.

- Written by Liz Ferriera

Coral Hued A lake house kitchen gets a colorful second act.

Behind the Design

Coral may not be the first color that comes to mind when designing a kitchen, but the family of this lake house wanted a vibrant hub where the husband could cook, entertain and enjoy everyone's company. Designer Elizabeth Drake honored these goals, designing the layout to be appetizer- and conversation-friendly, while strategically incorporating the color without overpowering the space. Using a mix of coral accents through tile, textiles, lighting and wall color, Drake balanced the bold hue with soft, off-white cabinetry and copper accents to keep it cheery, layered and lake-house friendly.

Designer: Elizabeth Drake, elizabethdrake.​com.

Photographer: Werner Straube, wernerstraube.​com.

Center Stage

A baby blue range creates a captivating kitchen focal point.

Behind the Design

Honoring traditional architecture while taking the occasional design risk is what designer Suzette Donleavy does best, and this kitchen gave her ample opportunity to highlight delicate balancing acts. Here she designed a "lighter brighter, more transitional space that addressed entertaining flow while in keeping with the traditional design of a Shore Colonial home," Suzette says. The range is the hands-down showstopper, setting the tone for the entire design. "A La Cornue range in Suzanne Kasler's Roquefort blue inspired the initial design, and the homeowner's desire to incorporate a culinary star," Suzette says. She extended the color inside the glass cabinets, where the same shade of blue is used, to provide a colorful canvas for the homeowner's prized ironstone collection.

Designer: Suzette Donleavy, welldesignedinteriors.​com.