A huge kitchen island is the center of the room. It can seat at least five and is a generous buffet or prep table. The backsplash features a subtle pattern, a little dimension behind the cabinets.

Much of this chef kitchen is open, but a nook at one end acts as a breakfast or other casual dining area. Along the island, designers paired the navy blue base with rosy velvet stools, a chic note of contrast.

Open shelving at the end of the kitchen island is perfect for toys, artwork and other supplies. In dark gray, the cubes are also a striking contrast to the rest of the kitchen's bright white.

A casual dining area opens off this kitchen. Instead of color, intriguing shapes lend visual interest: the wood chair's clean straight lines, the carved legs of the dining table.