Kitchen Workbook: 15 Elements of a Traditional Kitchen

1. Architectural details. Traditional kitchens focus on the details in all areas. There's a bit of embellishment or adornment everywhere you look, but the best traditional kitchens just feel layered rather than overbearing. Speaking of details, this kitchen has it all — arches, moldings, beam ceilings, framed and raised-panel cabinets, a custom hood surround, chandeliers, furniture-style cabinets and, of course, island legs. Note how each area has detailing: the island's turned legs, the dark paneled wood piece in the front that's probably hiding a refrigerator, the shape and moulding of the custom hood surround. And all that is in addition to the raised panels, the flush inset cabinets and the box-beam ceiling.

2. Flush inset or framed cabinetry. The type of cabinet construction can have a significant impact on the way a kitchen looks. Full overlay or frameless cabinets are associated with a more contemporary way of building a cabinet — the door overlays the frame of the cabinet, and you don't see any exposed hinges. Flush inset or framed cabinets are associated with an Old World way or furniture-style way of building cabinets. With this sort of construction, you'll see the frame around the doors, and the doors and drawers are set flush with that frame. You'll also see exposed piano hinges in silver, oil-rubbed bronze or even antique brass.

3. Glazed and antique cabinet finishes. Traditional kitchens often feature cabinet finishes that are glazed or made to look aged and distressed. Whether you're using antique white or a color like the island shown, a bit of glazing can add instant age and patina. Be careful, though. Some antique finishes look fake, so make sure your cabinetmaker has samples for you to approve before ordering.

8. Architectural details for cabinetry. In this kitchen you'll see legs on the sink-wall base cabinets in addition to an architectural surround that really draws your eye to that focal point. You may also note that the sink's base cabinets are a different depth than the cabinets on either side — these undulating depths add visual interest. Traditional kitchens employ details like legs and pilasters on islands, furniture-style toe kicks that make the cabinets look like they're freestanding, and custom wood hood surrounds that sometimes look like fireplace surrounds. All of these details layer on top of one other to make a traditional kitchen go the full distance.

This kitchen shows some of these architectural elements: hearthlike hood surround, pilasters on the island, furniture toe kick and more.

9. Apron-front sinks or farmhouse sinks are another signature element of traditional kitchens, though these are pretty popular in classic kitchens as well. The old-fashioned handmade character of these sinks draws a wide audience.

10. Luxury countertop materials. Calacatta and Statuary marble, walnut butcher block, quartzite and light granites are all popular choices for traditional kitchen countertops. Even though marble is a more high-maintenance choice, it has an Old World feel that keeps drawing people back to it. There are also lots of manmade quartz materials that simulate the look of marble and limestone if you want something easier to deal with. Honed or nonshiny finishes on countertops seem to be more traditional in general, although polished stone does show up occasionally.

11. Ornate and decorative lighting. Traditional kitchens boast crystal or brass chandeliers, lantern-style lights — generally speaking, lighting that you might expect to see in a dining room more than a kitchen. This trend is certainly less Old World, since the kitchens of the past weren't used the way we use them today, but this sort of lighting makes them feel more like living rooms than utilitarian spaces.

A plaster hood is often just as ornate, but it's less heavy than wood. This style also works great when you don't have wood cabinets flanking the hood to tie the hood into, because the plaster hood stands on its own better.

15. Hutch-style cabinets. Hutch cabinets are often though of as dining room furniture, but they've migrated into many classic and traditional kitchens. The added storage they provide by going down to the counter is something few homeowners can pass up.

More: How to Find Your Kitchen Style | How to Remodel Your Kitchen