KitchenLab Eclectic Kitchen, Chicago

Continue the European feel with an open furniture-style island. You have to give up the closed storage that base cabinetry offers, but you can't deny the impact on the look. Go for something vintage to add texture and a more collected-over-time appeal.

I've painted every apartment I've ever lived in, and there have been more than two dozen of them. I don't regret a single one, and even though my landlords said I'd have to paint it white before I moved out, everyone who came to see it as a potential replacement renter wanted to keep the painting as is, so I never had to! That said, go neutral. Don't get crazy and paint the cabinets orange or green, not only will you get sick of it, but your landlord will make you paint them white before you move out and that's so not worth it.

Stainless steel. Looking to add a little bit of restaurant feel to your kitchen but not looking for a major overhaul? Visit your local restaurant supply store (or online) and get a freestanding stainless table or island. They can be used for a kitchen table, for a small bar off to the side, or for a full-fledged island. And of course, add a wall-mounted pot rack or two and show off those kitchen utensils and pans.

You can also create a U-shaped kitchen by adding a freestanding island to an L-shaped kitchen. In this case, the one end cabinet was turned to face away from the kitchen, and a beadboard end panel was added to allow for a place to intersect the open island. Because the island is open, you have knee space for stools and seating without needing an overhang.

They'll keep items close at hand and easily retrievable when you're in the midst of cooking.

I love this kitchen and all its accessories. You can tell that not only does someone cook here, but also that others gather and keep the chef company. Somehow that cutie rooster up on the vent hood is helping tell this story; he keeps this kitchen from taking itself too seriously.

5. Kitchens. Natural fiber rugs are great for kitchens. They naturally repel dirt and you can take them outside and shake them out. Strangely, I find that having a natural fiber rug underfoot doesn't make me think to take off my shoes and I don't worry about it. I love using them for entrance mats as well as in mudrooms and entryways.

Pots and pans take up quite a bit of storage in any kitchen. Free up one of those cabinets for something else!

9. French country, modern and industrial style. Country houses are often places where homeowners feel it's safer to ignore the rules and do what they like. There's an attitude of "why not?" And when you let your creativity flow without worrying about its being perfect, you often end up with a much more interesting space. Original oak cabinets were painted white and mixed with an industrial stainless steel island and stools, modern appliances and Mediterranean-style terra cotta tyle with plenty of patina.

This kitchen is bright and cheery, filled to the brim and full of personality. Yet it doesn't feel cluttered or overwhelming. I love the metal wall shelving and textured rug!

1. Professional worktable. This kitchen is the first one I remember seeing that had a commercial kitchen worktable worked into an eclectic cottage design. The table serves as worktop, peninsula and eat-in surface, and plays nicely off the serious range and vent hood.

Stainless steel island and open feel behind

Hang pots next to vent if use one.