As we always say, there is no such thing as an unimportant detail. Regardless of where you are in the design process, the small details add up to a beautiful outcome.
Custom kitchen islands are a great place to combine functionality and style, and also a great place to add in a complimentary material or color. You may need a space to roll our pastries, or a place for your guests to pull up a stool and a glass of wine.
Sometimes it’s easy to scroll through countless images and miss some of the details- so below we have brought together some of our favorites.
Design: Retrouvius
Photograph: Paul Raeside
WHY WE LOVE IT:
The rich grain of the wood island counterbalances the modern cabinetry. The mirrored doors are an unexpected detail and keep the island from looking too heavy. The large counter works for food prep and entertaining. The lighting and bar tower give it a Parisian bistro vibe. Often, the most interesting rooms have a mix of styles rather than one consistent style. This gives the eye somewhere to travel.
Design: Plaad
Photograph: Haris Kenjar
WHY WE LOVE IT:
White cabinets and a soapstone counter are timeless and fresh- but the details in this kitchen make it unique. The rounded corners and eased edge of the island’s top keep it crisp and straightforward. The hardware is diminutive. The sculptural barstools blend in with the floors. This way the island’s legs can be the main focus. Especially in this photo we see the turned wood island leg become sculpture, and it’s topped off with a simple brass foot.
Design: Augusta Hoffman
Photograph: Tim Lenz
WHY WE LOVE IT:
Much like cooking a delicious meal, when designing an elegant kitchen, you have to start with the right ingredients. This kitchen island doesn’t draw a ton of attention to itself- it’s functional and blends in with the rest of the cabinetry. However, if you look closely, you will notice the integrated handles with contrasting bronze inset hardware. This isn’t easy to do, but it makes all the difference. It’s unexpected and luxurious, but also quiet enough that it still allows the sculptural lighting to be the star of the room.
Design: Daniel Sachs
Photograph: Miguel Flores-Vianna
WHY WE LOVE IT:
In our opinion, there is nothing better than a new, custom project that feels like it has always been there because the cabinetry fits the space so perfectly. Open shelving on this large island keeps it from looking too monolithic, while also keeping it unpretentious and functional. The contrasting color adds to the casual, understated vibe. There are a lot of materials and finishes going on in this room, but they all come together harmoniously around the inviting, light wood countertop.
Design: Jeffrey Bilhuber
Photograph: William Waldron
WHY WE LOVE IT:
White kitchens will never, ever go out of style, and this makes the island a perfect place to add a dash of visual excitement. In some places, this bright red island would look like too much, but here it’s tied in to the rest of the design not only with flowers and the red Le Creuset dutch oven, but also with the demure border on the pendant lights. There is also a red tone in the bistro chair’s frame which ties into the island. The island is grounded with a dark floor and simple hardware, while the rest of the refined pallet lets the island stand out.