Restaurateur Carlo Cracco collaborated with Scavolini on this kitchen design, which is loaded with chef-y touches like a dehydrator, a proofing oven and a vacuum packer for sous-vide cooking. A wall of fresh herbs is a relatively low-tech feature which adds a ton of appeal. The plants are kept off the counter but ready to snip and add flavor and color.

Lights built vertically inside lacquered glass-front cabinets and a linen-look backing make these interiors as sharp as an Armani catwalk.

Mixing wood with slick cabinetry warms up a kitchen, and the trend is particularly strong when the wood has a dark, sophisticated finish contrasted by lighter cabinetry. Here, an oak breakfast bar is an artisanal element in a neutral kitchen. Floating lacquered shelves match the cabinets for a polished effect.

When you choose a countertop for its dramatic veining, why stop it with a drop-in sink? A square basin flows seamlessly from the countertop and is sharpened up by sculptural strainers.

A dramatically long, recessed metal pull mimics the rich walnut grain on the fridge paneling. Long pulls on the cabinetry subtly follow the lines of the drawer frames.

A contrasting oak breakfast bar wraps around one corner of a slim island to create an elegant eating area that’s low enough to accommodate dining chairs, and will keep the prep surface clear when cooking.

Appliances and electrical outlets are built directly into pantries, with a pull-out stainless work shelf to use as a bar or when firing up the mixer. This version can accommodate up to four appliances and the retractable doors tuck cleanly away when the kitchen is in use.

Chic lacquered color-blocked cabinetry conceals the appliances for a modern, seamless look that’s full of surprises. An integrated refrigerator sandwiched between the pantries is artfully camouflaged.

Can you spot the galley kitchen? This version is the closest we’ve seen to a kitchen in a box, and it flows seamlessly into an adjoining laundry room, closet and bedroom. Compact and efficient, the footprint of this kitchen is tiny, yet contains a full suite of appliances.

Small spaces don’t have to mean compromises when the design is efficient. Retractable doors tuck neatly away when cooking, but when entertaining, its inner workings (and dirty pots and pans) are completely concealed behind closed doors.

Open shelving has been making major waves in kitchens for its convenience and airy quality: but most shelves benefit from some curating and artful lighting. Illuminating objects with lights built into thick shelves sets a pretty stage for inspired vignettes and special objects.

A walnut veneer breakfast bar supported by two slim legs and low-back stools create a functional eat-in area, without looking heavy or blocking the sightlines. Long rods mounted under the upper cabinets hung with S hooks provide lots of real estate to hang utensils and tea towels, helping keep the counters clear.