A clean and understated boathouse kitchen.

This kitchen was designed to be simple and inconspicuous. “It’s got everything you need, but it blends in with the wall and just fades away,” says homeowner David Beaton, owner of furniture showroom Studio b in Toronto. A large Sub-Zero fridge is camouflaged by beadboard panelling in line with the cabinets.

See more beautiful cottage kitchens in our photo gallery.

An inviting space with separate scullery.

A consummate cook, homeowner Stuart Gordon installed a commercial-style stove in his kitchen. It acts as a modern centerpiece balanced by rustic country elements such as butcher-block counters and an original brick chimney.

A lower tongue-and-groove ceiling demarcates the scullery area from the rest of the kitchen.

Used for food prep and washing up, this scullery has an expansive, rustic butcher block counter, two dishwashers and lots of storage space.

Chicken-wire cabinets keep this look casual.

Pretty canisters and open shelving keep everyday items neatly on display. The homeowner is fond of rag rugs — a traditional Swedish element — and uses them here to highlight the green and white colour scheme.

An open island contributes to an airy look.

Using store-bought cabinets, an apron-front sink and classic finishes, design editor Cameron MacNeil created a relaxed space. The glass-fronted cabinets, open shelves and butcher-block counters are key to the room’s casual feel.

Watch a tour of Karen Kain’s cottage on Online TV.

See more beautiful cottage kitchens in our photo gallery.

Capture the classic knotty-wood cabin look.

This kitchen is designed to handle a crowd: open shelving and an armoire with chicken-wire fronts make finding things easy; the massive olive-stained island houses two heavy-duty dishwashers. Modern bar stools keep the space current.

Weathered furniture keeps this cottage from looking too formal.

This weekend home’s open-concept space pairs a vintage farmhouse-style dining table with contemporary kitchen features. Stainless steel cabinets and dark-stained pine floors break up the expanse of white, while a bench reupholstered in mohair adds a touch of cosy luxury.

Watch an Online TV tour of this country home, plus see more Kitchen Layouts and our Top 10 Eat-In Kitchens.

Group collections on open shelves and surfaces to keep a room neat.

A kitchen gets a punchy update with Erja Hirvi’s kitschy Marimekko Purnukka print, seen on the tablecloth, tea towel, tray, apron and tins. The graphic pattern features jarred veggies and other items in a modern colour scheme. The green from the tablecloth is enhanced with pottery and plants in the same tone, which unifies a small space. Placing the tablecloth on a slant allows the table to still be seen.

For more rooms with Marimekko prints, visit our photo gallery.

Unfinished wood lends a contemporary rustic look.

Cottage owners Juli Daoust and John Baker installed the kitchen cabinets themselves and kept the original stove, knowing they would be mostly barbecuing. An under-counter fridge with pullout drawers saves space. “It was a $600 floor model,” says John. “We added our own plywood panelling and wood handles.”

See more modern cottages in our photo gallery.

A white kitchen with timeless style.

Designer Jennifer Worts chose black honed-granite countertops with a soft matte finish that act as a foil to this kitchen’s shiny white cabinetry. Brushed-nickel faucets are warmer than traditional chrome and go well with stainless steel lights and appliances.

See more lakeside spaces in our Charming Boathouses Photo Gallery.

For more lighting options, see our Statement Lighting photo gallery.

Visually expand a space with white.

The narrow kitchen of this Laurentians, Que. cottage seems wider because of the white cupboards, simple backsplash and uncluttered storage. Views to the lush surroundings can be enjoyed while washing dishes.

Raw and honed details create a beautiful contrast of textures and styles.

Hosting large gatherings is a ritual for the owners of this waterfront property in Hudson, Quebec. Their renovation retained the kitchen’s historic architecture while updating it with cutting-edge appliances. A thick slab of granite on the island was chosen for a fresh, modern look; it echoes the beautiful raw stone walls found on the room’s perimeter. Lab-style iron stools on the wide-plank pine floors tie the industrial country look together.

For more great homes from eastern Canada, see our Photo Gallery: Best Of The East.

Shelves extending to the ceiling take advantage of all available space.

Keeping less-frequently used items, such as appliances or serving bowls, on the top shelves means more storage space below for everyday items. The extensive use of canisters and baskets keeps this open shelving area from looking messy or cluttered.

Get more great storage ideas in our Organization Tricks photo gallery.

Add sophistication to a cottage kitchen with superb finishes and detailed millwork.

Dark bamboo blinds, wood floors and stools balance the bright white Shaker style cabinets in this summer home. A Carrara marble-topped island with a second sink for food prep creates a great space for hosting parties, too. Schoolhouse pendant lights in green ceramic add to the country feeling while modern accessories prevent it from looking too fussy.

See more modern country interiors in our photo gallery.

A small chandelier adds a playful contrast in an artsy cottage space.

Green Eames chairs — a junk shop score — surround a Saarinen table, grounding the whitewashed kitchen. Simple louvers are in keeping with the beachy feel.

Get more small space solutions in our photo gallery. Also, see more pictures of Tidey’s beachfront cabin and Vancouver loft in the May 2009 issue.

Flea-market finds, vintage pieces and heirlooms mix in this cosy space.

Exposed rustic planks and beams give this cottage kitchen a dramatic sense of height. The darker wood farm table and Hans Wegner Wishbone chairs break up the monochromatic palette. The overall ‘unfinished’ vibe of the kitchen, complete with linen curtains covering lower shelves instead of closed cabinets, offers even more character.

See more photos in our White Cottages gallery.

An earth friendly kitchen in stone, wood and tile.

The stone wall in this rustic kitchen is highlighted by salvaged wood beams and white tile. Floor made from flagstone and reclaimed hemlock wood mirrors the stone wall panel and timber ceiling. A painted white island with a stone top is used for food prep, add teak stools so it can double as a seating area. Pendant lighting that is simple makes it modern.

White paint and exposed beams refresh a kitchen.

White painted wood walls and kitchen cabinets freshen up this east-coast cottage kitchen and dining area. Hardware in black wrought-iron balances the counter stools and dining chairs and makes the room feel more modern. Wood floors in wide planks made from local hemlock and exposed rustic beams on the ceiling continue the coastal cottage look.

For more great homes from eastern Canada, see our Photo Gallery: Best Of The East.