The kitchen is often described as the heart of the house, and not just because it is the home for most of your electrical appliances. It is a place where the senses come alive, where flavors and aromas intermingle, and where memories are forged over shared meals. In many households, the kitchen transcends its functional role as a cooking space; it becomes a vibrant hub of social interaction and a canvas for personal expression. For many of us, the kitchen holds a revered place in the fabric of home life.
We’ve reviewed our home features and selected some standout kitchens with aesthetic appeal that not only make the space inviting but also inspire creativity and encourage culinary exploration.
Contemporary, French Country Home
Tucked away in the Bossier City Neighborhood, The Village at Tiburon is a contemporary French country home. Among its many elegant features is a spacious and bright open kitchen/family room that creates the centerpiece of the house. Studded with gorgeous ceilings, large floor-to-ceiling windows, and tile floors, this kitchen becomes more than a place for meal preparation. Guests can be entertained in the family room as they appear through the numerous windows. The home’s fantastic combination of private spaces and a breezy open floor plan creates the perfect setting for relaxing or hosting. Accented with the classic coffered ceilings and a grand, eye-catching fireplace that is flanked by a custom-built bookcases—the family room is suited for more casual gatherings. It flows seamlessly into the chef’s kitchen, which is been perfected with a large island, professional grade appliances, beautiful granite countertops and custom cabinetry. The kitchen has many features that beautifully complement the custom features of the ornate built-ins of the living room.
Contemporary, French Country Home
Modern meets vintage in St. Charles Place. This European-inspired home was planned starting with the kitchen. A spacious island with bar seating allows guests to hang out while cooking dinner, and the host is not isolated from the group. Rattan bar stools and a touch of coastal inspiration and texture complement a clean, classic space. The kitchen cabinetry is a creamy, neutral color. All kitchen cabinets and drawers are a custom inset design, which helps create clean lines, add character, and result in a timeless, historical look. All kitchen hardware has an unlacquered brass finish that will add character over the years as it naturally patinas. The kitchen countertops, butler’s pantry, and bourbon bar are all Bianco Rhino polished marble. Bianco Rhino is sourced from Namibia, Africa, and is such a beautiful addition to this dreamy white kitchen, offering a soft white veining that cannot be found on man-made surfaces. To help ‘elevate’ the island and range, the homeowner chose white oak for the oversized kitchen island and a modern white oak beam above a 48” double oven.µ Brass knobs offer a cleaner, more appropriate look to the classic kitchen—combining modern design together with traditional features. The gleaming stainless-steel finish is set off the solid brass accents with a wide glass window with a rich, interactive LCD display.
When Mediterranean Meets Hollywood Regency
Built in 1922, this Glen Iris landmark home is considered a love letter to the Hollywood Regency. It has been home to only four families in its 102 years. No doubt it has gone through many updates and improvements in its long life. Most recently is the kitchen. Redesigned for entertaining with an updated butler’s pantry, the heartbeat of this home features a large island for seating and a bar area open to the family room. White Oak flooring was laid throughout the renovated rooms and adjoining great room. Quartzite was added to the butler’s pantry, kitchen, and bar area. State-of-the-art appliances will make any chef feel right at home. Years of celebrations and traditions have undoubtedly revolved around food preparation in this remarkable kitchen. Whether it was the annual baking of holiday cookies or enjoying family recipes passed down through generations, the simple act of gathering in this kitchen, in this way, cultivated many relationships, making it a cornerstone of familial and communal life.
A Midcentury Modern Home
Magic is made when personal style and midcentury spunk come together. Located in the heart of the Eastridge neighborhood, this beautifully remodeled home was designed with entertainment in mind. A wall that previously separated the kitchen from the dining room was partially removed to better connect the space to the dining room. Three walls were removed, and two new ones were added, along with a loadbearing beam to help “open up” the space.
New custom cabinetry, a Quartzite Island, and granite perimeter countertops with a bronze brick backsplash in the kitchen reflect the home’s midcentury roots. A commercial-grade Wolf oven and stove, as well as a Thermador refrigerator, freezer, and wine cooler, offer modern convenience—especially when it comes to gathering and entertaining. The selection of furniture inside these spaces helps provide additional details. One of the most notable pieces is the stunning ‘cactus root’ table in the dining area. It is 100 inches in diameter and weighs nearly one thousand pounds. Easily seating twelve people, it is 100 inches in diameter and weighs nearly one thousand pounds. Nearby, the ‘little red fireplace,’ coupled with the views of the backyard, perfectly balances the connection between these rooms.
A South Highland Showstopper
This South Highlands home comes ready for any party or family gathering. With football season well underway, we would be remiss if we didn’t include an outdoor kitchen. What better place to gather the crew to cheer for a favorite team? It is in this space that the aromas of our favorite meals mingle with the sounds of laughter and conversation, creating an atmosphere of team spirit. A large brick fireplace creates a focal point, adds a heat source, and visually links the space with the home. The sofa and chairs create the perfect spot for lounging around the fireplace, making this space usable year-round. It has a lighthearted and celebratory feel. The outdoor room—with its vaulted ceiling—is full of distinctive pieces and was built to be an entertaining area. The longer you look, the more detail you’ll see. Layering design elements, unique accessories, and textures were key in creating dimension and depth, and it is outfitted with a mix of furniture styles. All you need to help create the perfect atmosphere are your favorite team colors, plenty of food, and all of your friends and family, Building memories and traditions that transcend generations usually originate in a kitchen. The kitchen serves as a canvas for individual creativity, allowing each person to express their identity and heritage through the art of cooking. In recognizing the multifaceted role of the kitchen, we can appreciate its significance not only as a place for meal preparation but as the heart of our homes, where love, culture, and creativity intertwine.
