More colorful kitchens anyone? Ok, ok, so they are out of our budget, but does that mean we can’t look, right?

Plus, this eye candy serves a purpose. Just because we’re not going to run out and replace our cabinetry, doesn’t mean we can’t glean ways to emulate some of the architectural elements, accessories, paint colors, styles, light fixtures and artwork. I mean, look at the painting below:

This kitchen belongs to Brooke Shields. Note the glazed tiles used in the range insert and the chimney breast plate, where she displays a Malcolm Liepke painting – a huge one! Why should the kitchen be deprived of artwork? via Architectural Digest

Clive Christian in a honey oak.

Colors don’t always have to be where expected. This offers the best of both worlds, as the white gives this galley kitchen an open, airy feel, but the color on the floor gives it real character.

A dark, rich brown, offset with white marble and an argyle tile backsplash.

Clive Christian cabinets

The owners wanted a Tuscan glow to their kitchen, so a lot of detail work went into it. Cream cabinets were rubbed with a truffle colored glaze for a golden glow, the cabernet brown granite countertops were distressed with wire brushes and the island’s dark cherry stain is given a charcoal glaze. Gold limestone in on the island top and travertine tiles are on the floor. Designer Blue Arnold.

Designer Louise Brooks added tin tiles (which are normally seen on ceilings) for a backsplash and a glossy black range hood.

Here’s a kitchen with wood planks painted white for a countertop! The cabinetry is painted a vibrant coral. Interior Designer: Elizabeth “Betsy” Speert

Colorful injections in unexpected places! The ceiling is a stenciled medallion. If you have never stenciled before, please practice first on paper!

To keeps costs down, dark-stained cabinets were painted instead of replaced, the hardware was updated and new crown molding was added.

Please see my post on adding crown molding to existing cabinetry! Here a designer did it: Michelle Allman

All red in a small kitchen could be overpowering, but keeping the top cabinets light is a good option…

A true chefs kitchen. With the banquette, this kitchen almost looks like a restaurant!

Designed by Matthew Quinn, photo credit Mali Azima

Designer Gary McBournie

Designer Michael Bell of Design Galleria

Aqua tiles, floor to ceiling.

Design Galleria

Credit: Charles and Hudson

Wood-Mode

More green from Crown Point Cabinetry

Michael Oh

Yellow cabinets – Shaker from Canyon Creek

Francois and Co.

Clive Christian

Even the walls are paneled in this kitchen with a buttery soft yellow.

Clive Christian

The amazing girth of the range hood is not noticed at first, as it blends in with the walls, but it is massive!! I wish the pictured showed what type of range was used… Jack Arnold

Studio Becker cabinetry in cream with black marble countertops and a back splash tiled in the shape of panels.

Hidden door – who wouldn’t LOVE that??

This is not my personal style, but I put it in because it was an award-winning design. Atlanta Homes & Lifestyles 2012 Kitchen of the Year Winner. Designer Mary Kathryn Timoney.

via Southern Accents

Even in designer kitchens, it’s interesting to see how they saved their clients money. The most interesting solution (that I had never heard of before) was the painted wood plank countertop. It sounds dreadful – if someone described that to me, I’d tell them they were nuts – but it turned out beautifully.

Then, there are the normal savings solutions –  adding crown to and painting the existing cabinets. All of them are painted in a flat or matte finish, but wouldn’t it be interesting to have a glossy finish to give a more formal air?

I hope you enjoyed this post and will see you for the next post!