Upgrading your kitchen doesn't have to require a second mortgage and a marriage counselor. Just borrow these simple ideas inspired by some of our favorite looks. --Meghan Sutherland
Channel your inner '40s starlet with this lavish update of the Hollywood Regency style. The key is in the mix: bold, art deco-inspired shapes and over-the-top metallics, with the occasional natural material to keep the mood grounded.
The Inspiration: An opulent Manhattan space designed by Kelly Wearstler
This splashy brass-pedestal table is an ideal shape for small spaces."Nixon" dining table, $2,850; jonathanadler.com
Up the bling factor with an outrageously bejeweled bottle opener.$425; kellywearstler.com
A refined way to glam up a pantry door."Emile" lever in white bronze, from $424; Rocky Mountain Hardware, 888-788-2013 for stores
A bone-handled serving fork is a good contrast to luxe metallics."Natural Bone," $45 for two-pieceset; restorationhardware.com
What do you get when warm, natural textures meet the clean lines of minimalism? A sleek new point of view. Polished marble surfaces add depth, while open shelving ensures things stay clutter-free.
The Inspiration: Kelly Klein's airy, open kitchen in Palm Beach, FL
Designer Jonah Takagi's fixture provides ambient illumination. Bluff City pendant, $750; dwr.com
They look like wood, but these floor tiles are made from easy-to-clean porcelain. "Havana," $8 per square foot; Artistic Tile, 877-237-4097
Ilmari Tapiovaara's iconic 1955 design looks fresher than ever. Artek Pirkka stool, $750; yliving.com
This knockout set was designed by the real-deal butchers at Schmidt Brothers.10-piece set with block, $249; westelm.com
The adjustable arms of this trivet hide superstrong magnets, so they can be configured for any size dish. "Troika," $60; teroforma.com
A streamlined way to bring tableware into the open."921," $199; vipp.com
You don't have to live in the country to achieve this timeless look. The elements are natural--reclaimed wood, upcycled stone--with elegant accents in copper or floral-print linen. It's all about working with materials that are built to last.
The Inspiration: The inviting kitchen of a 17th-century Tuscan villa
Hanging racks are a key tool for busy cooks. Satin-finish copper pot rack, $249; sears.com
These stoneware cheese plates are just as striking after the Idiazabal is gone.Margaret Boozer cheese plates, from $100; Darryl Carter, 202-234-5926
This perfectly proportioned acacia-wood dining table has a vintage feel (and price). "Jackson" table, $330; worldmarket.com
Because beautiful napkins shouldn't be saved for dinner parties. Dransfield and Ross "Durham" napkin, $35; shopatbellissimo.com
Craftsman Jamin Uticone handmakes each of his baskets using traditional methods.Trug, $160; swamproadbaskets.com
Take the frontiersman vibe to the next level with hand-forged steel cutlery from Jefferson Mack. $39 for five-piece setting; restorationhardware.com
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