Building a new kitchen? Don't forget to add the finer things

Our kitchens tend to reflect our lifestyle. That being the case, who wouldn't want the lifestyle reflected in this kitchen. It's message is clear: we should eat well, and drink even better. Country kitchens can still be sophisticated, as evidenced by this kitchen which remains quaint despite features that reflect a taste for the finer things in life. Highlighting those tastes is the built-in wine refrigerater, which sits within an ornately carved hickory hutch. The ornate carving is continued in the crown molding above the brushed steel, as is the hickory in the cabinets which feature solid fronts in the lower cabinets, and glass fronts in the hanging cabinets. The pewter pulls on the cabinets and drawers are evocative of the French country style, and contrast nicely with the simple brushed steel handles of the side-by-side refrigerator and oven. The tile backsplash features hand-painted accent tiles, and matches well with the travertine tile floor. One noteworthy touch is that instead of using a range, the designer opted for a wall oven and a separate but matching gas cooktop. This allows the oven to be built into the cabinet, and the cooktop to be built into the counter top. Had a range been used, it would have stood between the cabinets and divided the counter into two separate sections.