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Whisked Away: Inside the World of Ultra-Luxury Kitchens

Introduction:

Where Design Meets Decadence

You’re standing in the heart of a sprawling penthouse, the skyline unfolding through floor to ceiling windows that bathe the space in morning golden glow. Your hand runs over the smooth Calcutta gold marble, with veins so intricate and symmetrical that they seem hand-painted by the gods, gleaming under ambient light of a custom Terzani hanging like an art install from the ceiling.

You’re calmed by the clean lines and matte finish of the custom cabinetry, made of rare exotic wood, hiding bespoke compartments for vintage champagne flutes and artisanal knives. The organic wood seamlessly executed around a six-burner masterpiece by La Cornue, with brass accents catching the light just so, making it clear that it is a statement.

Every detail, from the sleek, touch-sensitive faucet to the hand-hammered sink, has been curated to perfection. It’s a space that doesn’t just look luxurious- it feels it, in every texture, every finish, every meticulously considered inch.

In a city where kitchens are often more about aesthetics that actual cooking, what does it take to create the ultimate culinary sanctuary?

Section 1: The Architectural Masterpieces

Statement Kitchens: Where Art Meets Function

Not Just a Kitchen, But a Showpiece

Show kitchens are becoming increasingly popular, due to the open-concept and their ability to seamlessly blend with other livings spaces. Post-pandemic era has seen an increase in social gatherings and entertaining, and many people are requesting the “dirty kitchen” to be annexed to back-of-house.

When approaching kitchen design, luxury designers are creating these spaces as luxurious as possible, and that sometimes doesn’t even look like a kitchen. They are considering how the space is to be used by the client, and the mood they are hoping to inspire. There are so many clever concealments on the market today, that luxury kitchens are becoming a place of discovery. With appliances barely visible, it feels less like a traditional kitchen and more like a well-designed entertainment space.

Design statements are made through fashionable colors in super high-end ranges and animated hoods, that become the focal point of the room. Because why settle for a basic backsplash when you can have a hand-laid mosaic that would make Michelangelo jealous?”

Open Concept Glamour

The Centerpiece of Modern Living

Luxury kitchens are increasingly becoming the focal point of the home, as well are marvels of architectural expression. Avant-garde designs, custom materials, and breathtaking layouts are further blurring the lines between art and function. These new concepts break traditional kitchen patterns and function to achieve something new and modern.

Section 2: The Tech-Savvy Spaces

Smart Kitchens: High-Tech Meets High-End

Alexa, Preheat the Oven to 375°F

Who knew your kitchen could be smarter than your phone? Welcome to the future, where your oven’s Wi-Fi connection is stronger than your cell signal.

Smart kitchens continue to evolve in the luxury space. Your refrigerator can now notify your assistant to pick up more truffle oil or automate an online grocery order based on what is currently available. Miele offers an integrated app that networks all of your appliances so they can communicate, simplify, and automate operating steps.

But beyond appliances, luxury kitchens are using smart lighting systems to enhance aesthetics and ambience perfect for entertaining or working depending on how you are currently utilizing the space. Automated faucets that utilize voice commands to both turn on/ off water and control temperature, are eliminating the need to touch hardware.

Gourmet Gadgets: Beyond the Basics

From Sous Vide to Smoked Ice Cubes

Built-in is the trend, as a way to keep clean minimal lines and allow the showroom kitchen to continue to be the focal point. If you label yourself as a Technicurean, you are probably familiar with sous vide, and you will be happy to know that brands like SKS have built-in options to minimize counter clutter. Luxury kitchens also feature built-in espresso machines, wine preservation systems, and even indoor herb gardens. We’re still waiting for built-in smoked ice machines.

Section 3: The Luxe Materials

Marble, Quartz, and Beyond: The Opulence of Countertops

The Surface of Your Dreams

Materials are what truly define ultra-luxury kitchens. From countertops of rare white Carrara extracted from Tuscany to pure white Statuario with thin grey veins, material matters for both texture and aesthetic. Some statement kitchen designs are leaning into bookending marble as a backsplash with a complimentary oversized marble island that is balanced by more modern neutrals in the cabinetry. In alternative materials to marble, oversized stone slabs are trending, due to the fact that this reduces the seams on countertops and offers a much cleaner look.

Custom Cabinetry: Craftsmanship Meets Chic

Handcrafted, Just for You

This isn’t just storage—it’s an art form, where even the spice racks are Instagram-worthy.

In the world of ultra-luxury kitchens, off-the-shelf just doesn’t cut it. Enter bespoke cabinetry, where every detail is meticulously tailored to the homeowner’s taste, transforming the kitchen into a personal statement. Imagine cabinetry crafted from rare woods like Brazilian rosewood or African mahogany, their natural grains enhanced with innovative finishes that catch the light just so, creating a visual texture that’s as rich as it is refined.

But it’s not just about the materials—it’s about the personalization. Think custom-designed pull handles that double as art pieces, or interiors lined with soft leather and velvet, each compartment configured to house everything from your collection of Japanese knives to that vintage wine opener you snagged in Napa. Every door opens with a silent glide, revealing a space so perfectly organized, it feels like an extension of your own meticulous style.

This isn’t just cabinetry—it’s craftsmanship at its finest, where function meets form in a way that’s utterly unique. It’s about creating a kitchen that doesn’t just serve your needs, but reflects who you are, turning a cooking space into a curated masterpiece.

Section 4: The Dining Experience

Integrated Dining: Eat, Drink, and Entertain

A Feast for the Eyes—and the Palate

In today’s ultra-luxury homes, the kitchen has evolved into the ultimate social playground—a place where cooking is just the opening act. Imagine a space where integrated dining tables flow seamlessly from the kitchen island, inviting guests to pull up a seat and join the action as you prepare a meal. These kitchens are designed for entertaining, with built-in bars that come alive at the touch of a button, revealing a perfectly chilled selection of spirits ready for your signature cocktails.

And let’s not forget the wine cellar—an architectural marvel tucked just within reach, stocked with your curated collection of rare vintages. It’s a space where the wine is always flowing, the conversation is always buzzing, and the party never misses a beat. Everything you need is right there, from the smart appliances that handle the grunt work to the sleek, open layouts that ensure you’re never isolated from your guests.

These kitchens are less about utility and more about experience, transforming dinner parties into unforgettable nights where every detail is designed to impress. It’s not just a kitchen—it’s the heartbeat of your home, where cooking, drinking, and socializing blend into one seamless, stylish affair.

Conclusion:

The Ultimate Indulgence

Ultra-luxury kitchens are more than just functional spaces—they’re status symbols, entertainment hubs, and expressions of personal style. These spaces are redefining what the future of a kitchen is, how our social culture has evolved, and our own personal artistic expression. The spaces are begging the question, “Is it about function or form. Or either?”

Call to Action:

Show Off Your Space

  • Encourage readers to share their own ultra-luxury kitchen experiences or dreams on social media, using a hashtag like #KitchenGoals. Suggest they tag the brands or designers who helped create their culinary oasis.
  • Close with a playful nudge: “Because if your kitchen is this gorgeous, it deserves to be seen by more than just your personal chef.”

This structure provides a stylish, witty, and slightly irreverent exploration of ultra-luxury kitchens, perfectly tailored to appeal to young professionals with high incomes who appreciate the finer things in life—especially when it comes to the heart of their home.

TKG’s Color Trends Report for 2024

TKG’s Color Trends Report for 2024: What’s Popping Post-Labor Day

multicolored wall in shallow focus photographyLabor Day’s behind us, schools are buzzing again, and those summer whites are tucked away. Fall’s here, and in the design world, that only means one thing: it’s COTY (Color of the Year) season. Sure, we’ve been on top of these announcements, covering the latest from brands like Graham & Brown, Behr, and PPG. But what’s really shaking up the palette this year? We dove deep, straight from the designers hustling in the trenches every day, to bring you the dirt on what colors are hitting home hard.

5 Color Trends Luxury Clients Are Digging Now

It’s not just about having a Color of the Year anymore; it’s about what colors are actually lighting up living rooms and livening up lobbies. “People want bold, they want unique,” says Julia King from Studio Roene in California. She’s spotting clients leaning into bold combos like red and green or purple and yellow that used to make people cringe. Rayman Boozer from New York’s Apartment 48 is meshing neutral earth tones with zesty colors, like cowhide chairs on vivid pink backdrops or a walnut table beside a splashy blue kitchen. It’s clear: designers like Jamie Drake, Brigette Romanek, and Frances Merrill are not just mixing high-contrast vibes but dialing up dynamic palettes that stick to one color in varied shades.

The scene is set, and color is the driver. While the trendcasters are busy predicting, we’re here picking the brains of top designers to find out which shades are defining luxury right now. Below, unravel five key color palettes making waves on everything from walls to furniture.

Purple Reign

A chic kitchen with soft lavender cabinets

Move over, Barbie pink—purple’s taking the throne. “Purples are all the rage, straight from the farmer’s market: think plums, eggplants, even purple asparagus,” shares Drake. King adds a twist with mauve and dirty lavender, while Alison Rose in New York can’t see past lavender in her projects.

And it’s not just the color that’s luxe. Lia McNairy and Azar Fattahi from Lala Reimagined in LA are all about the feel, using Portola Paints’ Black Magic and a Roman Clay finish that feels like “cool, smooth velvet.” These hues aren’t just climbing the walls—they’re the go-to for plush furniture pieces in jewel tones like saffron and aubergine, making every seat in the house feel like a throne.

Mid-Pastels

Leah Ring from Another Human tagged this palette “Mid-Pastels,” where colors like Benjamin Moore’s Summer Blue and Apricot Chiffon sit between loud and soft—“joyful yet soothing,” she calls it. Brigette Romanek notices more muted tints cropping up, from creams to soft pinks and greens, while Patrick Mele is dipping everything in subtle pastels from robin’s egg blue to creamy yellows.

Tomato Girl

Thanks to TikTok’s “Tomato girl summer,” the punchy color of ripe tomatoes is making a splash across interiors too, from fiery reds to deep oranges. Rachel Chudley in London finds her high-end clients asking for earthy reds that set the stage for other bright pops of color.

Dunes for Days

Say goodbye to grays and hello to warmer tones like browns and oatmeals. Patrick Mele and Frances Merrill are bringing back richer base tones like Benjamin Moore’s Desert Camel, which they say pairs perfectly with lighter, cooler furniture colors to strike just the right balance.

Maximalist Millwork

For those who can’t get enough color, maximalist millwork is in. Designers like David Quarles are painting everything from baseboards to crown molding in colors that complement bold wallpaper patterns. It’s all about enveloping spaces in color, from floor to ceiling.

Is Greige Bold or Blah?

Lastly, is greige just a yawn or secretly chic? Top designers are split. Some are bored to tears with its overuse, while others find it the perfect backdrop to make other colors pop. It’s the age-old debate: is greige the ultimate neutral or just plain dull?

That’s your sneak peek into the colors shaping spaces in 2024. As the Color of the Year selections find their way into next year’s palettes, only time will tell which hues will dominate. Stay tuned, and maybe ditch that greige for something a bit more daring this year.

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