These captivating culinary havens by local designers are worth a double-take.

Earthy Escape

Interior designer: Stephanie Larsen, Stephanie Larsen Interior Design

In Sedona, Larsen reimagined a dated, dysfunctional kitchen as a respite where her clients—a pair of retired rocket scientists—could cook, unwind and entertain family. “The focus was on capturing a sense of organic modernism, leaning on natural tones and textures, such as quartzite and woods, with notes of color mixed in for visual interest, mainly through art and accessories,” she says. Walnut cabinetry, a striking waterfall island and matte black accents infuse the room with warmth and sophistication. 

Cozy in the Countryside

Interior designer: Jenny Slingerland, Black Ink Interiors

For a rustic Flagstaff cabin nicknamed “Crooked Tree Cottage,” Slingerland used playful hues and patterns to turn the once-cramped hearth into a whimsical family hub. “The ceilings were low, so every design choice needed to create flow without overwhelming the space,” she explains. She introduced eye-catching wallpaper behind the open cabinets and chose a complementary print for the window treatment and the sink wall, creating a layered, collected feel while tying the room together. “Now it feels joyful and full of personality,” Slingerland says.

Pretty in Pink

Interior designers: Isabel Dellinger Candelaria and Nikka Bochniak, Earth and Images

A formerly “sea of blah” cooking hub was reinvented with cheeky personality and unexpected character. To avoid the predictable white kitchen, the designers infused the space with mauve cabinetry, angular wall tile laid vertically for extra dimension, and a mix of hexagon porcelain and stone flooring that artfully transitions into the living area. “The soft pink offers a fresh, modern take on a classic color, setting an inviting tone,” Bochniak explains. Reclaimed wood beams and generous skylights flood the space with warmth, honoring the homeowners’ wish for a sun-drenched escape far from their cloudier Seattle home. “It’s invigorating but easy on the eye,” adds Dellinger Candelaria.

Curve Appeal

Interior designer: Candice Quinn, London Pierce Design and London Pierce Home

Quinn brought bold architectural interest to a dark, compartmentalized kitchen by completely rethinking its layout and introducing showstopping details. “I envisioned a barrel-vaulted ceiling to add character,” she says. Glossy black zellige tile creates a shimmering, jewel-box effect overhead, amplifying natural light from the new custom window. A crisp black-and-white palette, honed Arabescato marble and steel-and-glass cabinetry strike a balance between classic elegance and modern edge. “Bold choices can be timeless if executed with intention,” Quinn notes.

Mediterranean Beauty

Interior designer: Caroline DeCesare, DeCesare Design Group

At this Silverleaf Club residence, DeCesare transformed a tucked-away, dim, Tuscan-style kitchen into a bright, open gathering place by relocating it to the home’s former great room. “We wanted it to feel personal and welcoming,” the designer explains.  “The ceiling height and huge window make it very unique.” Natural materials, such as real marble and poured concrete countertops, a rift-sawn oak island with unlacquered brass feet and a handmade tile backsplash, give the room an authentic Old-World charm, while open storage highlights the owners’ passion for cooking and collecting. “It’s a dramatic, design-savvy space that also feels like home—check, check and double-check,” DeCesare says. 

Show and Teal

Interior designer: Meredith Smyth, Smyth House Interior Design

For a new build in Paradise Valley, Smyth specified a chef’s kitchen that blends form and function with a timeless, transitional style. “Every inch was meticulously crafted with elevated living in mind,” she says, noting the layered palette of deep color, wood tones and sculptural marble surfaces. A hidden butler’s pantry ensures streamlined prep and storage, while custom cabinetry in rich teal with reeded glass and metallic accents lends an air of approachable luxury. “It captures the spirit of the owners—elegant, yet playful.”

Desert Contemporary

Interior designers: Kim Scodro, Dana Durand and Elise Miller, Kim Scodro Interiors

In North Scottsdale, Scodro and her team crafted an open-concept kitchen that seamlessly connects interior living with the surrounding desert landscape. Inspired by the tones of the Arizona terrain, the space pairs rich walnut millwork and a custom brass-inlaid hood with crisp white cabinetry and porcelain floors. A floor-to-ceiling glass wine room serves as a striking room divider, adding a unique element for both display and function. “It reflects the clients’ clean-lined, serene aesthetic—luxurious, yet lived-in, and perfectly positioned to celebrate Pinnacle Peak views,” says Durand.

From Basic to Bespoke

Interior designer: Whitney Ford, Whitney Ford Design

Ford breathed new life into her own kitchen, transforming it from dark and builder-grade into an airy oasis. “The goal was to create a warm, neutral environment that feels both refined and livable,” she explains. The designer preserved the best features—high ceilings and quality appliances—while adding a counter-to-ceiling tile backsplash, a waterfall island and a dedicated dry bar to reflect her love of cooking and entertaining. Swapping shutters for woven shades allowed natural light to pour in. “It’s now open, bright and perfectly suited to the way we live,” she says. “Plus, the palette gives us flexibility to refresh the look without committing to bold, permanent colors.”

SOURCES

EARTHY ESCAPE—Interior designer: Stephanie Larsen, Stephanie Larsen Interior Design, Sedona, stephanielarseninteriors.com. Countertops: (Mustang Quartzite): Arizona Tile, Tempe, arizonatile.com. Drawer pulls: schwinnoriginals.com. Faucet and soap dispenser: brizo.com. Flooring: facingsofamerica.com. Light fixture: degiuliodesign.com. Oven and microwave: subzero-wolf.com. Tile backsplash: (Astoria Collection in “Manhattan Silk”): sonomatilemakers.com. Wall art (“Departure” by  Kippi Leonard): Costello Childs Gallery, Scottsdale, costellogallery.com. Water dispenser: newportbrass.com.

COZY IN THE COUNTRYSIDE—Interior designer: Jenny Slingerland, Black Ink Interiors, Scottsdale, blackinkinteriors.com. Cabinetry paint (“Take Five”): sherwin-williams.com. Oven/stove: agarangeusa.com. Sink and faucet: kohler.com. Wallpaper and window treatment above sink: (“Indian Abre Hyacinth”) Schumacher, Scottsdale, schumacher.com. Wallpaper inside cabinet: (“Abbey Elderberry”) wmorrisandco.com. Window treatment fabrication and installation: Athena’s Window Fashions, Gilbert, athenaswindows.com.

PRETTY IN PINK—Architect: Mark Candelaria, AIA, Candelaria Design, Scottsdale, candelariadesign.com. Builder: Bill Stiles, Bella Builders, Scottsdale, bellabuilders.com. Interior designers: Isabel Dellinger Candelaria and Nikka Bochniak, Earth and Images, Phoenix, earthandimages.com. Backsplash (“Alto” by Artistic Tile): Craftsman Court Ceramics, Scottsdale, craftsmancourt.com. Hexagonal flooring tile: craftsmancourt.com. Countertops (black pearl granite): arizonatile.com. Faucet (“Artifacts” Collection): kohler.com. Reclaimed wood beams: Peter Thomas Designs, Phoenix, peterthomasdesigns.com.

CURVE APPEAL—Interior designer: Candice Quinn, London Pierce Design and London Pierce Home, Scottsdale, londonpiercedesign.com. Appliances: us.bertazzoni.com. Cabinetry (custom): londonpiercedesign.com. Countertops (honed Arabescato marble): Galleria of Stone, Phoenix, galleriaofstoneaz.com. Lighting: Visual Comfort, Scottsdale, visualcomfort.com. Plumbing fixtures: brizo.com. Zellige tile: ziatile.com.

MEDITERRANEAN BEAUTY—Interior designer: Caroline DeCesare, DeCesare Design Group, Gilbert, decesaredesigngroup.com. Appliances: Sub-Zero, Wolf and Cove, Scottsdale, subzero-wolf.com. Backsplash: Tabarka Studio, Scottsdale, tabarkastudio.com. Cabinetry: Desert Cove Woodworks, Scottsdale, dcwoodworks.com. Light fixture: lucentlightshop.com. Plumbing fixtures: waterstoneco.com and newportbrass.com.

SHOW AND TEAL—Architect: Erik Peterson, AIA, NCARB, PHX Architecture, Scottsdale, phxarch.com. Builder: Sapanaro Development, Paradise Valley, sapanarodevelopment.com. Developer: Paramount Development, Paradise Valley, paramountbuilt.com. Interior designer: Meredith Smyth, Smyth House Interior Design, Phoenix, thesmythhouse.com. Cabinetry: kingscustomcabinetry.com.

BASIC TO BESPOKE—Interior designer: Whitney Ford, Whitney Ford Design, whitneyforddesign.com. Backsplash tile and quartz island countertops: arizonatile.com.

DESERT CONTEMPORARY—Architect: phxarch.com. Contractor: Platinum Companies, Scottsdale, platinumcompanies.com. Interior designers: Kim Scodro, Dana Durand and Elise Miller, Kim Scodro Interiors, Scottsdale, kimscodro.com. Appliances: subzero-wolf.com. Countertops: galleriaofstoneaz.com. Cabinetry/range hood: Distinctive Custom Cabinetry, Phoenix, distinctivecc.com. Pendant lights: visualcomfort.com. Stools: Palacek via caidesigns.net.