GALLERY Six Stylish Bay Area Kitchens Reflect a Range of Sensibilities, from Glamorous to Traditional

Because this kitchen connects directly to the outdoors, designer Jeff Schlarb of Green Couch wanted to achieve an airy openness into the interior. Schlarb chose light, understated materials and gave the space dimension with refined details: He designed the island with a subtle half-inch gap detail that creates a beautiful shadow line, the drawers with channels powder-coated to match the cabinet color, and the marble backsplash slabs to align with the hardwood flooring. The designer also specified deep, generous drawers for the base cabinets to give the space a more European sensibility. The stove and double oven are Gaggenau; the refrigerator is Liebherr.

When planning this cosmopolitan kitchen, three elements were key for its well-traveled owner: exceptional quality, functionality and high style. A collaboration between the owner, designer I-Ching Ueng of Poggenpohl, and San Francisco’s Anthem, the space is sleek and sexy, showcasing an island with a high gloss melamine finish and a dramatic dark walnut and stainless-steel feature wall. In this kitchen, practicality is served as well: The drawers are fitted with custom Poggenpohl inserts, while a roller shutter conceals an appliance garage. As one last dazzling touch, when guests are seated the end of the island, they are treated to a stunning view of the Bay. The range is by BlueStar; oven is GE Monogram.

This dapper kitchen, located in a historic San Francisco building, is an homage to vintage design. A collaboration between designer Beth Kupper of Christopher Peacock and interior designer Kendall Wilkinson, the space feels pedigreed, yet modern, pairing a dark walnut pantry and ebonized floors with crisp white cabinetry and walls. The Champagne-hued barstools and the polished-nickel Christopher Peacock hardware on the pantry—designed to evoke traditional cooler lockers—add touches of glamour. The range is Wolf; the dishwasher is Miele.

Set in a classic home inhabited by a busy family, this warm, cozy kitchen by Melanie Coddington was designed to be multifunctional: It features multiple spaces for dining, a built-in desk and an open kitchen that is perfect for entertaining. Despite its family-friendly approach, Coddington maintained sophistication in the space by selecting a monochromatic palette and materials like silver travertine and marble, and by injecting her signature glamour with chic, hand blown glass Word pendants by Alison Berger, a custom brass chandelier crafted by Dogfork Lamp Arts, and a curvy, custom dining table. The range is Wolf, the oven is Thermador and the refrigerator is Sub-Zero.

In this luminous kitchen designed for an avid collector, designer Gretchen Krebs of Oakland-based firm Medium Plenty kept the material palette muted and the lighting layered to give the owner a canvas for her art. Combining the kitchen and dining areas, Krebs created a spacious room and worked with Eve Petrucci of San Francisco showroom Dzine to design the ultimate kitchen. They selected Boffi’s Duemilaotto cabinetry and locally fabricated the island countertop in Pietra Cardosa stone and the perimeter countertops in Zodiaq quartz.

Krebs designed the custom birch butcher block, as well as the metal and wood shelving throughout, and Dzine provided sculptural Zanotta barstools.

The tile backsplash, Folded by Italian tile maker Mutina, evokes crumpled paper—apropos for an art-driven kitchen. The range and ovens are Wolf.

What first appears a relaxed family space, upon closer inspection is revealed to be a meticulously designed and highly customized kitchen. To maintain synergy with the site, they chose a palette of cream, tan and dark brown, and designed cabinetry in a cerused white oak, crafted by Oakland builder Mueller Nicholls. The designers worked to achieve maximum functionality down to the drawers—even measuring silverware to ensure components had the proper depth—to create a kitchen that is a natural for both family dinners and entertaining. Range is Wolf; fridge and dishwasher are Miele.

Architect E.B. Min of Min|Day Architects and interior designer Kathleen Navarra renovated the space and captured spectacular views of the surrounding trees. And rather than obscure the treetops with cabinetry, Min devised a cantilevered shelf that preserves the view and allows the light to pour in.