Old World kitchens

Heavy oak doors with clavos, Mexican forged iron nails, look like they belong in a castle but disguise a modern refrigerator. Limestone and slate countertops and a beamed ceiling finish out the medieval theme.

A combination built-in island and table make great use of space. With two butcher-block counters at different heights, the kitchen has two large work surfaces and room for a family of five to dine.

Light stone floors and simple wood cabinetry with a golden-brown stain produce a Tuscan farmhouse feel in this kitchen. Open shelving and glass doors offer display space in the hutch; doors and drawers hide clutter in the desk area.

When remodeling a period home, follow the style of the architecture by choosing appropriate materials and colors. Here, stone floors and dark, rich shades of black and brown capture Tudor appeal.

A potfiller faucet over the range provides modern convenience—as does the side-by-side refrigerator, which is integrated into the cabinetry with custom panels and distinctive wrought-iron hardware. The custom concrete sink looks like a real artifact.

English Tudor meets Bavarian Renaissance, making for a splash of castle feel in this kitchen. A brick hearth with ceramic backsplash mural frames the Wolf range. Dark wood custom cabinets from Plato Woodwork with apothecary drawers and wicker baskets lend an air of age and authenticity.

The focus of this cooking corner is the Wolf gas cooktop with metallic backsplash and the custom range hood with wooden mantel, corbels, and rope and crown molding. Don't forget the fifth wall: a tin ceiling adds charm.

Glazed cabinets with hand-painted Italian ceramic knobs complement the stained concrete backsplash and honed travertine countertops. The natural colors and materials soften the stainless steel Viking range and ventilation hood.

Straight out of an Italian villa, this kitchen mixes brickwork, an apron sink, antique ironwork and aged pine cabinetry with terra cotta-colored tiles on the countertops, backsplash and floor. Aged pine paneling conceals the bottom-mount refrigerator.

The tumbled stone kitchen floor plays off the dramatic stone counter and mosaic tiled backsplash. The dark wood furniture-style kitchen island ties in with the mantle on the ventilation hood.

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