This time of year most of us are spending a lot more time in our kitchens. Gone are the days of tomato sandwiches and cold shrimp lunches – Fall and Winter have us back in the kitchen making more elaborate meals and traditional favorites to accommodate a steady stream of parties and house guests. In honor of the hardest working room in the house, we’re reflecting on some of our favorites:

This kitchen was part of the Southern Living Idea House on Daniel Island. Though compact compared to some of the others on our list, this kitchen proves that small can be mighty! Here’s what Margaret says:

My favorite things about this kitchen are the sea glass blue accents in the back splash, bar stools and cabinets and on the beam that runs across the ceiling. The dark cabinets are traditional, but that wonderful blue gives the room a modern twist.

Rhett’s Bluff is a scenic private neighborhood on Kiawah Island. Most of the homes have gorgeous views of the golf course or the Kiawah River. This home had lush views from every window in the house, so we let them shine. Margaret says:

I love the built-in seating in this kitchen. The bar is perfect for cocktails while the host puts the finishes touches on dinner, or for more informal meals and parties. This is a cook’s kitchen, and it truly is the heart of this home.

What happens when an interior designer gets to create her dream kitchen? This. Margaret lives in a historical harbor front home that has evolved wonderfully over the generations. When she had the chance to update the kitchen, no detail was overlooked.

I didn’t want to try to make the kitchen blend in with the rest of the house. It’s a modern kitchen in a historic home, and in a way it’s how we’ll leave our mark as caretakers. Like the rest of the house, the kitchen is a blend of modern touches and antique pieces, including the pantry doors. One of my favorite things about the design is the handmade wooden bar top with a living edge. It helps tie together the other antique pieces in the home and contrasts nicely with the light blue cabinets and light floor.

Thinking about updating your kitchen? See more kitchen inspiration here.