Create a Craftsman-Style Kitchen

With its emphasis on natural materials, fine craftsmanship, and sturdy proportions, the Craftsman style is a period look that works well with today's creature comforts. Case in point: This new kitchen in a 1921 home features red birch cabinetry with a furniture look for to-the-ceiling storage that also conceals most of the appliances. While the island cooktop and granite counters may not be historically accurate, they suit the homeowners' needs. "You can balance modern conveniences with the essence of the style," says Minneapolis-based David Heide, who designed the kitchen. "Just try to make them fit the established aesthetic." The black-flecked brown granite and the cooktop's low profile and black iron grates blend with the kitchen's burnished hardware and black subway-tile backsplash. Read on for ways to create a similar look at your house.