This large space can host an entire high school graduating class, yet it's intimate enough for a family breakfast. How did Britt and Roxanne Visser accomplish this feat in their remodeled kitchen?

Give Them Something To Talk About
First, they came up with a signature piece that suited both their style and needs. With the help of builder Chris Ettel, the Vissers created an island that's all the gossip in Virginia Beach. It has everything you need, including the kitchen sink. At one end, a countertop-height rectangle of granite offers plenty of prep space. One side boasts a wine rack and cabinet storage while the other holds trash, recycling, and the dishwasher. But it's the end that has everyone talking. Here, an attached round granite tabletop, supported by a pedestal stained to match the island, steps down to table height. The Visser family enjoys eating breakfast here every day.

It Doesn't Stop There
The rest of the kitchen surrounds this innovative island in a U shape. This configuration provides Roxanne plenty of space to cook family meals and set up stations for food, drinks, and desserts when she entertains. Roxanne's space is zoned for how she uses it. One wall is for cooking, another for food storage, and the third for dishware and display. The key to making it all work is ample floorspace between the island and perimeter so there's never a traffic jam when walking, working, or entertaining.

Not all Function
If there were a Miss Kitchen pageant, this one would be crowned without a doubt. Notice how the cabinet heights vary, creating interest at the ceiling and drawing the eye toward the many layers of molding. The tops of the china cabinet and cooktop have the greatest amount of detail. This thoughtfulness creates furniture-like pieces in the cabinetry. The mantelpiece above the cooktop is a shelf for display, simply dressed here with candlesticks and a bright piece of handcrafted pottery.