2009 Southern Home Awards | Best New Kitchen

With hidden storage solutions and great ideas galore, this Potomac, Maryland, kitchen seems too serene to also be hardworking―but it is.

This space is anchored by three elements―the floor-to-ceiling pantry on the far left, a similar bank of side cabinets that conceals the fridge and freezer, and an island. Another plus: The table nestled into the island can be pulled out easily because of sleek casters (www.hafele.com/us) on the legs. Click through the following slides to see more of this kitchen's top-notch features.

The upper cabinets along the back wall are all the same length, maintaining the contemporary look of the kitchen by keeping everything uniform and straight.

Frosted glass tiles for the backsplash reinforce the modular look of the kitchen and match the glass top of the movable table.

Sleek bifold cabinet doors fold out of the way, reinforcing the room’s streamlined appearance. They conceal shelves for smaller cooking equipment and dishware. Cubbies underneath keep the countertops uncluttered.

Pull-out shelves in the lower section of the pantry prevent smaller items, such as spices and condiments, from getting lost.

Two ovens placed side by side keep the homeowner from straining to lift hot baking dishes and pans. Open shelves above allow for display.