Before & After Kitchen Renovations: Old-World Kitchens

The kitchen in this Tudor house in Scarsdale, New York, went from bland and cramped to warm and grand. The oversize island provides seating for five along with plenty of storage. Handblown Murano glass pendant lights highlight the large countertop.

When a wall was eliminated to incorporate dining room space, this kitchen gained 11 feet in length. Now carved onlays attract attention to the cherry island, which is topped with elegant double-layer granite and boasts a copper prep sink. Furniture-style details add spice.

The kitchen in this classic French Provincial home is now open and conducive to a modern lifestyle. An unwieldy center island was swapped for a more party-friendly pair -- one for prep and the other for serving.

The old range went out with the original range wall, but the hammered-copper hood was deemed worthy of relocating to the new hearth area, which features bricks uncovered during demolition. The kitchen's modern footprint still resounds with old-world tradition.

Happy colors and designs bring harmony to this kitchen. A painted mural behind the sink is protected with a finish coat so it can be wiped clean with water. Countertops, lighting, cabinets, trim, and hardware are reminiscent of 1930s designs.

This space boasts carved corbels above the range and on the island that combine with paneled details to integrate the kitchen with the rest of the house. Pretty white cabinets complete the old-world look.

The new breakfast area doubles as a place to play table games and serve casual meals in this 1920s California home. Display shelves offer an easy way to bring color into the space through pretty plates and other doodads.

Designers employed several space-savvy techniques to expand this kitchen's function and maximize the square footage: abundant lighting (both natural and artificial); new storage units on once-wasted wall space; and well-positioned appliances, including two dishwasher drawers, two ovens, and a separate cooktop.

This Tuscan-inspired kitchen features a warm, sun-kissed palette. A new raised ceiling made room for oversize windows that maximize natural light.

The dated, unimpressive kitchen overshadowed the appeal of older-era comfort in this 1930s California home. But new honey-tone wood cabinetry, hardwood floors, and an island awash in green paint bring the space back to its roots.

A generic kitchen got a fresh start with new cabinetry and materials and a layout that accommodates a serious cook as well as large groups of guests. The extra dining space was converted into a sunroom/family room that is an extension of the kitchen.