Modern Family

Use spare but bold hits of colour
Here, a glass-tile backsplash gets a three-dimensional effect: colour is fixed to the back of the glass, while grout lines cast subtle shadows, creating depth. Because this feature is recessed, a punch of citrus-sharp green (played up in accoutrements around the room) becomes a smart risk.

Consider traffic
Wooden floors add a rustic touch to the kitchen-but they take a lot of abuse. This wood-mimicking tile floor is actually durable ceramic: produced by Kronos, these finely variegated beauties are just as attractive when fixed on walls.

Save a piece of history
A ’60s-era indoor barbecue was modernized with white glaze over the brick and now surrounds the cooktop. Why hide it? The unusual accent lends texture to the room, and draws the mind (and eye) out the patio doors toward a brick terrace, a pool and an outdoor dining area.

Remember that kitchens are always more than kitchens
Two stations kitted out with computers let the kids work on homework without leaving the heart of the house. Millwork slides into place during parties, creating a wall of espresso-coloured ash.

Plan for every time of day
A 12-foot island requires smart lighting. Here, an aluminum grid suspended above the casual eating area is rigged with a dimmer to set the mood for breakfast toast or champagne toasts.

Use every inch
A quirk in the house’s planning left a four-foot-deep space to the right of the oven. To capitalize on the space, the Secters installed a hidden pantry behind ash panels.