Discover Old World-Style Kitchen

Rebecca Arnold's Old World-style kitchen perfectly complements her Mediterranean Southern California home. Designer Laurie Haefele describes Arnold's kitchen as a great room kitchen - a large open kitchen that includes an entertainment center as well as a fireplace.

A butcher-block covered island is the focal point in this kitchen full of cream-colored distressed wood cabinets and golden brown travertine floors. A handy feature: removable stainless-steel tilt-down drawers beneath the sinks corral sponges, brushes and sink stoppers.

A backsplash hanging rail system above the stove puts all of the cooking utensils and often-used spices within easy reach. The dishwasher has a removable cutlery tray that makes it a snap to put up the silverware. Adjacent to the main kitchen is a butler's pantry outfitted with an apron-front sink, tons of storage and a wine refrigerator.