Sterling silver knobs and hinges? Who is going to polish them? The high-end kitchens from English kitchen designer Christopher Peacock don't all feature such obnoxious displays of wealth (though some do). The New York Times helps explain the trend for over-the-top kitchens and how Peacock is leading the way by replicating the look of a scullery kitchen he once saw in Great Britain and updating it with modern conveniences...

At one end, Peacock's kitchens are rather simple and straightforward and the high costs are often due to over-the-top options in finishes and materials. (Like sterling hinges.) And Now, the Six-Figure Scullery looks at Peacock's history in the kitchen business and his upcoming lines of everything from paint and furniture. At the end of the story, there is an excellent list of things to think twice about before designing a kitchen. Peacock includes the must-have accessories that rarely get used and the helpful and worthy details that often get overlooked.

(Pics: Douglas Healey)