While I love the sparse sleekness of the uber-modern kitchen (especially because they are irresistibly clutter free!), traditional kitchens can be equally stylish. You may think you don't like "traditional" kitchens. But you may be confusing "traditional" with Baroque, "French country" or the ubiquitous “Tuscan”-style, with its elaborate architectural elements and ornate moldings and canopies.
These styles are decidedly contemporary--and most likely temporary. Traditional kitchens, on the other hand, are classic and timeless; the kinds of rooms that don't become glaringly outdated after just a few years of use.
A traditional kitchen may be a little bit country, a little eclectic, a little rustic, and a little old world. The newest iterations of the traditional style incorporate some contemporary design trends, including high-tech appliances and modern or eco-friendly materials and finishes. The layout is updated to accommodate modern family dynamics and the "foodie" frenzy that has redefined how we approach cooking and eating.
What are some elements of traditional or modern classic kitchens?
-Recessed panel cabinets or raised panel cabinet doors
-More texture and variation, less sleek uniformity
-Handles and knobs (as opposed to handle-free doors in modern kitchens)
-Use of freestanding furniture
-Country or rustic elements, such as farmhouse sinks or weathered woods
-Natural materials, especially hard wood and stone like marble
-Upper cabinets and storage
-Glass or open cabinet
-Skirting boards
-Crown molding
-Neutral tones and white
-Antique or vintage elements
-Natural or oriental rugs
-Wood flooring or black and white tiles
Images:
FIRST ROW
• 1 Architectural Digest via Material Girls
• 2 Traditional Home.
• 3 House Beautiful.
• 4 Lonny.
• 5 Lonny
SECOND ROW
• 6 Brabourne Farm.
• 7 Brabourne Farm.
• 8 Vintage on the Farm.
• 9 Elements of Style.
• 10 Elements of Style.
THIRD ROW
• 11
• 12 Sacramento Street.
• 13 Plush Palate.
• 14 Moon in the Tenth House.
• 15 Elements of Style.
Ellen's Thirties Style Small Space
Juan's Garage Turned Modern Guest House
Good Food to Share 
The Big Book of Small, Cool Spaces 
Apartment Therapy Presents 
The Eight-Step Home Cure 
Commercial Flour Sa...
10 Picnic-Ready Salads to Eat Outside
Recipe: Thai Ginger Chicken Stir-Fry
I love all of these! I wish my kitchen was that big!
I am a huge fan of traditional kitchens and home decor...but what I really lie to do to make it a little more current or fresh is add modern or contemporary art..large paintings and sculpture can change the look and feel of any room...
maureen
Man that is a lot of very white kitchens. I love white cabinets, but I like to add in color as well. That first kitchen has some amazing architectural detail.
What is the silvery thing hanging on the wall, far left, above the towels in #6 (Brabourne Farm)?
Some kind of juicer? A punishment device for those who evade their cleaning duties? An earthquake detector?
i've died and gone into kitchen heaven.
I really love the kitchens that have the big table in the middle. Reminds me of the restaurant where I used to work - we had a big table right in the kitchen where staff would eat dinner every night!
I think #8 is a "before" picture.
^^^
I thought the same thing. Yuck.
I love these. White kitchen cabinets are my favorite! The tenth and twelfth pictures are a dream!
I think I could *live* in #5, and the rest of the house be damned! That corner bench....ooooh.