Island counter

Positioned near the base of iconic Camelback Mountain, “Outside In” is a modernist home celebrating the love of outdoor living Arizonans crave. The design inspiration was honoring early territorial architecture while applying modernist design principles.

Two glass globe sconces light a white kitchen island fitted with a marble waterfall countertop matched with low white leather counter stools.

Countertop dimensions, available workspace, and traffic flow all play a big part in getting the most out of your kitchen island.

While large kitchen islands are a staple in houses, scaled-down, thoughtfully designed ones can boost the efficiency and ease the space crunch New Yorkers are feeling these days. And adding (or replacing) an island could even be a stand-alone upgrade to your existing kitchen should you have sufficient space but lack the budget—or the need—for a complete do-over.