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Uncommon Kitchens: A Revolutionary Approach to the Most Popular Room in the House
From the former editor in chief of House Beautiful , a vividly fresh collection of personality-filled kitchen designs and remodeling wisdom from innovators, designers, and creative thinkers
The past few years have made us all want to rethink our living spaces, particularly our kitchens. Our inner voices are saying, “You spend a lot of time in this room. Shouldn’t it feel more like you?” Now it can. In Uncommon Kitchens , Sophie Donelson revolutionizes traditional kitchen design with a bevy of inventive ideas for makeovers both large and small.
The kitchen is designed unlike any other room in the house, but that doesn’t mean you have to be hemmed in by tradition. Donelson takes a rule-breaking approach, mixing and layering styles, colors, furnishings, and layouts to make even well-trodden kitchens vividly fresh. Drawing on advice and up-to-the-minute projects from designers such as Frances Merrill, Jaqui Seerman, Victoria Sass, and many more, each personality-filled chapter is packed with liberating designs that will change your thinking about the tried-and-true kitchen. Learn from DIYers, Instagrammers, and design experts including Nate McBride, Justina Blakeney, and Meta Coleman. Be inspired by innovators such as MK Quinlan and James Coviello. Uncommon Kitchens is a collection of imaginative new spaces that will make you a quick DIY convert, packed with indispensable tips to help you revolutionize your kitchen.
Includes Color Photographs
The past few years have made us all want to rethink our living spaces, particularly our kitchens. Our inner voices are saying, “You spend a lot of time in this room. Shouldn’t it feel more like you?” Now it can. In Uncommon Kitchens , Sophie Donelson revolutionizes traditional kitchen design with a bevy of inventive ideas for makeovers both large and small.
The kitchen is designed unlike any other room in the house, but that doesn’t mean you have to be hemmed in by tradition. Donelson takes a rule-breaking approach, mixing and layering styles, colors, furnishings, and layouts to make even well-trodden kitchens vividly fresh. Drawing on advice and up-to-the-minute projects from designers such as Frances Merrill, Jaqui Seerman, Victoria Sass, and many more, each personality-filled chapter is packed with liberating designs that will change your thinking about the tried-and-true kitchen. Learn from DIYers, Instagrammers, and design experts including Nate McBride, Justina Blakeney, and Meta Coleman. Be inspired by innovators such as MK Quinlan and James Coviello. Uncommon Kitchens is a collection of imaginative new spaces that will make you a quick DIY convert, packed with indispensable tips to help you revolutionize your kitchen.
Includes Color Photographs
256 pages, Hardcover
First published May 23, 2023
32 people are currently reading
194 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
June 1, 2023
Some people might say that I’m curious, I’m going to call it exactly what it is, nosy. I love looking into other people’s homes to see how they live. A home can tell you so much about a person. In fact, a quick glance can tell me if I want to be friends with that person or not. A neighbor once insisted that I come see her home. Clearly, she was proud of it, so I agreed. She took me from room to room explaining every detail. The problem is, it was like walking into a void. The home had no life. It looked as though no one was living there. There were no books. There were no plants. There was nothing at all unique or specific to that person. Nothing was out of place. The iPad was on a stand on a bedside table. Pictures had been hung in groupings with mathematical precision. Kitchen counters were devoid of any and all kitchen equipment. Frankly, it made me uncomfortable.
On the other hand, family friend Betty, sadly now gone, whom I had known all my life, had an imperfect home. Plants, dog, books that had to be moved off of chairs so that visitors could sit down, craft projects, art supplies, kitchen equipment, souvenirs from her travels, everything in her home gave off such a welcoming vibe. Once I entered, I felt no need to ever leave, unlike the previously described, home where all I could think of was bolting for the door.
I mention this because Abrams Books recently released a wonderful volume called Uncommon Kitchens, A Revolutionary Approach to the Most Popular Room in the House, that is an absolute delight. I consider my own kitchen to be rather uncommon, what with a giant stained glass window from a local pub, perched high above the cabinets, as well as a huge Gothic arch mounted over the pantry door that once hung over my parents’ stone fireplace, so this book really spoke to me.
Edited by Sophie Donelson former editor-in-chief of House Beautiful magazine, with contributions from numerous design experts -- Justine Blakeney, a personal favorite -- among them, this book takes you where you have never been before by way of kitchen makeovers both large and small. It encourages you to work with what you have to update your kitchen even if you have virtually no budget in which to do so. There are ways to make improvements without making big sacrifices. Essentially, it’s less about new appliances and granite countertops than it is about innovation and personality.
Think about it. As we get older, we update our clothes and make up. Sure, some of us may want to shore up parts of us that have seriously headed south, but lacking that, there are ways to make exceptional changes in the most positive of fashions that will add intrigue and attractiveness, while making ourselves feel so much better. That same principle has been applied in this book. Think outside the box. Bring some of your favorite treasures, artwork, and colors into the kitchen. We spend a good bit of our lives in the kitchen. Why shouldn’t it contain the things that we love the most?
At the heart of it, this book is bold! You are going to see things that you like, you are going to see things that you don't like, and you are going to see things that you REALLY like. The great thing about this book is that it is going to make you feel good about your own personal style. Take this book and run with it. Be brave, be bold, but most of all be you. Let your house reflect who you really are. After all, that's what home is.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Abrams Books as a participant in their Abrams Dinner Party Program for 2022-2023.
On the other hand, family friend Betty, sadly now gone, whom I had known all my life, had an imperfect home. Plants, dog, books that had to be moved off of chairs so that visitors could sit down, craft projects, art supplies, kitchen equipment, souvenirs from her travels, everything in her home gave off such a welcoming vibe. Once I entered, I felt no need to ever leave, unlike the previously described, home where all I could think of was bolting for the door.
I mention this because Abrams Books recently released a wonderful volume called Uncommon Kitchens, A Revolutionary Approach to the Most Popular Room in the House, that is an absolute delight. I consider my own kitchen to be rather uncommon, what with a giant stained glass window from a local pub, perched high above the cabinets, as well as a huge Gothic arch mounted over the pantry door that once hung over my parents’ stone fireplace, so this book really spoke to me.
Edited by Sophie Donelson former editor-in-chief of House Beautiful magazine, with contributions from numerous design experts -- Justine Blakeney, a personal favorite -- among them, this book takes you where you have never been before by way of kitchen makeovers both large and small. It encourages you to work with what you have to update your kitchen even if you have virtually no budget in which to do so. There are ways to make improvements without making big sacrifices. Essentially, it’s less about new appliances and granite countertops than it is about innovation and personality.
Think about it. As we get older, we update our clothes and make up. Sure, some of us may want to shore up parts of us that have seriously headed south, but lacking that, there are ways to make exceptional changes in the most positive of fashions that will add intrigue and attractiveness, while making ourselves feel so much better. That same principle has been applied in this book. Think outside the box. Bring some of your favorite treasures, artwork, and colors into the kitchen. We spend a good bit of our lives in the kitchen. Why shouldn’t it contain the things that we love the most?
At the heart of it, this book is bold! You are going to see things that you like, you are going to see things that you don't like, and you are going to see things that you REALLY like. The great thing about this book is that it is going to make you feel good about your own personal style. Take this book and run with it. Be brave, be bold, but most of all be you. Let your house reflect who you really are. After all, that's what home is.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book from Abrams Books as a participant in their Abrams Dinner Party Program for 2022-2023.
June 12, 2024
What an excellent book. So many shelter books are just for the pictures. In this one, the words were even more valuable. I loved it! If you love your home or simply just have a kitchen - read this book.
August 24, 2023
When I initially finished this book, I thought, "Wow, none of this is relatable. It is design for wealthy people who don't have a lot of variables in their lives."
Then, I talked about and showed the book to a friend, and we really got into deep conversations stemming from design, using space, and patriarchal ideas of homemaking. This book requires conversations, not one way engagement.
Then, I talked about and showed the book to a friend, and we really got into deep conversations stemming from design, using space, and patriarchal ideas of homemaking. This book requires conversations, not one way engagement.
January 22, 2024
I loved this compilation of different designers and kitchens. I even I appreciated the sometimes conflicting advice, showing there really aren’t many wrong ways to decorate your home. But putting a rug in your kitchen leaves you destined to have to get spaghetti sauce out of a rug, or worse, to trip!
March 19, 2024
Picked this book up for inspiration on kitchen designs. I will say that most of the kitchens in this book are not the kind of style I was looking for, but it was wonderful to see them. I very much enjoyed that all the kitchens belonged in real homes, and you got a little bit of the style that each designer was working with. It gave the book a personal touch instead of just design.
May 23, 2025
This book came into my life right when I needed it. I would recommend this to anyone who doesn’t love their kitchen or anyone like me who is embarking on a kitchen renovation. This book is written so well. I’ve been reading a lot of home and lifestyle books lately, but this one is truly outstanding. I actually highlighted a lot of passages. It’s given me so much to think about.
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May 12, 2024Honestly loved this….inspired
October 9, 2023
This was an enjoyable and entertaining book – it was fun to take a peek in other people’s kitchens and find out why certain colors were chosen, furniture was selected, appliances were purchased.
I was hoping reading this book would give me validation for my own remodeled kitchen (has it really been 20 years?) but what I learned from this book is there is no right or wrong. Designers each have their own opinion and often contradict each other. “Yes to scatter rugs in the kitchen!” says one. While another declares, “Rugs in the kitchen? Never!”
In addition to the abundance of color photos and descriptive explanations of each kitchen design, I really valued the “Lessons” each designer shared including color, lighting, decorative items, furniture, what and when to replace vs. thrift vs. keep. This was often personal opinion and the more I read, the more confident I became that if my kitchen works for me, that’s all that matters.
There were several design elements I really loved (colored tile, fresh flowers, use of bright colors, artwork) that were fresh and fun. There are plenty of ideas and inspiration, but above all, “kitchens…should reflect the personalities of the owners.”
Several statements found in the book summarized the meaning of our kitchens, and why they are important. Here is one that spoke to me, found on page 158. “You can entertain a toddler here with a drawer of plastic containers or wooden spoons and pots; you can sit across the table or lean against the perimeter with anyone – a client, a contractor, a member of the clergy. This is almost always the right spot to do it. It’s safe, it’s neutral. Need to have a difficult chat? Want to fight? Looking for a place to blow out the candles and dole out cake? Kitchen”
The book is as much about what we do in the kitchen, why we love our kitchens, as it is a discussion of design elements and choices. Whether you’re thinking about redoing your kitchen or just want to see what others have done, you’ll enjoy this collection of “wisdom from innovators, designers, and creative thinkers.”
I was hoping reading this book would give me validation for my own remodeled kitchen (has it really been 20 years?) but what I learned from this book is there is no right or wrong. Designers each have their own opinion and often contradict each other. “Yes to scatter rugs in the kitchen!” says one. While another declares, “Rugs in the kitchen? Never!”
In addition to the abundance of color photos and descriptive explanations of each kitchen design, I really valued the “Lessons” each designer shared including color, lighting, decorative items, furniture, what and when to replace vs. thrift vs. keep. This was often personal opinion and the more I read, the more confident I became that if my kitchen works for me, that’s all that matters.
There were several design elements I really loved (colored tile, fresh flowers, use of bright colors, artwork) that were fresh and fun. There are plenty of ideas and inspiration, but above all, “kitchens…should reflect the personalities of the owners.”
Several statements found in the book summarized the meaning of our kitchens, and why they are important. Here is one that spoke to me, found on page 158. “You can entertain a toddler here with a drawer of plastic containers or wooden spoons and pots; you can sit across the table or lean against the perimeter with anyone – a client, a contractor, a member of the clergy. This is almost always the right spot to do it. It’s safe, it’s neutral. Need to have a difficult chat? Want to fight? Looking for a place to blow out the candles and dole out cake? Kitchen”
The book is as much about what we do in the kitchen, why we love our kitchens, as it is a discussion of design elements and choices. Whether you’re thinking about redoing your kitchen or just want to see what others have done, you’ll enjoy this collection of “wisdom from innovators, designers, and creative thinkers.”
April 26, 2025
Love Sophie Donelson's (formerly of House Beautiful) writing, and this book is surprisingly philosophical about kitchens. Some are cozy, some gaudy (or Gaudi tiles), but all are interesting.
February 26, 2024
Terrible! Are there hits of good advice in here? Sure hit you really have to dog. Most of the advice is awful! “Let the colors fight”, no thank you! A kitchen described as “decorated but flexible” that had more tchotchkes than cooking implements. Almost every kitchen had foregone upper cabinets in the quest for cleaner lines, but said nothing about how to recoup storage space. Despite pushing (covertly) that pretty matters more than functionality in a kitchen they don’t even give you that. Maybe 5 of the kitchens pictured didn’t immediately offend my eyes. I expected some out of the box ideas but most of these are impractical and garish to boot.
Also they quoted someone in here who said granite has no character. A nature made substance, completely organic in its creation of quartz, feldspar and hornblende lacked character. The absolute gall.
The materials they do suggest are outlandish and don’t always seem kitchen safe. Cork floors? What if you spill something? Also the person advocating said they could be uneven. That does not sound safe, especially in a room like a kitchen.
A complete and total disappointment of a book.
Also they quoted someone in here who said granite has no character. A nature made substance, completely organic in its creation of quartz, feldspar and hornblende lacked character. The absolute gall.
The materials they do suggest are outlandish and don’t always seem kitchen safe. Cork floors? What if you spill something? Also the person advocating said they could be uneven. That does not sound safe, especially in a room like a kitchen.
A complete and total disappointment of a book.
May 22, 2024
This is a collection of design tips from designers for remodeling your mostly massive kitchen, I'm not the target audience for this book, I think some of the kitchens are bigger than my condo. There are no drawings or plans so I can't be certain, also not a lot of practical information in general.
On the other hand it does have some nicely staged color photos showing what I'm guessing is the current trendy kitchen styles and colors. Damn, one kitchen is one small colorshift from avocado green, that makes me feel like a kid again. Country kitchens are out, tiny (or not so tiny) cafe style kitchens are in. How the other half cooks, when they aren't having it catered and its the help's day off.
On the other hand it does have some nicely staged color photos showing what I'm guessing is the current trendy kitchen styles and colors. Damn, one kitchen is one small colorshift from avocado green, that makes me feel like a kid again. Country kitchens are out, tiny (or not so tiny) cafe style kitchens are in. How the other half cooks, when they aren't having it catered and its the help's day off.
October 29, 2023
Moderately useful as a design book (mainly to hone what you yourself would not like), fascinating as a self-satire of people with entirely too much time, money, and need to prove they are unique and creative. One of my long-standing coping mechanisms is reading home ec stuff, it's a soothing little brain break for empathic distress, but it does make me uncharitable
August 9, 2024
Recommended to me by Monica. Such a good perspective (refreshing among design books) to design according to real life (instead of, you know, trends on Pinterest) and to honor the aspects of existing kitchens that have history and integrity. In other words, it’s hard to introduce charm and layers of living into a gut reno in which you throw out everything that’s already there in favor of a trendy, neutral colored showpiece kitchen with the enormous obligatory kitchen island.
July 23, 2023
If I’m going to redo my kitchen, I have to gut it right? No! And finally there’s a book for those who want to hold on to the charm and enhance the character while still being able to put our own stamp on a space.
Please more of this!
Please more of this!
August 17, 2023
Loved it!
Probably one of my favorite design books! It shows amazing kitchens, covering all sorts of different styles (hello color!) and I also enjoy all the writing in the book. Highly recommended!
Probably one of my favorite design books! It shows amazing kitchens, covering all sorts of different styles (hello color!) and I also enjoy all the writing in the book. Highly recommended!
December 19, 2023
Finally something to talk me out of doing a full gut reno kitchen. I often joke that my home is the work of my life and I was happy to read so many stories of people with the same feeling. A lot of inspiration here that I hadn’t been feeling just looking at the internet.
May 27, 2024
I liked it. I like that it wasn't pushing 'show boat' kitchens. Not big on gut renos.
Two quotes I liked "decorating is never done. It's a process, a hobby, a lifestyle"
and 'Never let the oldest thing in the room be you'.
Two quotes I liked "decorating is never done. It's a process, a hobby, a lifestyle"
and 'Never let the oldest thing in the room be you'.
July 16, 2024
Feels very fresh! Loose, livable advice for the interior-obsessed among us. Kitchen tables are cozy, they're in; kitchen lamps are a must; hang the art, wherever and don't think too hard about it! Will be referencing this book for years to come.
June 13, 2023
A sensible and beautiful book.
July 17, 2023
Read every word! REALLY helped me think about my 1963 house with 2006 and 2015 updates in new ways!
October 25, 2023
Inspiring and freeing.
October 25, 2023
Unusual and interesting. I loved the often contradictory strong opinions of the designers. A really fun original book.
dnf
December 28, 2023DNF: Cool pictures and interesting tidbits, but not interesting enough for me to continue through the rest of the massive book. A very good coffee table book!
August 31, 2024
the red and green kitchen was rough to look at at.
not sure why I'm looking at kitchen renovations as I just had mine done last year, but I guess you can never be too prepared.
not sure why I'm looking at kitchen renovations as I just had mine done last year, but I guess you can never be too prepared.
October 28, 2025
The most refreshing, humorous, creative remodeling book ever. Dog-eared the hell out of it.
November 9, 2025
What a fun book! I have no intention to move or change my current kitchen anytime soon but it was such fun to go through this book and let my mind dream!
February 17, 2024
So far I am loving the way the book is laid out and how each kitchen is completely unique to its owners' styles and needs. They aren't all my style, of course, but I appreciate the way each designer breaks down things to think about as far as design and function go. Only through the first section so far ...
Done! Loved it! You can tell Donelson is a former magazine editor (I miss her version of House Beautiful!). This books is so well laid out and thought of everything ... even the last page which made me laugh in appreciation! So much inspiration to gain from the different kitchens and designers.
Done! Loved it! You can tell Donelson is a former magazine editor (I miss her version of House Beautiful!). This books is so well laid out and thought of everything ... even the last page which made me laugh in appreciation! So much inspiration to gain from the different kitchens and designers.
October 26, 2025
As with most of these types of books, this contains some brilliant ideas and also showed me some stuff I certainly want to avoid.
Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews