In this custom kitchen by Atlanta’s Terracotta Design Build, the red stools were not budget-busters but gave the space an Americana style when paired with the blue island. “If you take out those stools and paint the island white, it would be a totally different kitchen,” says Ili Hidalgo-Nilsson, architect and designer.

If it’s time to swap out lighting and accessories, such as a clock, go for simple and clean fixtures, which tend to be more affordable than ornate pieces. These days, they offer an array of styles to fit any budget. In this kitchen, Terracotta Design Build creates a streamlined style with a lone clock on the wall and two small fixtures over the sink.  

Even grains can be gorgeous. Terracotta Design Build designed this modern black and white kitchen, and used glass containers to add texture in an unexpected way. By simply filling this glass jar with rice, they not only display an oft-used ingredient but also inject subtle color and texture in the sleek, white space.

For a dash of delightful design, adorn doors that lead into a pantry or mudroom with colorful fabric. For her curtained glass doors, Alabama interior designer Mary Finch used a textile with a bit of a vintage motif.