It is officially Spring, which means that I'm on the lookout for bright and sunny spaces. There is a time for blacks and greys and the muted hues of winter, but now is not that time. Now is the time for yellow window frames and burnt orange cabinets, for golden mosaics flecked with royal blue and overflowing bowls of citrus fruits. Now is the time for this Santa Barbara kitchen. See more photos below:

We've seen skirts below sinks and under cabinets, but at a kitchen island? That's a little more unusual! It turns out this multi-colored striped fabric hides a lazy susan that doubles as a kitchen island. Smart!

This black kitchen was "controversial," according to designers Tara Mangini and Percy Bright of design firm Jersey Ice Cream Co. As they recently told Design*Sponge, the two were contracted to design and renovate an 1860 home in upstate New York, and for the kitchen they wanted to create a look that was "bold and classic." Thankfully, the home owner went for it  — so at least that wasn't the source of the controversy! The result? "It's unfussy and romantic and feels very true to the house."

Even if you're not a fan of the open shelving look, there are a few great ideas in this Scandinavian kitchen: a nook above the semi-see-through pantry closet for shopping baskets, suspended lights over the countertop, a yellow tile (!) backsplash that wraps around the wall. See more photos below: 

There were a few elements that really drew my eye to this kitchen. Was it the patterned cement tile wall? The turquoise island? The brass cabinet pulls? It definitely has a Moroccan flavor to it—with the saturated colors and patterns—but the white marble countertop and light blue tiles keep the space airy, and not too dramatic! 

I think brass is such a fine detail in a modern kitchen. In small amounts it adds just the right amount of sophistication without going overboard into glitz. Lately I've been particularly partial to brass cabinet pulls. The following pulls range in price from $5 to $15, and they're a good starting point if you want to try this look out in your own kitchen:

When Kitchn reader Sherri decided to give her 80's kitchen a facelift, she knew she wanted to keep her appliances (they were all under five years old) and the look of the warm oak wood. But a few key changes and the kitchen is now much improved! See the 'After' photos below:

Emily and Ian really wish they could renovate their Austin kitchen, but alas, they're renters. So the next best thing is to paint it a vibrant shade of blue! 

"I always say that if my husband decorated the place, everything would be grey, metal and glass!" says Amy in this recent Apartment Therapy House Tour. We definitely see her husband's influence in their chic industrial-eco kitchen, but Amy — who gravitates toward a "vintage 70s, rock'n'roll vibe and layers of pattern and texture" — has a say in it, too. (Look at the rug!) The result is a modern, clean kitchen that feels stripped of excess yet still warm and inviting. See more photos below:

Lauren Moffat, a New York-based women's wear designer, has a sharp creative eye and strong sense of style. Her 1,600-square-foot Upper East Side apartment is quite spacious and comfortable, with a lovely kitchen. High ceilings, original wood floors, and plenty of natural light give the space a quiet, easy feeling. See another photo below: