By Nicole Miller

Color is the most important element in any design and certainly should have a starring role in the kitchen. Even when it's used as an accent, color has the power to unify a space and create an overall style statement.

Let your fashion sense inspire your kitchen design. The best kitchens are ones that reflect your own sense of style. Think about how much time we spend in the kitchen - cooking, eating, conversing and entertaining; you need to feel at home and very comfortable in that space. And there's no better place to start than with a focus on classic design - a clean, sleek look that helps to define the space without overwhelming it, just as a beautifully cut garment enhances, rather than overwhelms, the woman wearing it.

Must-Have Color

Look for fashion-inspired color combinations such as chocolate and aqua and snow white and soft pink. Neutrals are making a comeback as they balance and complement bolder colors. Use color liberally as an accent to help brighten and personalize neutral palettes. Look for vibrant pieces, knockout tile designs, brilliantly-hued fabrics and glazed walls and cabinets to help define - and personalize - this very important space. Stainless is still the "color" of choice when it comes to appliances.

Personal Style Imprint

Kitchens need to be comfortable, functional and, of course, fabulous. To personalize your space, put something of yourself in your kitchen: a great antique cupboard, a beautiful piece of sculpture, your collection of vintage tableware or maybe a fun zebra-print rug.

My Must-Have Accessories

• Two dishwashers - a hard-working one for pots and pans and another for dishes and glasses
• A freestanding restaurant-style range
• Lots of space and natural light
• Reflective surfaces - mirrored glass panels for fridges, highly polished porcelain tiles, granite or stone countertops and shiny stainless-steel appliances
• A wok - more adventurous cooks go for the round-bottomed version

One Great Look

Great-looking appliances can really make or break a kitchen. Demand great design. Go for sleek, stylish and all-stainless-steel appliances from Electrolux ICON™. With gently curved handles you want to touch, surprising features such as Smooth Glide™ racks and very cool blue interiors, they're at home in any type of kitchen, from modern to traditional.