There is a new, unexpected factor uniting the sports, fashion, and movie industries: the statement kitchen island.
Scouting and sharing the chicest celebrity homes is basically in my job description –and recently, I've noted an increasing number of individuals opt for striking kitchen islands – all of which demand attention – while (most importantly) serving as an entertaining and family dining spot.
In many ways, using an island as the focal point in a kitchen is nothing new – after all, they are often the most prominent features in the space. However, these celebrities have taken the island one step further by not only making a statement – but creating a functional dining space in the process.
Despite their differences, all these islands share a shared balance of style and functionality, and I'm taking design notes.
1. Serena Williams' geometric island
It is hard to rival Serena Williams' kitchen island when making a statement with a contemporary flair. The geometric island, designed by the tennis star's sister (who is equally renowned for her sports skills), experiments with contrasting materials –marrying dark wood with sleek white marble – in a distinct rectangular shape.
Serena's island is arguably the most unconventional of the five featured – but despite its uniqueness, this piece doubles as a dining table, meaning it serves as a place to eat while injecting immediate excitement into the room's design.
We recently predicted it would top kitchen trends – and still stand by this statement after nearly a million of our readers visited the page.
2. Chrissy Teigen luxe family dining island
Model Chrissy Teigen enlisted celebrated designer Jake Arnold to decorate her Los Angeles home, so of course, we shouldn't be surprised that it has a place in this round-up.
Chrissy Teigen's kitchen is beautiful, but we'd say her dining-friendly island is the stand-out feature in this luxe marble space. In the post above, she sits alongside the designer atop the island in question – complete with discreet bar stools that offer a place to eat, drink and socialize.
It's an almost-unexpected place to enjoy breakfast or host a pared-back dinner party – and is a subtle reminder of a kitchen island's many functions.
3. Simone Biles' curved kitchen island
Gymnast Simone Biles does not often share images of her home, but when she does, she focuses on the most functional room of all – and her focal point curved island is equally as practical.
Of course, we'd expect the Olympic medalist to have a designated dining area somewhere in her Texas home – but like Chrissy and Serena – she's also allowing her island to serve this purpose.
Here, Simone has paired her island with large dining chairs and topped the space with a trio of chandeliers – all of which give the space an intimate dining-room feel without her having to leave the kithcen.
4. Alexandra Daddario cool blue island
We've already taken a moment for Alexandra Daddario's Shaker kitchen – but it's time we revisited the space – with a focus on her island, naturally.
The White Lotus actress likely uses her kitchen island for three purposes: to maintain her blue kitchen palette, to prepare food, and enjoy dining – whether with her producer husband, Andrew Form, or more guests – suggested by the bar stools tucked under the island. We couldn't let this practical yet stylish Calacatta marble piece pass us by.
5. Reese Witherspoon's Shaker-style island
It's hard to choose which part of Reese Witherspoon's island we love the most. Firstly, we love the elegant combination of white and brown wooden hues (almost as much as the Legally Blonde actress sitting atop the piece) – but secondly, her tractor stools – emphasizing how kitchen islands are the new informal dining table.
Like all the celebrity islands featured, Reese's wooden furnishing dominates attention in the room – but focal point aside – it is a fundamental part of her home, offering space to cook, dine, and host – while anchoring the space seamlessly.
And, for the ultimate Reese Witherspoon-inspired look, we're investing in her tractor-style stool below.
We'll be taking our next meals in the kitchen for the foreseeable.
