Yesterday, up to seven inches of rain transformed much of the northeast into a veritable lagoon, and more storms are on the way. Despite the deluge, I'm drawn to the liquid-like surfaces in this kitchen. The dappled backsplash is a gentle variation on the dramatic pool of solid blue that tops the island. Natural wood and checkered upholstery keep the room from floating—figuratively, to be sure—away. diamondbaretta.com