An appealing alternative to the traditional kitchen island look: the modern-looking workbench.

Above: German kitchen company Bulthaup makes the System b2 Workbench.

Above two photos: A custom workbench in the London Loft of Ochre partner Solange de la Fouchardiere.

Above: A sparsely outfitted kitchen; from the portfolio of Santa Monica–based photographer Lisa Romerein.

Above: The Berge kitchen in Southern Germany by Nils Holger Moormann.

Above: Another kitchen workbench from Bulthaup.

Above: A kitchen in Europe, via Style Files.