Kitchens have become so serious.

All that granite, dark wood and stainless steel. The heart of the home these days is more like a sleek and severe shrine to haute cuisine.

But kitchens don’t have to be as stressful as an episode of “Top Chef.” Designers are increasingly turning to retro, whimsical touches like coffee cup wallpaper, bright vintage dishware patterns, and colorful appliances and electronics to bring the fun back into this increasingly streamlined room.

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