The Style & Design 100

Handbags and shiny flats aren't the only barometers of style these days. Fashion is moving into the kitchen, as designers brighten up everything from can openers to paring knives. At the International Home & Housewares Show in March—think Paris couture for the cooking-gadget set—bright colors and sleek shapes garnered the most attention.

Japanese designer Toshiyuki Kita says he chose yellow for his new Rizo rice cooker because it reminded him of saffron rice. But yellow is on the rise in home design and fashion as well, and is showing up in tea infusers, cutlery, even watering cans. "We take our cues from fashion," says Suzy Payne, a buyer at Crate & Barrel who spotted the crossover trend.

Style won't peel a potato, though. That's why Kyocera's razor-shaped models feature a ceramic blade that won't rust or corrode. Even silicone is getting smarter, as designers pair it with stronger materials—like the steel core in iSi's angled spatula—for better functionality.

"People buy things that make them feel good," says Matthew Frank, whose jewel-toned line of utensils, Tovolo Standz, actually stands up on countertops. But these tools aren't just for show. They may look good, but they can also cook up a pretty tasty meal.