STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

So my parents are redoing their kitchen in an old seventies house in a pretty nice neighbourhood.  I was reading an article in our national newspaper that had the columnist talking about her friend's kitchen and expounding on kitchen trends ie. all stainless steel and modern gleaming surfaces, etc.
According to this columnist, the "country kitchen" is out- and she specifically mentioned island counters in her estimation.  The only way you can get away with having a country look, she said, is if you actually live in the country.
Is this true?  This paper is weird with its style advocacy- a recent article on socks championed 1.99 argyle socks at the GAP as part of a major trend (although you have been able to get them as part of just about anyone's retail line for ages) and pushed lavender ones for men to be worn with a dark suit to the utter amusement of my male comrades, who could only guffaw and shake their heads.  Consequently, I'm never sure what to make of their style articles.

Would love to know what is 'in' for kitchens right now, and anything that you would get if you were redoing YOUR kitchen.  We were thinking a little bar fridge in an island counter in the centre of the area, just for condiments.  And we're going to have to rip out and redo the cupboards, the seriously retro lino floor, the countertops.. EVERYTHING.

So, please dish, all: what's the story for kitchen glory?  My parents are looking to me and I would be grateful for major advice.