SLEEK CONTEMPORARY Micqui McGowen, Kitchen & Bath Concepts Challenge: Redesign the kitchen area for the original owner who built this home in the early 1970’s. Our design challenge was to create a completely new space that was functional, beautiful and much more open. The original kitchen, storage and utility spaces were outdated and very chopped up with a mechanical closet placed in the middle of the space located directly in front of the only large window in the room. We relocated the mechanical closet and the utility room to the back of the space with a Butler’s Pantry separating the two. The original large window is now revealed with a new lowered eating bar and a second island centered on it, featuring a dramatic linear light fixture above. We enlarged the window over the main kitchen sink for more light and created a new window to the right of the sink with a view towards the pool. The main cooking area of the kitchen features a large island with elevated walnut seating bar and 36” gas cooktop. A full 36” Built-in Refrigerator is located in the Kitchen with an additional Sub-Zero Refrigerator and Freezer located in the Butler’s Pantry. Result: Client’s Dream Kitchen Realized.

A few shades of grey, a splash of white, and a dark matte blue — this Chicago kitchen balances color beautifully. The hues are complemented with gorgeous modern decor like the statement mirror in the dining area, the pendant lamps over the island, and the intricate chandelier over the sleek metal and wood dining table. Project designed by Skokie renovation firm, Chi Renovation & Design - general contractors, kitchen and bath remodelers, and design & build company. They serve the Chicago area and its surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, Wilmette, and all the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/sleek-modern-chicago-kitchen/#kitchen-remodeling

The client wanted to create an elegant, upscale kosher kitchen with double cooking and cleaning areas. The custom cabinets are frameless, captured inset, and painted, with walnut drawer boxes. The refrigerator and matching buffets are also walnut. The main stove was custom painted as well as the hood and adjacent cabinets as a focal point. Brass faucets, hardware, mesh screens and hood trim add to the elegance. The ceiling treatment over the island and eating area combine wood details and wallpaper to complete the look. We continued this theme throughout the house.

This new construction home is located in Hinsdale, Illinois. The main goal of this kitchen was to create a real cook’s kitchen– great for entertaining and large family gatherings. The concept was to have this working kitchen loaded with appliances completely hidden since the space is open to the family room. O’Brien Harris Cabinetry in Chicago (OBH) seamlessly integrated the kitchen into the architecture. They created concealed appliance storage and designed cabinetry to look like furniture. The back wall of the kitchen was designed to look like a beautiful, paneled wall. The ovens were located off to the side – pulled up on legs so it felt lighter and not so heavy. OBH designed metal cuffs at the cabinet base so the unit looks like a piece of furniture. This kitchen has all the function but still is beautiful. obrienharris.com

This dark and dated feeling kitchen and bar were completely renovated for this multi-generational global family. By re-configuring the space and incorporating the bar, removing several heavy columns and a wall, it made the kitchen open and accessible to the adjacent rooms and visible from the front door. Everything was lightened and brightened with new cabinetry, counter tops, appliances, flooring, paint, better windows, electrical and lighting. The old range top and down draft were enclosed in a massive brick structure, with no prep space, by removing it and centering the new range on the wall with a custom hood and full height stone back splash, a stunning focal point was created. The position of other key appliances and plumbing were moved or added to create several work stations throughout the large space, such as the refrigeration, full prep sink, coffee bar, baking station, cocktail bar and clean up island. Another special feature of this kitchen was roll out table from the end of the serving island. Specialty features include: A roll out table for eating, prep or serving; coffee bar and drink service area with beverage center; full size prep sink adjacent to refrigeration and cooking areas; steam oven and baking station; microwave/warming drawer; dual fuel range with double ovens, 6 burners and a griddle top; two separate islands, one for serving large family meals, one for clean up; specialty spice storage inserts and pull outs; corner turn outs for large items; two double pull outs for trash and recycling; stacked cabinetry with glass display at the top to take advantage of the 14' ceilings.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Working with this Glen Ellyn client was so much fun the first time around, we were thrilled when they called to say they were considering moving across town and might need some help with a bit of design work at the new house. The kitchen in the new house had been recently renovated, but it was not exactly what they wanted. What started out as a few tweaks led to a pretty big overhaul of the kitchen, mudroom and laundry room. Luckily, we were able to use re-purpose the old kitchen cabinetry and custom island in the remodeling of the new laundry room — win-win! As parents of two young girls, it was important for the homeowners to have a spot to store equipment, coats and all the “behind the scenes” necessities away from the main part of the house which is a large open floor plan. The existing basement mudroom and laundry room had great bones and both rooms were very large. To make the space more livable and comfortable, we laid slate tile on the floor and added a built-in desk area, coat/boot area and some additional tall storage. We also reworked the staircase, added a new stair runner, gave a facelift to the walk-in closet at the foot of the stairs, and built a coat closet. The end result is a multi-functional, large comfortable room to come home to! Just beyond the mudroom is the new laundry room where we re-used the cabinets and island from the original kitchen. The new laundry room also features a small powder room that used to be just a toilet in the middle of the room. You can see the island from the old kitchen that has been repurposed for a laundry folding table. The other countertops are maple butcherblock, and the gold accents from the other rooms are carried through into this room. We were also excited to unearth an existing window and bring some light into the room. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

The kitchen is opened up to the living space in this small studio apartment. Custom closets and shelving frame the peninsula and define the separation between the Living and the Kitchen area.

This gourmet kitchen includes wood burning pizza oven, grill, side burner, egg smoker, sink, refrigerator, trash chute, serving station and more! Photography: Daniel Driensky

A wide view of this open-plan kitchen showcases the seamless transition from the dining area to the kitchen island. The modern aesthetic is complemented by the sleek design of the kitchen island, ideal for both cooking and socializing. The natural light pouring in creates an inviting space for gatherings.

Perched on Lake George in the Adirondacks, this sophisticated outdoor kitchen masterfully blends into its natural surroundings while maximizing functionality for entertaining. The thoughtful U-shaped design ensures that everyone—whether cooking, prepping, or socializing—shares in the magnificent lake views that inspired the space. The aesthetic harmony is achieved through carefully selected materials: rustic blue outdoor-rated NatureKast cabinetry echoes the lake's hues, while timber frame beams and outdoor-rated white quartz countertops create a seamless transition between built and natural environments. Deep drawers and roll-out cabinetry provide abundant storage while maintaining the space's elegant profile. The layout is a study in purposeful zoning: one area dedicated to prep work, another to cooking—featuring a grill, smoker, warming drawer, and space for a portable pizza oven, all serviced by a ceiling-mounted hood. The opposite side houses a two-drawer refrigerator, under-counter refrigerator, wet sink, and waste management. Connecting seamlessly to the indoor kitchen through pass-through windows with adjacent counter space and storage, this outdoor entertainment hub transforms lakeside cooking into an immersive experience. Every element has been carefully considered to create a space that's both functional for serious cooking and perfect for casual gatherings, all while celebrating its stunning Adirondack setting

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners of this mid-century Colonial and family of four were frustrated with the layout of their existing kitchen which was a small, narrow peninsula layout but that was adjoining a large space that they could not figure out how to use. Stealing part of the unused space seemed like an easy solution, except that there was an existing transition in floor height which made that a bit tricky. The solution of bringing the floor height up to meet the height of the existing kitchen allowed us to do just that. This solution also offered some challenges. The exterior door had to be raised which resulted in some exterior rework, and the floor transition had to happen somewhere to get out to the garage, so we ended up “pushing” it towards what is now a new mudroom and powder room area. This solution allows for a small but functional and hidden mudroom area and more private powder room situation. Another challenge of the design was the very narrow space. To minimize issues with this, we moved the location of the refrigerator into the newly found space which gave us an L-shaped layout allowing for an island and even some shallow pantry storage. The windows over the kitchen sink were expanded in size and relocated to allow more light into the room. A breakfast table fits perfectly in the area adjacent to the existing French doors and there was even room for a small bar area that helps transition from inside to outside for entertaining. The confusing unused space now makes sense and provides functionality on a daily basis. To help bring some calm to this busy family, a pallet of soft neutrals was chosen -- gray glass tile with a simple metal accent strip, clear modern pendant lights and a neutral color scheme for cabinetry and countertops. For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This clean and classic Northern Westchester kitchen features a mix of colors and finishes. The perimeter of the kitchen including the desk area is painted in Benjamin Moore’s Nordic White with satin chrome hardware. The island features Benjamin Moore’s Blue Toile with satin brass hardware. The focal point of the space is the Cornu Fe range and custom hood in satin black with brass and chrome trim. Crisp white subway tile covers the backwall behind the cooking area and all the way up the sink wall to the ceiling. In place of wall cabinets, the client opted for thick white open shelves on either side of the window above the sink to keep the space more open and airier. Countertops are a mix of Neolith’s Estatuario on the island and Ash Grey marble on the perimeter. Hanging above the island are Circa Lighting’s the “Hicks Large Pendants” by designer Thomas O’Brien; above the dining table is Tom Dixon’s “Fat Pendant”. Just off of the kitchen is a wet bar conveniently located next to the living area, perfect for entertaining guests. They opted for a contemporary look in the space. The cabinetry is Yosemite Bronzato laminate in a high gloss finish coupled with open glass shelves and a mirrored backsplash. The mirror and the abundance of windows makes the room appear larger than it is. Bilotta Senior Designer: Rita LuisaGarces Architect: Hirshson Design & Architecture Photographer: Stefan Radtke

Scott Fredrick Photography
Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and gray countertops

The expanded kitchen area is now a sunlit space for a young couple that loves to entertain and cook. The selection of range needed a hood that was more than 400 CFM. This required supplying make-up air which was accomplished by artfully creating inconspicuous vents under the cook hood. Photo: Mary Prince Photography

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in St Louis with raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, an island, an undermount sink, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Klopf Architecture’s client, a family of four with young children, wanted to update their recently purchased home to meet their growing needs across generations. It was essential to maintain the mid-century modern style throughout the project but most importantly, they wanted more natural light brought into the dark kitchen and cramped bathrooms while creating a smoother connection between the kitchen, dining and family room. The kitchen was expanded into the dining area, using part of the original kitchen area as a butler's pantry. With the main kitchen brought out into an open space with new larger windows and two skylights the space became light, open, and airy. Custom cabinetry from Henrybuilt throughout the kitchen and butler's pantry brought functionality to the space. Removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room, and widening the opening from the dining room to the living room created a more open and natural flow between the spaces. New redwood siding was installed in the entry foyer to match the original siding in the family room so it felt original to the house and consistent between the spaces. Oak flooring was installed throughout the house enhancing the movement between the new kitchen and adjacent areas. The two original bathrooms felt dark and cramped so they were expanded and also feature larger windows, modern fixtures and new Heath tile throughout. Custom vanities also from Henrybuilt bring a unified look and feel from the kitchen into the new bathrooms. Designs included plans for a future in-law unit to accommodate the needs of an older generation. The house is much brighter, feels more unified with wider open site lines that provide the family with a better transition and seamless connection between spaces. This mid-century modern remodel is a 2,743 sf, 4 bedroom/3 bath home located in Lafayette, CA. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf and Angela Todorova Contractor: Don Larwood Structural Engineer: Sezen & Moon Structural Engineering, Inc. Landscape Designer: n/a Photography ©2018 Scott Maddern Location: Lafayette, CA Year completed: 2018 Link to photos: https://www.dropbox.com/sh/aqxfwk7wdot9jja/AADWuIcsHHE-AGPfq13u5htda?dl=0

Built in 1915, this classic craftsman style home is located in the Capitol Mansions Historic District. When the time came to remodel, the homeowners wanted to continue to celebrate its history by keeping with the craftsman style but elevating the kitchen’s function to include the latest in quality cabinetry and modern appliances. The new spacious kitchen (and adjacent walk-in pantry) provides the perfect environment for a couple who loves to cook and entertain. White perimeter cabinets and dark soapstone counters make a timeless and classic color palette. Designed to have a more furniture-like feel, the large island has seating on one end and is finished in an historically inspired warm grey paint color. The vertical stone “legs” on either side of the gas range-top highlight the cooking area and add custom detail within the long run of cabinets. Wide barn doors designed to match the cabinet inset door style slide open to reveal a spacious appliance garage, and close when the kitchen goes into entertainer mode. Finishing touches such as the brushed nickel pendants add period style over the island. A bookcase anchors the corner between the kitchen and breakfast area providing convenient access for frequently referenced cookbooks from either location. Just around the corner from the kitchen, a large walk-in butler’s pantry in cheerful yellow provides even more counter space and storage ability. Complete with an undercounter wine refrigerator, a deep prep sink, and upper storage at a glance, it’s any chef’s happy place. Photo credit: Fred Donham of Photographerlink

A beautiful Mamaroneck Tudor with its original tiny kitchen was badly in need of renovating. The homeowners shifted and enlarged the rear of the house to create a peaceful space with earthy toned charcoal grey Oak base cabinets and shiny back painted white wall cabinetry. Six integrated gas burners from Netherland's Pitt Cooking were fitted into the island, with Gaggenau’s tappenyaki grille for a efficient and beautiful integrated cooking and serving area. Floor tile, Ceramica Gazzini Urban Style. Oven by Bosch; refrigerator by SubZero; range hood by Futuro Futuro, Microwave by Wolf; countertops by Caesarstone in Organic White; Charlie stools by CB2; Sink by Franke; Faucet by Groehe; pulls by Topex-- Decorative Hardware Round Stainless Steel Tube.