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

Open kitchen has great views to the beautiful back yard through new Fleetwood aluminum windows and doors. The large glass door at left fully pockets into the wall. Cabinets are a combination of natural walnut and lacquer painted uppers with Caesarstone countertops and backsplashes. Duda bar stools by Sossego in walnut neatly fit into the new island. To reduce costs the new kitchen was designed around the owners existing appliances.

Meagan Larsen Photography
Eat-in kitchen - small contemporary u-shaped terrazzo floor and black floor eat-in kitchen idea in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and white countertops

Carolyn Watson
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped marble floor and white floor eat-in kitchen remodel in DC Metro with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, an undermount sink, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, quartz countertops and turquoise countertops

Mid-sized trendy l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Denver with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, yellow backsplash, quartz backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Light and bright contemporary kitchen featuring white custom cabinetry, large island, dual-tone gray subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, and a matching laundry room.

Trendy u-shaped light wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Denver with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and black countertops

Mid-sized trendy l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a mid-sized trendy u-shaped dark wood floor and black floor kitchen pantry design in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, no island and white countertops

This kitchen proves small East sac bungalows can have high function and all the storage of a larger kitchen. A large peninsula overlooks the dining and living room for an open concept. A lower countertop areas gives prep surface for baking and use of small appliances. Geometric hexite tiles by fireclay are finished with pale blue grout, which complements the upper cabinets. The same hexite pattern was recreated by a local artist on the refrigerator panes. A textured striped linen fabric by Ralph Lauren was selected for the interior clerestory windows of the wall cabinets.

Example of a large trendy l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops

photos by Kaity
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Grand Rapids with an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white appliances, an island, black cabinets, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash and flat-panel cabinets

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Kitchen with Island
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Mid-sized trendy brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Mid-sized trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, colored appliances, an island and white countertops

David Joseph
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped cement tile floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Portland Maine with black cabinets, quartz countertops, quartz backsplash, paneled appliances and white countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and an undermount sink