Northpeak Design Photography
Small transitional single-wall vinyl floor and brown floor kitchen pantry photo in Boston with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This crisp, bright mid-century kitchen features dark walnut wood floors, white cabinets, an aqua blue ceiling and a coordinating aqua glass subway tile backsplash. Accented by white walls and trim, along with stainless steel appliances, the traditionally styled kitchen is finished with woven wood blinds, a brushed nickel faucet and cabinet hardware, white farm sink, granite countertops and acrylic bar stools. Antique brass pendant lights of contemporary white glass dovetail with white, armless swivel chairs with brushed nickel bases.

Bright and airy cottage kitchen with natural wood accents and a pop of blue.
Open concept kitchen - small coastal single-wall vaulted ceiling open concept kitchen idea in Orange County with shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, terra-cotta backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Matt Kocourek
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Kansas City with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Lisa Konz Photography
Example of a mid-sized country single-wall brown floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Atlanta with gray cabinets, blue backsplash, terra-cotta backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets and quartz countertops

Trendy single-wall light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Indianapolis with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue backsplash, subway tile backsplash, white appliances and an island

Matt Kocourek
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Kansas City with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photography: Mark LaRosa
Inspiration for a small transitional single-wall light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-sized minimalist single-wall light wood floor and white floor open concept kitchen photo in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-sized minimalist single-wall light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, solid surface countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

This Houston kitchen remodel and whole-house redesign was nothing less than a time machine – zooming a 40-year-old living space into 2017! “The kitchen had formica countertops, old wood cabinets, a strange layout and low ceilings,” says Lisha Maxey, lead designer for Outdoor Homescapes of Houston and owner of LGH Design Services. “We basically took it down to the studs to create the new space. It even had original terrazzo tile in the foyer! Almost never see that anymore.” The new look is all 2017, starting with a pure white maple wood for the new kitchen cabinetry and a 13-foot butcher block island. The china hutch, beam and columns are walnut. The small kitchen countertop (on fridge side) is Corian. The flooring is solid hickory with a natural stain. The backsplash is Moroccan blue glass. In the island, Outdoor Homescapes added a small, stainless steel prep sink and a large porcelain sink. All finishes are brushed stainless steel except for the pot filler, which is copper. “The look is very transitional, with a hearty mix of antiques the client wanted incorporated and the contemporary open concept look of today,” says Lisha. “The bar stools are actually reclaimed science class stools that my client picked up at a local fair. It was an awesome find!” In addition to the kitchen, the home’s first-floor half bath, living room and den also got an update. Outdoor Homescapes also built storage into the space under the stairs and warmed up the entry with custom blue and beige wallpaper. “In the half bath, we used the client’s favorite color, orange,” says Lisha. “We added a vessel bowl that was also found at a fair and an antique chandelier to top it off.” The paint in that room was textured by running a dry brush vertically while the paint was still wet. “It appears to be wallpaper, but not!” explains Lisha. Outdoor Homescapes also used black/white custom tiles in the bath and laundry room to tie it all in. Lisha used antique pieces in the laundry room with a custom black/white porcelain floor. To open up the wall between the old kitchen and living room, we had to install a 26’ steel I-beam to support the second floor. It was an engineering feat! Took six men to get it into place! “The client – an empty nester couple – had already done their upstairs remodel and they knew the first floor would be a gut-out,” continues Lisha. “The home was in very poor condition prior to the remodel, and everything needed to go. Basically, wife told husband, we either do this remodel or we sell the house. And Mr. inherited it from his Mom, so it has sentimental value to him.” Lisha loves how original it turned out, noting the refreshing department from the usual all-white kitchen with black/white flooring, Carrera marble or granite countertops and subway tile. “The clients were open to mixing up styles and working with me to make it come together,” she says. “I think there’s a new excitement in mixing the decades and finding a way to allow clients to hold on to treasured antiques or special pieces while incorporating them in a more modern space. Her favorite area is the large island. “I love that they will spend holidays and regular days around that space,” she says. “It’s just so welcoming!”

Elizabeth Taich Design is a Chicago-based full-service interior architecture and design firm that specializes in sophisticated yet livable environments.

Kitchen Range and Hood
Example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and glass tile backsplash

Kitchen Range and Hood
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in DC Metro with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and glass tile backsplash

One of our Italian white lacquer modern kitchen projects in NYC's Upper West Side.
Enclosed kitchen - small modern single-wall ceramic tile and beige floor enclosed kitchen idea in New York with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Example of a mid-sized transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, blue backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Matt Kocourek
Example of a mid-sized trendy single-wall light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Kansas City with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Textured glass tile backsplash and quartz stone countertops were used in the kitchen along with stained wood cabinets and trim. Photo Credit: Kyle Rothenborg

Photographed by Morgan Howarth
Example of a minimalist single-wall eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash and stainless steel appliances