Architect: Studio Z Architecture Contractor: Beechwood Building and Design Photo: Steve Kuzma Photography
Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped light wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Columbus with stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, glass sheet backsplash and an island

Photography by IBI Designs ( http://www.ibidesigns.com/)

This new traditional kitchen with an earth-tone palette, boasts a large island with cooktop, oven and surround seating. Whether it's family or friends, all can gather around to enjoy the cooking and dining experience. Starmark shaker-style custom cabinets, herringbone backsplash and Rosslyn Cambria quartz adorn the perimeter walls. The island boasts Starmark shaker-style custom cabinets and Windermere Cambria quartz. Hardware, faucet and sink selections have oil-rubbed bronze finishes. Photography by Michael Giragosian

Spacecrafting Photography
Example of a mid-sized 1960s medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This small kitchen packs a powerful punch. By replacing an oversized sliding glass door with a 24" cantilever which created additional floor space. We tucked a large Reid Shaw farm sink with a wall mounted faucet into this recess. A 7' peninsula was added for storage, work counter and informal dining. A large oversized window floods the kitchen with light. The color of the Eucalyptus painted and glazed cabinets is reflected in both the Najerine stone counter tops and the glass mosaic backsplash tile from Oceanside Glass Tile, "Devotion" series. All dishware is stored in drawers and the large to the counter cabinet houses glassware, mugs and serving platters. Tray storage is located above the refrigerator. Bottles and large spices are located to the left of the range in a pull out cabinet. Pots and pans are located in large drawers to the left of the dishwasher. Pantry storage was created in a large closet to the left of the peninsula for oversized items as well as the microwave. Additional pantry storage for food is located to the right of the refrigerator in an alcove. Cooking ventilation is provided by a pull out hood so as not to distract from the lines of the kitchen.

Mid-sized minimalist l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, glass sheet backsplash and gray countertops

Back Painted Glass backsplash completes the contemporary styled kitchen, Benjamin Moore Tea Light painted on ultra clear glass.
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped open concept kitchen remodel in Miami with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

In 1949, one of mid-century modern’s most famous NW architects, Paul Hayden Kirk, built this early “glass house” in Hawthorne Hills. Rather than flattening the rolling hills of the Northwest to accommodate his structures, Kirk sought to make the least impact possible on the building site by making use of it natural landscape. When we started this project, our goal was to pay attention to the original architecture--as well as designing the home around the client’s eclectic art collection and African artifacts. The home was completely gutted, since most of the home is glass, hardly any exterior walls remained. We kept the basic footprint of the home the same—opening the space between the kitchen and living room. The horizontal grain matched walnut cabinets creates a natural continuous movement. The sleek lines of the Fleetwood windows surrounding the home allow for the landscape and interior to seamlessly intertwine. In our effort to preserve as much of the design as possible, the original fireplace remains in the home and we made sure to work with the natural lines originally designed by Kirk.

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

Mal Corboy Cabinet
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized modern l-shaped concrete floor and beige floor open concept kitchen idea in Los Angeles with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, onyx countertops, blue backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kip Dawkins
Enclosed kitchen - mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen idea in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

A kitchen with a view of Lake Washington, this large and very functional kitchen doubles as a casual eating space for every day. A walk-in panty organizes foods and gadgets with easy accessibility. Easy-to-maintain surfaces, warm materials and a thoroughly detailed layout ensure a kitchen that perfectly balances function and warmth. Aaron Leitz Photography

Large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen photo in San Francisco with an island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and glass sheet backsplash

Architect: Becker Henson Niksto General Contractor: Allen Construction Photographer: Jim Bartsch Photography
Example of a mid-sized trendy concrete floor kitchen design in Santa Barbara with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Grant Mott Photography, LLC
Example of a mid-sized transitional porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass sheet 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

Velina Davidson
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen design in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Photos by John Rider- Large kitchen island with beautiful Patagonia slab countertops bordered with Absolute black granite. Backsplash is a glass subway tile.

Andrew Pogue Photography
Open concept kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped ceramic tile open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, paneled appliances and an island