A 1927 colonial home in Shaker Heights, Ohio, received a breathtaking renovation that required extensive work, transforming it from a tucked away, utilitarian space, to an all-purpose gathering room, a role that most kitchens embrace in a home today. The scope of work changed over the course of the project, starting more minimalistically and then quickly becoming the main focus of the house's remodeling, resulting in a staircase being relocated and walls being torn down to create an inviting focal point to the home where family and friends could connect. The focus of the functionality was to allow for multiple prep areas with the inclusion of two islands and sinks, two eating areas (one for impromptu snacking and small meals of younger family members and friends on island no. two and a built-in bench seat for everyday meals in the immediate family). The kitchen was equipped with all Subzero and Wolf appliances, including a 48" range top with a 12" griddle, two double ovens, a 42" built-in side by side refrigerator and freezer, a microwave drawer on island no. one and a beverage center and icemaker in island no. two. The aesthetic feeling embraces the architectural feel of the home while adding a modern sensibility with the revamped layout and graphic elements that tie the color palette of whites, chocolate and charcoal. The cabinets were custom made and outfitted with beaded inset doors with a Shaker panel frame and finished in Benjamin Moore's OC-17 White Dove, a soft white that allowed for the kitchen to feel warm while still maintaining its brightness. Accents of walnut were added to create a sense of warmth, including a custom premium grade walnut countertop on island no. one from Brooks Custom and a TV cabinet with a doggie feeding station beneath. Bringing the cabinet line to the 8'6" ceiling height helps the room feel taller and bold light fixtures at the islands and eating area add detail to an otherwise simpler ceiling detail. The 1 1/4" countertops feature Calacatta Gold Marble with an ogee edge detail. Special touches on the interiors include secret storage panels, an appliance garage, breadbox, pull-out drawers behind the cabinet doors and all soft-close hinges and drawer glides. A kneading area was made as a part of island no. one for the homeowners' love of baking, complete with a stone top allowing for dough to stay cool. Baskets beneath store kitchen essentials that need air circulation. The room adjacent to the kitchen was converted to a hearth room (from a formal dining room) to extend the kitchen's living space and allow for a natural spillover for family and guests to spill into. Jason Miller, Pixelate

Beautiful Fantasy Brown Quartzite Countertops in two recently renovated kitchens. http://marble.com/material/details/613/Fantasy-Brown

Stoffer Photography
Eat-in kitchen - large transitional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Chicago with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Dave Fox Design Build Remodelers This kitchen remodel combined an under-utilized formal dining room and a small, poorly laid-out, kitchen into one large cohesive and functional space. The two furniture-inspired custom islands are great for entertaining; one can be used for socializing, while the other can be utilized for cleaning and prep work. A custom thin brick surround encompasses the professional-grade gas range with additional spice and oil storage while other interesting materials including, honed quartz countertops, glazed thin brick backsplash, and oversized statement lighting complete this gourmet kitchen.

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

richard leo johnson/atlantic archives
Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Almond Beige is a refined marble collection available in tumbled and honed finishes. The backsplash installation includes 3x6 and 4x4 marble with a coordinating chair rail. Visit a Best Tile location for samples. Kitchen built by Sirianni Construction in Rochester, New York. Best Tile only has information on the backsplash shown in this image. Photo Credit: Lindsey G. DiFlorio for Best Tile

This corner drawer has a peg system to organize the plates. Compared to using a lazy-susan in your kitchen corners, corner drawers are very accessible.

Example of a large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor, brown floor and tray ceiling open concept kitchen design in DC Metro with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a large country u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and an island

Kitchen in modern french country home renovation.
Large minimalist dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen pantry photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Eat-in kitchen - small traditional l-shaped dark wood floor, brown floor and vaulted ceiling eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This Coastal Inspired Farmhouse with bay views puts a casual and sophisticated twist on beach living. Interior Design by Blackband Design and Home Build by Arbor Real Estate.

Reminiscent of a villa in south of France, this Old World yet still sophisticated home are what the client had dreamed of. The home was newly built to the client’s specifications. The wood tone kitchen cabinets are made of butternut wood, instantly warming the atmosphere. The perimeter and island cabinets are painted and captivating against the limestone counter tops. A custom steel hammered hood and Apex wood flooring (Downers Grove, IL) bring this room to an artful balance.

Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Atlanta with beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photography by Patrick Brickman Home by Lowcountry Premier Custom Homes
Example of a transitional dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Charleston with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn
Example of a classic dark wood floor kitchen design in Boston with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, an island, a farmhouse sink and stainless steel appliances

Nestled in the hills of Vermont is a relaxing winter retreat that looks like it was planted there a century ago. Our architects worked closely with the builder at Wild Apple Homes to create building sections that felt like they had been added on piece by piece over generations. With thoughtful design and material choices, the result is a cozy 3,300 square foot home with a weathered, lived-in feel; the perfect getaway for a family of ardent skiers. The main house is a Federal-style farmhouse, with a vernacular board and batten clad connector. Connected to the home is the antique barn frame from Canada. The barn was reassembled on site and attached to the house. Using the antique post and beam frame is the kind of materials reuse seen throughout the main house and the connector to the barn, carefully creating an antique look without the home feeling like a theme house. Trusses in the family/dining room made with salvaged wood echo the design of the attached barn. Rustic in nature, they are a bold design feature. The salvaged wood was also used on the floors, kitchen island, barn doors, and walls. The focus on quality materials is seen throughout the well-built house, right down to the door knobs.

The kitchen, breakfast room and family room are all open to one another. The kitchen has a large twelve foot island topped with Calacatta marble and features a roll-out kneading table, and room to seat the whole family. The sunlight breakfast room opens onto the patio which has a built-in barbeque, and both bar top seating and a built in bench for outdoor dining. The large family room features a cozy fireplace, TV media, and a large built-in bookcase. The adjoining craft room is separated by a set of pocket french doors; where the kids can be visible from the family room as they do their homework.