Nature as a Fairy Tale This beautiful and unique kitchen backsplash in a Portland, Oregon, home by Jessica Helgerson Interior Design portrays nature in an idealized and romanticized way. The material is tile, hand-painted by Mira Eng-Goetz, the lead designer on the project. The tile stretches to the ceiling as well as across the refrigerator. Much of the rest of this home is decked out in soft greens, pinks and wood tones, as though the palette has been taken from a garden.
Great Kitchens & Baths Email Save The sticky notes in the previous photo can be seen as a precursor to the next evolution of the shallow cabinet: including a dry-erase or cork board on the door’s inner surface. This one even has room for a writing utensil holder and papers, making it an easy spot to leave notes and reminders and add to a grocery list. Tip: Hang key hooks within reach of anyone who will need them, and stash lesser-used items in your tippy-toe/stepladder territory.
WALL ART Weather vanes. Collections of almost any kind have the potential to make great wall pieces, but objects with interesting patterns, colors, shapes or expressions especially add character to a room. Take a look at this collection of metal weather vanes mounted with brackets in the foyer of a home in upstate New York. Each animal stands out against the white wall, while the different patinas pick up tones from the side tables’ metal knobs and the warm wood of the floor. Each vane is unique, but they all work well together in a grouping.
“The house was built in 1924. It is a Colonial, but this elegant New England farmhouse-inspired kitchen would work well in a Victorian home or any vintage home,” says designer Nancy Hanson. Key details: Furniture-inspired cabinetry Traditional architectural details Rustic and antique decorative accessories
WARM UP A KITCHEN Warm metal accents. Copper, bronze, brass and polished nickel are just a few of the metals that can warm up an all-white kitchen. The gold sconces above the window and the white pendant lights, with their subtle hint of gold, add warmth and a touch of luxury to this all-white kitchen.
Upper cabinet storage below. With open shelving and windows where our china and glassware storage used to be, lower cabinets need to work much harder and smarter these days. When outfitted like this, it makes it easy. Well, fairly easy — think of it as getting some extra squats into your workout when you need to grab something.
A hidden place for charging. Speaking of counter clutter, personal devices are the worst. And they’re full of germs — not a good mix with surfaces where you prepare food. Charging drawers keep them tucked away, safe from spills and ready for playing podcasts and looking up recipes while you’re working in the kitchen.
A 130 YEAR OLD HOUSE KITCHEN RENOVATION The cooktop and range are anchored against the original brick on the back of the fireplace, bringing the cooking activities in the home back to where they occurred more than a century ago. An antique door the homeowners found years ago obscures the stacked washer and dryer.
In search of a new neutral. All-white kitchens have been popular for years, and gray has also seen an uptick. But color expert Kate Smith, president of Sensational Color, says she sees kitchens “moving from just the basic gray to all kinds of pale neutrals — even pale greens.” Specifically, Smith is seeing greens show up on cabinetry and walls. At the same time, she has noticed a shift away from the pops-of-color trend toward a more neutral and holistic palette for the kitchen. “Possibly it comes back to our desire for a need to feel calm,” she says. Though green can read as a strong color — think lime, Kelly green, grass green — many shades, like the pale one in this photo, or olive, can read as neutrals. Wall paint: custom color by Donald Lococo Architects
Delightful Descent No room for a walk-in pantry? How about a walk-down pantry? The British company that worked on this kitchen specializes in creating pantries and wine cellars below ground. Here, a hydraulic trap door opens to reveal a spiral staircase leading down to dry goods and other kitchen essentials.
Rose gold. This coppery finish is my favorite metal right now. I think rose gold is a great choice for white rooms, because it exudes so much warmth and has a commanding presence. Its peachy-bronze tone is so different, and you can use it with any style, from ultramodern to super formal. It’s a foolproof metal finish that I think we’re going to be seeing more of in the future.
kitchen spice keeper
simple, elegant counter with leather stools
two shallow steps up to kitchen. great design.
secret kitchen cupboard door
interesting sink
Incredibly airy furniture selection. Wire chairs. Pedestal table. Light. Airy look. Including rug.
Julie's kitchen???
Interesting archway to kitchen with cabinets
van Otterloo type kitchen table
Pottery barn stools. Height??
a different shaped kitchen with window seat
Kitchen shape?
NICE SHADE OF WHITE FOR A KITCHEN
kitchen, beams, open room plan
Kitchen layout?
Navy also looks fantastic with this year's metal of choice: copper. Whether you use copper as the finish for lighting, plumbing fixtures or hardware, or simply display your collection of copper pots and pans, think navy for at least part of your kitchen.
LOVE the creamy white in this kitchen. Classic 1920's style kitchen designed in a new 200 sf addition to original historic home. Northlight Photography.
Remember the animals too....
Floor tiles???
This family of five wanted extra space so they could all hang out in the kitchen together. Two islands and two refrigerators divide the kitchen by activity — prep and cooking, cleanup and eating — so that the entire family can function seamlessly in the space.
Luxury Agate's a Dazzler One of the most popular uses Luke Gilcrease sees for agate is kitchen islands. "It’s a way to make a statement in the space," he says. Here black granite countertops are pushed aside by the stunning natural agate island. While it looks like a 4-inch solid slab, it’s actually multiple surfaces 2 centimeters thick that are fitted and fused together, cut artfully in a way so the stones give the appearance of thickness. A skilled artisan made them line up properly, creating a solid and homogeneous-looking piece. The slab is backlit by LED lights, which, until only a couple of years ago, weren’t strong enough to shine through the dense stone. Only about half the stones here are translucent, creating a beautiful, unique mix of light and texture and depth.
COUNTER TOP There are plenty of reasons granite is so popular — this natural stone has plenty of character, with unique grains, colors and customizable finishes. When properly sealed, it's one of the most durable options out there. While it can cost as low as $50 per square foot installed, prices can go up quickly with more exotic slabs and difficult installations.
COUNTER TOP - COPPER It certainly isn't common, but a copper countertop is surprisingly easy to clean and maintain. However, it's not for perfectionists — since it's a "living" surface, it reacts to different substances, creating a blend of matte reds, browns and greens. But for those who love the look, the minimum $100-per-square-foot cost is worth it.
COUNTER TOP Zinc Kitchen Counters You don't see zinc countertops in many modern kitchens, but this metal has a warmth that has made it popular for centuries. Zinc's tone darkens with time, adding patina. Its antimicrobial properties make it a smart choice for a cooking space. This beautiful material typically costs $100 and up per square foot, installed.
COUNTER TOP Marble Kitchen Counters Marble has an unrivaled, classic look that always seems to be in style. For lovers of white kitchens in particular, marble offers more variety than almost any other material. Marble is known more for the patina it develops with use than for its durability. It's a softer stone than granite, and can scratch and stain easily; the cost typically ranges from $70 to $100 per square foot installed.
COUNTER TOP Stainless Steel Kitchen Counters Professional chefs love stainless steel because it's nonstaining, heat resistant and easy to clean. While it certainly makes fingerprints and scratches stand out, it's a great choice for hardworking kitchens that don't need a perfect look. A price tag of $80 to $90 per square foot installed means it's more affordable than most stone counters, too.
COUNTER TOP Solid-Surface Kitchen Counters Is it stone, wood or plastic? This miracle material has the ability to emulate just about any look without the same damage risk or maintenance. Prices range from $50 to $100 per square foot, depending on the manufacturer.
COUNTER TOP WOOD For some, wood and countertops just don't seem to mix. But a high-quality wood with the right kind of sealer can make for a beautiful, warm and long-lasting countertop. The price varies substantially depending on the type of wood you choose, but butcher block counters tend to range from $30 to $85 per square foot, for materials only.
AFTER: Houzz user clairedial bought this 1950s home two years ago and remodeled the kitchen right away. Designed by her husband and a friend with a degree in interior design, the new space is outfitted with all their must-haves and more. "We love everything about our remodel," she says.
LAY OUT AFTER: Houzz user mwillis42 built her house in 1990, when kitchens were often black, white and modern. About five years ago, she grew sick of it and decided to update the countertops with granite. Of course, the desire for new cabinetry soon followed, but since she had put in new countertops (and didn't really feel like tearing them out), she found a painter who stained the old cabinetry in a dark cherry color — a much cheaper alternative to refacing.
LAYOUT AFTER: Built in 1980, shoyal's new home happened to be the home her husband had grown up in — unfortunately, it had never been updated. With the help of a great cabinetmaker, they redesigned the space to be more open and flow smoothly. A corner wall was taken out, and a French door was added for more light and outdoor access.
LAYOUT AFTER: After their refrigerator leaked and ruined their heart-pine floors, Christie Thomas knew it was time for a remodel. It's about 90 percent finished right now — and exactly what she wanted. "I had no idea how difficult some of the decision making would be," she says. "I have an appreciation for designers now and can certainly see why people hire them!" New kitchen size: 18 by 21 feet Budget: $62,000. Thomas did the design; her husband tore out the old kitchen and did the painting. They worked with a cabinetmaker and a contractor. Location: Rock Hill, South Carolina
BACK SPLASH AFTER: This 1945 California bungalow's kitchen was originally closed off from the rest of the house, with little counter space and almost no storage. Ten years after moving in, Houzz user dragonfly95354 was able to remodel it. Opening up the wall into the living room, replacing counter space and updating cabinetry made for an impressive transformation. "Now this room makes me happy every time I walk into it," she says.
BACK SPLASH AFTER: This midcentury kitchen had great character but just wasn't practical for h2bourne's lifestyle. The original cabinets were so low that microwaves and other appliances couldn't be placed on the countertops. New upper cabinetry, quartz countertops and a new wall color made a world of difference. The oak laminate floors were ripped up to expose the original fir floors underneath.
LAYOUT Flooring. Opt for flooring that requires just damp mopping and that has no grout lines, such as Marmoleum, linoleum or sheet vinyl. Although hardwood is easy to clean with a dust mop or a damp mop, you must immediately wipe up any spills or splatters, so you'll find yourself wiping up more often.
KITCHEN OFFICE ... when you can use them to hide all kinds of things. These doors open and slide back into the sides so that this kitchen office can quickly be hidden. That's a lot faster than putting papers and equipment away, and it looks tidier anyway than having the typical office items sitting on a counter.
UNDER SINK Undersink cleaning supplies. When it's time to clean, who wants to get down on hands and knees and feel around in the dark spot behind the garbage disposal looking for cleaning products? A drawer under the kitchen sink lets you pull everything into easy view and within reach.
Like kick space treatment
Love vintage copper cake molds....
SLATE SINK The basics: Genuine slate is a metamorphic stone with distinctive properties and excellent performance capabilities. New England slate, which is known for its superior quality, is especially appropriate for kitchen sink use.
SLATE SINK A slate sink for a standard 30- to 36-inch cabinet base typically costs between $900 and $1,200 and is usually made to order based on outside dimensions.
Kitchen Sinks: Slate Surfaces Rock for Strength and Style (7 / 7) Are you a fan of slate kitchen sinks? Let's discuss! Share your thoughts in the Comments section below.
PANTRY DOORS??? I cannot think of a more perfect place for pocket doors than the kitchen! Hide that pantry mess (although this one is quite tidy) behind elegant pocket doors without losing a shred of precious floor space.
A new kitchen being added, connected to a new porch. Inset cabinetry painted white with a warm-colored wood floor provides traditional style in the interior to complement the Greek revival exterior.
Corbels. Take a kitchen from simple to stately by adding corbels to your focal points — like on this kitchen's island corners. Since corbels are so ornate, they tend to stand out on kitchen cabinets, drawing attention to certain features. The finest corbels are hand crafted from wood, so they can be expensive. There are more affordable precast foam models, but they can't be stained to match cabinets — only painted. Artisan Custom Interiors Kitchen & Bath Designers Hand Painted Kitchen This Kitchen was constructed with raised panel doors inset in a beaded face frame; it is a white hand brush painted finish. Details include scalloped toe kicks, intricate custom crown moldings, fluted columns, and cross patterned mutton glass doors. The island is custom hickory stained with custom corbels, fluted columns, and lattice screens. Url:http://artisanwood.com Location:New York
Miele USA Email Save Thoughtful Renovation The original farmhouse was built in 1802 — inspiration for the Beekman 1802 brand name — and sits on a property that includes vegetable and flower gardens, a historic barn, a pond and rolling lawns. Though the kitchen was last renovated in the mid-1990s, the overall look was due for an update. “We do a lot of photography and videography for our social media in the kitchen, so we wanted it to look interesting and fresh, with neutral patterns and colors,” Ridge says. “We chose three different warm grays, one for the lower cabinetry and the others for the upper cabinetry and island, to create greater depth and visual interest.” Storage was also a top priority, with the pair very much in need of shelves for ingredients, serving dishes and kitchen tools. Larger appliances, such as this wine storage unit, were integrated into the cabinetry. The couple chose to keep many of the handmade cherry cabinets, which had been constructed by a local woodworker during the previous renovation, but they were looking for ways to maximize utility. “We thought through every single inch of storage space,” Ridge says, “and while we decided to recycle much of t...
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