Houzz Pro Contest Winner’s 3D Kitchen Design Really Pops
Designer Sara Barron’s virtual kitchen has a relatable style and a layout designed for those who love to cook
Bryan Anthony
September 7, 2021
Designer Sara Barron in Perry, Georgia, has nearly 10 years of experience designing kitchens, bathrooms and whole homes. “I love to see a project come together and work with clients to help them visualize their future home and see it become a reality,” she says.
Barron recently won the Houzz Pro 3D Kitchen Design Contest. For the competition, design and remodeling professionals and design students submitted kitchen designs they created using the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner tool. In her winning submission, Barron put her experience to good use designing a kitchen with wide-ranging appeal. “The size and layout of the kitchen is a pretty typical one that you see in a lot of homes,” she says. “I thought it would be a relatable space and a nice way to showcase practical features and inviting looks.”
Barron recently won the Houzz Pro 3D Kitchen Design Contest. For the competition, design and remodeling professionals and design students submitted kitchen designs they created using the Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner tool. In her winning submission, Barron put her experience to good use designing a kitchen with wide-ranging appeal. “The size and layout of the kitchen is a pretty typical one that you see in a lot of homes,” she says. “I thought it would be a relatable space and a nice way to showcase practical features and inviting looks.”
Transitional Appeal
The Houzz Pro 3D tool enables pros to design a kitchen virtually and then with a click turn it into a 3D model that shows clients exactly what the space will look like when work is complete. Pros can select and place cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, hardware and more in their designs.
Using the 3D tool, Barron designed a virtual room about 450 square feet (42 square meters) in size. The kitchen area has a G-shaped layout with a peninsula that accommodates three counter stools. The breakfast area features a round dining table that seats four.
“I would describe the kitchen as having a transitional style with a nod to modern farmhouse,” she says. “I didn’t want it to be an all-white space, so I introduced some color to make it pop.”
The walls are a deep teal (Sea Star by Benjamin Moore). “There was a large selection of wall colors to choose from,” the designer says, “but in the end I thought this was the perfect green-blue shade that would have wide appeal and complement all of the other material selections.”
Shaker-style cabinets in black (Blacktop by Benjamin Moore) add another bold stroke. “I love the look of dark cabinets. They make the lighter materials stand out in a space,” Barron says. “Since I added a large window over the sink, I felt the space would receive enough natural light for black cabinets. I also added glass-front doors to one wall of cabinets to keep it from feeling too dark.”
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The Houzz Pro 3D tool enables pros to design a kitchen virtually and then with a click turn it into a 3D model that shows clients exactly what the space will look like when work is complete. Pros can select and place cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring, hardware and more in their designs.
Using the 3D tool, Barron designed a virtual room about 450 square feet (42 square meters) in size. The kitchen area has a G-shaped layout with a peninsula that accommodates three counter stools. The breakfast area features a round dining table that seats four.
“I would describe the kitchen as having a transitional style with a nod to modern farmhouse,” she says. “I didn’t want it to be an all-white space, so I introduced some color to make it pop.”
The walls are a deep teal (Sea Star by Benjamin Moore). “There was a large selection of wall colors to choose from,” the designer says, “but in the end I thought this was the perfect green-blue shade that would have wide appeal and complement all of the other material selections.”
Shaker-style cabinets in black (Blacktop by Benjamin Moore) add another bold stroke. “I love the look of dark cabinets. They make the lighter materials stand out in a space,” Barron says. “Since I added a large window over the sink, I felt the space would receive enough natural light for black cabinets. I also added glass-front doors to one wall of cabinets to keep it from feeling too dark.”
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Cook’s Corner
The kitchen has a working triangle layout with the sink on one wall, a range in the middle and a double oven and refrigerator on the other wall.
“I once designed a kitchen for a full-time chef, and having the range and the ovens separated was very important to her,” Barron says. “I thought this layout would appeal to homeowners who love to cook. It’s also why I went with the six-burner gas range.”
The double undermount sink is strategically situated under the window to receive natural light. “I chose a double sink because I feel like it’s more practical, but this is normally something a client would choose,” Barron says. “Just because something is practical for me doesn’t mean it will be for them.”
The cabinets have curved rectangular pulls in a satin nickel finish that pairs well with the stainless steel appliances.
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The kitchen has a working triangle layout with the sink on one wall, a range in the middle and a double oven and refrigerator on the other wall.
“I once designed a kitchen for a full-time chef, and having the range and the ovens separated was very important to her,” Barron says. “I thought this layout would appeal to homeowners who love to cook. It’s also why I went with the six-burner gas range.”
The double undermount sink is strategically situated under the window to receive natural light. “I chose a double sink because I feel like it’s more practical, but this is normally something a client would choose,” Barron says. “Just because something is practical for me doesn’t mean it will be for them.”
The cabinets have curved rectangular pulls in a satin nickel finish that pairs well with the stainless steel appliances.
Shop for appliances on Houzz
Pretty Peninsula
The peninsula has a trio of tufted counter stools in faux white leather. “I went with the same color upholstery for the stools and the dining chairs, but used different materials to add interest,” Barron says.
The white marble countertops with beveled edges make a dramatic contrast against the black cabinets. The flooring is solid birch planks. “With the cabinets being so dark, I wanted something light for the flooring. I also love the natural look of wood floors,” the designer says. “Lighter wood finishes are very popular right now too.”
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The peninsula has a trio of tufted counter stools in faux white leather. “I went with the same color upholstery for the stools and the dining chairs, but used different materials to add interest,” Barron says.
The white marble countertops with beveled edges make a dramatic contrast against the black cabinets. The flooring is solid birch planks. “With the cabinets being so dark, I wanted something light for the flooring. I also love the natural look of wood floors,” the designer says. “Lighter wood finishes are very popular right now too.”
Not sure where to start on your home project? Learn the basics
Breakfast Area
The breakfast area features a round dining table in a weathered gray finish with oval-back chairs covered in white linen. “I felt like there needed to be some curved lines in the design, as kitchens tend to get boxy,” Barron says.
The ivory-and-sea-blue round rug under the table is from Safavieh‘s Ikat collection. “I wanted to pull in some of the colors from the wall,” the designer says. “The rug accomplished that beautifully and also added some pattern.”
The wood-and-metal chandelier is from Sea Gull Lighting. “The chandelier has satin nickel elements that connect to the cabinet hardware and help tie the two areas of the kitchen together,” she says.
The breakfast area features a round dining table in a weathered gray finish with oval-back chairs covered in white linen. “I felt like there needed to be some curved lines in the design, as kitchens tend to get boxy,” Barron says.
The ivory-and-sea-blue round rug under the table is from Safavieh‘s Ikat collection. “I wanted to pull in some of the colors from the wall,” the designer says. “The rug accomplished that beautifully and also added some pattern.”
The wood-and-metal chandelier is from Sea Gull Lighting. “The chandelier has satin nickel elements that connect to the cabinet hardware and help tie the two areas of the kitchen together,” she says.
Floor Plan
The floor plan for Barron’s 3D kitchen design shows the G-shaped layout and the adjacent breakfast area.
The floor plan for Barron’s 3D kitchen design shows the G-shaped layout and the adjacent breakfast area.
Meet the Designer
Barron received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design at Valdosta State University in 2011. Since graduating, she has been working as in-house designer for a local construction company. During the past few years, she has been looking to grow her own firm and help clients create the homes of their dreams.
“I’ve been branching out and taking on design projects under my own firm name,” Barron says. “I’m excited about working with clients every step of the way to create a home that reflects their taste and lifestyle.”
Barron received her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in interior design at Valdosta State University in 2011. Since graduating, she has been working as in-house designer for a local construction company. During the past few years, she has been looking to grow her own firm and help clients create the homes of their dreams.
“I’ve been branching out and taking on design projects under my own firm name,” Barron says. “I’m excited about working with clients every step of the way to create a home that reflects their taste and lifestyle.”
This photo and next by Christina Elmore Photography
Craftsman-Style Kitchen
Among Barron’s recent projects is a Craftsman-style new-build home in Atlanta. She helped the homeowners infuse their love of the style throughout the house by selecting materials and finishes that nod to it and give a warm, rustic feel.
The home’s galley-style kitchen with a breakfast area is about 240 square feet (22 square meters). The back wall of the kitchen includes the refrigerator, gas range and microwave. The peninsula houses the dishwasher and the sink.
The kitchen opens directly into the living room, so there wasn’t enough space to add counter stools to the peninsula. Instead, the peninsula features decorative corbels below the marble-look quartz countertops; they provide a furniture-look that eases the transition into the living room.
Four Craftsman-style pendants above the peninsula provide a perfect period touch. “They are a great segue from the living room into the kitchen,” Barron says. “The wood cabinets and backsplash behind them make you look at the room as a whole and know what style it is.”
Craftsman-Style Kitchen
Among Barron’s recent projects is a Craftsman-style new-build home in Atlanta. She helped the homeowners infuse their love of the style throughout the house by selecting materials and finishes that nod to it and give a warm, rustic feel.
The home’s galley-style kitchen with a breakfast area is about 240 square feet (22 square meters). The back wall of the kitchen includes the refrigerator, gas range and microwave. The peninsula houses the dishwasher and the sink.
The kitchen opens directly into the living room, so there wasn’t enough space to add counter stools to the peninsula. Instead, the peninsula features decorative corbels below the marble-look quartz countertops; they provide a furniture-look that eases the transition into the living room.
Four Craftsman-style pendants above the peninsula provide a perfect period touch. “They are a great segue from the living room into the kitchen,” Barron says. “The wood cabinets and backsplash behind them make you look at the room as a whole and know what style it is.”
Charming Cabinets
The custom maple cabinets are finished in a warm golden stain (Bronze Walnut by Sherwin-Williams). Barron took the cabinets to the top of the ceiling and added a decorative molding.
“Taking the cabinets all the way to the ceiling puts emphasis on the taller ceilings and adds interest to the entire wall,” the designer says. “It also adds extra storage and turns what would’ve been dead space into functional space.”
For the cabinet hardware, Barron chose a simple flat rectangular pull in a brushed oil-rubbed-bronze finish. “They carry the Craftsman style but also give a fresh, clean look,” she says.
The flooring is wood-look luxury vinyl planks.
The custom maple cabinets are finished in a warm golden stain (Bronze Walnut by Sherwin-Williams). Barron took the cabinets to the top of the ceiling and added a decorative molding.
“Taking the cabinets all the way to the ceiling puts emphasis on the taller ceilings and adds interest to the entire wall,” the designer says. “It also adds extra storage and turns what would’ve been dead space into functional space.”
For the cabinet hardware, Barron chose a simple flat rectangular pull in a brushed oil-rubbed-bronze finish. “They carry the Craftsman style but also give a fresh, clean look,” she says.
The flooring is wood-look luxury vinyl planks.
Decorative Details
The homeowner found decorative tiles showing a pair of oak trees that she wanted to use as a focal point over the range wall, so Barron sourced ceramic subway tiles in complementary mottled colors to create a kitchen backsplash that thoughtfully incorporates the decorative tile.
“That’s one of the things I love about design: taking a piece of art, furniture or, in this case, some decorative tile that a homeowner really loves and then incorporating it into the rest of the design,” Barron says. “It really makes the homeowner feel a part of the design process. It also showcases something they love and makes them feel personally connected to their home.”
The homeowner found decorative tiles showing a pair of oak trees that she wanted to use as a focal point over the range wall, so Barron sourced ceramic subway tiles in complementary mottled colors to create a kitchen backsplash that thoughtfully incorporates the decorative tile.
“That’s one of the things I love about design: taking a piece of art, furniture or, in this case, some decorative tile that a homeowner really loves and then incorporating it into the rest of the design,” Barron says. “It really makes the homeowner feel a part of the design process. It also showcases something they love and makes them feel personally connected to their home.”
Pros with this badge on their Houzz profile page have the ability to use the 3D tool to generate designs for clients.
You can start your search for a design or remodeling professional on Houzz here.
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You can start your search for a design or remodeling professional on Houzz here.
More on Houzz
Read more kitchen design stories
Find a kitchen professional
Shop for kitchen and dining products
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Thanks bevskid! This kitchen had a double oven, which would put it separate from the cook top. I could have placed them closer together, but I do like to have some counterspace on the side of an oven and cooktop so you will have a space to place items as you cook. Also, for this design, I wanted to have the hood almost as a focal point to the back wall, so I placed the double ovens on the side wall for that reason too. If you have a range, everything all in one place, which is okay too. I think it is all about personal preference when it comes to a kitchen and what is more functional for a client.
Which 3-D software did you use, please?
I used Houzz Pro 3D Floor Planner tool