--- title: "GOLDEN GATE KITCHENS — Kitchen & Bath Designers | Houzz" canonical_html_url: https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/golden-gate-kitchens-pfvwus-pf~2114284632 markdown_url: https://www.houzz.com/md/professionals/pf~2114284632.md entity_type: LocalBusiness business_name: "GOLDEN GATE KITCHENS" category: ["Kitchen & Bath Designers"] image: https://st.hzcdn.com/fimgs/a15388c400dbd9b2_2649-w400-h400-b0-p0--.jpg address: "125 Main St, Los Altos, California 94022, United States" latitude: 37.3814 longitude: -122.1258 phone: "(408) 715-3053" website: http://www.goldengatekitchens.com rating: 5 review_count: 12 years_in_business: 27 best_of_houzz_awards: 9 followers: 93 last_updated: 2026-08-20 --- # GOLDEN GATE KITCHENS > Bay Area's Nationally Recognized Kitchen Design Firm Original Houzz profile: [GOLDEN GATE KITCHENS](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/golden-gate-kitchens-pfvwus-pf~2114284632) ## Professional summary - **Primary category:** Kitchen & Bath Designers - **Location:** Los Altos, CA - **Serves:** San Jose, Sunnyvale, Santa Clara, Santa Barbara, Redwood City, Mountain View, Palo Alto, Cupertino, Campbell, Menlo Park, Los Gatos, Los Altos, Saratoga, San Carlos, Belmont, Stanford, Los Altos Hills, Montecito, Atherton, Woodside, Portola Valley, Bay Area, Greater Bay Area, Lake Tahoe, Marin, Tampa Bay, Willow Glen - **Houzz rating:** 5.0 out of 5 (12 reviews) - **Best of Houzz:** 9 awards (2014–2025), for Design, Service. ## About ### Houzz Badges - Houzz Pro Software User - Houzz Influencer - Recommended on Houzz - 25,000 Ideabook Saves - Best of Houzz winner - Offers Custom Work - 27 years in business - Responds Quickly ### Business highlights - 27 years in business - Best of Houzz winner - Offers Custom Work - Responds Quickly Transform Your Home with Golden Gate Kitchens – Where Timeless Design Meets Modern Craftsmanship Discover the art of exceptional kitchen and whole-home design with Golden Gate Kitchens, proudly serving the Bay Area and beyond, from vibrant San Francisco to stunning second homes as far away as Tampa, Florida. Since 1993, our expert team has crafted custom cabinetry and breathtaking designs that elevate lifestyles for homeowners, working with designers, contractors, and developers. Step into our Los Altos showroom and meet Helena Steele, our visionary Kitchen Designer, available by appointment, to bring your dream space to life. Helena’s designs blend timeless elegance with unparalleled functionality, tailored to your unique needs. Drawing from her early career in Historic Restoration in Charleston, South Carolina, she masterfully combines classic influences with cutting-edge trends—avoiding fleeting fads to create spaces that endure. From seamless cabinetry upgrades to full-home transformations, Helena collaborates with top teams to deliver flawless results. Our custom cabinetry, proudly Made in the USA, meets California’s rigorous environmental standards. Featuring Lifetime Finishes for durability and eco-conscious craftsmanship, we use certified sustainable woods. Choose from premier lines like Dura Supreme, Signature Custom Cabinetry, or the ultra-custom Grabill Cabinets and Dutch Made which exceed expectations—details await on our website! Ready to reimagine your space? Call or text us today at 408-390-0493 to schedule your consultation with Helena and start creating a home that inspires every day. Visit www.goldengatekitchens.com for more details and let’s build your timeless masterpiece together! ### Services Provided - Kitchen Design - Custom Cabinets - Custom Kitchen Cabinets - Home Additions - Floor Plans - Laundry Room Design - Mudroom Design - Custom Walk-in Closets - Outdoor Kitchen Design - Sustainable Design - Handicap-Accessible Design - Wine Cellar Design - Kitchen Remodeling - Bedroom Design - Closet Design - Family Room Design - New Construction ### Areas Served - San Jose - Sunnyvale - Santa Clara - Santa Barbara - Redwood City - Mountain View - Palo Alto - Cupertino - Campbell - Menlo Park - Los Gatos - Los Altos - Saratoga - San Carlos - Belmont - Stanford - Los Altos Hills - Montecito - Atherton - Woodside - Portola Valley - Bay Area - Greater Bay Area - Lake Tahoe - Marin - Tampa Bay - Willow Glen ### Typical Job Cost $30,000 - 90,000 Price is for CUstom Cabinetry Complimentary Initial Consultation Cabinet Design Fee included with Cabinet Purchase ## Business Details | Field | Value | | --- | --- | | Business Name | GOLDEN GATE KITCHENS | | Address | 125 Main St, Los Altos, California 94022, United States | | Phone | (408) 715-3053 | | Website | http://www.goldengatekitchens.com | | Years in business | 27 | | Followers on Houzz | 93 | **Social profiles:** - Blog — www.goldengatekitchens.com ## Contact - **Houzz profile:** [GOLDEN GATE KITCHENS](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/golden-gate-kitchens-pfvwus-pf~2114284632) - **Website:** http://www.goldengatekitchens.com - **Phone:** (408) 715-3053 ## Credentials **Certifications & Awards** - NKBA member - Winner: First Place California Home & Design Achievement Awards, Specialty Space - **Best of Houzz:** 9 awards (2014–2025), for Design, Service. **Affiliations** - [National Kitchen & Bath Association](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/schools-and-organizations/national-kitchen-and-bath-association-pfvwus-pf~1351084655) ## Reviews **Overall rating: 5.0 out of 5 — 12 reviews** *Aspect averages:* - Work Quality: 50.0 - Communication: 50.0 - Value: 50.0 ### All 12 reviews **★★★★★ — seth and deb, Jan. 2022** > Helena could not be better to work with. She has vast experience, communicates well and instilled confidence in us at every step. Her attention to detail was very reassuring. She was readily available for help and questions during the installation and delivery process also. we could not recommend her more highly. **Comment from GOLDEN GATE KITCHENS:** > Thank you Seth and Deb, It was a pleasure working with you and I am so glad you love your kitchen! **★★★★★ — Aravind, March 2021** > We hired Helena to remodel an old peninsula kitchen. We really wanted to have an island in there even though most designers said the kitchen is too narrow to have it. Based on some research, we came up with a rough idea on how we can have an island and more storage. She quickly understood what we are looking for and converted our idea into a beautiful kitchen design. She is so much more than a cabinet designer. She not only has a great design sense, but also has lot of practical knowledge about architecture, plumbing/electrical codes etc. The contractor simply had to follow her design. She helped us refine the window placement in the kitchen and she worked with us on ordering a custom color for our cabinets. She was very transparent about cabinet arrival times as we were in a tight timeframe to finish the project. > > If you are looking for a practical and beautiful kitchen, Golden Gate Kitchens is the place to go. **★★★★★ — dstember, Feb. 2021** > Collaborative, creative, iterative, charismatic, efficient. What more can I say? We are designers and home-flippers. We have been working with Helena for years. We've asked her to help us with multiple-styled homes. She always hits it out of the park. Love to work with this woman! Call her today! **★★★★★ — Ann M, Feb. 2021** > We have used Helena’s services in two different homes and have been extremely happy with both remodels. Her work is of the highest quality, which is matched by materials and subs. > > Helena loves to fill every nook and cranny with storage solutions, a bonus in a small kitchen! She is an excellent go between with suppliers and assures the job is done correctly. We are in our final house, but would use her again if we change our mind! **Comment from GOLDEN GATE KITCHENS:** > Thank you Ann, I have enjoyed so much working with both of you! **★★★★★ — Lindsey Albanese, March 2019** > Helena/Golden Gate Kitchens is a wonderful resource to have on any home project. I worked with Helena to remodel our kitchen. Prior to start on the project, she met with me multiple times to get to know me and my style, to measure, to ask questions and to make sure we were a good fit, which I really appreciated. > > Not only does she have a great eye for design, but she is detail oriented and practical. We worked through issues like how to optimize our storage space, functionality, flow, placement of kitchen gadgets I use and where they should go, etc. She had great suggestions for how to make my kitchen work for me. > > For design, I had very specific ideas for color and finish and she was able to get me exactly what I wanted. She went with me to source my stone slabs and to discuss backsplash, fixtures, etc. > She was there for my cabinet delivery and install, and checked in during other scopes of work to make sure that everything was integrating properly. > > I would highly recommend Helena and plan to use her again :) **★★★★★ — D N, Aug. 2018** > Our remodel transformed from cookie-cutter to one-of-a-kind the moment Helena joined our project. She listened intently to our hopes, asked astute questions about how we go about our daily life, and designed a spectacular kitchen, study, and family room that has completely changed the way we live. Helena has a keen eye, a creative vision, and a wealth of experience that make her absolutely irreplaceable on a project like ours. Helena found clever work-arounds when we encountered hiccups in our construction process, and was ever mindful of our budget as she brought our dreams to life. Beyond the exceptional quality of the design itself, the cabinetry we now have is of superior quality, fully customized to our lifestyle, and built to last a lifetime. Simply put, Helena is a master craftswoman and we thank our lucky stars we had the good fortune to work with her. **★★★★★ — Sandra Kucek, Oct. 2016** > Golden Gate Kitchens provided us with a quality kitchen. From planning to the final installation, Helena's expertise and follow through made the entire process very manageable. Her ability to quickly make free hand elevations of cabinet layouts was a bonus when we needed to visualize our kitchen. Everything worked out according to the schedule we received in regard to manufacturing and the on time delivery. The finished product is even better than we imagined. **★★★★★ — s aly, Sept. 2016** > The house we bought in Los Altos had a nice looking kitchen but it was barely functional from a storage perspective. Once we moved in we found that we had to keep half our kitchen pots, pans etc in the garage. So we decided to do a gut and re-do. Helena designed a new kitchen that tripled the storage in the exact same space. She introduced some unique features to solve the challenges I posed to her. Example a ceiling height spice cabinet that has 12 shelves and is 5 inches deep. There is also a ceiling height cabinet which is 11 inches deep for all of my small appliances.- so that I can open up the doors and there they all are nicely lined up and in full sight. The kitchen is very aesthetically appealing and I actually now have more than enough storage space. **★★★★★ — Amy, May 2014** > We completely reconfigured our kitchen and master bathroom, removing walls and moving plumbing. We also gutted two other bathrooms and a laundry room. Helena provided a perfect design for each space. We are very happy with the result. We interviewed several kitchen designers before deciding on Helena. She provided innovative ideas that the other designers didn't. Not only does she have great eye but she is conscientious of spending money where it doesn't need to be spent. I highly recommend Helena and Golden Gate Kitchens! **★★★★★ — refallow, May 2013** > Golden Gate Kitchens designed, specified and supplied all the cabinetry in our new home: Kitchen/Bar, laundry room, children's work stations, all bathroom vanities, kitchenette in pool house and misc. built-ins throughout. During the design phase, Golden Gate Kitchens patiently listened to everything we had to say - every request, every concern - and incorporated these things into the most beautiful, functional spaces we could ever have wanted. It is obvious that Golden Gate Kitchens has extensive knowledge of the cabinet lines they work with and have excellent working relationships with these manufacturers. Our cabinetry arrived on schedule and is gorgeous - excellent quality, beautiful finishes, and wonderful design details throughout. I never dreamed we would have so much usable space - not a square inch wasted anywhere. During installation (which was not provided by Golden Gate Kitchens) any problems were immediately remedied in the most profesional, courteous manner. We are so happy with the job this company performed - we highly recommend Golden Gate Kitchens. **★★★★★ — montague interiors, May 2013** > I have worked with Helena for over 20 years. Seriously. Every design she creates is uniquely suited to my clients' aesthetic needs AND functional needs. Helena's product offerings range from contemporary to traditional; she often creates her own "one-of-a-kind" look which I love...because my clients are thrilled to have something that no one else has. She is one of the most creative, artistic people I have ever worked with. She is also extremely detailed, which her craft requires. Helena is also clever with pricing and is able to customize her designs to meet my clients' budget requirements. > > I highly recommend Golden Gate Kitchens and would encourage you to engage Helena early in your project as her understanding of design requirements can save you time and money...and, most importantly, give you the end results you are looking for. **★★★★★ — garyasc, April 2013** > In over five years of using Golden Gate Kitchens > on many high-end projects, I have had only > extremely satisfied clients. > > Due to Helena's design expertise and > beautiful cabinetry, my jobs run smoothly. > > I highly recommend them. > > Gary Copeland > > Contractor / Owner of Sherwood Builders ## Selected projects - [Modern Farmhouse Saratoga](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-farmhouse-saratoga-pj-vj~5438780) - Location: Saratoga, CA - Photos: 6 - Description: Dura Supreme custom painted cabinetry, white , custom SW blue island, Indigo Batik Cage fixtures; Lights Furniture and accessories: Susan Love, Interior Stylist Saratoga CA Photographer www.christopherstark.com Construction by Granada Construction - [Organic Modern Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/organic-modern-kitchen-pj-vj~5646370) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: Designer - Helena Steele Photo Credit: christopherstark.com Other Finishes and Furniture : @lindseyalbanese Custom inset Cabinetry $57,000 ++ Porcelain Slab Counters: Sapien Stone- Calacatta Light Stone Farm Sink and Island Prep Sink by: Native Trails Island Sapien Stone: Sand Earth Custom glazed finish Bag by Ala Pilar ala\_pilar - [Transitional with curved mullein doors with mirror](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/transitional-with-curved-mullein-doors-with-mirror-pj-vj~6813854) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 - Description: White Kitchen with pale blue island, mirrored refrigerator doors, pull out pantries, French style hood, Lacornue range in Cornufe series, Curved mullein doors, porcelain slab counters, marble backsplash - [Mid Century Re-do](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mid-century-re-do-pj-vj~5438801) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: Spruce and Pine Developer Wood grain laminate custom cabinets by DuraSupreme - [Los Altos Classic](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/los-altos-classic-pj-vj~7706491) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 6 - [Modern Open Plan](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-open-plan-pj-vj~6809842) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 4 - Description: Modern open plan, large remodel, wood finish slab door, thick marble counter on Island, seating area Integrated into great room, oversized pendant lighting, - [Willow Glen Way](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/willow-glen-way-pj-vj~6542997) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 4 - [Painted Inset with Walnut Island](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/painted-inset-with-walnut-island-pj-vj~1827681) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 8 - Description: Traditional/transitional white painted kitchen , inset cabinetry, walnut stained island with inset doors, fully custom cabinets with lifetime finish, custom metal hood, honed marble counters and marble subway backsplash, seating at island, kitchen has fold away "nano" style doors into yard for expansive use - [Farmhouse with Wood Hood](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/farmhouse-with-wood-hood-pj-vj~6191977) - Location: San Carlos, CA - Photos: 3 - [Transitional Home](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/transitional-home-pj-vj~622774) - Location: Los Altos, CA - Photos: 11 - [Traditional Farm House](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/traditional-farm-house-pj-vj~2691445) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 7 - Description: Modern Farmhouse , white cabinetry with soft Grey Island, marble counters , Decorative wood hood, french oak distressed floors, mud room, grey island, boot bench, mud room - [Contemporary Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/contemporary-kitchen-pj-vj~139344) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 3 - Description: Contemporary/Modern kitchen with slab cherry wood doors, concrete and granite counters, large dual height island, with three stools, blue pendant lighting on rail, painted black trim on cabinetry, island built for pro-cooking, stainless appliances, Gaggenau Island hood, elm flooring, metalic look backsplash tiles - [Camino Ramon Willow Glen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/camino-ramon-willow-glen-pj-vj~5438809) - Location: San Jose, CA - Photos: 3 - [Cabana Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/cabana-kitchen-pj-vj~222642) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 3 - Description: Modern Italian style Cabana kitchen. Sleek cabinetry with combinations of Stainless and slab wood door elements. Custom stainless steel counters. Fold up doors on wall cabinets. Old world space in historic home with very modern twist for a timeless estate look. - [Modern Bamboo Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/modern-bamboo-kitchen-pj-vj~222653) - Location: Palo Alto, CA - Photos: 3 - Description: Contemporary/Modern kitchen with horizontal grain Ply-Boo bamboo cabinetry. Project was a LEED Certified home. Lots of deep drawers, very clean lines, Upper cabinets for glass with by-Pass glass doors. Eat at Island with drawers and open shelving. Frameless all wood cabinetry. - [Award Winning Laundry Room](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/award-winning-laundry-room-pj-vj~139331) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 5 - Description: Laundry Room that doubles as Butlers Pantry when entertaining. Custom designed for 1920's Meditereanean Revival Home,. Distressed and glazed yellow painted cabinetry. Honed Jerusalem Gold counters with scalloped backsplash. Complete with Farm sink to double as iced beverage server beverage for parties, laundry chute in cabinetry , fabric skirt over washer and dryer for vintage feel, and "kitty cabana" under sink to hide litter box with curved doors for kitty acces ...stone floor goes under sink… - [Mediterranean Kitchen](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/mediterranean-kitchen-pj-vj~139341) - Location: Los Gatos, CA - Photos: 4 - [Press](https://www.houzz.com/hznb/projects/press-pj-vj~5646791) - Location: Not specified - Photos: 7 [See all 18 projects](https://www.houzz.com/professionals/kitchen-and-bath-designers/golden-gate-kitchens-pfvwus-pf~2114284632) ## Video - [Company video](https://player.vimeo.com/external/840728332.m3u8?s=6d78a34d6fbfd26cad5b07030df730937c1c226c&oauth2_token_id=1384357804) ## Frequently Asked Questions **Do you design both kitchens and bathrooms?** Yes, we absolutely design both kitchens and bathrooms! While our name is Golden Gate Kitchens, our expert team specializes in comprehensive whole-home design, including custom cabinetry for kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms, and more. Helena, our visionary designer, is a licensed kitchen and bath designer, ensuring beautiful and functional spaces throughout your home. **Do you specialize in a particular design style or kind (modern, contemporary, luxury)?** We specialize in moderate to high-end, award-winning designs that blend timeless elegance with modern craftsmanship. Our portfolio showcases a diverse range of styles, from Modern Farmhouse and Transitional Elegance to Earthy Minimalist and Midcentury Modern. Helena masterfully combines classic influences with cutting-edge trends to create spaces that are both unique to you and enduring. **Do you provide full-service design or design-only plans?** We offer comprehensive full-service design. Our expert team works closely with you from concept to completion, creating custom kitchen spaces and cabinetry that are both functional and beautiful. We can collaborate with your existing team or provide design-build services in-house, ensuring a seamless experience for your complete kitchen remodel or whole-home cabinetry project. **Do you create optimized layouts for small or challenging spaces?** Absolutely! Our designs prioritize functionality and are tailored to your unique needs, which includes optimizing layouts for small or challenging spaces. Helena's expertise ensures that every design, whether for a compact kitchen or an irregularly shaped room, maximizes space and enhances usability, creating a truly functional and beautiful environment. **Do you assist with cabinetry and fixture selection?** Yes, assisting with cabinetry selection is a core part of our service! We specialize in high-end custom cabinets and work with premier lines like Dura Supreme, Signature Custom Cabinetry, Grabill Cabinets, and Dutch Made. We guide you through selecting the perfect custom cabinetry for your kitchen and whole home, ensuring it reflects your style and meets California's rigorous environmental standards. *FAQ content may be generated based on the Pro's Houzz profile and website.* ## Ideabooks - [kitchens Painted](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52910576/list/kitchens-painted) — 144 ideas - [mud rooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56511864/list/mud-rooms) — 14 ideas - [Contemporary kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56511436/list/contemporary-kitchens) — 67 ideas - [bathrooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53310873/list/bathrooms) — 56 ideas - [living -family rooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/53310957/list/living-family-rooms) — 35 ideas - [transitional kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/82785675/list/transitional-kitchens) — 37 ideas - [outdoor kitchens](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/52910804/list/outdoor-kitchens) — 26 ideas - [DuraSupreme projects for ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/10461994/list/durasupreme-projects-for-ideas) — 93 ideas - [Dining rooms](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/14711853/list/dining-rooms) — 4 ideas - [Multi height Islands](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/67738775/list/multi-height-islands) — 33 ideas - [closets](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56512052/list/closets) — 9 ideas - [fireplace surrounds and mantle](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/55471457/list/fireplace-surrounds-and-mantle) — 18 ideas - [storage ideas](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56511035/list/storage-ideas) — 12 ideas - [laundry](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/56511180/list/laundry) — 4 ideas [See all 14 ideabooks](https://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/users/ggkgoldengatekitchens) ## Community Q&A **Q: what is the width of one of the individual windows in the set?** *(in Photo Questions)* Trying to determine how to achieve the long narrow window look without going to narrow on the width A: The ceiling height will be a factor These are about 27” wide Ceiling to Soffit is 8’ To top of wall is 9’ **Q: Can I use your image on my blog page? Thanks** *(in Photo Questions)* Can I use your image on my blog page? Thanks A: Thank you for asking, yes, just be sure to credit Golden Gate Kitchens somewhere **Q: Who makes the Cremona bolts on the Cabinetry?** *(in Photo Questions)* Brass, for cabinet doors Thank you A: Signature Hardware **Q: where gold lights** *(in Photo Questions)* I here did you get the gold light fixtures above island like hexagons Thanks A: They were from Restoration Hardware **Q: What is the type of wood flooring and stain?** *(in Photo Questions)* Could you pls tell me what type of hardwood the floors are made of and what the stain is called? A: It’s white oak with a fruitwood toned finish, I do not have the stain. The photo makes it look lighter. If you like this, use it as a photo reference for your floor person. **Q: Love the floor tile. Where is it from?** *(in Photo Questions)* A client saw this pic and loved the floor tile. I would like to find out if it is still available. Thanks. A: Will try to find but may not still have --- *Source: Houzz professional profile. Reflects the profile as of 2026-08-20.*