Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW Like many families with older children, this local Glen Ellyn couple wanted to expand the size of their kitchen while also creating a more open, airy feel for their main level. The home had plenty of space that included a formal living room, formal dining room, family room with eat-in area and kitchen with butler’s pantry. What it didn’t have, was an effortless flow between the areas used daily for cooking, eating and gathering. Additionally, the kitchen had become outdated, feeling dark and dismal, despite the abundance of natural light. Our clients wanted a bright, cheerful interior that would inspire the family to congregate in this part of the house. No easy feat with teenagers. An open floor plan design solved the issues with functionality and circulation, removing the walls that restricted flow and opening up the entry to the dining room. We also eliminated the rarely used butler’s pantry allowing us to expand the kitchen and add a large island for food prep and gathering. To create a sense of symmetry and consistency in the space, a clerestory window was added below the header and framed to match the existing adjacent entry from the living room. Inspired by the owner’s Scottish ancestry, the island cabinetry boasts a beautiful blue hue, paired with stools upholstered in a sprightly plaid. The built-in buffet area provides additional storage, topped with a beautiful wooden top stained to coordinate with the stunning tones of the flooring. The owner’s opted for stainless steel appliances, inspiring the selection of brushed silver light fixtures and polished chrome hardware. Marble-look quartz offered a durable, lightly colored surface to reflect sunlight and enhance the cheer factor. According to this happy family, this uplifting space is now everyone’s favorite place to gather. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more design inspiration go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Example of a large trendy u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in Detroit with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and quartzite countertops

Example of a large country l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen design in Boise with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Vaughan Creative Media
Example of a mid-sized classic medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

An open plan kitchen with white shaker cabinets and natural wood island. The upper cabinets have glass doors and frame the window looking into the yard ensuring a light and open feel to the room. marble subway tile and island counter contrasts with the taupe Neolith counter surface. Shiplap detail was repeated on the buffet and island. The buffet is utilized as a serving center for large events. Photo: Jean Bai / Konstrukt Photo

This classic traditional kitchen works perfect in this Tudor home. The previous kitchen was knotty pine and very country. Our client was looking for a modern kitchen that would fit with the traditional exterior of the home. The white perimeter cabinets we took to the ceiling and stacked for a clean line and maximum storage. The large island is perfect for prep work and serving a large buffet when entertaining. The paneled appliances keep the kitchen clean and blend into the adjoining cabinetry. A few special details we included are the pull-out shelves in the built-in pantry, for easy access to the items that usually get lost in the back, and a shallow top drawer under the cooktop, for utensils. This kitchen is perfect for our client.

Inspiration for a large rustic u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, solid surface countertops and metal backsplash

Removing the bulky peninsula made room for a sleek island with dish storage, tandem trash and recycling, a docking station, and valuable prep/buffet counter space. It also opened up the Kitchen to the property's beautiful water view and mountains in the distance. The new open floor plan made for a more ergonomic space for the owners to cook together and allowed for a more cohesive space to connect with dinner guests. SHOWN IN IMAGE: Cabinetry by Dura Supreme Cabinetry in Quarter-sawn White Oak with Butternut stain (perimeter) and Gale Force paint finish on the island, both with Carson door and drawer style.| Cambria 3cm Engineered Quartz in Haydon finish | Lunada Bay Linen 2 1/2"x9 1/2" tile in Melange | Top Knobs Torbay Pulls in Honey Bronze | Visual Comfort Parkington Double Library Wall Light in Bronze | Visual Comfort Ruhlmann 14" Factory Pendant in Bronze | Hubbardton Forge Arc Linear Pendant in Soft Gold |Bosch Counter-Depth 3-Door Refrigerator | Walls are Benjamin Moore Linen White

Photos by Manolo Langis
Elegant kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, beige cabinets, metallic backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and beige countertops

Transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen remodel in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

The master bathroom boasts his and her furniture like vanities. Raising them up with open space beneath gives room for additional storage. Photo by Bill Cartledge

With using the walnut cabinets, we tried to keep the sizes as uniform as possible but there were some aspects the client wanted. One of those was the corner appliance garage. Hiding these necessary evils in a beautiful cabinet with easy accessibility was the perfect marriage.

Denver Image Photography
Transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Denver with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, black backsplash, ceramic backsplash and white countertops

We removed a wall and opened up this kitchen and dining room to bring in light and connect it to the living room. We used an eclectic mix of materials to reflect the owners tastes and needs.

Inspiration for a mid-sized rustic l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Atlanta with medium tone wood cabinets, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, granite countertops and green backsplash

Eat-in kitchen - coastal eat-in kitchen idea in Miami with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

In the dining room, kYd designed all new walnut millwork and custom cabinetry to match the original buffet. Sky-Frame sliding doors/windows via Dover Windows and Doors; Element by Tech Lighting recessed lighting; Lea Ceramiche Waterfall porcelain stoneware tiles; leathered ash black granite slab buffet counter