Shannon Lazic
Example of a mid-sized trendy galley medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Orlando with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and brick backsplash

Photos By Shawn Lortie Photography
Mid-sized trendy u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen photo in DC Metro with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops, two islands and white countertops

Brad Peebles
Eat-in kitchen - small asian galley bamboo floor eat-in kitchen idea in Hawaii with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Tana Photography
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Boise with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a mid-sized danish light wood floor and beige floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Austin with white walls and no fireplace

Example of a transitional l-shaped brown floor kitchen design in Phoenix with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, beige backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Photo credit: Scott McDonald @ Hedrich Blessing 7RR-Ecohome: The design objective was to build a house for a couple recently married who both had kids from previous marriages. How to bridge two families together? The design looks forward in terms of how people live today. The home is an experiment in transparency and solid form; removing borders and edges from outside to inside the house, and to really depict “flowing and endless space”. The house floor plan is derived by pushing and pulling the house’s form to maximize the backyard and minimize the public front yard while welcoming the sun in key rooms by rotating the house 45-degrees to true north. The angular form of the house is a result of the family’s program, the zoning rules, the lot’s attributes, and the sun’s path. We wanted to construct a house that is smart and efficient in terms of construction and energy, both in terms of the building and the user. We could tell a story of how the house is built in terms of the constructability, structure and enclosure, with a nod to Japanese wood construction in the method in which the siding is installed and the exposed interior beams are placed in the double height space. We engineered the house to be smart which not only looks modern but acts modern; every aspect of user control is simplified to a digital touch button, whether lights, shades, blinds, HVAC, communication, audio, video, or security. We developed a planning module based on a 6-foot square room size and a 6-foot wide connector called an interstitial space for hallways, bathrooms, stairs and mechanical, which keeps the rooms pure and uncluttered. The house is 6,200 SF of livable space, plus garage and basement gallery for a total of 9,200 SF. A large formal foyer celebrates the entry and opens up to the living, dining, kitchen and family rooms all focused on the rear garden. The east side of the second floor is the Master wing and a center bridge connects it to the kid’s wing on the west. Second floor terraces and sunscreens provide views and shade in this suburban setting. The playful mathematical grid of the house in the x, y and z axis also extends into the layout of the trees and hard-scapes, all centered on a suburban one-acre lot. Many green attributes were designed into the home; Ipe wood sunscreens and window shades block out unwanted solar gain in summer, but allow winter sun in. Patio door and operable windows provide ample opportunity for natural ventilation throughout the open floor plan. Minimal windows on east and west sides to reduce heat loss in winter and unwanted gains in summer. Open floor plan and large window expanse reduces lighting demands and maximizes available daylight. Skylights provide natural light to the basement rooms. Durable, low-maintenance exterior materials include stone, ipe wood siding and decking, and concrete roof pavers. Design is based on a 2' planning grid to minimize construction waste. Basement foundation walls and slab are highly insulated. FSC-certified walnut wood flooring was used. Light colored concrete roof pavers to reduce cooling loads by as much as 15%. 2x6 framing allows for more insulation and energy savings. Super efficient windows have low-E argon gas filled units, and thermally insulated aluminum frames. Permeable brick and stone pavers reduce the site’s storm-water runoff. Countertops use recycled composite materials. Energy-Star rated furnaces and smart thermostats are located throughout the house to minimize duct runs and avoid energy loss. Energy-Star rated boiler that heats up both radiant floors and domestic hot water. Low-flow toilets and plumbing fixtures are used to conserve water usage. No VOC finish options and direct venting fireplaces maintain a high interior air quality. Smart home system controls lighting, HVAC, and shades to better manage energy use. Plumbing runs through interior walls reducing possibilities of heat loss and freezing problems. A large food pantry was placed next to kitchen to reduce trips to the grocery store. Home office reduces need for automobile transit and associated CO2 footprint. Plan allows for aging in place, with guest suite than can become the master suite, with no need to move as family members mature.

Substantial stone archways and arched windows lend integrity to this exercise in classicism. White cabinetry adorned with crown molding are anchored by honed black granite. Arched window and glass door cabinets flank the sink. Faucets, hardware, lighting, and leg trim in polished nickel reflect the light.A walk-in pantry and message niche are hidden charms.

Because the kitchen was surrounded by windows, we needed to provide optimal storage solutions. We used large lower drawers for ease of use and to keep the design streamlined. A back pantry and laundry room were redesigned to provide ample backup.

Example of a large classic u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Minneapolis with raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink, solid surface countertops and glass tile backsplash

Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This home was a sweet 30's bungalow in the West Hollywood area. We flipped the kitchen and the dining room to allow access to the ample backyard. The design of the space was inspired by Manhattan's pre war apartments, refined and elegant. The back splash is a striped marble tile and the rounded open shelving softens the edge and is what you would find in a 30's style home.

Kitchen - traditional l-shaped kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

St. Martin White Gray kitchen
Example of a large classic l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, an island, gray countertops and recessed-panel cabinets

Visual Comfort Darlana 4 Light Medium Lantern
Kitchen - traditional dark wood floor kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped kitchen remodel in New York with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Country eat-in kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and multicolored countertops

Carl Socolow
Eat-in kitchen - large transitional l-shaped slate floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances