Custom Cabinetry Creates Light and Airy Kitchen. A combination of white painted cabinetry and rustic hickory cabinets create an earthy and bright kitchen. A new larger window floods the kitchen in natural light.

Kitchen cabinets Benjamin Moore light pewter with white trim Ben Moore America's Cup Backsplash Stone Impressions Oyster on Arctic White Countertop Tahiti Quartzite Benjamin Moore Ballet White

Elegant l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Transitional dining room photo in Boston

Inspiration for a farmhouse u-shaped open concept kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Beaux arts architecture of Blairsden was inspiration for kitchen. Homeowner wanted clean airy look while repurposing cold commercial cooking space to an aesthetically pleasing functional kitchen for family and friends or for a catering staff during larger gatherings. Aside from the hand made LaCornue range, no appliances were to be be in the kitchen so as not to interfere with the aesthetic. Instead, the appliances were moved to an adjacent space and celebrated as their own aesthetic with complimentary stainless steel cabinetry and tiled walls. The color pallet of the kitchen was intentionally subtle with tones of beige white and grey. Light was reintroduced into the space by rebuilding the east and north windows. Traffic pattern was improved by moving range from south wall to north wall. Custom stainless structural window, with stainless steel screen and natural brass harlequin grill encapsulated in insulated frosted glass, was engineered to support hood and creates a stunning backdrop for the already gorgeous range. All hardware in kitchen is unlacquered natural brass intentionally selected so as to develop its own patina as it oxides over time to give a true historic quality. Other interesting point about kitchen: All cabinetry doors 5/4" All cabinetry interiors natural walnut All cabinetry interiors on sensors and light up with LED lights that are routed into frames of cabinetry Magnetic cutlery dividers in drawers enable user to reposition easily Venician plaster walls Lava stone countertops on perimeter Marble countertop island 2 level cutting boards and strainers in sink by galley workstation

A contemporary kitchen remodel with custom Shaker cabinets, quarts countertops, farmhouse sink, island stove-top with flush-mounted range hood, large globe pendant lighting, manufactured hardwood flooring, and large bays windows providing lots of natural light and full view of the back yard.

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

Boxford, MA kitchen renovation designed by north of Boston kitchen design showroom Heartwood Kitchens. This kitchen includes white painted cabinetry with a glaze and dark wood island. Heartwood included a large, deep boxed out window on the window wall to brighten up the kitchen. This kitchen includes a large island with seating for 4, Wolf range, Sub-Zero refrigerator/freezer, large pantry cabinets and glass front china cabinet. Island/Tabletop items provided by Savoir Faire Home Andover, MA Oriental rugs from First Rugs in Acton, MA Photo credit: Eric Roth Photography.

San Carlos, CA Modern Farmhouse - Designed & Built by Bay Builders in 2019.
Example of a farmhouse exterior home design in San Francisco

Sequined Asphault Studio
Kitchen - transitional dark wood floor kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets and gray backsplash

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

This transitional kitchen combines warm wood tones with clean, timeless details. A wood island with storage and brass hardware anchors the space, paired with off-white stone countertops and counter stools featuring brass legs and black leather seats. White peripheral cabinetry and a stainless steel French-door refrigerator provide a crisp, functional backdrop, while a glossy gray subway tile backsplash and iron-and-glass pendants add subtle contrast. Sheer bamboo Roman shades softly filter light from the bay window above the sink, creating a bright, inviting kitchen perfect for both cooking and entertaining. Photo by Suzanna Scott.

Winner of "HOME OF THE YEAR 2016" San Diego Home and Garden Lifestyles Magazine featuring this great contemporary kitchen remodel in An Irving Gill renovation near Balboa Park stays true to its historic essence. More about the project. This young couple has a creative back ground, one being an actor and the other being a teacher who inspires others. They now enjoy a new historical home with amazing touches of modern styling and comforts. The home was designed by renowned architect Irving Gill in 1905 and is on the historical register but it only applies to the exterior of the home. The brick pillar is an original feature from the home's turn-of-the-century stove. The window casings were built to replicate the original Douglas Fir windows as seen on Gill's original plans, and all the molding was redone in his signature flush style as well. The central feature in this kitchen is the Yellow Italian Bertazzoni Range with a single herringbone tiled back splash. The cabinetry is a light gray paired perfectly with a dark "graphite" gray island, and industrial vents at the toe kick enhance the overall look. Builder Jon Walsh / Kim Grant Architect Kitchen Design Bonnie Bagley Catlin Handle free Cabinetry Signature Designs Kitchen Bath Cabinetry: Modern Cabinetry Floors: Existing Fir Wood Floors Backsplash: Porcelain Tile Countertops: Quartz

Kitchen
Example of a beach style painted wood floor and multicolored floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, quartz countertops, ceramic backsplash, an island and colored appliances

The Kiguchi family moved into their Austin, Texas home in 1994. Built in the 1980’s as part of a neighborhood development, they happily raised their family here but longed for something more contemporary. Once they became empty nesters, they decided it was time for a major remodel. After spending many years visiting Austin AIA Home Tours that highlight contemporary residential architecture, they had a lot of ideas and in 2013 were ready to interview architects and get their renovation underway. The project turned into a major remodel due to an unstable foundation. Architects Ben Arbib and Ed Hughey, of Arbib Hughey Design were hired to solve the structural issue and look for inspiration in the bones of the house, which sat on top of a hillside and was surrounded by great views. Unfortunately, with the old floor plan, the beautiful views were hidden by small windows that were poorly placed. In order to bring more natural light into the house the window sizes and configurations had to be addressed, all while keeping in mind the homeowners desire for a modern look and feel. To achieve a more contemporary and sophisticated front of house, a new entry was designed that included removing a two-story bay window and porch. The entrance of the home also became more integrated with the landscape creating a template for new foliage to be planted. Older exterior materials were updated to incorporate a more muted palette of colors with a metal roof, dark grey siding in the back and white stucco in the front. Deep eaves were added over many of the new large windows for clean lines and sun protection. “Inside it was about opening up the floor plan, expanding the views throughout the house, and updating the material palette to get a modern look that was also warm and inviting,” said Ben from Arbib Hughey Design. “Prior to the remodel, the house had the typical separation of rooms. We removed the walls between them and changed all of the windows to Milgard Thermally Improved Aluminum to connect the inside with the outside. No matter where you are you get nice views and natural light.” The architects wanted to create some drama, which they accomplished with the window placement and opening up the interior floor plan to an open concept approach. Cabinetry was used to help delineate intimate spaces. To add warmth to an all-white living room, white-washed oak wood floors were installed and pine planks were used around the fireplace. The large windows served as artwork bringing the color of nature into the space. An octagon shaped, elevated dining room, (named “the turret”), had a big impact on the design of the house. They architects rounded the corners and added larger window openings overlooking a new sunken garden. The great room was also softened by rounding out the corners and that circular theme continued throughout the house, being picked up in skylight wells and kitchen cabinetry. A staircase leading to a catwalk was added and the result was a two-story window wall that flooded the home with natural light. When asked why Milgard® Thermally Improved Aluminum windows were selected, the architectural team listed many reasons: 1) Aesthetics: “We liked the slim profiles and narrow sightlines. The window frames never get in the way of the view and that was important to us. They also have a very contemporary look that went well with our design.” 2) Options: “We liked that we could get large sliding doors that matched the windows, giving us a very cohesive look and feel throughout the project.” 3) Cost Effective: “Milgard windows are affordable. You get a good product at a good price.” 4) Custom Sizes: “Milgard windows are customizable, which allowed us to get the right window for each location.” Ready to take on your own traditional to modern home remodeling project? Arbib Hughey Design advises, “Work with a good architect. That means picking a team that is creative, communicative, listens well and is responsive. We think it’s important for an architect to listen to their clients and give them something they want, not something the architect thinks they should have. At the same time you want an architect who is willing and able to think outside the box and offer up design options that you may not have considered. Design is about a lot of back and forth, trying out ideas, getting feedback and trying again.” The home was completely transformed into a unique, contemporary house perfectly integrated with its site. Internally the home has a natural flow for the occupants and externally it is integrated with the surroundings taking advantage of great natural light. As a side note, it was highly praised as part of the Austin AIA homes tour.

San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close- knit family. San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close-knit family. Facing the Back Bay, overlooking downtown and the Bay Bridge, this property presented us with a unique opportunity to design a vacation home with a dual personality. One side faces a bustling harbor with a constant parade of yachts, cargo vessels and military ships while the other opens onto a deep, quiet contemplative garden. The home’s shingle-style influence carries on the historical Coronado tradition of clapboard and Craftsman bungalows built in the shadow of the great Hotel Del Coronado which was erected at the turn of the last century. In order to create an informal feel to the residence, we devised a concept that eliminated the need for a “front door”. Instead, one walks through the garden and enters the “Great Hall” through either one of two French doors flanking a walk-in stone fireplace. Both two-story bedroom wings bookend this central wood beam vaulted room which serves as the “heart of the home”, and opens to both views. Three sets of stairs are discretely tucked away inside the bedroom wings. In lieu of a formal dining room, the family convenes and dines around a beautiful table and banquette set into a circular window bay off the kitchen which overlooks the lights of the city beyond the harbor. Working with noted interior designer Betty Ann Marshall, we designed a unique kitchen that was inspired by the colors and textures of a fossil the couple found on a honeymoon trip to the quarries of Montana. We set that ancient fossil into a matte glass backsplash behind the professional cook’s stove. A warm library with walnut paneling and a bayed window seat affords a refuge for the family to read or play board games. The couple’s fine craft and folk art collection is on prominent display throughout the house and helps to set an intimate and whimsical tone. Another architectural feature devoted to family is the play room lit by a dramatic cupola which beacons the older grandchildren and their friends. Below the play room is a four car garage that allows the patriarch space to refurbish an antique fire truck, a mahogany launch boat and several vintage cars. Their jet skis and kayaks are housed in another garage designed for that purpose. Lattice covered skylights that allow dappled sunlight to bathe the loggia affords a comfortable refuge to watch the kids swim and gaze out upon the rushing water, the Coronado Bay Bridge and the romantic downtown San Diego skyline. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Betty Ann Marshall Construction: Bill Lyons Photographer: Laura Hull Styling: Zale Design Studio

Brian Vanden Brink
Country l-shaped kitchen photo in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and white appliances

The original kitchen was dark and lacked storage space. It was cut off from the rest of the house and needed an update. We removed the wall between the dining room and kitchen and bumped the kitchen out in the rear of the house. We created lots of storage, a new island with seating and added windows bringing in much needed natural light. The kitchen is now a hub of activity for the whole family.