The kitchen features rift sawn white oak cabinets, quartz countertops and Pratt and Larson tile for the backsplash.
Inspiration for a small transitional galley light wood floor and beige floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, green backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, no island and white countertops

Photo: Sean Dagen
Small elegant galley medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Eichler in Marinwood - The primary organizational element of the interior is the kitchen. Embedded within the simple post and beam structure, the kitchen was conceived as a programmatic block from which we would carve in order to contribute to both sense of function and organization. photo: scott hargis

Eichler in Marinwood - The primary organizational element of the interior is the kitchen. Embedded within the simple post and beam structure, the kitchen was conceived as a programmatic block from which we would carve in order to contribute to both sense of function and organization. photo: scott hargis

Deborah Walker
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional l-shaped ceramic tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Wichita with recessed-panel cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, an undermount sink, gray backsplash, white cabinets and subway tile backsplash

Renovated, open-plan mid-century modern kitchen with red accents. Dual beer tap beverage bar integrated into galley-style kitchen. Teri Fotheringham photography

Photo by Arnona Oren
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped porcelain tile open concept kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, concrete countertops, gray backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Our clients loved the location of their duplex home with its peak-a-boo ocean view, but their existing kitchen was not suited for their growing family. They wanted a kitchen with a coastal vibe, plenty of storage space, and an eat-in area. We started by bringing the far wall into the kitchen space to accommodate a large panty and communication center for the family. Doing this allowed us to move the refrigerator out of the main traffic area and doubled the amount of storage space. Several new windows were added to bring in natural light. A half wall was moved to allow more countertop area and open up sight lines. The previously awkwardly shaped island was slimmed down to create better flow. There were a few venting challenges to overcome; gas lines and plumbing had to be re-routed without disturbing the unit below. To open up sight lines, soffits were eliminated which allowed the extension of cabinets to the ceiling. To stay within the homeowner’s budget, we match existing scraped flooring by lacing in and repairing patches. The old dining area was too small for table, so we designed and built a custom banquette to maximize the space and take advantage of the outdoor views. The overall space works for family meals as well as entertaining. A light summer palette was used to reflect the shades of the sand, sea and sky. Even though the new kitchen is actually smaller than the original space, its now far more functional and open.

Deborah Walker
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional l-shaped ceramic tile and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Wichita with recessed-panel cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, an undermount sink, gray backsplash, white cabinets and subway tile backsplash

Photography by Dennis Mayer
Inspiration for a timeless u-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Deborah Walker
Mid-sized elegant l-shaped ceramic tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Wichita with recessed-panel cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, an undermount sink, gray backsplash, white cabinets and subway tile backsplash

Kitchen - small contemporary single-wall kitchen idea in New York

Thse clients came to me for a kitchen refresh. Keeping the existing floor plan but updating as much as possible. After explaining my thoughts, they chose to go with a much larger project. The wall to the garage wash pushed bach 12" to allow for the island to happen. This almost couldn't happen as there is a support post in the garage we had to keep. I designed the last pantry area as on 10" deep, allowing us to conceal that behind the cabinets. Then, we opend up the wall to the dining room to make the rooms one large space. The wall to the family room was also openend up, leaving the half wall to allow for the kitchen eating area. They wanted to incorporate a bar area, without it feeling like a "bar" The fabulous tall custom unit houses their wine collection and then half of the dining room buffet area holds glassware and other bar items. I helped the clients with all of the design choices.We all wanted to keep the space classic, war, functional and with mixed materials. I chose to use the same countertop material for the backsplash, to keep the space feeling as large as possible.

Inspiration for a small transitional galley light wood floor and beige floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, green backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances, no island and white countertops

Bead board and chair rail was installed as a backdrop for the custom made storage benches and trestle table. The outside corners of the eating alcove are protected by corner posts topped with a ball finial. Toe kicks were built in the storage benches to allow even more room for feet. The chamfered corners of the benches eliminate sharp corners. Victoria Mchugh Photography

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.

Small trendy u-shaped concrete floor open concept kitchen photo in New York with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

The remodeling of the kitchen and bathroom forms the core of this interior renovation. The existing peninsula design and cabinetry broke up the ‘great room’ and stood the kitchen as a distinct element within the room. Our design strategy operates more on a principle of integration. As such, we created a galley condition with a spine of cabinetry and appliances that anchors to the long wall of the room. The feature design element is the solid Caesarstone backsplash which appears to be carved from the wall itself. The particular challenge in the windowless bathroom was how to create an inviting, expanded sense of depth without a resulting cave-like feel. Removal of a half wall, soffit and tub unified the space overall. We reinforced the unification with the deployment of a single large format tile spec. Smaller details such as touch latch cabinetry hardware and flush conditions between tile, wall and mirror further the principle that simpler is bigger, deeper and more inviting. We were also charged with elevating what was a pedestrian 1990’s townhouse to something more sophisticated and engaging. Our approach was to first remove builder grade detailing around windows and railings. Then, we introduced simplified profiles and glass guardrails that would extend a consistency established in the new kitchen and bathroom designs. photo by Scott Hargis

Kitchen - large country l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and quartz countertops