Kitchen Ideas & Designs

Photo by Cati Teague Photography for Gina Sims Designs
Inspiration for a modern light wood floor kitchen remodel in Atlanta with recessed-panel cabinets, turquoise cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and white countertops

Kitchen - small mid-century modern u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen idea in Dallas with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white countertops, window backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Small transitional l-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Orange County with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

Images 4 Photography - Chris Meech
Elegant kitchen photo in New York with open cabinets, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances

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

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Orange County

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Other

Organized drawers, like these. make cooking easier. These great cooks needed a space that allowed for entertaining and multiple work zones. Storage was optimized and is efficient with pull-outs and dividers. The kitchen has almost doubled in size and now includes two dishwashers for easy clean up. Lighting was appointed with sparkling pendants, task lighting under cabinets and even the island has a soft glow. A happy space with room to work and entertain. Photo: DeMane Design Winner: 1st Place ASID WA, Large Kitchen

Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen remodel in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, black appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Philadelphia

In Southern California there are pockets of darling cottages built in the early 20th century that we like to call jewelry boxes. They are quaint, full of charm and usually a bit cramped. Our clients have a growing family and needed a modern, functional home. They opted for a renovation that directly addressed their concerns. When we first saw this 2,170 square-foot 3-bedroom beach cottage, the front door opened directly into a staircase and a dead-end hallway. The kitchen was cramped, the living room was claustrophobic and everything felt dark and dated. The big picture items included pitching the living room ceiling to create space and taking down a kitchen wall. We added a French oven and luxury range that the wife had always dreamed about, a custom vent hood, and custom-paneled appliances. We added a downstairs half-bath for guests (entirely designed around its whimsical wallpaper) and converted one of the existing bathrooms into a Jack-and-Jill, connecting the kids’ bedrooms, with double sinks and a closed-off toilet and shower for privacy. In the bathrooms, we added white marble floors and wainscoting. We created storage throughout the home with custom-cabinets, new closets and built-ins, such as bookcases, desks and shelving. White Sands Design/Build furnished the entire cottage mostly with commissioned pieces, including a custom dining table and upholstered chairs. We updated light fixtures and added brass hardware throughout, to create a vintage, bo-ho vibe. The best thing about this cottage is the charming backyard accessory dwelling unit (ADU), designed in the same style as the larger structure. In order to keep the ADU it was necessary to renovate less than 50% of the main home, which took some serious strategy, otherwise the non-conforming ADU would need to be torn out. We renovated the bathroom with white walls and pine flooring, transforming it into a get-away that will grow with the girls.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a tuscan kitchen design in Austin

The mixture of grey green cabinets with the distressed wood floors and ceilings, gives this farmhouse kitchen a feeling of warmth. Cabinets: Brookhaven and the color is Green Stone Benjamin Moore paint color: There's not an exact match for Green Stone, but Gettysburg Grey, HC 107 is close. Sink: Krauss, model KHF200-30, stainless steel Faucet: Kraus, modelKPF-1602 Hardware: Restoration hardware, Dakota cup and Dakota round knob. The finish was either the chestnut or iron. Windows: Bloomberg is the manufacturer the hardware is from Restoration hardware--Dakota cup and Dakota round knob. The finish was either the chestnut or iron. Floors: European Oak that is wired brushed. The company is Provenza, Pompeii collection and the color is Amiata. Distressed wood: The wood is cedar that's been treated to look distressed! My client is brilliant , so he did some googling (is that a word?) and came across several sites that had a recipe to do just that. He put a steel wool pad into a jar of vinegar and let it sit for a bit. In another jar, he mixed black tea with water. Brush the tea on first and let it dry. Then brush on the steel wool/vinegar (don't forget to strain the wool). Voila, the wood turns dark. Andrew Mckinney Photography

This inviting kitchen renovation balances classic craftsmanship with fresh, transitional style. Our clients loved the timeless bones of their home but were ready for a space that felt brighter, more functional, and infused with personality. We kept the original cabinetry layout, refinishing the perimeter in a soft, creamy hue that instantly lifted the room, then introduced a rich green island to anchor the space and bring warmth and contrast. A glossy handmade tile backsplash adds depth and subtle color variation, complementing the mixed metal details throughout—from the brass hardware to the black-and-brass statement lighting. The large island now serves as the heart of the kitchen with updated seating, a spacious quartz countertop for everyday prep, and plenty of room for gathering. To enhance functionality, we transformed an unused wall into a hardworking home office nook featuring floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, floating shelves, and a playful mosaic wallpaper that adds texture without overwhelming the space. Natural wood floors, layered styling elements, and organic touches round out the design, creating a kitchen that feels both elevated and deeply livable—perfect for cooking, entertaining, and everyday family life.

Kitchen - transitional galley dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Louisville with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Austin

Nearly two decades ago now, Susan and her husband put a letter in the mailbox of this eastside home: "If you have any interest in selling, please reach out." But really, who would give up a Flansburgh House? Fast forward to 2020, when the house went on the market! By then it was clear that three children and a busy home design studio couldn't be crammed into this efficient footprint. But what's second best to moving into your dream home? Being asked to redesign the functional core for the family that was. In this classic Flansburgh layout, all the rooms align tidily in a square around a central hall and open air atrium. As such, all the spaces are both connected to one another and also private; and all allow for visual access to the outdoors in two directions—toward the atrium and toward the exterior. All except, in this case, the utilitarian galley kitchen. That space, oft-relegated to second class in midcentury architecture, got the shaft, with narrow doorways on two ends and no good visual access to the atrium or the outside. Who spends time in the kitchen anyway? As is often the case with even the very best midcentury architecture, the kitchen at the Flansburgh House needed to be modernized; appliances and cabinetry have come a long way since 1970, but our culture has evolved too, becoming more casual and open in ways we at SYH believe are here to stay. People (gasp!) do spend time—lots of time!—in their kitchens! Nonetheless, our goal was to make this kitchen look as if it had been designed this way by Earl Flansburgh himself. The house came to us full of bold, bright color. We edited out some of it (along with the walls it was on) but kept and built upon the stunning red, orange and yellow closet doors in the family room adjacent to the kitchen. That pop was balanced by a few colorful midcentury pieces that our clients already owned, and the stunning light and verdant green coming in from both the atrium and the perimeter of the house, not to mention the many skylights. Thus, the rest of the space just needed to quiet down and be a beautiful, if neutral, foil. White terrazzo tile grounds custom plywood and black cabinetry, offset by a half wall that offers both camouflage for the cooking mess and also storage below, hidden behind seamless oak tambour. Contractor: Rusty Peterson Cabinetry: Stoll's Woodworking Photographer: Sarah Shields

Eric Roth
Example of a mid-sized farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen design in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances and white backsplash