Photo: Karen Melvin
Example of a classic kitchen design in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash and paneled appliances

The client wanted to create an elegant, upscale kosher kitchen with double cooking and cleaning areas. The custom cabinets are frameless, captured inset, and painted, with walnut drawer boxes. The refrigerator and matching buffets are also walnut. The main stove was custom painted as well as the hood and adjacent cabinets as a focal point. Brass faucets, hardware, mesh screens and hood trim add to the elegance. The ceiling treatment over the second island and eating area combine wood details and wallpaper to complete the look. We continued this theme throughout the house.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Huge mountain style l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and two islands

'Book-matched' porcelain floor. Custom millwork and doorways. Painted railing with iron balusters.
Huge elegant dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, colored appliances, two islands and beige countertops

White kitchen with stacked wall cabinets, custom range hood, and large island with plenty of seating.
Huge transitional dark wood floor kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island and metallic backsplash

Example of a trendy eat-in kitchen design in New York with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops and white backsplash

A complete gut renovation of a Borough Park, Brooklyn kosher kitchen, with am addition of a breakfast room. DOCA cabinets, in textured dark oak, thin shaker white matte lacquer, porcelain fronts, counters and backsplashes, as well as metallic lacquer cabinets.

Warren Patterson Photography
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A complete gut renovation of a Borough Park, Brooklyn kosher kitchen, with am addition of a breakfast room. DOCA cabinets, in textured dark oak, thin shaker white matte lacquer, porcelain fronts, counters and backsplashes, as well as metallic lacquer cabinets.

What do you do when you have a small narrow kitchen with high ceilings? you build up! in this kitchen we used every inch of space. creating a u shaped kitchen with a narrow island in the center and cabinets all the way up the 10 foot ceiling. The white shaker cabinets, white quartz counter tops and white beveled subway tiles, all help create a clean and minimalist look that does not cramp the space.

The client wanted to create an elegant, upscale kosher kitchen with double cooking and cleaning areas. The custom cabinets are frameless, captured inset, and painted, with walnut drawer boxes. The refrigerator and matching buffets are also walnut. The main stove was custom painted as well as the hood and adjacent cabinets as a focal point. Brass faucets, hardware, mesh screens and hood trim add to the elegance. The ceiling treatment over the island and eating area combine wood details and wallpaper to complete the look. We continued this theme throughout the house.

A complete gut renovation of a Borough Park, Brooklyn kosher kitchen, with am addition of a breakfast room. DOCA cabinets, in textured dark oak, thin shaker white matte lacquer, porcelain fronts, counters and backsplashes, as well as metallic lacquer cabinets.

These homeowners decided to turn their ski home into a full-time home only to find that what was perfect as a vacation home, didn't function well for year-round living. In the master bathroom an unused tub was removed to make room for a larger vanity with storage. Using the same large format tiles on the floor and the walls provide the desired spa-like feel to the space. Floor to ceiling cabinets provide loads of storage for this kosher kitchen. Two dishwashers, two utensil drawers, a divided sink and two ovens are also included so that meat and dairy could be kept separated.

Example of a large transitional u-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen design in New York with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, an island, an undermount sink, marble countertops, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Committing to a kosher kitchen is quite a daunting undertaking and when you are also taking on a complete remodel, it can be overwhelming. It does not, however, have to be insurmountable. There are many resources to help guide you through the experience. Check out the internet and magazines to guide you. Once you have done the initial research, contact your Rabi with questions and for clarification on a kosher kitchen. Kosher requirements can vary differently between Orthodox, Conservatism, Ultra Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Your Rabi most likely will have a list of rules and guidelines. Also, hire a professional kitchen designer. They will not only be able to design the needs of a kosher kitchen but also make it personal to your needs and beautiful too. If the space and the budget allow, two distinct kitchens within one space is a possibility. A kosher kitchen requires stringent separation of meat and dairy items. Depending on the sect of Judaism you practice ------ Storage: The Storage areas need space for two sets of dishes, pots and pans, flatware, cups and utensils. You can combine the storage areas as long as there is a separation and that you do not mix service ware. A good recommendation is to color code your plates, flatware, table linen, pots. For example, red plates, gold-colored flatware, copper pots for meat items while dairy items have white plates, stainless flatware, stainless pots. You may want to label each area so when you have your new sister-in-law help in the kitchen; everything stays in the correct place. Appliances: When selecting appliances look for the STAR-K logo. This will help you determine to what extent an appliance is Kosher. Some ovens will have Sabbath modes where they will turn on automatically at a predetermined time. Once the oven is open, the oven turns off. Some refrigerators also have Sabbath modes where the ice maker turns off on the Sabbath and back on the following day. One refrigerator is usually sufficient provided all foods stay on the proper container in the proper section of the refrigerator. Having an immaculately clean refrigerator is a must if this is the case. You do not want spills from one food source contaminating food from the other. If you decide on two refrigerators, one can be full size while the other is smaller. A good kitchen designer can help assess your family’s needs to determine which is best for you. Dishwashers cannot be Kosher in most cases. You either need two dishwashers, separate compartment dishwashers as in dishwasher drawers or wash by hand. Look at Fisher Pikel or Kitchen Aid for dishwasher drawers. Each drawer is on separate controls. You can dedicate the top drawer for dairy while the bottom drawer is for meat service ware. If you have space and decide to have two dishwashers, you can get two 24” wide dishwashers. Another option is to have one full size dishwasher and supplement it with a small 18” wide dishwasher. Miele makes an 18” wide dishwasher that is super quiet and cleans dishes very well. You may also opt for a single dishwasher drawer in addition to a full sized dishwasher. A single Microwave oven can be used for milk and meat provided that a complete cover is used around the food. You will also need separate plastic plate’s places on the bottom or glass turn table. Keeping the unit clean is very important. Counter tops: Counter tops may or may not be able to be koshered depending on your sect. Simply having sets of trivets for dairy, meat and pareve (not meat or dairy) will provide adequate separation of foods. Sinks: If you can’t have two separate sinks, include three separate tubs to be places in the sink. Color code the tubs for meat, dairy and pareve. If you have one sink or a single divided sink, you will need to be cautious about splashing, to keep the meat and dairy particulates apart. You will also need space for separate dish cloths or sponges and dish towels. Again, color coding is extremely helpful and highly suggested. Must Haves: ~Storage space for two sets of dishes, flatware, pans bowls ~Color Code and label where appropriate ~Separate burners dedicate for either meat or dairy ~Separate clean up areas ~Clean environment to avoid contamination between meat and dairy ~A space that functions for how you cook ~A space that reflects you Design and remodel by Design Studio West Brady Architectural Photography

The client wanted to create an elegant, upscale kosher kitchen with double cooking and cleaning areas. The custom cabinets are frameless, captured inset, and painted, with walnut drawer boxes. The refrigerator and matching buffets are also walnut. The main stove was custom painted as well as the hood and adjacent cabinets as a focal point. Brass faucets, hardware, mesh screens and hood trim add to the elegance. The ceiling treatment over the island and eating area combine wood details and wallpaper to complete the look. We continued this theme throughout the house.

The client wanted to create an elegant, upscale kosher kitchen with double cooking and cleaning areas. The custom cabinets are frameless, captured inset, and painted, with walnut drawer boxes. The refrigerator and matching buffets are also walnut. The main stove was custom painted as well as the hood and adjacent cabinets as a focal point. Brass faucets, hardware, mesh screens and hood trim add to the elegance. The ceiling treatment over the island and eating area combine wood details and wallpaper to complete the look. We continued this theme throughout the house.

Large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island