The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away. When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors. Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors. Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage. Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way. We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area. And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them. Credits: Custom cabinetry by Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry Contracting by Michael Pezzato of Lost Coast Construction Stone counters by Pyramid M.T.M.

Home bar - transitional home bar idea in Boston

Jacob Snavely
Example of a beach style light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white countertops, beige backsplash, marble countertops and an island

We reconfigured this kitchen - removing a wall - to allow for a large island for entertaining. With two young children, durability was key. We chose Brownstone stools customized with performance fabric on the back to introduce a bit of pattern and wipeable faux leather seats. The backsplash over range is a single slab of Eureka Danby from Vermont's Dorsett Mountain, which wipes down easily. The Lostine pendants and sconces introduce a smidge of midcentury vibes. The tongue and groove backsplash and soapstone counters provide a quaint farmhouse feel; and we chose the fabric for the roman shade from a Parisian fabric house, Antoinette Poisson, which specializes in 18th century pattern designs, to add a bit of history.

Kitchen - coastal u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Providence with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Nestled in the heart of Los Angeles, just south of Beverly Hills, this two story (with basement) contemporary gem boasts large ipe eaves and other wood details, warming the interior and exterior design. The rear indoor-outdoor flow is perfection. An exceptional entertaining oasis in the middle of the city. Photo by Lynn Abesera

Inspiration for a huge transitional u-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

INTERNATIONAL AWARD WINNER. 2018 NKBA Design Competition Best Overall Kitchen. 2018 TIDA International USA Kitchen of the Year. 2018 Best Traditional Kitchen - Westchester Home Magazine design awards. The designer's own kitchen was gutted and renovated in 2017, with a focus on classic materials and thoughtful storage. The 1920s craftsman home has been in the family since 1940, and every effort was made to keep finishes and details true to the original construction. For sources, please see the website at www.studiodearborn.com. Photography, Adam Kane Macchia and Timothy Lenz

Elegant kitchen photo in Dallas

Inspiration for a huge transitional u-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This thoughtfully designed utility room blends functionality with refined aesthetics. Tall wooden cabinets line the back wall, extending all the way to the ceiling for maximum storage and warmth. A sleek sink and spacious countertop provide a practical prep station, while a built-in microwave is neatly tucked toward the end of the cabinetry. The black textured flooring, laid in a striking herringbone pattern, grounds the space with modern contrast. Above, floating open shelves display simple décor elements, adding a personal touch. A glass window door offers a glimpse of the beautifully landscaped stone stairs just outside, seamlessly connecting the indoors with the exterior design.

This dark and dated feeling kitchen and bar were completely renovated for this multi-generational global family. By re-configuring the space and incorporating the bar, removing several heavy columns and a wall, it made the kitchen open and accessible to the adjacent rooms and visible from the front door. Everything was lightened and brightened with new cabinetry, counter tops, appliances, flooring, paint, better windows, electrical and lighting. The old range top and down draft were enclosed in a massive brick structure, with no prep space, by removing it and centering the new range on the wall with a custom hood and full height stone back splash, a stunning focal point was created. The position of other key appliances and plumbing were moved or added to create several work stations throughout the large space, such as the refrigeration, full prep sink, coffee bar, baking station, cocktail bar and clean up island. Another special feature of this kitchen was roll out table from the end of the serving island. Specialty features include: A roll out table for eating, prep or serving; coffee bar and drink service area with beverage center; full size prep sink adjacent to refrigeration and cooking areas; steam oven and baking station; microwave/warming drawer; dual fuel range with double ovens, 6 burners and a griddle top; two separate islands, one for serving large family meals, one for clean up; specialty spice storage inserts and pull outs; corner turn outs for large items; two double pull outs for trash and recycling; stacked cabinetry with glass display at the top to take advantage of the 14' ceilings.

Artistic Tile
Elegant master white floor freestanding bathtub photo in Other with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink and beige countertops

The owners of this sleek modern kitchen have lived in this house for decades and came to us with a clearly distinct vision of what they desired for their home. We strived to successfully integrate the oriental contemporary aspects seen throughout the features of their home, while also complimenting the existing warm modern furniture. This minimalistic approach of balancing clean, straight lines effortlessly highlights the various natural materials used within the kitchen to yield an uncluttered serene impression. The space is grounded with a grid of large format porcelain tiles, and the cool tones of gray compliment the veins of marble cladding along the backsplash and walls. A white flush multifunctional utility wall is equipped with an integrated refrigerator, oven, steam oven, and warming drawers. The wall also provides an abundant amount of storage including two tambours purposefully designed as a coffee and prep station, while the other tambour functions as a space for daily appliances. The entirety of the tall wall is framed with recessed wood to emphasis this efficient work zone. Keeping with a sleek design, on the island, we incorporated a flush Wolf grill cooktop that rests flat on the island countertop. Above the dining table, the Logico Triple Nested Suspension light fixture hanging interrupts the structured elements and naturally creates a beautiful organic focal point amongst the flow of clean lines. Photo Credit: Fred Donham of PhotographerLink

The elegant look of grey is hot in kitchen design; a pop of color to base cabinets or center island adds visual interest to your design. This kitchen also features integrated appliances and hidden storage. The open concept floor plan opens up to a breakfast area and butler's pantry. Ceramic subway tile, quartzite countertops and stainless steel appliances provide a sleek finish while the rich stain to the hardwood floors adds warmth to the space. Butler's pantry with walnut top and khaki sideboard with corbel accent bring a touch of drama to the design.

We envisioned a modern design with warm wood tones and lots of texture and movement. We selected Dura Supreme Bria cabinetry in the Carson door style, achieving a warm feel with quartersawn oak in Heather finish. Our goal in this kitchen was to be creative with storage and not just fill the space with cabinets. By designing hidden work areas like the coffee bar and smoothie prep station on the fridge wall, we were able to create a beautiful aesthetic that also brought added function to the space.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Minimalist kitchen photo in Dallas

The refrigerator and pantry were relocated making way for a beverage bar complete with refrigeration and a bar sink. Located out of the way of the kitchen work triangle, this dedicated space supports everything from morning coffee to cocktail prep for the adjoining dining room.