This growing family of six was struggling with a dysfunctional kitchen design. The center island had been installed at an odd angle that limited accessibility and traffic flow. Additionally, storage space was limited by poor cabinet design. Finally, doorways in and out of the kitchen were narrow and poorly located, especially for children dashing in and out. Other design challenges included how to better use a 10’ x 12’ room for children’s jackets and toys and how to add a professional-quality gas range in a neighborhood were natural gas wasn’t available. The new design would address all of these issues. DESIGN SOLUTIONS The new kitchen design revolves around a more proportional island. Carefully placed in the center of the new space with seating for four, it includes a prep sink, a second dishwasher and a beverage center. The distressed ebony-stained island and hutch provides a brilliant contrast between the white color cabinetry. White Carrera marble countertops and backsplash top both island and perimeter cabinets. Tall, double stacked cabinetry lines two walls to maximize storage space. Across the room there was an unused wall that now contains a 36” tower fridge and freezer, both covered with matching panels, and a tall cabinet that contains a microwave, steam unit and warming drawer. A propane tank was buried in the back yard to provide gas to a new 60” professional range and cooktop. A custom-made wood mantel hood blends perfectly with the cabinet style. The old laundry room was reconfigured to have lots of locker space for all kids and added cabinetry for storage. A double entry door separated the new mudroom from the rest of the back hall. In the back hall the back windows were replaced with a set of French door and added decking to create a direct access to deck and backyard. The end result is an open floor plan, high-end appliances, great traffic flow and pleasing colors. The homeowner calls it the “kitchen of her dreams.”

Photographer: Jared Kuzia/This Old House
Kitchen - kitchen idea in Boston

Transitional laundry room photo in Miami

Inspiration for a small eclectic single-wall kitchen remodel in Chicago with a drop-in sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Mid-sized urban l-shaped medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in Madrid with flat-panel cabinets, no island, wood countertops, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

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, Timothy Lenz.

Mudroom - traditional mudroom idea in Miami with white walls

Danny Piassick
Inspiration for a farmhouse carpeted family room remodel in Dallas with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

A small bathroom is given a clean, bright, and contemporary look. Storage was key to this design, so we made sure to give our clients plenty of hidden space throughout the room. We installed a full-height linen closet which, thanks to the pull-out shelves, stays conveniently tucked away as well as vanity with U-shaped drawers, perfect for storing smaller items. The shower also provides our clients with storage opportunity, with two large shower niches - one with four built-in glass shelves. For a bit of sparkle and contrast to the all-white interior, we added a copper glass tile accent to the second niche. Designed by Chi Renovation & Design who serve Chicago and it's surrounding suburbs, with an emphasis on the North Side and North Shore. You'll find their work from the Loop through Lincoln Park, Skokie, Evanston, and all of the way up to Lake Forest. For more about Chi Renovation & Design, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/ To learn more about this project, click here: https://www.chirenovation.com/portfolio/northshore-bathroom-renovation/

Photo: Nanette Wong © 2014 Houzz
Small elegant concrete patio photo in San Francisco with no cover

“People tend to want to place their sofas right against the wall,” Lovett says. “I always try to float the sofa a bit and give the sofa some breathing room. Here, we didn’t have floor outlets or any eye-level lighting. Incorporating table lamps allows for mood lighting and ambiance. We placed a console behind the sofa to bring in large-scale lamps, which also helped fill in the negative space between the sofa and the bottom of the windows.” Photography: Amy Bartlam

This beautiful home office boasts charcoal cabinetry with loads of storage. The left doors hide a printer station, while the right doors organize clear plastic bins for scrapbooking. For interest, a marble mosaic floor tile rug was inset into the wood look floor tile. The wall opposite the desk also features lots of countertop space for crafting, as well as additional storage cabinets. File drawers and organization for wrapping paper and gift bags round out this functional home office.

Large cottage white one-story wood gable roof photo in New York

KITCHEN GREATROOM ADDITION, Vermont:
This 336 sq. ft. addition was the answer to our clients' dream of having a great cooking space and dining area that allowed them to take advantage of the gorgeous meadow/mountain views unique to this site. Originally built as a "starter home" the dwelling was lacking in natural light, and access to the available vista. Being an avid gardener and natural foods cook, our client needed a kitchen upgrade, food preparation space and lots of storage.
In the renovation the old kitchen space became a mudroom/laundry room and pantry, providing functionality that was previously unavailable in the small home.
The simple shaker cabinets and farmhouse style windows work perfectly with the country setting. The , Viking cooktop, and pop-up vent, corner banquette, and many cabinetry storage units were just a few of the carefully planned features that allowed us to make the best use of the modest space while keeping views free and clear.

Ryann Ford
Tuscan master freestanding bathtub photo in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and white walls

The sophisticated study adds a touch of moodiness to the home. Our team custom designed the 12' tall built in bookcases and wainscoting to add some much needed architectural detailing to the plain white space and 22' tall walls. A hidden pullout drawer for the printer and additional file storage drawers add function to the home office. The windows are dressed in contrasting velvet drapery panels and simple sophisticated woven window shades. The woven textural element is picked up again in the area rug, the chandelier and the caned guest chairs. The ceiling boasts patterned wallpaper with gold accents. A natural stone and iron desk and a comfortable desk chair complete the space.

Simplicity and functionality merged perfectly in this bathroom. A single vanity, Duravit© toilet, and built-in storage make the most of limited space.

See this beautiful young family's home in Murphy come to life. Once grey and mostly monochromatic, we were hired to bring color, life and purposeful functionality to several spaces. A family study was created to include loads of color, workstations for four, and plenty of storage. The dining and family rooms were updated by infusing color, transitional wall decor and furnishings with beautiful, yet sustainable fabrics. The master bath was reinvented with new granite counter tops, art and accessories to give it some additional personality. Our most recent update includes a multi-functional teen hang out space and a private loft that serves as an executive’s work-from-home office, mediation area and a place for this busy mom to escape and relax.

Corey Gaffer Photography
Trendy galley light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, an island, solid surface countertops, stone slab backsplash and paneled appliances