Townhouse renovation in Brooklyn: We redesigned the rear end of the house as an expanded family kitchen with a back door to the deck. We also added a new connection from the entrance hall to the kitchen and fit a small powder room under the stairs. The old windows and doors were replaced with new, larger ones, and the entire kitchen was gutted and refitted with new cabinetry and a banquette dining area. The space was designed to take advantage of the bright southern exposure, with lots of white materials, grounded by the dark base cabinets. Photos by Maletz Design

Erhard Pfeiffer
Example of a large classic galley porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, an undermount sink and marble backsplash

A striking island occupies the center of a spacious kitchen in Bloomfield Hills. The HPL backed real wood veneer in Ebony Sabbiata from Tree Frog bridges the tonal distance between the walnut floors and all white cabinets and walls, creating harmony and visual balance. Full height backsplashes in shiny white are laid out in a windmill pattern, punctuated every so often with intricately designed accent squares. A combination of bold veining and delicate blooming on the Calacatta quartzite countertops contributes its subtle energy to the mix. The kitchen is separated into several independent vignettes, each one laid out symmetrically. The vast island with built in sink offers all the prep space a chef could need. The built in cooktop is centered directly behind to facilitate easy cooking, while an additional sink in the clean up area expedites after dinner chores. A walk-pantry and small home office are tucked in behind the refrigerator freezer wall. Multiple lighting details, including lighted cabinet interiors and a lighted display niche above the refrigerator, complete this stunning 2015 lake home.

Kitchen - mid-sized traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Charlotte with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white countertops

Designed by Katherine Dashiell of Reico Kitchen & Bath in Annapolis, MD this transitional white kitchen design features Ultracraft Cabinets in the Breckenridge door style with an Arctic White finish. Perimeter countertops are Via Lattea granite with a leathered finish. The kitchen island features a Silver Cloud granite countertop with a polished finish. The pendant light fixtures are from the Sears Inca Collection. Subway tile backsplash is done in beveled bright white. Flooring is 6x24 wood plank floor tile in the color Carbon. Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC / www.btwimages.com.

Tiled kitchen with birch cabinetry opens to outdoor dining beyond windows. Entry with stair to second floor and dining room.
Example of a mid-sized trendy u-shaped concrete floor and gray floor open concept kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and beige countertops

The light filled laundry room is punctuated with black and gold accents, a playful floor tile pattern and a large dog shower. The U-shaped laundry room features plenty of counter space for folding clothes and ample cabinet storage. A mesh front drying cabinet is the perfect spot to hang clothes to dry out of sight. The "drop zone" outside of the laundry room features a countertop beside the garage door for leaving car keys and purses. Under the countertop, the client requested an open space to fit a large dog kennel to keep it tucked away out of the walking area. The room's color scheme was pulled from the fun floor tile and works beautifully with the nearby kitchen and pantry.

© Deborah Scannell Photography
Small transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in Charlotte with raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, brown backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and an undermount sink

Bender was able to take an old, closed in 1927 kitchen and transform it into an open transitional kitchen that functions properly for a 2014 family. Durable and washable cabinets make for ease of use, while sealed marble countertops give this space a luxurious feel. Photo Credit: Jim Fuhrmann

Greg Hadley
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary single-wall medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in DC Metro with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, red backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Thomas Kuoh Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in San Francisco with white cabinets, beige backsplash, an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, quartzite countertops, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The mix of stain finishes and style was intentfully done. Photo Credit: Rod Foster
Open concept kitchen - mid-sized transitional galley ceramic tile and beige floor open concept kitchen idea in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, blue backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Large 1950s master white tile and subway tile ceramic tile and gray floor bathroom photo in Indianapolis with white walls, an undermount sink, solid surface countertops, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and a two-piece toilet

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped enclosed kitchen design in San Diego with shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a transitional white tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor and multicolored floor bathroom design in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink and white countertops

Farmhouse u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, quartz countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops, shaker cabinets and gray cabinets

Photography - Nancy Nolan Walls are Sherwin Williams Wool Skein, island is Sherwin Williams Amazing Gray, roman Shade fabric is F. Schumacher, roman shade trim is Designers Guild, barstools are Plexi Craft with Architex fabric

Ulrich Desginer: Don DiNovi, CKD Photography by Peter Rymwid This lovely new kitchen incorporates defined work areas to accommodate the multi-tasking activities of a busy family. Four work stations fit and function easily and beautifully in a tidy 300 SF space: (1) cooking, including separate gas and electric cooking surfaces; (2) prep/cleaning, on the island; and (3) food storage, in the cherry wood armoire concealing both refrigerator and pantry. (4) is the area between the food storage and double ovens (around the corner from the formal serving hutch) and is devoted to baking.

Architect: Hulburd Design - Photography by Cesar Rubio
Alcove shower - contemporary multicolored tile alcove shower idea in San Francisco