This family compound is located on acerage in the Midwest United States. The pool house featured here has many kitchens and bars, ladies and gentlemen locker rooms, on site laundry facility and entertaining areas. Matt Kocourek Photography

This basement kitchenette and bar area was designed as the perfect gathering spot for entertaining family and friends. Navy blue cabinetry paired with matte black hardware creates a bold, sophisticated look, while the dark countertop provides durable workspace for serving drinks and snacks. A beverage refrigerator, ice maker and bar sink add convenience and functionality, making the space ideal for hosting. Floating shelves above the counter provide open storage and display space for glassware, bottles, and personal décor, giving the bar a relaxed, collected feel. The white shiplap ceiling and warm wood flooring brighten the space and tie it into the surrounding living and recreation areas, creating a cohesive design throughout the lake home basement.

This basement kitchenette and bar area was designed as the perfect gathering spot for entertaining family and friends. Navy blue cabinetry paired with matte black hardware creates a bold, sophisticated look, while the dark countertop provides durable workspace for serving drinks and snacks. A beverage refrigerator, ice maker and bar sink add convenience and functionality, making the space ideal for hosting. Floating shelves above the counter provide open storage and display space for glassware, bottles, and personal décor, giving the bar a relaxed, collected feel. The white shiplap ceiling and warm wood flooring brighten the space and tie it into the surrounding living and recreation areas, creating a cohesive design throughout the lake home basement.

Example of a transitional l-shaped beige floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

We love a kitchen transformation because it really impacts a family's lives! This bright and airy kitchen was dark and dated and in desperate need of an upgrade to accommodate a busy family. What used to be a 70s glass block wall is now the dramatic stone backsplash and a new rich blue island brings color and lots of extra storage to the space. We used beautiful custom counter stools to make the island a gathering or work-from-home spot, while the built-in banquette provides a comfortable setting for breakfast. There's a built-in coffee station with a metal mesh panel near the beverage center. We mixed soft brushed brass and matte black metal finishes for the hardware and plumbing.

Picture Perfect House
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, black cabinets, black backsplash, black countertops, shaker cabinets and soapstone countertops

Now this is a bar made for entertaining, conversation and activity. With seating on both sides of the peninsula you'll feel more like you're in a modern brewery than in a basement. A secret hidden bookcase allows entry into the hidden brew room and taps are available to access from the bar side. What an energizing project with bright bold pops of color against warm walnut, white enamel and soft neutral walls. Our clients wanted a lower level full of life and excitement that was ready for entertaining. Photography by Spacecrafting Photography Inc.

This basement kitchenette and bar area was designed as the perfect gathering spot for entertaining family and friends. Navy blue cabinetry paired with matte black hardware creates a bold, sophisticated look, while the dark countertop provides durable workspace for serving drinks and snacks. A beverage refrigerator, ice maker and bar sink add convenience and functionality, making the space ideal for hosting. Floating shelves above the counter provide open storage and display space for glassware, bottles, and personal décor, giving the bar a relaxed, collected feel. The white shiplap ceiling and warm wood flooring brighten the space and tie it into the surrounding living and recreation areas, creating a cohesive design throughout the lake home basement.

Some of our goals and solutions were obvious in this Timeless Style Renovation, other challenges required loads of plotting and planning. Our client inherited his Marlton, New Jersey childhood home and for years chose to keep it ‘as is’ out of respect for his family and because (truth) it was going to be a significant investment — the entire house needed to be refreshed! Flooring, fireplace, removal of walls, windows enlarged, many pocket doors added, all bathrooms redesigned, electric/ gas not to code (from 1965), a massive 300lb safe to incorporate/ tuck away somewhere, planning for a future potential main level in-law suite — the list was very long! Inspiration was easy: they had won awards for their stunning koi pond and landscaping, and they love to entertain. Getting these high powered professionals who were used to running divisions of huge corporations to hand over the reins … NOT so easy. Thankfully, they now can’t stop singing our praises! See their other amazing rooms here.

By removing the closets there was enough space to add the needed appliances, plumbing and cabinets to transform this space into a luxury bar area. While incorporating the adjacent space’s materials and finishes (stained walnut cabinets, painted maple cabinets and matte quartz countertops with a hint of gold and purple glitz), a distinctive style was created by using the white maple cabinets for wall cabinets and the slab walnut veneer for base cabinets to anchor the space. The centered glass door wall cabinet provides an ideal location for displaying drinkware while the floating shelves serve as a display for three-dimensional art. To provide maximum function, roll out trays and a two-tiered cutlery divider was integrated into the cabinets. In addition, the bar includes integrated wine storage with refrigerator drawers which is ideal not only for wine but also bottled water, mixers and condiments for the bar. This entertainment area was finished by adding an integrated ice maker and a Galley sink, which is a workstation equipped with a 5-piece culinary kit including cutting board, drying rack, colander, bowl, and lower-tier platform, providing pure luxury for slicing garnishes and condiments for cocktail hour.

Example of a large transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo design in Chicago with white walls

This kitchen remodel of a 70’s home reflects the character of the existing home and some design features of that era while giving it a fresh, modern look. The client wanted the remodeled space to blend in with the rest of the home, retaining some of the 1970’s character while including all the best features of today’s kitchens. Removing the wall separating the informal eating area from the family room provided a nice open space allowing for a larger kitchen footprint and plenty of light throughout. A combination of Decor's Dove Wing painted and Natural stained Walnut cabinetry was chosen. The dark walnut, slab lower cabinets unite the kitchen with the darker wood theme found throughout the home, while the white, slim-shaker upper cabinets give the space a light and airy feeling. The beautiful vertical grain of the walnut is the foundation of a theme that is echoed throughout the space: tall & thin vertical lines without bulk or needless ornamentation. The unique design detail gives the kitchen a great balance of depth and character while still brightening the space. Walnut crown molding throughout defines the space and ties everything together. The vertical-set green Japanese tile from Virginia Tile, also characteristic of the 1970’s, serves as the backsplash and fills the range wall. The tall & slim theme is underscored by several design elements from the vertical tile and tall cabinet pulls in matte black from Top Knobs, to the thin quartz countertops, skinny shaker cabinet door style, and tall, slim refrigerator doors, all meant to eliminate excess bulk and lighten up the space. An impressive focal point in this kitchen is the custom walnut reeded hood, designed to reflect a popular 1970’s feature. Narrow walnut shelves below the white upper cabinets near the refrigerator provide a nice surprise to the eye. An extra long island, decked in polished 2cm Corian Quartz countertop in Novello, provides ample seating, storage, and task space, making it an ideal surface for serving, eating, meal prep, gathering, and entertaining. The client desired a long island with comfortable counter seating at one end for a family of five, including space for a baby’s high chair. High-end Bosch appliances and functional storage were also priorities. The dry bar on the opposite wall features additional storage and an Elica beverage refrigerator, framed by tall walnut larder cabinets on each end. The white larder cabinet doors pocket into the sides, revealing beautiful finished walnut interiors. Wall cabinets feature Decor’s integrated under-cabinet lighting, while puck lights illuminate the beverage center counter. This kitchen is bursting with integrated storage. Many deep drawers feature interior double drawers making smaller items more accessible. Decor’s spice drawer to the right of the range keeps spices organized, while divided tray storage on the left of the range keeps these taller items handy. While the design is inspired by the 1970’s, it exemplifies the best of the 2020’s, and the new space is open, bright, and functional for this family with young children.

Kitchen - rustic kitchen idea in Atlanta

Home bar - transitional home bar idea in Boston

View of kitchen from dining shows galley kitchen layout contrasting dark and light features, and concealed beverage area at far wall - Architecture/Interiors/Renderings/Photography: HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles - Construction Manager: WERK | Building Modern

This wine bar/dry bar is on the opposite side of the great room/kitchen. Integrated Subzero wine storage and custom soffit with integrated lighting. Corner views of the adjacent desert mountainside. Design: City Chic, Cristi Pettibone Photos: SpartaPhoto - Alex Rentzis

These floating wood shelves add the perfect balance to the salvaged chestnut backsplash on the opposite side of this kitchen. Seude finish soapstone quartz countertops add refinement and the warm shaker cabinets add a touch of classic country design. A farmhouse sink and horizontal picket tile backsplash is an effective counterpoint to the wood elements in the space. The tile's gloss finish is the perfect accent to the dark matte countertops. A large peninsula adds functional seating and serving space for entertaining. It's a light, bright and modern kitchen for a family living in their forever home.

This incredible kitchen from the #McQueenRockRunRD Project captures the personal style of the home-owners as well as our design team in perfect harmony. Many separate areas of this space keep company entertained- with an island for seating, a beverage station, and a T.V. for guests to be entertained (or the cook to watch that YouTube tutorial of their "secret" recipe).

This incredible kitchen from the #McQueenRockRunRD Project captures the personal style of the home-owners as well as our design team in perfect harmony. Many separate areas of this space keep company entertained- with an island for seating, a beverage station, and a T.V. for guests to be entertained (or the cook to watch that YouTube tutorial of their "secret" recipe).