This is the story about a kitchen that was showing it’s age with white countertops and dark oak cabinets on a dark oak floor. It all worked once, but now the kitchen felt dark, cramped and dysfunctional. The owners were looking for a total kitchen transformation. After a disastrous beginning with a contractor taking their money and vanishing into thin air, the owners were left with a completely gutted kitchen that consisted of only the walls. They hired Rick Jacobson to rescue them and restart the project. The new kitchen design began with the idea of using Cobalt Blue as a primary color. The blue seen on many glassware pieces is Cobalt Blue, and it was decided to use it in the tile for the kitchen, as well as the pendant lights. Another goal was to make the kitchen brighter with an easier traffic flow, as well as completely updated cabinetry. And there were traffic patterns to improve, a refrigerator to move, and exhaust vents to reroute. Rick Jacobson listened to the owners and worked to create the kitchen that the owners imagined. He began by thinking through the traffic flow patterns. He noted that the doorway from the dining room needed to be widened. He added rounded doorway headers to match the home’s existing décor. He carefully thought through where the kitchen island should be, including how opening the oven doors would be in relation to people sitting at the kitchen island at a family gathering. Kitchen cabinet touches include off edge flat panel doors, soft close wooden drawers, and a spice cabinet with two slide-out racks. The new longer center island features a drawer microwave that opens and closes automatically with the push of a button. The center island also features two recycling bins and seating for four. Rick even thought of adding decorative elements to the existing half wall to make it look in line with the kitchen island. The kitchen’s black granite countertops offer an unusually appealing view: There are lots of interesting reflections throughout the kitchen. Another of Rick’s touches is that all of the lights, including recessed ceiling lights, three cobalt blue pendant lights and below cabinet lights are on dimmers which work to balance daytime and nighttime lighting. The under mounted stainless steel single sink is complemented with a gooseneck faucet. The stainless steel gas range is thin enough to allow for a wide drawer below for utensils, and the stainless steel vent hood is vented through the ceiling to outdoors, allowing additional storage space in the top cabinets. Double ovens with white doors are the perfect match to the cabinets, with a location that makes baking and roasting easier with the two large vertical storage for baking sheets and supplies nearby. The result: A functional, open, bright and Cobalt blue kitchen.

Casey Dunn Photography
Inspiration for a timeless medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Custom Landscaping Design, Arbors, Trellis, Pergolas, Custom Wood Structures, Outdoor Living Space, Outdoor Seating, Concrete Pavers, Hardscaping, Seat Wall, Outdoor Ambience Lighting

It's backyard entertaining at it's finest. Quartzite Ledge stone panels cover the bar in two tones. The dark Midnight Black is contrasted against the lighter Oyster Shell and stainless and black granite counter top. You can see yourself gathering about this bar with friends any day of the week.

Inspiration for a timeless beige two-story wood exterior home remodel in DC Metro

Eric Rorer
Inspiration for a mid-sized mid-century modern dark wood floor enclosed dining room remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Rob Cardillo Photography
Example of a classic backyard patio kitchen design in Philadelphia

Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets and an undermount tub

This Tween Rock Star Room was custom designed for a girl who loves Taylor Swift, playing the guitar, and the colors blue and purple. The stage is all set for this new shining STAR! Photography by David Berlekamp

Transformed the existing patio to be more inviting for entertaining .
Patio - transitional backyard patio idea in Raleigh

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional backyard patio remodel in Tampa with a roof extension

Peter Koenig Landscape Designer, Gene Radding General Contracting, Creative Environments Swimming Pool Construction
Huge trendy backyard concrete paver and l-shaped hot tub photo in San Francisco

1700's entrance and 1500 square feet of this home was kept while remodeling. OnSite Studios
Inspiration for a timeless entryway remodel in Boston with a blue front door

id 810 design group, inc.
Deck - coastal deck idea in New York

Lakefront living is not often luxurious and conscious of size. The “Emmett” design achieves both of these goals in style. Despite being ideal for a narrow waterfront lot, this home leaves nothing wanting, offering homeowners three full floors of modern living. Dining, kitchen, and living areas flank the outdoor patio space, while three bedrooms plus a master suite are located on the upper level. The lower level provides additional gathering space and a bunk room, as well as a “beach bath” with walkout access to the lake.

Hammerton
Design ideas for a huge rustic backyard gravel landscaping in Salt Lake City.

design by maggie yackel for lucy and company, photo by mekenzie france
This is an example of a transitional porch design in Charlotte with decking and a roof extension.

As if in a storybook, this rural countryside farm is all aglow with Outdoor Lighting Perspectives party lighting for an elegantly rustic outdoor wedding. Illuminating globes appear to float among the leaves in this fanciful design plan.

When Cummings Architects first met with the owners of this understated country farmhouse, the building’s layout and design was an incoherent jumble. The original bones of the building were almost unrecognizable. All of the original windows, doors, flooring, and trims – even the country kitchen – had been removed. Mathew and his team began a thorough design discovery process to find the design solution that would enable them to breathe life back into the old farmhouse in a way that acknowledged the building’s venerable history while also providing for a modern living by a growing family. The redesign included the addition of a new eat-in kitchen, bedrooms, bathrooms, wrap around porch, and stone fireplaces. To begin the transforming restoration, the team designed a generous, twenty-four square foot kitchen addition with custom, farmers-style cabinetry and timber framing. The team walked the homeowners through each detail the cabinetry layout, materials, and finishes. Salvaged materials were used and authentic craftsmanship lent a sense of place and history to the fabric of the space. The new master suite included a cathedral ceiling showcasing beautifully worn salvaged timbers. The team continued with the farm theme, using sliding barn doors to separate the custom-designed master bath and closet. The new second-floor hallway features a bold, red floor while new transoms in each bedroom let in plenty of light. A summer stair, detailed and crafted with authentic details, was added for additional access and charm. Finally, a welcoming farmer’s porch wraps around the side entry, connecting to the rear yard via a gracefully engineered grade. This large outdoor space provides seating for large groups of people to visit and dine next to the beautiful outdoor landscape and the new exterior stone fireplace. Though it had temporarily lost its identity, with the help of the team at Cummings Architects, this lovely farmhouse has regained not only its former charm but also a new life through beautifully integrated modern features designed for today’s family. Photo by Eric Roth