Our clients loved the location of their duplex home with its peak-a-boo ocean view, but their existing kitchen was not suited for their growing family. They wanted a kitchen with a coastal vibe, plenty of storage space, and an eat-in area. We started by bringing the far wall into the kitchen space to accommodate a large panty and communication center for the family. Doing this allowed us to move the refrigerator out of the main traffic area and doubled the amount of storage space. Several new windows were added to bring in natural light. A half wall was moved to allow more countertop area and open up sight lines. The previously awkwardly shaped island was slimmed down to create better flow. There were a few venting challenges to overcome; gas lines and plumbing had to be re-routed without disturbing the unit below. To open up sight lines, soffits were eliminated which allowed the extension of cabinets to the ceiling. To stay within the homeowner’s budget, we match existing scraped flooring by lacing in and repairing patches. The old dining area was too small for table, so we designed and built a custom banquette to maximize the space and take advantage of the outdoor views. The overall space works for family meals as well as entertaining. A light summer palette was used to reflect the shades of the sand, sea and sky. Even though the new kitchen is actually smaller than the original space, its now far more functional and open.

Spanish style upholstered banquete seating in kitchen. A clean, contemporary white palette in this traditional Spanish Style home in Santa Barbara, California. Soft greys, beige, cream colored fabrics, hand knotted rugs and quiet light walls show off the beautiful thick arches between the living room and dining room. Stained wood beams, wrought iron lighting, and carved limestone fireplaces give a soft, comfortable feel for this summer home by the Pacific Ocean. White linen drapes with grass shades give warmth and texture to the great room. The kitchen features glass and white marble mosaic backsplash, white slabs of natural quartzite, and a built in banquet nook. The oak cabinets are lightened by a white wash over the stained wood, and medium brown wood plank flooring througout the home. Project Location: Santa Barbara, California. Project designed by Maraya Interior Design. From their beautiful resort town of Ojai, they serve clients in Montecito, Hope Ranch, Malibu, Westlake and Calabasas, across the tri-county areas of Santa Barbara, Ventura and Los Angeles, south to Hidden Hills- north through Solvang and more.

Breakfast Nook overlooking golf course - built- in bench seating
Inspiration for a timeless dark wood floor dining room remodel in Chicago with yellow walls

photo: garey gomez
Inspiration for a large coastal ceramic tile and gray floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Atlanta with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, an island and white countertops

Brett Beyer Photogrpahy
Large trendy gender-neutral medium tone wood floor and brown floor kids' room photo in New York with beige walls

Built in L-Shaped banquette with custom upholstery and built-in dog bowls. Recessed panel Woodharbor cabinetry with combination painted white finishes Island roughsawn white oak veneer by OP Signature Series in a gray stain Wolf 48” dual fuel range with double oven, six burners and griddle in stainless steel Wolf 24” E series steam oven in stainless steel Wolf Microwave Drawer 24″ Stainless transitional E series in Stainless Steel Wolf 30” Warming Drawer panel ready Best 48″ hood insert in stainless steel with 1200cfm remote blower Sub-Zero 36″ panel ready integrated refrigerator Sub-Zero 36″ panel ready integrated freezer Cove 24” built-In panel-ready dishwasher Kitchen stone tops 1/2″ Krion in White Concrete #9104 with a 1-1/4″ thick mitered edge

Small space living solutions are used throughout this contemporary 596 square foot tiny house. Adjustable height table in the entry area serves as both a coffee table for socializing and as a dining table for eating. Curved banquette is upholstered in outdoor fabric for durability and maximizes space with hidden storage underneath the seat. Kitchen island has a retractable countertop for additional seating while the living area conceals a work desk and media center behind sliding shoji screens. Calming tones of sand and deep ocean blue fill the tiny bedroom downstairs. Glowing bedside sconces utilize wall-mounting and swing arms to conserve bedside space and maximize flexibility.

JF's Matthew Lord designed a simple and stylish eating space for the breakfast area. It included built in banquettes with under-seat storage that are paneled to mimic the cabinetry and also painted white. The antique Oak breakfast table is reminiscent of a picnic table, especially with the large window looking out to the yard.

San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close- knit family. San Marino based clients were interested in developing a property that had been in their family for generations. This was an exciting proposition as it was one of the last surviving bayside double lots on the scenic Coronado peninsula in San Diego. They desired a holiday home that would be a gathering place for their large, close-knit family. Facing the Back Bay, overlooking downtown and the Bay Bridge, this property presented us with a unique opportunity to design a vacation home with a dual personality. One side faces a bustling harbor with a constant parade of yachts, cargo vessels and military ships while the other opens onto a deep, quiet contemplative garden. The home’s shingle-style influence carries on the historical Coronado tradition of clapboard and Craftsman bungalows built in the shadow of the great Hotel Del Coronado which was erected at the turn of the last century. In order to create an informal feel to the residence, we devised a concept that eliminated the need for a “front door”. Instead, one walks through the garden and enters the “Great Hall” through either one of two French doors flanking a walk-in stone fireplace. Both two-story bedroom wings bookend this central wood beam vaulted room which serves as the “heart of the home”, and opens to both views. Three sets of stairs are discretely tucked away inside the bedroom wings. In lieu of a formal dining room, the family convenes and dines around a beautiful table and banquette set into a circular window bay off the kitchen which overlooks the lights of the city beyond the harbor. Working with noted interior designer Betty Ann Marshall, we designed a unique kitchen that was inspired by the colors and textures of a fossil the couple found on a honeymoon trip to the quarries of Montana. We set that ancient fossil into a matte glass backsplash behind the professional cook’s stove. A warm library with walnut paneling and a bayed window seat affords a refuge for the family to read or play board games. The couple’s fine craft and folk art collection is on prominent display throughout the house and helps to set an intimate and whimsical tone. Another architectural feature devoted to family is the play room lit by a dramatic cupola which beacons the older grandchildren and their friends. Below the play room is a four car garage that allows the patriarch space to refurbish an antique fire truck, a mahogany launch boat and several vintage cars. Their jet skis and kayaks are housed in another garage designed for that purpose. Lattice covered skylights that allow dappled sunlight to bathe the loggia affords a comfortable refuge to watch the kids swim and gaze out upon the rushing water, the Coronado Bay Bridge and the romantic downtown San Diego skyline. Architect: Ward Jewell Architect, AIA Interior Design: Betty Ann Marshall Construction: Bill Lyons Photographer: Laura Hull Styling: Zale Design Studio

Photo: Joyelle West
Kitchen/dining room combo - mid-sized transitional dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo idea in Boston with white walls and no fireplace

A custom, transitional built-in dining/breakfast nook with a little bit of rustic flair. The table top is local Alaskan, Copper Landing birch. The bench includes storage in the form of a full extension drawer and hatch. The benches on the right are moveable. Powder coated, custom welded steel frames.

Photography by Michael J. Lee
Transitional dining room photo in Boston

The built-in banquette frames and showcases the client’s treasured leaded glass triptych as it surrounds a hammered copper breakfast table with a steel base. The built-in banquette frames and showcases the client’s treasured leaded glass triptych as it surrounds a hammered copper breakfast tabletop. A Bonisolli Photography

Sunroom - mid-sized traditional slate floor and gray floor sunroom idea in New York with a standard ceiling

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn
Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

A custom designed kitchen banquette with fun and durable fabric from Knoll, custom open wood shelves and Farrow and Ball wallcovering accent.
Example of a transitional dining room design in New York

A double island in slate blue, a custom kitchen nook with banquette seating, Decorative storage and functional spaces abound with lots of fun accents.

This contemporary kitchen design is a dream come true, full of stylish, practical, and one-of-a-kind features. The large kitchen is part of a great room that includes a living area with built in display shelves for artwork. The kitchen features two separate islands, one for entertaining and one for casual dining and food preparation. A 5' Galley Workstation, pop up knife block, and specialized storage accessories complete one island, along with the fabric wrapped banquette and personalized stainless steel corner wrap designed by Woodmaster Kitchens. The second island includes seating and an undercounter refrigerator allowing guests easy access to beverages. Every detail of this kitchen including the waterfall countertop ends, lighting design, tile features, and hardware work together to create a kitchen design that is a masterpiece at the center of this home. Steven Paul Whitsitt

Design: RHS Interiors + Design © Janet Mesic Mackie
Inspiration for a transitional dark wood floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in Chicago with beige walls