Transitional open concept light wood floor and beige floor family room photo in San Francisco with gray walls, a ribbon fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Reclaimed hand hewn timber © Carolina Timberworks
Example of a large mountain style wooden u-shaped staircase design in Charlotte with wooden risers

Trendy wooden floating open and cable railing staircase photo

Staircase - tropical wooden curved staircase idea in Hawaii with wooden risers

Builder: John Kraemer & Sons | Architect: SKD Architects | Photography: Landmark Photography | Landscaping: TOPO LLC
Inspiration for a craftsman l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, green backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Shay Velich Photography, Design Assistance Diane Mifsud
Island style carpeted curved staircase photo in Los Angeles with carpeted risers

The center island provides ample work space and seating for family and guests.
Example of a huge classic u-shaped limestone floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, granite countertops and mosaic tile backsplash

Bob Manley
Living room - coastal formal and open concept dark wood floor living room idea in Boston with beige walls, a standard fireplace, a stone fireplace and no tv

Designer: Nancy Barbee, CMKBD
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional single-wall dark wood floor home bar remodel in Indianapolis with no sink, glass-front cabinets, gray cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash and stone slab backsplash

Inspiration for a huge contemporary galley eat-in kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an island

Troy Glasgow
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless freestanding desk dark wood floor study room remodel in Nashville with beige walls, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

Brian Vanden Brink
Staircase - farmhouse wooden staircase idea in Portland Maine with painted risers

Exterior - Zane Williams Interiors - Jon Jallings
Farmhouse medium tone wood floor dining room photo with yellow walls

Committing to a kosher kitchen is quite a daunting undertaking and when you are also taking on a complete remodel, it can be overwhelming. It does not, however, have to be insurmountable. There are many resources to help guide you through the experience. Check out the internet and magazines to guide you. Once you have done the initial research, contact your Rabi with questions and for clarification on a kosher kitchen. Kosher requirements can vary differently between Orthodox, Conservatism, Ultra Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Your Rabi most likely will have a list of rules and guidelines. Also, hire a professional kitchen designer. They will not only be able to design the needs of a kosher kitchen but also make it personal to your needs and beautiful too. If the space and the budget allow, two distinct kitchens within one space is a possibility. A kosher kitchen requires stringent separation of meat and dairy items. Depending on the sect of Judaism you practice ------ Storage: The Storage areas need space for two sets of dishes, pots and pans, flatware, cups and utensils. You can combine the storage areas as long as there is a separation and that you do not mix service ware. A good recommendation is to color code your plates, flatware, table linen, pots. For example, red plates, gold-colored flatware, copper pots for meat items while dairy items have white plates, stainless flatware, stainless pots. You may want to label each area so when you have your new sister-in-law help in the kitchen; everything stays in the correct place. Appliances: When selecting appliances look for the STAR-K logo. This will help you determine to what extent an appliance is Kosher. Some ovens will have Sabbath modes where they will turn on automatically at a predetermined time. Once the oven is open, the oven turns off. Some refrigerators also have Sabbath modes where the ice maker turns off on the Sabbath and back on the following day. One refrigerator is usually sufficient provided all foods stay on the proper container in the proper section of the refrigerator. Having an immaculately clean refrigerator is a must if this is the case. You do not want spills from one food source contaminating food from the other. If you decide on two refrigerators, one can be full size while the other is smaller. A good kitchen designer can help assess your family’s needs to determine which is best for you. Dishwashers cannot be Kosher in most cases. You either need two dishwashers, separate compartment dishwashers as in dishwasher drawers or wash by hand. Look at Fisher Pikel or Kitchen Aid for dishwasher drawers. Each drawer is on separate controls. You can dedicate the top drawer for dairy while the bottom drawer is for meat service ware. If you have space and decide to have two dishwashers, you can get two 24” wide dishwashers. Another option is to have one full size dishwasher and supplement it with a small 18” wide dishwasher. Miele makes an 18” wide dishwasher that is super quiet and cleans dishes very well. You may also opt for a single dishwasher drawer in addition to a full sized dishwasher. A single Microwave oven can be used for milk and meat provided that a complete cover is used around the food. You will also need separate plastic plate’s places on the bottom or glass turn table. Keeping the unit clean is very important. Counter tops: Counter tops may or may not be able to be koshered depending on your sect. Simply having sets of trivets for dairy, meat and pareve (not meat or dairy) will provide adequate separation of foods. Sinks: If you can’t have two separate sinks, include three separate tubs to be places in the sink. Color code the tubs for meat, dairy and pareve. If you have one sink or a single divided sink, you will need to be cautious about splashing, to keep the meat and dairy particulates apart. You will also need space for separate dish cloths or sponges and dish towels. Again, color coding is extremely helpful and highly suggested. Must Haves: ~Storage space for two sets of dishes, flatware, pans bowls ~Color Code and label where appropriate ~Separate burners dedicate for either meat or dairy ~Separate clean up areas ~Clean environment to avoid contamination between meat and dairy ~A space that functions for how you cook ~A space that reflects you Design and remodel by Design Studio West Brady Architectural Photography

Example of a cottage medium tone wood floor and brown floor living room design with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

Photo: Lisa Russman Photography http://www.lisarussman.com/ Frame Design Lab

Jeff Herr Photography
This is an example of a cottage tile screened-in porch design in Atlanta with a roof extension.

Jessie Preza
Living room - coastal light wood floor living room idea in Jacksonville with gray walls, a standard fireplace and a wall-mounted tv

Photo by Tim Lee Photography
Example of a large trendy gender-neutral white floor and marble floor walk-in closet design in New York with flat-panel cabinets and white cabinets