Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients had been in their home since the early 1980’s and decided it was time for some updates. We took on the kitchen, two bathrooms and a powder room. The layout in the kitchen was functional for them, so we kept that pretty much as is. Our client wanted a contemporary-leaning transitional look — nice clean lines with a gray and white palette. Light gray cabinets with a slightly darker gray subway tile keep the northern exposure light and airy. They also purchased some new furniture for their breakfast room and adjoining family room, so the whole space looks completely styled and new. The light fixtures are staggered and give a nice rhythm to the otherwise serene feel. The homeowners were not 100% sold on the flooring choice for little powder room off the kitchen when I first showed it, but now they think it is one of the most interesting features of the design. I always try to “push” my clients a little bit because that’s when things can get really fun and this is what you are paying for after all, ideas that you may not come up with on your own. We also worked on the two upstairs bathrooms. We started first on the hall bath which was basically just in need of a face lift. The floor is porcelain tile made to look like carrera marble. The vanity is white Shaker doors fitted with a white quartz top. We re-glazed the cast iron tub. The master bath was a tub to shower conversion. We used a wood look porcelain plank on the main floor along with a Kohler Tailored vanity. The custom shower has a barn door shower door, and vinyl wallpaper in the sink area gives a rich textured look to the space. Overall, it’s a pretty sophisticated look for its smaller fooprint. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Alan Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Eric Hausman
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen remodel in St Louis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Outdoor Elements maximized the available space in this beautiful yard with a contemporary, rectangular pool complete with a large tanning deck and swim jet system. Mosaic glass-tile accents the spa and a shell stone deck and coping add to the contemporary feel. Behind the tanning deck, a large, up-lit, sheer-descent waterfall adds variety and elegance to the design. A lighted gazebo makes a comfortable seating area protected from the sun while a functional outdoor kitchen is nestled near the backdoor of the residence. Raised planters and screening trees add the right amount of greenery to the space.

Dawn Burkhart
Example of a mid-sized cottage l-shaped brown floor and dark wood floor kitchen design in Boise with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and white cabinets

Klopf Architecture and Outer space Landscape Architects designed a new warm, modern, open, indoor-outdoor home in Los Altos, California. Inspired by mid-century modern homes but looking for something completely new and custom, the owners, a couple with two children, bought an older ranch style home with the intention of replacing it. Created on a grid, the house is designed to be at rest with differentiated spaces for activities; living, playing, cooking, dining and a piano space. The low-sloping gable roof over the great room brings a grand feeling to the space. The clerestory windows at the high sloping roof make the grand space light and airy. Upon entering the house, an open atrium entry in the middle of the house provides light and nature to the great room. The Heath tile wall at the back of the atrium blocks direct view of the rear yard from the entry door for privacy. The bedrooms, bathrooms, play room and the sitting room are under flat wing-like roofs that balance on either side of the low sloping gable roof of the main space. Large sliding glass panels and pocketing glass doors foster openness to the front and back yards. In the front there is a fenced-in play space connected to the play room, creating an indoor-outdoor play space that could change in use over the years. The play room can also be closed off from the great room with a large pocketing door. In the rear, everything opens up to a deck overlooking a pool where the family can come together outdoors. Wood siding travels from exterior to interior, accentuating the indoor-outdoor nature of the house. Where the exterior siding doesn’t come inside, a palette of white oak floors, white walls, walnut cabinetry, and dark window frames ties all the spaces together to create a uniform feeling and flow throughout the house. The custom cabinetry matches the minimal joinery of the rest of the house, a trim-less, minimal appearance. Wood siding was mitered in the corners, including where siding meets the interior drywall. Wall materials were held up off the floor with a minimal reveal. This tight detailing gives a sense of cleanliness to the house. The garage door of the house is completely flush and of the same material as the garage wall, de-emphasizing the garage door and making the street presentation of the house kinder to the neighborhood. The house is akin to a custom, modern-day Eichler home in many ways. Inspired by mid-century modern homes with today’s materials, approaches, standards, and technologies. The goals were to create an indoor-outdoor home that was energy-efficient, light and flexible for young children to grow. This 3,000 square foot, 3 bedroom, 2.5 bathroom new house is located in Los Altos in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, and Chuang-Ming Liu 
Landscape Architect: Outer space Landscape Architects 
Structural Engineer: ZFA Structural Engineers 
Staging: Da Lusso Design 
Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed 
Location: Los Altos, CA
 Year completed: 2017

Inspiration for a mediterranean kitchen remodel in Dallas

Family room - transitional open concept dark wood floor and brown floor family room idea in Los Angeles with beige walls

Photo: Mina Brinkey © 2013 Houzz
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Tampa with a farmhouse sink, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Inspiration for a victorian formal living room remodel in San Francisco with blue walls and a standard fireplace

Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless beige two-story wood house exterior remodel in Charleston with a metal roof

Hanging baskets for now but the homeowner will eventually plant vines to grow up and over the arbor, creating a "doorway" to the dining area. Pavers are Anchor Charleston - the untumbled version - color: Northwoods.

Mid-sized southwest porcelain tile and multicolored tile terra-cotta tile powder room photo in Albuquerque with a pedestal sink and blue walls

Credit: Ron Rosenzweig
Inspiration for a large timeless galley ceramic tile and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Miami with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, medium tone wood cabinets, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island and brown countertops

Ryan Gamma
Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Tampa with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Christopher Jones Photography
Example of a farmhouse white tile powder room design in Raleigh with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a two-piece toilet, white walls, a vessel sink, wood countertops and brown countertops

A home In harmony with nature.
Example of a minimalist one-story flat roof design in New York

Derek Skalko
Inspiration for a contemporary medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Denver

Dan Cutrona
Dining room - mid-sized coastal dark wood floor dining room idea in Boston with beige walls and no fireplace

This beautifully designed transitional kitchen remodel blends the timeless appeal of shaker cabinets with the elegance of a quartzite island. Brass hardware, a farmhouse sink, and a custom range hood add character, while panel-ready appliances and a full-height tile backsplash keep the look polished. The open plan layout and natural wood accents create a warm, inviting atmosphere. Pendant lighting and light wood flooring complete the bright, airy feel, while a central island with seating provides ample prep space and a casual gathering spot—making this kitchen both functional and welcoming for everyday living.