The client requested a kitchen that would not only provide a great space to cook and enjoy family meals but one that would fit in with her unique design sense. An avid collector of contemporary art, she wanted something unexpected in her 100-year-old home in both color and finishes but still providing a great layout with improved lighting, storage, and superior cooking abilities. The existing kitchen was in a closed off space trapped between the family room and the living. If you were in the kitchen, you were isolated from the rest of the house. Making the kitchen an integrated part of the home was a paramount request. Step one, remove the wall separating the kitchen from the other rooms in the home which allowed the new kitchen to become an integrated space instead of an isolation room for the cook. Next, we relocated the pantry access which was in the family room to the kitchen integrating a poorly used recess which had become a catch all area which did not provide any usable space for storage or working area. To add valuable function in the kitchen we began by capturing unused "cubbies", adding a walk-in pantry from the kitchen, increasing the storage lost to un-needed drop ceilings and bring light and design to the space with a new large awning window, improved lighting, and combining interesting finishes and colors to reflect the artistic attitude of the client. A bathroom located above the kitchen had been leaking into the plaster ceiling for several years. That along with knob and tube wiring, rotted beams and a brick wall from the back of the fireplace in the adjacent living room all needed to be brought to code. The walls, ceiling and floors in this 100+ year old home were completely out of level and the room’s foot print could not be increased. The choice of a Sub-Zero wolf product is a standard in my kitchen designs. The quality of the product, its manufacturing and commitment to food preservation is the reason I specify Sub Zero Wolf. For the cook top, the integrated line of the contemporary cooktop and the signature red knobs against the navy blue of the cabinets added to the design vibe of the kitchen. The cooking performance and the large continuous grate on the cooktop makes it an obvious choice for a cook looking for a great cook top with professional results in a more streamlined profile. We selected a Sharp microwave drawer for the island, an XO wine refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and Kitchen Aid double convection wall ovens to round out the appliance package. A recess created by the fireplace was outfitted with a cabinet which now holds small appliances within easy reach of my very petite client. Natural maple accents were used inside all the wall cabinets and repeated on the front of the hood and for the sliding door appliance cabinet and the floating shelves. This allows a brighter interior for the painted cabinets instead of the traditional same interior as exterior finish choice. The was an amazing transformation from the old to the new. The final touches are the honey bronze hardware from Top Knobs, Mitzi pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting group, a fabulous faucet from Brizo. To eliminate the old freestanding bottled water cooler, we specified a matching water filter faucet.

Example of a transitional u-shaped brown floor enclosed kitchen design in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Mel Carll
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped slate floor and gray floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

The 800 square-foot guest cottage is located on the footprint of a slightly smaller original cottage that was built three generations ago. With a failing structural system, the existing cottage had a very low sloping roof, did not provide for a lot of natural light and was not energy efficient. Utilizing high performing windows, doors and insulation, a total transformation of the structure occurred. A combination of clapboard and shingle siding, with standout touches of modern elegance, welcomes guests to their cozy retreat. The cottage consists of the main living area, a small galley style kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and sleeping loft above. The loft construction was a timber frame system utilizing recycled timbers from the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire. The stones for the front steps and hearth of the fireplace came from the existing cottage’s granite chimney. Stylistically, the design is a mix of both a “Cottage” style of architecture with some clean and simple “Tech” style features, such as the air-craft cable and metal railing system. The color red was used as a highlight feature, accentuated on the shed dormer window exterior frames, the vintage looking range, the sliding doors and other interior elements. Photographer: John Hession

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Bedroom - industrial bedroom idea in New York with white walls

Angle Eye Photography
Inspiration for a large timeless brick floor entryway remodel in Philadelphia with gray walls and a white front door

Rustic White Interiors
Large transitional freestanding desk dark wood floor and brown floor study room photo in Atlanta with gray walls

Isis ceiling fan by Big Ass Fans in copper finish. Photographed at the residence of Don C.
Trendy living room photo in Salt Lake City

A Minimal Modern Spa Bathroom completed by Storybook Interiors of Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary master gray tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile bathroom remodel in Grand Rapids with quartzite countertops, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets and a vessel sink

Rick Lee Photo
Inspiration for a rustic living room remodel in Charleston with a stone fireplace

A potting bench turned dining table--The walls are an earth plaster finish..Published in NH Home--Interiors and styling, Lisa Teague Designs
Farmhouse medium tone wood floor dining room photo in Boston with beige walls

This is an example of a farmhouse courtyard gravel garden path in San Francisco.

Interior Design by Blackband Design Home Build | Design | Materials by Graystone Custom Builders Photography by Tessa Neustadt
Kitchen - large coastal l-shaped light wood floor kitchen idea in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Salt Lake City with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a transitional light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Austin with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, an island, shaker cabinets, paneled appliances and black countertops

Open concept kitchen - contemporary l-shaped terra-cotta tile and pink floor open concept kitchen idea in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Living room - rustic living room idea in Denver with a standard fireplace and a tile fireplace

An extraordinary opportunity taken, applying a client driven design concept into a residence surpassing all expectations. Client collaboration and pursuant work combine to satisfy requirements of modernism, respect of streetscape, family privacy, and applications of art and function. Interior Furnishings by Client. Exclusive Photography and Videography by Michael Blevins of MB Productions.

Inspiration for a timeless kitchen remodel in Miami with subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white backsplash, white cabinets and beaded inset cabinets