Three level island... The homeowner’s wanted a large galley style kitchen with island. It was important to the wife the island be unique and serve many purposes. Our team used Google Sketchup to produce and present concept after concept. Each revision brought us closer to what you see. The final design boasted a two sided island (yes, there is storage under the bar) 6” thick cantilevered bar ledge over a steel armature, and waterfall counter tops on both ends. On one end we had a slit fabricated to receive one side of a tempered glass counter top. The other side is supported by a stainless steel inverted U. The couple usually enjoys breakfast or coffee and the morning news at this quaint spot. Photography by Juliana Franco

The reconfiguration of the master bathroom opened up the space by pairing a platform shower with a freestanding tub. The open shower, wall-hung vanity, and wall-hung water closet create continuous flooring and an expansive feeling. The result is a welcoming space with a calming aesthetic.

Installation of knee wall hidden countertop support bracket. The Knee Wall Hidden Granite Support Bracket is used primarily for raised bar tops where the granite extends more than 4” from the wall. They mount on top of halfwalls to support extended countertop overhangs. Used also for breakfast bar applications. Once installed these brackets will be virtually invisible and protect your countertop from cracking when leaned on, it gives your new granite the appearance of floating. Since these brackets supports mount flush to the top of a knee wall or pony wall, and to the bottom of your granite, they will not tip over or get in the way of your knees when you are seated at your bar like traditional wooden corbels do. Therefore, no more knocking your knees! The Knee Wall Bracket by The Original Granite Bracket was used in this application.

I built this on my property for my aging father who has some health issues. Handicap accessibility was a factor in design. His dream has always been to try retire to a cabin in the woods. This is what he got. It is a 1 bedroom, 1 bath with a great room. It is 600 sqft of AC space. The footprint is 40' x 26' overall. The site was the former home of our pig pen. I only had to take 1 tree to make this work and I planted 3 in its place. The axis is set from root ball to root ball. The rear center is aligned with mean sunset and is visible across a wetland. The goal was to make the home feel like it was floating in the palms. The geometry had to simple and I didn't want it feeling heavy on the land so I cantilevered the structure beyond exposed foundation walls. My barn is nearby and it features old 1950's "S" corrugated metal panel walls. I used the same panel profile for my siding. I ran it vertical to match the barn, but also to balance the length of the structure and stretch the high point into the canopy, visually. The wood is all Southern Yellow Pine. This material came from clearing at the Babcock Ranch Development site. I ran it through the structure, end to end and horizontally, to create a seamless feel and to stretch the space. It worked. It feels MUCH bigger than it is. I milled the material to specific sizes in specific areas to create precise alignments. Floor starters align with base. Wall tops adjoin ceiling starters to create the illusion of a seamless board. All light fixtures, HVAC supports, cabinets, switches, outlets, are set specifically to wood joints. The front and rear porch wood has three different milling profiles so the hypotenuse on the ceilings, align with the walls, and yield an aligned deck board below. Yes, I over did it. It is spectacular in its detailing. That's the benefit of small spaces. Concrete counters and IKEA cabinets round out the conversation. For those who cannot live tiny, I offer the Tiny-ish House. Photos by Ryan Gamma Staging by iStage Homes Design Assistance Jimmy Thornton

After removing a structural support beam in the center of this colonial home's kitchen Gardner/Fox designed and built an open, updated space with plenty of room for friends and family. The room's unique ceiling comes from the removal and reworking of the home's previous structural support. The new design includes ample storage and counter space, as well as a coffee station and work desk. The renovation also included the installation of a new bar and updated powder room.

Laurey Glenn
Inspiration for a large cottage slate floor laundry room remodel in Nashville with white cabinets, a side-by-side washer/dryer, open cabinets, black countertops, a drop-in sink and gray walls

Rob Spring Photography
Mountain style l-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Open kitchen with two islands, green cabinets, iron ore island, floating iron shelving, white oak vent hood, double oven, brass hardware.
Inspiration for a large country brown floor kitchen remodel in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops

Trendy single-wall light wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Dublin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

The Garvin-Weeks Farmstead in beautiful North Reading, built c1790, has enjoyed a first floor makeover complete with a new kitchen, family room and master suite. Particular attention was given to preserve the historic details of the house while modernizing and opening up the space for today’s lifestyle. The open concept farmhouse style kitchen is striking with its antique beams and rafters, handmade and hand planed cabinets, distressed floors, custom handmade soapstone farmer’s sink, marble counter tops, kitchen island comprised of reclaimed wood with a milk paint finish, all setting the stage for the elaborate custom painted tile work. Skylights above bathe the space in natural light. Walking through the warm family room gives one the sense of history and days gone by, culminating in a quintessential looking, but fabulously updated new England master bedroom and bath. A spectacular addition that feels and looks like it has always been there! Photos by Eric Roth

Open concept kitchen - transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Hertfordshire with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, black appliances, an island and gray countertops

Your smile is not the only curve in the room when you enter this room. This open and airy traditional Atlantic Beach kitchen flaunts a beautiful curved island in natural cherry which is the focal point of the space. There are occasional times when a homeowner comes to the table with a vision from which the designer can draw his inspiration. Such was the case when Bilotta designer Goran Savic and Interior designer, Catherine Ebert’s mutual client announced that design and an expansive feeling should be prioritized over the prevailing “more storage” maxim. Although the kitchen was opened up to afford a view of the beautiful sculptural staircase, cabinetry was limited to a modest “L”-shaped footprint with an island. But not just any island: curved cabinetry in cherry that references the curves of the staircase and its cherry newel post and railing. While the rounded shape doesn’t contribute much to storage, it provides plenty of room for seating and definitely makes a strong design statement. More seating can be found in the comfy cushioned banquette (with storage drawers below). That’s a perfect spot to grab breakfast or even read a book. The unique piece here is the custom table at the banquette. Its beveled oval cherry base and double stainless-steel column supports are evocative of a luxury Art Deco yacht and echo the curved island. Goran utilized a number of space-enlarging visual devices as part of his design arsenal. Open shelving and glass upper sections on the wall cabinets prevent the frequent claustrophobic effect of all solid doors. Installing the wall cabinets higher than usual created a larger backsplash that helps offset the normal feeling of countertop clutter. Of course, nothing opens up a room like the inclusion of abundant natural light, but choice of materials also plays a huge role. Here we have a bleached stain on the wood floor, white cabinets, pale-colored countertops and backsplash tiles, and clear glass pendants, all of which enhance the airiness of this stunning new room.

Huge trendy galley marble floor open concept kitchen photo in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, two islands and stone slab backsplash

Example of a huge trendy l-shaped laminate floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in Orange County with a double-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

All Photos © Mike Healey Productions, Inc.
Eat-in kitchen - large traditional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Dallas with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

Robert M Kieft High Gloss Kitchen Cabinets
Example of a huge trendy l-shaped travertine floor open concept kitchen design in Cleveland with an undermount sink, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and flat-panel cabinets

The industrial accents beautifully set off the multilayered white base of this fabulous kitchen. And lighting is essential: plenty of natural light from the windows, from within the ceiling with pot lights throughout, and depth of field and shape provided by the cascade of pendants above the island and table. (Calgary Photos)

Hidden counter supports from Counter Balance keep you from knocking your knees.
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional galley ceramic tile eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

This is a Wet Bar we recently installed in a Granite Bay Home. Using "Rugged Concrete" CaesarStone. What's very unique about this is that there's a 7" Mitered Edge dropping down from the raised bar to the counter below. Very cool idea & we're so happy that the customer loves the way it came out.