When my clients purchased this charming 1940's home in the Seattle neighborhood of Wedgwood, they were amazed by how intact the original kitchen was. It was like a perfect time capsule. The color palette was avocado green and buttercream yellow. The highlights were an original retro built-in banquette and vintage oven! The challenge we faced (besides the awesome but dated finishes) was the closed floor plan typical in this era of homes and the lack of storage. So, we opened the kitchen to the adjacent dining and living room, bringing it up to speed with modern-day living. In opening it up, we also walled off a doorway that went from the kitchen to the hallway, but it was completely unnecessary and allowed us to gain an entire wall of cabinets that didn't exist previously. For the finishes, we kept it classic with mostly gray and white but brought in a little flare and interest with the herringbone backsplash and brushed brass finishes because who doesn't love a little gold? Also, we added color with the finishing details like the rug and countertop decor because those things are a great way to add interest and warmth to a space and can be easily changed when it's time for a fresh new look.

Design by: Kelly & Stone Architects Contractor: Dover Development & Const. Cabinetry by: Fedewa Custom Works Photo by: Tim Stone Photography
Alcove shower - mid-sized contemporary 3/4 brown tile and mosaic tile porcelain tile and gray floor alcove shower idea in Denver with a vessel sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, beige walls, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and brown countertops

Huge transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, beige backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Teri Fotheringham
Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen remodel in Denver with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Architecture & Interior Design: David Heide Design Studio Photography: William Wright
Arts and crafts l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray backsplash

Karen Swanson, owner of New England Design Works in Manchester, MA keeps designing award winning Pennville Custom Cabinetry kitchens. You may remember that earlier this year, Karen won both the regional Sub-Zero Design Contest and the National Kitchen & Bath Association's medium kitchen of the year. nedesignworks@gmail.com 978.500.1096.

Example of a country dark wood floor kitchen design in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue backsplash, custom tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, beige walls and two islands

Location: New York, NY, United States This Loft was tastefully renovated back in the '90s, but was due for an update and an expansion of the kitchen and dining areas to accommodate the client's cooking skills and entertaining needs. EnlargIing the island and adding cabinetry to delineate the office, bar and dining areas was a priority. The bathroom was updated to feel like a tranquil spa with beautiful new tile, plumbing fixtures and cabinets. Our biggest challenge was coordinating the entire renovation while our client was out of town for the Summer! Photographed by: James Salomon

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor enclosed kitchen design in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, brick backsplash and an island

photos by Steve Chenn
Mid-sized elegant u-shaped limestone floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, white backsplash, limestone backsplash, white cabinets, quartzite countertops and an island

A 1920s colonial in a shorefront community in Westchester County had an expansive renovation with new kitchen by Studio Dearborn. Countertops White Macauba; interior design Lorraine Levinson. Photography, Timothy Lenz.

Photo Credit: Mike Kaskel, Kaskel Photo
Inspiration for a large timeless dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, an island, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops and stainless steel appliances

Renovated Kitchen in the heart of Harvard Sq. Cambridge, MA. The young couple was looking for a kitchen renovation with lots of style. Loving the look of marble counters but not the upkeep Pinney Designs recommended and designed a kitchen with a marble backsplash and durable honed black granite countertops. The Island was custom designed and utilized an Ikea butcher block surface for the island counter. Photography: Ben Gebo

This custom-built modern farmhouse was designed with a simple taupe and white palette, keeping the color tones neutral and calm. Tile designs by Mary-Beth Oliver. Designed and Built by Schmiedeck Construction. Photographed by Tim Lenz.

A custom oil-rubbed bronze hood was designed to create a striking focal point upon entering the room. The white pillowed edge subway tile gives dimension and texture to the space and blends seamlessly with the white beaded inset cabinets. The dark granite countertop on white perimeter cabinets gives this kitchen a traditional feel, but by installing a light quartz countertop on the dark cherry island a contemporary flair is added to the space. This allows for an overall transitional design.

Matt Kocourek Photography
Kitchen - mid-sized transitional galley dark wood floor kitchen idea in Kansas City with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, an island, a farmhouse sink, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray backsplash

Whittney Parkinson
Inspiration for a large cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Indianapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink and white countertops

A custom wet bar, handcrafted from Reclaimed Chestnut, offers a small sink and wine fridge just off the kitchen. Photo Credit: Crown Point Cabinetry

Custom design by Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design Inc. in Toronto, Canada. Photography by Stephani Buchman Photography.
Open concept kitchen - large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Toronto with white cabinets, an island, recessed-panel cabinets, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances