This is the story about a kitchen that was showing it’s age with white countertops and dark oak cabinets on a dark oak floor. It all worked once, but now the kitchen felt dark, cramped and dysfunctional. The owners were looking for a total kitchen transformation. After a disastrous beginning with a contractor taking their money and vanishing into thin air, the owners were left with a completely gutted kitchen that consisted of only the walls. They hired Rick Jacobson to rescue them and restart the project. The new kitchen design began with the idea of using Cobalt Blue as a primary color. The blue seen on many glassware pieces is Cobalt Blue, and it was decided to use it in the tile for the kitchen, as well as the pendant lights. Another goal was to make the kitchen brighter with an easier traffic flow, as well as completely updated cabinetry. And there were traffic patterns to improve, a refrigerator to move, and exhaust vents to reroute. Rick Jacobson listened to the owners and worked to create the kitchen that the owners imagined. He began by thinking through the traffic flow patterns. He noted that the doorway from the dining room needed to be widened. He added rounded doorway headers to match the home’s existing décor. He carefully thought through where the kitchen island should be, including how opening the oven doors would be in relation to people sitting at the kitchen island at a family gathering. Kitchen cabinet touches include off edge flat panel doors, soft close wooden drawers, and a spice cabinet with two slide-out racks. The new longer center island features a drawer microwave that opens and closes automatically with the push of a button. The center island also features two recycling bins and seating for four. Rick even thought of adding decorative elements to the existing half wall to make it look in line with the kitchen island. The kitchen’s black granite countertops offer an unusually appealing view: There are lots of interesting reflections throughout the kitchen. Another of Rick’s touches is that all of the lights, including recessed ceiling lights, three cobalt blue pendant lights and below cabinet lights are on dimmers which work to balance daytime and nighttime lighting. The under mounted stainless steel single sink is complemented with a gooseneck faucet. The stainless steel gas range is thin enough to allow for a wide drawer below for utensils, and the stainless steel vent hood is vented through the ceiling to outdoors, allowing additional storage space in the top cabinets. Double ovens with white doors are the perfect match to the cabinets, with a location that makes baking and roasting easier with the two large vertical storage for baking sheets and supplies nearby. The result: A functional, open, bright and Cobalt blue kitchen.

Teryn Rae Photography
Mid-sized eclectic carpeted and beige floor bedroom photo in Phoenix with white walls and no fireplace

Example of a trendy l-shaped light wood floor dedicated laundry room design in Grand Rapids with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Example of a country kitchen design in Baltimore

The 4415 HO See-Thru gas fireplace represents Fireplace X’s most transitional and modern linear gas fireplace yet – offering the best in home heating and style, but with double the fire view. This contemporary gas fireplace features a sleek, linear profile with a long row of dancing flames over a bed of glowing, under-lit crushed glass. The dynamic see-thru design gives you double the amount of fire viewing of this fireplace is perfect for serving as a stylish viewing window between two rooms, or provides a breathtaking display of fire to the center of large rooms and living spaces. The 4415 ST gas fireplace is also an impressive high output heater that features built-in fans which allow you to heat up to 2,100 square feet. The 4415 See-Thru linear gas fireplace is truly the finest see-thru gas fireplace available, in all areas of construction, quality and safety features. This gas fireplace is built with superior craftsmanship to extremely high standards at our factory in Mukilteo, Washington. From the heavy duty welded 14-gauge steel fireplace body, to the durable welded frame surrounding the neoceramic glass, you can actually see the level of quality in our materials and workmanship. Installed over the high clarity glass is a nearly invisible 2015 ANSI-compliant safety screen.

This kitchen is a study in transitional style – and carries a punch – even with only 2 main finishes: Weathered Slate Cabinets, and Cambria “Berwyn” Countertops. Oversized island fixtures create a wow-factor, and the island waterfall edge makes an on-trend statement.

Lori Hamilton
Example of an island style beige two-story exterior home design in Miami

A cozy cottage nestled in the woods of Vashon Island.
Studio / workshop shed - small craftsman detached studio / workshop shed idea in Seattle

Our clients wanted to add on to their 1950's ranch house, but weren't sure whether to go up or out. We convinced them to go out, adding a Primary Suite addition with bathroom, walk-in closet, and spacious Bedroom with vaulted ceiling. To connect the addition with the main house, we provided plenty of light and a built-in bookshelf with detailed pendant at the end of the hall. The clients' style was decidedly peaceful, so we created a wet-room with green glass tile, a door to a small private garden, and a large fir slider door from the bedroom to a spacious deck. We also used Yakisugi siding on the exterior, adding depth and warmth to the addition. Our clients love using the tub while looking out on their private paradise!

This guest room received a teen makeover when this teen decided on a teal blue and black color scheme. We added a little "bling" with this fun orb chandelier, silver metallic wallcovering and glitter drapery panel fabric.

Photo: Hoi Ning Wong © 2014 Houzz
This is an example of a traditional landscaping in San Francisco.

Joyelle West
Beach style light wood floor and beige floor dining room photo in Boston with gray walls

Mid-sized cottage 3/4 cement tile floor and white floor bathroom photo in San Diego with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Sources: Leaning ladder: Joinery Peg Wall: Joinery Bath Towels: bathstyle (Etsy) Stool: Roost Paint Color: BM Silver Song 1557 Richard Leo Johnson
Example of a trendy master medium tone wood floor claw-foot bathtub design in Atlanta with gray walls

Earl Kendall
Kitchen - mid-sized scandinavian kitchen idea in New York with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, white walls and an island

Example of a transitional u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen design in Tampa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, metallic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Modern Showhome
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless gray two-story stone house exterior remodel in Indianapolis with a hip roof and a shingle roof

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   One of my favorite things to work on is older homes with a bit of history because I find it an interesting challenge to marry the historical architectural features of a home with modern design elements that work well for my client’s current lifestyle. This home was particularly fun because it was the second kitchen we had done for this family and was quite a departure from the style of the first kitchen. The before shot of the kitchen shows a view from the family room. See the dropped ceiling? We were curious, was this just part of the design or was the dropped ceiling there to hide mechanicals? Well we soon found out that it was mostly decorative (yay!), and with the exception of a little bit of work to some plumbing from an upstairs bathroom and rerouting of the ventilation system within the original floor joists, we were in the clear, phew! The shot of the completed kitchen from roughly the same vantage point shows how much taller the ceilings are. It makes a huge difference in the feel of the space. Dark and gloomy turned fresh and light! Another serious consideration was what do we do with the skinny transom window above the refrigerator. After much back and forth, we decided to eliminate it and do some open shelving instead. This ended up being one of the nicest areas in the room. I am calling it the “fun zone” because it houses all the barware, wine cubbies and a bar fridge — the perfect little buffet spot for entertaining. It is flanked on either side by pull out pantries that I’m sure will get a ton of use. Since the neighboring room has literally three walls of almost full height windows, the kitchen gets plenty of light. The gold shelving brackets, large pendant fixtures over the island and the tile mural behind the range all pay subtle homage to the home’s prairie style architecture and bring a bit of sparkle to the room. Even though the room is quite large, the work triangle is very tight with the large Subzero fridge, sink and range all nearby for easy maneuvering during meal prep. There is seating for four at the island, and work aisles are generous. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Main living space in a Swedish-inspired farm house on Maryland's Eastern Shore. Architect: Torchio Architects Photographer: Angie Seckinger
Living room - mid-sized scandinavian open concept and formal concrete floor and gray floor living room idea in DC Metro with white walls, a concrete fireplace, a standard fireplace and no tv