Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

Contractor: Naikoon Contracting Ltd Photography: Ema Peter
Eat-in kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped brown floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Vancouver with white cabinets, concrete countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets and gray countertops

Rising amidst the grand homes of North Howe Street, this stately house has more than 6,600 SF. In total, the home has seven bedrooms, six full bathrooms and three powder rooms. Designed with an extra-wide floor plan (21'-2"), achieved through side-yard relief, and an attached garage achieved through rear-yard relief, it is a truly unique home in a truly stunning environment. The centerpiece of the home is its dramatic, 11-foot-diameter circular stair that ascends four floors from the lower level to the roof decks where panoramic windows (and views) infuse the staircase and lower levels with natural light. Public areas include classically-proportioned living and dining rooms, designed in an open-plan concept with architectural distinction enabling them to function individually. A gourmet, eat-in kitchen opens to the home's great room and rear gardens and is connected via its own staircase to the lower level family room, mud room and attached 2-1/2 car, heated garage. The second floor is a dedicated master floor, accessed by the main stair or the home's elevator. Features include a groin-vaulted ceiling; attached sun-room; private balcony; lavishly appointed master bath; tremendous closet space, including a 120 SF walk-in closet, and; an en-suite office. Four family bedrooms and three bathrooms are located on the third floor. This home was sold early in its construction process. Nathan Kirkman

Home owner built in these thin drawers that are actually sweater or hand washable drying racks with a built in fan in the rear of the compartment.
Home design - small transitional galley home design idea in Salt Lake City with gray cabinets and white walls

David Marquardt
Example of a mid-sized trendy l-shaped ceramic tile dedicated laundry room design in Las Vegas with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, solid surface countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Inspiration for an eclectic gender-neutral kids' room remodel in Calgary

Trendy l-shaped dedicated laundry room photo in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Contemporary farmhouse kitchen
Kitchen - country kitchen idea in Seattle

Forget just one room with a view—Lochley has almost an entire house dedicated to capturing nature’s best views and vistas. Make the most of a waterside or lakefront lot in this economical yet elegant floor plan, which was tailored to fit a narrow lot and has more than 1,600 square feet of main floor living space as well as almost as much on its upper and lower levels. A dovecote over the garage, multiple peaks and interesting roof lines greet guests at the street side, where a pergola over the front door provides a warm welcome and fitting intro to the interesting design. Other exterior features include trusses and transoms over multiple windows, siding, shutters and stone accents throughout the home’s three stories. The water side includes a lower-level walkout, a lower patio, an upper enclosed porch and walls of windows, all designed to take full advantage of the sun-filled site. The floor plan is all about relaxation – the kitchen includes an oversized island designed for gathering family and friends, a u-shaped butler’s pantry with a convenient second sink, while the nearby great room has built-ins and a central natural fireplace. Distinctive details include decorative wood beams in the living and kitchen areas, a dining area with sloped ceiling and decorative trusses and built-in window seat, and another window seat with built-in storage in the den, perfect for relaxing or using as a home office. A first-floor laundry and space for future elevator make it as convenient as attractive. Upstairs, an additional 1,200 square feet of living space include a master bedroom suite with a sloped 13-foot ceiling with decorative trusses and a corner natural fireplace, a master bath with two sinks and a large walk-in closet with built-in bench near the window. Also included is are two additional bedrooms and access to a third-floor loft, which could functions as a third bedroom if needed. Two more bedrooms with walk-in closets and a bath are found in the 1,300-square foot lower level, which also includes a secondary kitchen with bar, a fitness room overlooking the lake, a recreation/family room with built-in TV and a wine bar perfect for toasting the beautiful view beyond.

Inspiration for a huge contemporary galley white floor, wood ceiling and wallpaper dedicated laundry room remodel in Seattle with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and turquoise countertops

Clean, simple, efficient laundry room- Photo by Landmark Photography
Large transitional single-wall gray floor dedicated laundry room photo in Minneapolis with white cabinets, blue walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer, a single-bowl sink and shaker cabinets

Wine Cellar Features Reclaimed Barnwood and Reclaimed Chicago Brick along with Amazing custom Made Cabinets. Amazing Colorado Lodge Style Custom Built Home in Eagles Landing Neighborhood of Saint Augusta, Mn - Build by Werschay Homes. -James Gray Photography

Mary Carol Fitzgerald
Example of a mid-sized minimalist single-wall concrete floor and blue floor dedicated laundry room design in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, blue walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

This basement needed a serious transition, with light pouring in from all angles, it didn't make any sense to do anything but finish it off. Plus, we had a family of teenage girls that needed a place to hangout, and that is exactly what they got. We had a blast transforming this basement into a sleepover destination, sewing work space, and lounge area for our teen clients. Photo Credit: Tamara Flanagan Photography

Laundry closet is an efficient use of space. Side by side washer and dryer, built in shelves for laundry baskets. Wire shelf and closet bar. Photography by Spacecrafting.

Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage single-wall porcelain tile and beige floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Tampa with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, marble countertops, white walls, a stacked washer/dryer and white countertops

Committing to a kosher kitchen is quite a daunting undertaking and when you are also taking on a complete remodel, it can be overwhelming. It does not, however, have to be insurmountable. There are many resources to help guide you through the experience. Check out the internet and magazines to guide you. Once you have done the initial research, contact your Rabi with questions and for clarification on a kosher kitchen. Kosher requirements can vary differently between Orthodox, Conservatism, Ultra Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Your Rabi most likely will have a list of rules and guidelines. Also, hire a professional kitchen designer. They will not only be able to design the needs of a kosher kitchen but also make it personal to your needs and beautiful too. If the space and the budget allow, two distinct kitchens within one space is a possibility. A kosher kitchen requires stringent separation of meat and dairy items. Depending on the sect of Judaism you practice ------ Storage: The Storage areas need space for two sets of dishes, pots and pans, flatware, cups and utensils. You can combine the storage areas as long as there is a separation and that you do not mix service ware. A good recommendation is to color code your plates, flatware, table linen, pots. For example, red plates, gold-colored flatware, copper pots for meat items while dairy items have white plates, stainless flatware, stainless pots. You may want to label each area so when you have your new sister-in-law help in the kitchen; everything stays in the correct place. Appliances: When selecting appliances look for the STAR-K logo. This will help you determine to what extent an appliance is Kosher. Some ovens will have Sabbath modes where they will turn on automatically at a predetermined time. Once the oven is open, the oven turns off. Some refrigerators also have Sabbath modes where the ice maker turns off on the Sabbath and back on the following day. One refrigerator is usually sufficient provided all foods stay on the proper container in the proper section of the refrigerator. Having an immaculately clean refrigerator is a must if this is the case. You do not want spills from one food source contaminating food from the other. If you decide on two refrigerators, one can be full size while the other is smaller. A good kitchen designer can help assess your family’s needs to determine which is best for you. Dishwashers cannot be Kosher in most cases. You either need two dishwashers, separate compartment dishwashers as in dishwasher drawers or wash by hand. Look at Fisher Pikel or Kitchen Aid for dishwasher drawers. Each drawer is on separate controls. You can dedicate the top drawer for dairy while the bottom drawer is for meat service ware. If you have space and decide to have two dishwashers, you can get two 24” wide dishwashers. Another option is to have one full size dishwasher and supplement it with a small 18” wide dishwasher. Miele makes an 18” wide dishwasher that is super quiet and cleans dishes very well. You may also opt for a single dishwasher drawer in addition to a full sized dishwasher. A single Microwave oven can be used for milk and meat provided that a complete cover is used around the food. You will also need separate plastic plate’s places on the bottom or glass turn table. Keeping the unit clean is very important. Counter tops: Counter tops may or may not be able to be koshered depending on your sect. Simply having sets of trivets for dairy, meat and pareve (not meat or dairy) will provide adequate separation of foods. Sinks: If you can’t have two separate sinks, include three separate tubs to be places in the sink. Color code the tubs for meat, dairy and pareve. If you have one sink or a single divided sink, you will need to be cautious about splashing, to keep the meat and dairy particulates apart. You will also need space for separate dish cloths or sponges and dish towels. Again, color coding is extremely helpful and highly suggested. Must Haves: ~Storage space for two sets of dishes, flatware, pans bowls ~Color Code and label where appropriate ~Separate burners dedicate for either meat or dairy ~Separate clean up areas ~Clean environment to avoid contamination between meat and dairy ~A space that functions for how you cook ~A space that reflects you Design and remodel by Design Studio West Brady Architectural Photography

A dedicated laundry room located centrally on the second floor.
Large minimalist galley dedicated laundry room photo in Seattle with an utility sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops and gray walls

Dressing room - 1950s women's medium tone wood floor dressing room idea in San Francisco with open cabinets, white cabinets and white walls