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

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.

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

Our clients wanted to create a backyard that would grow with their young family as well as with their extended family and friends. Entertaining was a huge priority! This family-focused backyard was designed to equally accommodate play and outdoor living/entertaining. The outdoor living spaces needed to accommodate a large number of people – adults and kids. Urban Oasis designed a deck off the back door so that the kitchen could be 36” height, with a bar along the outside edge at 42” for overflow seating. The interior space is approximate 600 sf and accommodates both a large dining table and a comfortable couch and chair set. The fire pit patio includes a seat wall for overflow seating around the fire feature (which doubles as a retaining wall) with ample room for chairs. The artificial turf lawn is spacious enough to accommodate a trampoline and other childhood favorites. Down the road, this area could be used for bocce or other lawn games. The concept is to leave all spaces large enough to be programmed in different ways as the family’s needs change. A steep slope presents itself to the yard and is a focal point. Planting a variety of colors and textures mixed among a few key existing trees changed this eyesore into a beautifully planted amenity for the property. Jimmy White Photography

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

In the laundry room, Medallion Gold series Park Place door style with flat center panel finished in Chai Latte classic paint accented with Westerly 3 ¾” pulls in Satin Nickel. Giallo Traversella Granite was installed on the countertop. A Moen Arbor single handle faucet with pull down spray in Spot Resist Stainless. The sink is a Blanco Liven laundry sink finished in truffle. The flooring is Kraus Enstyle Culbres vinyl tile 12” x 24” in the color Blancos.

Dedicated laundry room - large rustic porcelain tile dedicated laundry room idea with raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, brown walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and a drop-in sink

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

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

C.L. Fry Photography
Example of a large transitional single-wall dedicated laundry room design in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Small elegant freestanding desk dark wood floor study room photo in Boston with white walls

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

This dining room combines modern, rustic and classic styles. The colors are inspired by the original art work placed on the accent wall. Dining room accessories are understated to compliment the dining room painting. Custom made draperies complete the look. Natural fabric for the upholstery chairs is selected to work with the modern dining room rug. A rustic chandelier is high above the dining room table to showcase the painting. Original painting: Nancy Eckels Photo: Liz. McKay- McKay Imaging

Dedicated laundry room - small modern galley vinyl floor and brown floor dedicated laundry room idea with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, laminate countertops, white walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

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