Surrounded by vineyards, horse ranches, and open land, the home is in a great location that is reasonably close to town while retaining a secluded air. Our homeowners have enjoyed their country retreat for many years. They are blessed with a large extended family and love to host gatherings and entertain weekend guests. The only drawback to their gracious home was the drab and malfunctioning kitchen. First off, the cabinets were an out-dated whitewashed oak. Uggh! High ceilings were a plus feature that was negated by bizarrely stacked wall cabinets – making you think that maybe the original “designer” forgot about the 9 foot ceiling height. More likely, the original cabinets were stock items that didn’t come in the right size for the house. You can also see the lovely fluorescent light box tacked to the middle of the ceiling over the island. Why? Was there no thought to the style shown in the rest of the house? Secondly, the homeowners were fighting with a poor kitchen layout. The large built-in refrigerator and separate freezer were placed right in the main traffic flow from the hall, there was not enough counter space to the right of the sink, the dishwasher was crammed right next to the fridge, and a broom closet took up prime real estate next to the cook-top. Now, remember, guests are frequent in this home and often several people were trying to use the kitchen at one time. Cross traffic and outright pile-ups were inevitable as some folks gathered veggies from the fridge to sauté at the cook-top while others were rinsing used dishes for the dishwasher and still others were taking frozen items to the prep sink and then the microwave. Don’t get me started about the trash and recycling receptacles – complete inconvenience to all! So, our homeowners – the poor, benighted souls – were desperate for a remodel when they found San Luis Kitchen. On their first visit to our showroom, the couple fell in love with our French Country display. The display features soft white cabinets in a distressed cottage finish with a contrasting dark island and armoire; our homeowners were smitten. We knew everyone was up to the challenge and so we got right down to work. We visited their home and measured their kitchen. While we were there, we took stock of the house’s overall style and the homeowner’s décor. We asked what they liked best about their home, what worked well and what didn’t. We found that they loved their arched passageways, the trim details on their mantle and the soft curves of the posts at their stair rail. They also showed us many photos of kitchens that they liked – both from magazines and on-line. Using this information, we went back to the office and pulled together a design. We suggested swinging the refrigerator and freezer 90 degrees and setting them in place of the existing oven and hutch area. This brings them out of the traffic flow and into a comfortable relationship to the island counter. The fridge and freezer the homeowners chose were mismatched in width – we disguised the difference using custom detailing on the decorative panels. Deep storage cabinets above fill out the space. Moving the fridge/freezer gained lots of luxurious counter space to the right of the new farmhouse sink. We placed the broom closet near the hall and tucked the microwave behind closed cabinet doors (which tuck away when open) to the left of it. The beautiful existing wood floor insisted that the island remain in the same location, however we replaced it with luscious cherry cabinets in an antique burnished finish. The island retained its prep sink and gained a wine refrigerator and both a trash compactor and double bin recycling cabinet. A decorative pot rack now hangs in place of the ugly old fluorescent lights. The highlight of the new kitchen is the La Cornue range in a bright and bold blue! The homeowners traveled to a Bay area appliance showroom to see the ranges in person before purchasing to make sure that the ovens were of suitable size and that blue was truly the right color. The range was perfect, so it was purchased. The matching blue hood was created on site using a standard stainless hood as the base and painting a tapered drywall cover. To either side of the range we placed pullout base cabinets for oils and spices and such, each fronted with a turned post chosen to echo their stairway balusters. We also chose cabinet trim (crown, light rail and toe base) to harmonize with the homes existing details. We knew for sure that the completed kitchen was a success when the happy homeowners reported to us that over Thanksgiving they had five cooks working in the space with no conflict whatsoever. That’s a true complement to our design – Thank You!

Eat-in kitchen - large transitional l-shaped cement tile floor and white floor eat-in kitchen idea in Philadelphia with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients came in after thinking a long time about what to do with their kitchen – new cabinets or paint them, white kitchen or wood, custom or is semi-custom? All good questions to ask! They were committed to making this home for a while, they decided to do a full remodel. The kitchen was not living up to its potential both visually and functionally. The dark cabinets and countertop made the room feel dull. And the major drawback, a large corner pantry that was eating into the room, make it appear smaller than it was. We started by ditching the corner pantry. It created a perfectly centered spot for the new professional range and made room for a much larger island that now houses a beverage center, microwave drawer, seating for three and tons of storage. The multi-generational family does a ton of cooking, so this kitchen gets used! We spent lots of time fine tuning the storage devices and planning where critical items would be stored. This included the new pantry area across from the refrigerator that houses small appliances and food staples. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

DIY IKEA Sektion kitchen remodel designed by Sarah Seitz. Cabinet doors are IKEA Bjorket professionally painted with a conversion varnish in Benjamin Moore's Baltic Gray. Photos by Lauren Lloyd.

Custom Countertops For the countertops we chose a cost-effective quality quartz by MSI-Surfaces called Q Quartz. Normally, Cambria is my go-to but for the marble look. However, we can get Q Quartz in for a $1000 less per slab, which is a great price point for a renovation like this one. The only drawback is you do not have the lifetime warranty that comes with Cambria countertops. MSI-Surfaces are a trusted company that we have worked with for years. Their countertops have the look and durability that are always a winner when we need to stay in our budget. For the backsplash we chose Daltile Rittenhouse Square in an Arctic White. The glossy finish and dramatic look of the quartz brings an incredible crisp and clean look to the whole kitchen.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients came in after thinking a long time about what to do with their kitchen – new cabinets or paint them, white kitchen or wood, custom or is semi-custom? All good questions to ask! They were committed to making this home for a while, they decided to do a full remodel. The kitchen was not living up to its potential both visually and functionally. The dark cabinets and countertop made the room feel dull. And the major drawback, a large corner pantry that was eating into the room, make it appear smaller than it was. We started by ditching the corner pantry. It created a perfectly centered spot for the new professional range and made room for a much larger island that now houses a beverage center, microwave drawer, seating for three and tons of storage. The multi-generational family does a ton of cooking, so this kitchen gets used! We spent lots of time fine tuning the storage devices and planning where critical items would be stored. This included the new pantry area across from the refrigerator that houses small appliances and food staples. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

It's always fun to audit and assess property virtues, assets, and drawbacks. We chose to retain the Russian olives on site. Their silver foliage was a frothy, sunlit contrast to the green, lush riparian zone. They way their branches can arch and cascade is an energy we sought to harness and leverage. Mowing and mow lines can literally compose a property like a sculpture, or a fine landscape painting. Mow lines allow designers to emphasize or enhance site features, such as gorgeous trees and the welcome space beneath them. Not only can cut or unshorn turf roll out a welcome mat to intimate spaces such as this, but diverse un-mowed native grasses are vital habitat we ought to preserve along river ways - their roots cling to soil and stabilize river banks year around.

Example of a large transitional l-shaped cement tile floor and white floor eat-in kitchen design in Philadelphia with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

With a striking turquoise island, elegant pendant lights, and sleek cabinetry, it’s a space that blends style and function beautifully.
Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman l-shaped cork floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white appliances, an island, quartzite countertops, beige backsplash, glass tile backsplash and an undermount sink

Inspiration for a kitchen remodel in New York

David Duncan Livingston Shelves: Custom fabricated from Walnut. Supported by steel brackets in the wall which were installed prior to applying drywall. These shelves were also built to accommodate the recessed LED lights below.

Small bubbling fountain through a circular paver-style stone surrounded by black river rock and curated landscape plants.
Photo of a landscaping in Seattle.

Offering all the stunning characteristics of reclaimed timber, the dark amber brown hues of Beach Driftwood will bring warmth to any living space. Its rustic driftwood design boasts none of the practical drawbacks, such as splintering or warping.

Photo: Rikki Snyder ©2016 Houzz
Eclectic dining room photo in Providence

All images (C) Alain Jaramillo
Inspiration for a small contemporary galley bamboo floor kitchen remodel in Baltimore with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, stone tile backsplash, black appliances and an island

This Columbia, Missouri home’s master bathroom was a full gut remodel. Dimensions In Wood’s expert team handled everything including plumbing, electrical, tile work, cabinets, and more! Electric, Heated Tile Floor Starting at the bottom, this beautiful bathroom sports electrical radiant, in-floor heating beneath the wood styled non-slip tile. With the style of a hardwood and none of the drawbacks, this tile will always be warm, look beautiful, and be completely waterproof. The tile was also carried up onto the walls of the walk in shower. Full Tile Low Profile Shower with all the comforts A low profile Cloud Onyx shower base is very low maintenance and incredibly durable compared to plastic inserts. Running the full length of the wall is an Onyx shelf shower niche for shampoo bottles, soap and more. Inside a new shower system was installed including a shower head, hand sprayer, water controls, an in-shower safety grab bar for accessibility and a fold-down wooden bench seat. Make-Up Cabinet On your left upon entering this renovated bathroom a Make-Up Cabinet with seating makes getting ready easy. A full height mirror has light fixtures installed seamlessly for the best lighting possible. Finally, outlets were installed in the cabinets to hide away small appliances. Every Master Bath needs a Dual Sink Vanity The dual sink Onyx countertop vanity leaves plenty of space for two to get ready. The durable smooth finish is very easy to clean and will stand up to daily use without complaint. Two new faucets in black match the black hardware adorning Bridgewood factory cabinets. Robern medicine cabinets were installed in both walls, providing additional mirrors and storage. Contact Us Today to discuss Translating Your Master Bathroom Vision into a Reality.

Coffee bar is perfect for the morning routine and for entertaining. The one drawback is you end up wearing your Barrista hat while your guests queue up for seconds.

This Columbia, Missouri home’s master bathroom was a full gut remodel. Dimensions In Wood’s expert team handled everything including plumbing, electrical, tile work, cabinets, and more! Electric, Heated Tile Floor Starting at the bottom, this beautiful bathroom sports electrical radiant, in-floor heating beneath the wood styled non-slip tile. With the style of a hardwood and none of the drawbacks, this tile will always be warm, look beautiful, and be completely waterproof. The tile was also carried up onto the walls of the walk in shower. Full Tile Low Profile Shower with all the comforts A low profile Cloud Onyx shower base is very low maintenance and incredibly durable compared to plastic inserts. Running the full length of the wall is an Onyx shelf shower niche for shampoo bottles, soap and more. Inside a new shower system was installed including a shower head, hand sprayer, water controls, an in-shower safety grab bar for accessibility and a fold-down wooden bench seat. Make-Up Cabinet On your left upon entering this renovated bathroom a Make-Up Cabinet with seating makes getting ready easy. A full height mirror has light fixtures installed seamlessly for the best lighting possible. Finally, outlets were installed in the cabinets to hide away small appliances. Every Master Bath needs a Dual Sink Vanity The dual sink Onyx countertop vanity leaves plenty of space for two to get ready. The durable smooth finish is very easy to clean and will stand up to daily use without complaint. Two new faucets in black match the black hardware adorning Bridgewood factory cabinets. Robern medicine cabinets were installed in both walls, providing additional mirrors and storage. Contact Us Today to discuss Translating Your Master Bathroom Vision into a Reality.

Example of a minimalist bedroom design in San Francisco