A 1927 colonial home in Shaker Heights, Ohio, received a breathtaking renovation that required extensive work, transforming it from a tucked away, utilitarian space, to an all-purpose gathering room, a role that most kitchens embrace in a home today. The scope of work changed over the course of the project, starting more minimalistically and then quickly becoming the main focus of the house's remodeling, resulting in a staircase being relocated and walls being torn down to create an inviting focal point to the home where family and friends could connect. The focus of the functionality was to allow for multiple prep areas with the inclusion of two islands and sinks, two eating areas (one for impromptu snacking and small meals of younger family members and friends on island no. two and a built-in bench seat for everyday meals in the immediate family). The kitchen was equipped with all Subzero and Wolf appliances, including a 48" range top with a 12" griddle, two double ovens, a 42" built-in side by side refrigerator and freezer, a microwave drawer on island no. one and a beverage center and icemaker in island no. two. The aesthetic feeling embraces the architectural feel of the home while adding a modern sensibility with the revamped layout and graphic elements that tie the color palette of whites, chocolate and charcoal. The cabinets were custom made and outfitted with beaded inset doors with a Shaker panel frame and finished in Benjamin Moore's OC-17 White Dove, a soft white that allowed for the kitchen to feel warm while still maintaining its brightness. Accents of walnut were added to create a sense of warmth, including a custom premium grade walnut countertop on island no. one from Brooks Custom and a TV cabinet with a doggie feeding station beneath. Bringing the cabinet line to the 8'6" ceiling height helps the room feel taller and bold light fixtures at the islands and eating area add detail to an otherwise simpler ceiling detail. The 1 1/4" countertops feature Calacatta Gold Marble with an ogee edge detail. Special touches on the interiors include secret storage panels, an appliance garage, breadbox, pull-out drawers behind the cabinet doors and all soft-close hinges and drawer glides. A kneading area was made as a part of island no. one for the homeowners' love of baking, complete with a stone top allowing for dough to stay cool. Baskets beneath store kitchen essentials that need air circulation. The room adjacent to the kitchen was converted to a hearth room (from a formal dining room) to extend the kitchen's living space and allow for a natural spillover for family and guests to spill into. Jason Miller, Pixelate

Amy Bartlam
Inspiration for a transitional bathroom remodel in Los Angeles with multicolored walls and beaded inset cabinets

Renaissance Solid Bronze Door, Custom Hardware, Charcoal Finish
Inspiration for a stone exterior home remodel in Austin

Donna Dotan Photography Inc.
Living room - transitional formal medium tone wood floor living room idea in New York with white walls

Integrity from Marvin Windows and Doors open this tiny house up to a larger-than-life ocean view.
Small farmhouse white two-story exterior home idea in Portland Maine with a metal roof

A bold, black basalt tile backsplash folds up the wall and onto the ceiling, and is punctuated by three walnut boxes that house pendant lights over the island and store kitchenware near the main prep space. Bar seating at the end of the island is perfect for quick morning breakfasts, and snacks after school. Photo by Scott Norsworthy

Transitional gray tile dark wood floor powder room photo in Charleston with gray walls and a vessel sink

Casey Dunn
Example of a trendy formal living room design in Austin with a ribbon fireplace and white walls

Powder Room for Children's Playroom / Guest Bedroom. Bardiglio stone penny tile. Duravit pedestal sink. Vintage staved mirror and glass pendant light fixture. Photo: Mikiko Kikuyama

Pool fountain - mid-sized coastal backyard stone and rectangular aboveground pool fountain idea in Bridgeport

Peter Lyons
Mid-sized elegant medium tone wood floor and brown floor sunroom photo in San Francisco with a standard ceiling

Ⓒ ZAC+ZAC
Inspiration for a transitional bedroom remodel in London

My clients purchased a grand home on a spectacular waterfront setting, but the interior felt dark and drab. Our challenge was to turn the existing home into a high end Hampton-style residence without major construction. We choose to focus on color, contrast and texture, changing almost every surface in the home and reversing the contrast to make the home light and airy. We invested the construction expense on elements crucial to style and function. Removing a row of out of scale upper cabinetry in the kitchen and replacing it with 3 double hung windows expands the view to 180 degrees and floods the room with light. To create symmetry and balance in the kitchen, we moved the cooktop and centered the sink. The wine cellar entry opened awkwardly into the kitchen and there was no pantry, so we modified the wine cellar and moved the door for better flow, allowing for a large pantry. On the opposite end of the great room, we balanced the fireplace with cabinetry and tall wainscoting. The floors were stained dark espresso while all other trim and cabinetry went a bright white. It took 14 tries to get the perfect wall color – a pale beige/color reminiscent of sand. The blue and white furniture and details pull the entire space together and creates a sophisticated yet casual feel. Photos by Steve Armstrong www.cascadepromedia.com

Sleek lines.Slender cable railings ny Keuka Studios, inc.
Example of a minimalist exterior home design in New York

Crown molding was installed to support and frame custom drapes surrounding each bed, providing a privacy option for these tween girls. Antique letters personalized each bed. Storage items for stuffed animals et al. Designer - Heather Drew. Photographer - Ansel Olson.

circle ten media
Living room - contemporary living room idea in Miami with white walls

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary kids' white tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile, multicolored floor and single-sink walk-in shower remodel in Minneapolis with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, a wall-mount toilet, white walls, a drop-in sink, marble countertops, white countertops and a floating vanity

Example of a classic single-wall white floor wet bar design in Cleveland with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel countertops

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in Denver with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops