The recent redesign of the kitchen and dining nook skillfully fuses timeless French country aesthetics with modern design principles, tailored for a young couple who cherish both art and architecture. This transformation emphasizes an inviting, comfortable atmosphere without compromising on sophistication. The space uses a palette of muted colors and aged materials to achieve a subtle elegance that integrates seamlessly with the home’s intrinsic architectural charm. Central to the kitchen are two islands, designed to facilitate both everyday living and grand entertaining. These islands not only offer extensive preparation surfaces but also serve as social hubs, making the kitchen the heart of the home. Adjacent to this area, a well-equipped scullery and a butler’s pantry enhance functionality, providing ample space for storage and meal prep without cluttering the main kitchen area. The dining area is designed to host intimate dinners or family gatherings, while views of the stunning chandelier, sculpted ceilings and detailed millwork float above, echoing the home’s French influences. Similarly, the sitting area adjacent to the kitchen features comfortable seating and abundant natural light, creating a perfect spot for relaxation or casual conversation. Attention to detail is evident in the decorative grates on the pantry doors, and the arched glass elements in cabinetry, all nodding to classic French design. This project masterfully balances historical reverence with modern functionality, making it an ideal setting for both lively social gatherings and serene everyday living.

Both the design and construction teams put their heart into making sure we worked with the client to achieve this gorgeous vision. The client was sensitive to both aesthetic and functionality goals, so we set out to improve their old, dated cramped kitchen, with an open concept that facilitates cooking workflow, and dazzles the eye with its mid century modern design. One of their biggest items was their need for increased storage space. We certainly achieved that with ample cabinet space and doubling their pantry space. The 13 foot waterfall island is the centerpiece, which is heavily utilized for cooking, eating, playing board games and hanging out. The pantry behind the walnut doors used to be the fridge space, and there's an extra pantry now to the left of the current fridge. We moved the sink from the counter to the island, which really helped workflow (we created triangle between cooktop, sink and fridge/pantry 2). To make the cabinets flow linearly at the top we moved and replaced the window. The beige paint is called alpaca from Sherwin Williams and the blue is charcoal blue from sw. Everything was carefully selected, from the horizontal grain on the walnut cabinets, to the subtly veined white quartz from Arizona tile, to the black glass paneled luxury hood from Futuro Futuro. The pendants and chandelier are from West Elm. The flooring is from karastan; a gorgeous engineered, white oak in herringbone pattern. The recessed lights are decorative from Lumens. The pulls are antique brass from plank hardware (in London). We sourced the door handles and cooktop (Empava) from Houzz. The faucet is Rohl and the sink is Bianco.

Both the design and construction teams put their heart into making sure we worked with the client to achieve this gorgeous vision. The client was sensitive to both aesthetic and functionality goals, so we set out to improve their old, dated cramped kitchen, with an open concept that facilitates cooking workflow, and dazzles the eye with its mid century modern design. One of their biggest items was their need for increased storage space. We certainly achieved that with ample cabinet space and doubling their pantry space. The 13 foot waterfall island is the centerpiece, which is heavily utilized for cooking, eating, playing board games and hanging out. The pantry behind the walnut doors used to be the fridge space, and there's an extra pantry now to the left of the current fridge. We moved the sink from the counter to the island, which really helped workflow (we created triangle between cooktop, sink and fridge/pantry 2). To make the cabinets flow linearly at the top we moved and replaced the window. The beige paint is called alpaca from Sherwin Williams and the blue is charcoal blue from sw. Everything was carefully selected, from the horizontal grain on the walnut cabinets, to the subtly veined white quartz from Arizona tile, to the black glass paneled luxury hood from Futuro Futuro. The pendants and chandelier are from West Elm. The flooring is from karastan; a gorgeous engineered, white oak in herringbone pattern. The recessed lights are decorative from Lumens. The pulls are antique brass from plank hardware (in London). We sourced the door handles and cooktop (Empava) from Houzz. The faucet is Rohl and the sink is Bianco.

CLIZIA SUSPENSION LARGE FUMÈ design by Adriano Rachele Just as a cloud captures the sunlight, and charges it with iridescent reflections, Clizia Suspension Large Fumé returns the romantic flare of the first hours of the day to the environment. The suspension version, available in two different sizes, develops in width to fill the surrounding environment with decoration. In the large version (78 cm in diameter), the regular shapes embedded in a perfect balance of glass and smoked reflections compose an apparently chaotic, yet naturally harmonious design. Clizia Suspension Large Fumé is equipped with magnetic attachment to facilitate installation and maintenance.

Van Auken Akins Architects LLC designed and facilitated the complete renovation of a home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Areas of work include the living and dining spaces on the first floor, and bedrooms and baths on the second floor with new wall coverings, oriental rug selections, furniture selections and window treatments. The third floor was renovated to create a whimsical guest bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room. The upgrades to the baths included new plumbing fixtures, new cabinetry, countertops, lighting and floor tile. The renovation of the basement created an exercise room, wine cellar, recreation room, powder room, and laundry room in once unusable space. New ceilings, soffits, and lighting were installed throughout along with wallcoverings, wood paneling, carpeting and furniture.

Stoneunlimited Kitchen and Bath can help you design and renovate your bathroom into a seaside oasis that will hold you over until the next time you're able to feel sand between your toes and salty water in your hair. Our Client's desire for their master bathroom was to create a beachy feel that they could enjoy year round and we were more than happy to facilitate the transformation. The Alaskan White Granite tops mimic the look of wet sand providing contrast to the Waypoint Shaker Style cabinets and storage tower. 3"x17" Porcelain Planks in Vintage Gray add a wood component that is key to any coastal bathroom design and resemble the color of aged board walks and fishing piers. Pebbles in the tub surround, shower accent band and shower floor are similar to ones that can be found on many popular beaches. The decorative details that our client selected for the room such as mermaid dispensers, shells, and beautiful vibrant art work were the perfect touch. Ample storage space and some privacy to the exposed toilet were needed. The 12" deep tower provides two cabinet pull outs for toiletries and other necessities as well as an 18"x18" cabinet on the top with crown molding finishes and an additional pull out cabinet at the bottom of the tower. Partial privacy for the lavatory was achieved by installing a 45"x29" glass panel. Here are the items that were utilized in this Stoneunlimited Bathroom Remodel: Countertops: 3CM Alaskan White Granit with Roman Ogee Edge Cabinets: WayPoint Living Spaces Door Style: 540F, Maple with painted Pewter Glazed Cabinet Hardware: Aberdeen Pulls Sinks: 20"x15" white porcelain rectangular Tub: 60" Kohler Tile: 3" x 17" Porcelain Planks in Vintage Gray on the floor 12" x 24 Porcelain Nexus Ice for the shower and tub walls Island Flat /Stacked Pebbles in the shower and tub surround Fixtures: Delta in Brushed Nickel Finish Glass Shower Enclosure: 3/8" Tempered Glass 75" Frameless with standard hinges and D style handle Mirrors: ¼'" thick topped off with crown molding trim to match the trim finishes on the storage tower

Housing that is not very large has no chance of being used well without being well designed. It is definitely necessary to get architectural help in planning narrow areas. Rounded lines and soft corners facilitate ergonomic use and provide security, as well as evoke a feminine perception and contain references to the concepts of home-nest-family. In interior decoration, not only the walls but also the material change of the ceilings are effective in creating the desired environment.

The 100-year old home’s kitchen was old and just didn’t function well. A peninsula in the middle of the main part of the kitchen blocked the path from the back door. This forced the homeowners to mostly use an odd, U-shaped corner of the kitchen. Design objectives: -Add an island -Wow-factor design -Incorporate arts and crafts with a touch of Mid-century modern style -Allow for a better work triangle when cooking -Create a seamless path coming into the home from the backdoor -Make all the countertops in the space 36” high (the old kitchen had different base cabinet heights) Design challenges to be solved: -Island design -Where to place the sink and dishwasher -The family’s main entrance into the home is a back door located within the kitchen space. Samantha needed to find a way to make an unobstructed path through the kitchen to the outside -A large eating area connected to the kitchen felt slightly misplaced – Samantha wanted to bring the kitchen and materials more into this area -The client does not like appliance garages/cabinets to the counter. The more countertop space, the better! Design solutions: -Adding the right island made all the difference! Now the family has a couple of seats within the kitchen space. -Multiple walkways facilitate traffic flow. -Multiple pantry cabinets (both shallow and deep) are placed throughout the space. A couple of pantry cabinets were even added to the back door wall and wrap around into the breakfast nook to give the kitchen a feel of extending into the adjoining eating area. -Upper wall cabinets with clear glass offer extra lighting and the opportunity for the client to display her beautiful vases and plates. They add and an airy feel to the space. -The kitchen had two large existing windows that were ideal for a sink placement. The window closest to the back door made the most sense due to the fact that the other window was in the corner. Now that the sink had a place, we needed to worry about the dishwasher. Samantha didn’t want the dishwasher to be in the way of people coming in the back door – it’s now in the island right across from the sink. -The homeowners love Motawi Tile. Some fantastic pieces are placed within the backsplash throughout the kitchen. -Larger tiles with borders make for nice accent pieces over the rangetop and by the bar/beverage area. -The adjacent area for eating is a gorgeous nook with massive windows. We added a built-in furniture-style banquette with additional lower storage cabinets in the same finish. It’s a great way to connect and blend the two areas into what now feels like one big space!

Housing that is not very large has no chance of being used well without being well designed. It is definitely necessary to get architectural help in planning narrow areas. Rounded lines and soft corners facilitate ergonomic use and provide security, as well as evoke a feminine perception and contain references to the concepts of home-nest-family. In interior decoration, not only the walls but also the material change of the ceilings are effective in creating the desired environment.

Stoneunlimited Kitchen and Bath can help you design and renovate your bathroom into a seaside oasis that will hold you over until the next time you're able to feel sand between your toes and salty water in your hair. Our Client's desire for their master bathroom was to create a beachy feel that they could enjoy year round and we were more than happy to facilitate the transformation. The Alaskan White Granite tops mimic the look of wet sand providing contrast to the Waypoint Shaker Style cabinets and storage tower. 3"x17" Porcelain Planks in Vintage Gray add a wood component that is key to any coastal bathroom design and resemble the color of aged board walks and fishing piers. Pebbles in the tub surround, shower accent band and shower floor are similar to ones that can be found on many popular beaches. The decorative details that our client selected for the room such as mermaid dispensers, shells, and beautiful vibrant art work were the perfect touch. Ample storage space and some privacy to the exposed toilet were needed. The 12" deep tower provides two cabinet pull outs for toiletries and other necessities as well as an 18"x18" cabinet on the top with crown molding finishes and an additional pull out cabinet at the bottom of the tower. Partial privacy for the lavatory was achieved by installing a 45"x29" glass panel. Here are the items that were utilized in this Stoneunlimited Bathroom Remodel: Countertops: 3CM Alaskan White Granit with Roman Ogee Edge Cabinets: WayPoint Living Spaces Door Style: 540F, Maple with painted Pewter Glazed Cabinet Hardware: Aberdeen Pulls Sinks: 20"x15" white porcelain rectangular Tub: 60" Kohler Tile: 3" x 17" Porcelain Planks in Vintage Gray on the floor 12" x 24 Porcelain Nexus Ice for the shower and tub walls Island Flat /Stacked Pebbles in the shower and tub surround Fixtures: Delta in Brushed Nickel Finish Glass Shower Enclosure: 3/8" Tempered Glass 75" Frameless with standard hinges and D style handle Mirrors: ¼'" thick topped off with crown molding trim to match the trim finishes on the storage tower

Custom Cabinetry by Komandor. We can work around any obstruction to create a truly built in custom cabinet. Plus we have all the interior fittings to get the most out of your closet. Our designers are skilled at maximizing your space while creating a stylish addition to your home that fits your decor and personality. They are equipped with experience, fresh ideas and cutting edge technology facilitated by our European design software. A winning combination with our high quality materials imported from Europe and local partners. Reach out and see what we can do for you!

Van Auken Akins Architects LLC designed and facilitated the complete renovation of a home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Areas of work include the living and dining spaces on the first floor, and bedrooms and baths on the second floor with new wall coverings, oriental rug selections, furniture selections and window treatments. The third floor was renovated to create a whimsical guest bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room. The upgrades to the baths included new plumbing fixtures, new cabinetry, countertops, lighting and floor tile. The renovation of the basement created an exercise room, wine cellar, recreation room, powder room, and laundry room in once unusable space. New ceilings, soffits, and lighting were installed throughout along with wallcoverings, wood paneling, carpeting and furniture.

Stylish Appearance Bathroom Sink. Apply to any bathroom or powder room, constructed of durable and stain resistant ceramic. Fashionable appearance is sure to leave a lofty impression on your bathroom. Easy Clean Rectangle Vessel Sink. This versatile sink made from high-quality ceramic that’s extremely resistant to scratches and stains, and will not fade over time. The flat bottom style has softly rounded corners to prevent dust accumulation and facilitate cleaning. Ceramic Above Counter Sink. Above-counter design allows you to install your ceramic vessel sink without replacing the entire vanity. Sink Bowl Dimension. Standard 1-3/4” drain opening compatible with pop-up drain; Without overflow. Decorate your bathroom space into a relaxing oasis with the black and white vessel sink. –1 x Vessel Sink –1 x 1/2″- 3/8″ adapter –1 x Faucet –1 x Pop up Drain –1 x Hot & Cold Waterline –Mounting ring –Installation Manual

Van Auken Akins Architects LLC designed and facilitated the complete renovation of a home in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Areas of work include the living and dining spaces on the first floor, and bedrooms and baths on the second floor with new wall coverings, oriental rug selections, furniture selections and window treatments. The third floor was renovated to create a whimsical guest bedroom, bathroom, and laundry room. The upgrades to the baths included new plumbing fixtures, new cabinetry, countertops, lighting and floor tile. The renovation of the basement created an exercise room, wine cellar, recreation room, powder room, and laundry room in once unusable space. New ceilings, soffits, and lighting were installed throughout along with wallcoverings, wood paneling, carpeting and furniture.

This beautiful kitchen was remodeled for a growing family in the Chicago suburbs. As they were purchasing a new home, they realized there were many drawbacks to the kitchen. It needed to be redesigned to meet their lifestyle and it made sense to do it before moving in. It was a large kitchen but the functional work space was very small. The work triangle was cumbersome and traffic flowed right through it. The existing kitchen had new red oak floors. They were beautiful, but dark red floors just aren’t practical for a growing family with dogs. THE REMODEL The first thing we did was redesign the space and reorient the layout with two islands. Incorporating a built-in banquette, instead of a table, freed up plenty of room for them. The islands are strategically placed in the opposite direction of the previous layout’s single island. This not only creates a better view from the family room, it keeps the traffic flow out of the work area while facilitating two separate workspaces. The small island incorporates a new prep sink. It’s right across from the cooking area, which is a new focal point with a gorgeous new metal hood. The larger island incorporates a Galley Workstation with accessories for efficient prep, expediting and serving. The 4′ sink makes post-meal clean-up a breeze. The butler’s pantry just outside the kitchen was large enough to create a new beverage center for morning coffee and cocktail prep. An ice maker was added to this area but there wasn’t enough room for a new wine cooler and refrigerator drawers. A separate area using previously unused space was added to the kitchen (by the table) – it includes a new wine cooler and cold beverage drawers. This is framed nicely with some glass door cabinets and a lighted open niche above for decorative display. STRATEGIC DESIGN A combination of colors and finishes highlight different focal points in the kitchen – this includes a slate blue, a soft grey and a light whitewashed stain on rift-cut oak. The stained white oak makes the wine cooler and refrigeration areas look more like furniture pieces instead of kitchen cabinets. The floors were refinished with a very light grey stain that enabled us to lighten up the color and get the red out of the finish. A new ceiling was designed to add architectural detail to the space – it includes three separate tray areas with new crown molding and lighting. THE RENEWED SPACE This stunning new kitchen is the perfect fit for the family and their home – the finishes and design elements flow beautifully into the adjoining spaces. It fulfills all of the family’s dreams for a beautiful and comfortable space that is functional and versatile.

Custom Cabinetry by Komandor. We can work around any obstruction to create a truly built in custom cabinet. Plus we have all the interior fittings to get the most out of your closet. Our designers are skilled at maximizing your space while creating a stylish addition to your home that fits your decor and personality. They are equipped with experience, fresh ideas and cutting edge technology facilitated by our European design software. A winning combination with our high quality materials imported from Europe and local partners. Reach out and see what we can do for you!

Custom Cabinetry by Komandor. We can work around any obstruction to create a truly built in custom cabinet. Plus we have all the interior fittings to get the most out of your closet. Our designers are skilled at maximizing your space while creating a stylish addition to your home that fits your decor and personality. They are equipped with experience, fresh ideas and cutting edge technology facilitated by our European design software. A winning combination with our high quality materials imported from Europe and local partners. Reach out and see what we can do for you!

This beautiful kitchen was remodeled for a growing family in the Chicago suburbs. As they were purchasing a new home, they realized there were many drawbacks to the kitchen. It needed to be redesigned to meet their lifestyle and it made sense to do it before moving in. It was a large kitchen but the functional work space was very small. The work triangle was cumbersome and traffic flowed right through it. The existing kitchen had new red oak floors. They were beautiful, but dark red floors just aren’t practical for a growing family with dogs. THE REMODEL The first thing we did was redesign the space and reorient the layout with two islands. Incorporating a built-in banquette, instead of a table, freed up plenty of room for them. The islands are strategically placed in the opposite direction of the previous layout’s single island. This not only creates a better view from the family room, it keeps the traffic flow out of the work area while facilitating two separate workspaces. The small island incorporates a new prep sink. It’s right across from the cooking area, which is a new focal point with a gorgeous new metal hood. The larger island incorporates a Galley Workstation with accessories for efficient prep, expediting and serving. The 4′ sink makes post-meal clean-up a breeze. The butler’s pantry just outside the kitchen was large enough to create a new beverage center for morning coffee and cocktail prep. An ice maker was added to this area but there wasn’t enough room for a new wine cooler and refrigerator drawers. A separate area using previously unused space was added to the kitchen (by the table) – it includes a new wine cooler and cold beverage drawers. This is framed nicely with some glass door cabinets and a lighted open niche above for decorative display. STRATEGIC DESIGN A combination of colors and finishes highlight different focal points in the kitchen – this includes a slate blue, a soft grey and a light whitewashed stain on rift-cut oak. The stained white oak makes the wine cooler and refrigeration areas look more like furniture pieces instead of kitchen cabinets. The floors were refinished with a very light grey stain that enabled us to lighten up the color and get the red out of the finish. A new ceiling was designed to add architectural detail to the space – it includes three separate tray areas with new crown molding and lighting. THE RENEWED SPACE This stunning new kitchen is the perfect fit for the family and their home – the finishes and design elements flow beautifully into the adjoining spaces. It fulfills all of the family’s dreams for a beautiful and comfortable space that is functional and versatile.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW As with most projects, it all started with the kitchen layout. The home owners came to us wanting to upgrade their kitchen and overall aesthetic in their suburban home, with a combination of fresh paint, updated finishes, and improved flow for more ease when doing everyday activities. A monochromatic, earth-toned palette left the kitchen feeling uninspired. It lacked the brightness they wanted from their space. An eat-in table underutilized the available square footage. The butler’s pantry was out of the way and hard to access, and the dining room felt detached from the kitchen. Lead Designer, Stephanie Cole, saw an improved layout for the spaces that were no longer working for this family. By eliminating an existing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and relocating the bar area to the dining room, we opened up the kitchen, providing all the space we needed to create a dreamy and functional layout. A new perimeter configuration promoted circulation while also making space for a large and functional island loaded with seating – a must for any family. Because an island that isn’t big enough for everyone (and a few more) is a recipe for disaster. The light white cabinetry is fresh and contrasts with the deeper tones in the wood flooring, creating a modern aesthetic that is elevated, yet approachable for everyday living. With better flow as the overarching goal, we made some structural changes too. To remove a bottleneck in the entryway, we angled one of the dining room walls to create more natural separation between rooms and facilitate ease of movement throughout the large space. At The Kitchen Studio, we believe a well-designed kitchen uses every square inch to the fullest. By starting from scratch, it was possible to rethink the entire kitchen layout and design the space according to how it is used, because the kitchen shouldn’t make it harder to feed the family. A new location for the existing range, flanked by a new column refrigerator and freezer on each side, worked to anchor the space. The very large and very spacious island (a dream island if we do say so ourselves) now houses the primary sink and provides ample space for food prep and family gathering. The new kitchen table and coordinating banquette seating provide a cozy nook for quick breakfasts before school or work, and evening homework sessions. Elegant gold details catch the natural light, elevating the aesthetic. The dining room was transformed into one of this client’s favorite spaces and we couldn’t agree more. We saw an opportunity to give the dining room a more distinguished identity by closing off the entrance from the foyer. The relocated wet bar enhances the sophisticated vibe of this gathering space, complete with beautiful antique mirror tiles and open shelving encased by moody built-in cabinets. Updated furnishings add warmth. A rich walnut table is paired with custom chairs in a muted coral fabric. The large, transitional chandelier grounds the room, pairing beautifully with the gold finishes prevalent in the faucet and cabinet hardware. Linen-inspired wallpaper and cream-toned window treatments add to the glamorous feel of this entertainment space. There is no way around it. The laundry room was cramped. The large washer and dryer blocked access to the sink and left little room for the space to serve its other essential function – as a mudroom. Because we reworked the kitchen layout to create more space overall, we could rethink the mudroom too – an essential for any busy family. The first step was moving the washer and dryer to an existing area on the second floor, where most of the family’s laundry lives (no one wants to carry laundry up and down the stairs if they don’t have to anyway). This is a more functional solution and opened up the space for all the mudroom necessities – including the existing kitchen refrigerator, loads of built-in cubbies, and a bench. It’s hard to not fall in love with every detail of a new space, especially when it serves your day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean the clients didn’t have their favorite features they use on the daily. This remodel was focused largely on function with a new kitchen layout. And it’s the functional features that have the biggest impact. The large island provides much needed workspace in the kitchen and is a spot where everyone gathers together – it grounds the space and the family. And the custom counter stools are the icing on the cake. The nearby mudroom has everything their previous space was lacking – ample storage, space for everyone’s essentials, and the beloved cement floor tiles that are both durable and artistic.