Out by the lake in Chapin, an outdoor kitchen calls for stone that can take whatever the Midlands throws at it, and leathered Steel Gray granite handles that job without complaint. The leathered finish gives the surface a soft, textured feel instead of a glossy one, so it reads more like natural rock sitting outside where it belongs. Under sun or porch light it doesn't throw glare back at you, and that texture actually helps hide water spots and fingerprints that would show up fast on a polished top. Steel Gray is a tough granite to begin with, dense and consistent, and it holds up to the swings in temperature and humidity you get living near Lake Murray. Outdoor kitchens take a beating that indoor counters never see: grills throwing off heat, rain, pollen, the occasional forgotten pot left sitting too long. This stone doesn't flinch. We fabricated and set the slabs with the same care we'd give an indoor kitchen, tight seams, level surfaces, everything templated to the grill and prep layout so there's no guesswork once it's installed. We finished the edges eased, which is the right call for a space like this. It keeps the line clean and durable without adding anything fussy that would just catch chips or wear oddly outside over time. Day to day, this countertop is built for real use, not just looks. Set a hot pan down, wipe up sauce, hose off pollen in the spring, it all rolls off without drama. Leathered granite doesn't need to be babied, and a light sealing keeps it performing that way for years with minimal upkeep. It's the kind of stone that fits right into lake life in Chapin: durable, low-maintenance, and built for people who actually cook and entertain outside instead of just looking at a nice kitchen through a window.

Utilizing every available space was huge importance in designing this kitchen for optimal functional layout and maximum storage capacity.
Eat-in kitchen - small coastal u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in New York with a drop-in sink, glass-front cabinets, green cabinets, solid surface countertops, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

We took this entire wall and used it as a canvas to lay out the design of the floating shelves, stone, and window casings. Our design takes into account the exact placement and sizing of each aspect and the use of negative space on the wall.

The tall pantry at the end opens up to roll out shelves, perfect for easy and efficient storage. When you open the doors interior LED strip lights down each side illuminate the cabinet's contents.

The SSG3065JS cooktop has five gas cooking zones with 54,000 BTU of combined power. The 6.1 cu. ft. oven features powerful 34,500 BTU bake and broil elements with a convection system to cook evenly and heat efficiently. Seven sculpted rack positions, the included standard rack, and the glide rack create a versatile cooking space and make cooking for a crowd simple. The built-in temperature probe takes the guesswork out of cooking by monitoring your masterpiece and can tell your oven to turn off when your food reaches the set internal temperature. Thoughtful presets include Air Fry, Pizza, Convection Bake, Convection Roast, Bake, and Broil. Self Clean and Steam Clean modes help keep your oven clean without the need for harsh chemicals.

We were inspired by the homeowners love for plants and wanted the kitchen to reflect that with wood cabinets and ceiling. The cabinets are made of cherry wood coated with a black glaze to enrich the red hue in the cherry. Our Caves Millwork Custom Cabinetry Brand handcrafted the two pullout drawers in between the appliance garage and microwave to perfectly fit the space and provide more storage. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

With this kitchen we bumped the cabinets in and out, up and down, and added lots of glass with lighting for visual interest. The homeowners like the open layout of their home and we wanted to keep that going in the kitchen.

Wolf 30" E Series Transitional Convection Steam Oven Stainless Steel | CSO30TE Available at Universal Appliance and Kitchen Center | uakc.com Easy-access water tank: The oven’s large water tank provides 90 minutes of continuous steam cooking. Thoughtfully designed, it can be refilled when needed without opening the oven door and interrupting the cooking process. Largest interior capacity: More than 25 percent larger than similar units, large enough to roast a 15-pound turkey, Wolf’s steam oven lets you prepare larger items and even multiple dishes at once. Design flexibility: Install the unit flush with cabinetry to seamlessly integrate it into your kitchen design. And since the unit isn’t plumbed, it can be installed anywhere without requiring special water lines. 10 cooking modes: Precisely control heat, steam and airflow for the best results with any dish with 10 cooking modes: Steam, Reheat, Auto Steam Bake, Convection, Convection Humid, Convection Steam, Gourmet, Slow Roast, Recipes, and Keep Warm. Steam mode: Steam mode heats with steam and hot air, achieving a temperature range from 85°F-210°F. From vegetables, poultry and fish to grains, beans, pasta and egg dishes, gentle steam heat is ideal for capturing nutrition, color and flavor. Reheat mode: Reheat mode uses steam and hot air to rehydrate food gently. Using convection and the right amount of moisture, Reheat mode warms one to four pans of food evenly and without drying with a temperature range from 210°F to 300°F. Auto Steam Bake mode: By heating with steam first, then using convection heat to finish, bagels, breads, buns, rolls and pastries acquire a tender interior and a natural shine without the need for brushing with an egg wash. Auto Steam Bake mode temperatures range from 210°F to 445°F. Convection mode: A fan circulates hot air from a heating element at the back of the oven to distribute heat evenly around food for consistent results and browning. Convection mode temperatures range from 85°F to 445°F. Convection Humid mode: In Convection Humid mode, a heating element at the back of the oven produces heat and oven ventilation is sealed so that moisture produced during cooking remains in the oven. Convection Humid temperatures range from 85°F to 445°F. Convection Steam mode: Use Convection Steam for any foods you want to be tender inside and roasted or crisped outside. Convection steam mode temperatures range from 85°F to 445°F. Gourmet mode: Gourmet mode uses a climate sensor to adjust time, temperature and humidity for ideal results with no guesswork. Slow Roast mode: Slow Roast mode is an ultimate convenience. Insert the probe into your prepared meat, select a slow roast setting for the dish you're preparing, tell the oven what time you want it done, and come home to a perfectly cooked meal. Recipes mode: Use Recipes mode and the collection of built-in recipes to harness the power of the oven's many different cooking modes to easily cook entire meals from appetizers and entrees to desserts. Keep Warm mode: The combination of convection and steam heat preserves food’s taste, texture, looks and quality so every bite is as delicious as if it were fresh from the oven. Keep multiple dinner plates warm at once, making staggered meal times more convenient. Temperature probe: The temperature probe alerts you when your dish has reached the desired temperature, eliminating guesswork when preparing roasts and other meats. Multiple pans and rack positions: Two included pans can be placed in any of four rack positions. Both pans are stainles steel – one solid, and the other with a perforated bottom that is particularly well-suited for dishes prepared in Steam mode. Delayed start: What time would you like your dish to be ready? Simply program in a time. The oven turns on at the right moment and adjusts the cooking process so the food is ready to serve precisely when you want it. Technical Features: Shipping Weight (lbs): 80 Electrical Requirements: 220/240V, 60Hz, 20 amp dedicated circuit Dimensions: 29 7/8"W x 17 7/8"H x 21 1/2"D Star-K Kosher certified as Sabbath and holiday-compliant

Sleek black quartz counter tops give the kitchen its sophisticated, yet cozy appeal. We included a pass through window in the design to open the kitchen up to the rest of the home, and the light walls and flooring contrast the kitchens other features. - Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

The homeowners wanted their kitchen to consist of two requirements; the first, a simplistic kitchen. They wanted a kitchen to present itself as casual, simple, and a place to relax with a cup of tea. The second requirement; they wanted a tea prep area. Being from England, they wanted a place in their kitchen designated for preparing their tea. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

The homeowners wanted the range area to be its own focal point, so we designed it to look like a hutch with the glass doors, open shelving, brackets, and bead board. The bead board back is behind the entire unit and the brackets extend down to the wood counter top. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

Photo of a contemporary formal garden in DC Metro.

We designed the above lighting on the staggered upper cabinets to accent the kitchen and height of the ceiling and complement the under cabinet and interior lighting. The different layers of lighting complement the grey tones of the kitchen and open up the space to keep the beach theme. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

The kitchen sink is positioned so the homeowner can enjoy the back yard view while working and has easy access to the dishwasher from the sink.
Example of a small transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

The SSG3065JS cooktop has five gas cooking zones with 54,000 BTU of combined power. The 6.1 cu. ft. oven features powerful 34,500 BTU bake and broil elements with a convection system to cook evenly and heat efficiently. Seven sculpted rack positions, the included standard rack, and the glide rack create a versatile cooking space and make cooking for a crowd simple. The built-in temperature probe takes the guesswork out of cooking by monitoring your masterpiece and can tell your oven to turn off when your food reaches the set internal temperature. Thoughtful presets include Air Fry, Pizza, Convection Bake, Convection Roast, Bake, and Broil. Self Clean and Steam Clean modes help keep your oven clean without the need for harsh chemicals.

Our finished cherry cabinets are accented using a subtle, flat panel design. The sink is framed with stylish columns made from the same cherry wood as the rest of the cabinetry. This bright kitchen creates a cheerful atmosphere with its unique and creative use of vibrant colors. - Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

This quaint kitchen captures exactly what the homeowners wanted. We designed the layout to fit their personality and lifestyle and gave them the perfect harmony of beauty and function. -Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

Natural light was used to enhance the quartz counter tops and create a cheerful atmosphere in this kitchen. A large peninsula dominates the kitchen and provides room for family members to sit and enjoy one another's company. - Allison Caves, CKD Caves Kitchens

Photo Credit Sarah Greenman
Transitional open concept medium tone wood floor living room photo in Dallas with white walls, a standard fireplace and a brick fireplace