The option to downsize was not an option for the empty nesters who have lived in this home for over twenty-five years. Situated in TMR, the sprawling home has been the venue for many social events, dinner parties and family celebrations. With grown children living abroad, and grand children on the way, it was important that the new kitchen be highly functional and conducive to hosting informal, yet large family gatherings. The kitchen had been relocated to the garage in the late eighties during a large renovation and was looking tired. Eight foot concrete ceilings meant the new materials and design had to create the illusion of height and light. White lacquered doors and integrated fridge panels extend to the ceiling and cast a bright reflection into the room. The teak dining table and chairs were the only elements to preserve from the old kitchen, and influenced the direction of materials to be incorporated into the new design. The island and selected lower cabinetry are made of butternut and oiled in a matte finish that relates to the teak dining set. Oversized tiles on the heated floors resemble soft concrete. The mandate for the second floor included the overhaul of the master ensuite, to create his and hers closets, and a library. Walls were relocated and the floor plan reconfigured to create a luxurious ensuite of dramatic proportions. A walk-in shower, partitioned toilet area, and 18’ vanity are among many details that add visual interest and comfort. Minimal white oak panels wrap around from the bedroom into the ensuite, and integrate two full-height pocket doors in the same material.

Entering into the open foyer, we come across soaring ceiling heights that take us into the study. This space has one of a kind custom built in shelves and is perfect for a day of work in the home, decked out with chrome accessories and modern furniture. Ashton Morgan, By Design Interiors Photography: Daniel Angulo Builder: Flair Builders

The vignette within Barrett Technology’s Design Center is one of its kind in the industry. Built to inspire and inform, this kitchen showcases today’s most innovative solutions in real world settings. All the technology (video, audio, lighting, security and HVAC) is controlled through a single app on the iPad. Even the motorized window shades, task & accent lighting are controlled via the Lutron Lighting Control System. It allows for lighting scene selection at the touch of a single button – including a “Cook” scene which when pressed will activate the lighting to an optimal 100% over the kitchen sink & island areas and will also drop the motorized spice rack from behind the wall cabinet. Project specs: Thermador appliances, Caesarstone countertops in honed Pebble. Single app control system by Savant. Photographer - Bruce Van Inwegen

This Kitchen is on the north side of the home and lack a lot of natural light. The home was originally all oak cabinets and millwork and we wanted to bright and lighten up the central kitchen location while working with the rest of the stain that would remain in the home. This kitchen now features cabinets to the ceiling, a stainless hood (microwave moved and hidden), more organization within the cabinets and brighter material selections. We closed in a "window" to the formal dining room allowing us to make more of a feature at the kitchen sink. Photos by Spacecrafting Photography

This modern transitional home boasts an elegant kitchen that looks onto a large informal living room and shares space with the dining room and butler's pantry. Senior designer, Ayca, selected design elements that flow throughout the entire space to create a dynamic kitchen. The result is a perfect mix of industrial and organic materials, including a leathered quartzite countertop for the island with an unusual single-sided waterfall edge. The honed soapstone perimeter countertops complement the marble fireplace of the living room. A custom zinc vent hood, burnished brass mesh cabinet fronts, and leather finish slabs contrast against the dark wood floors, ceiling, and upper beams. Organic elements of the dining room chandelier and grey-white walls add softness to space when combined with the influence of crisp natural light. A chic color palette of warm neutrals, greys, blacks, and hints of metallics seep from the open-facing kitchen into the neighboring rooms, creating a design that is striking, modern, and cohesive.

The vignette within Barrett Technology’s Design Center is one of its kind in the industry. Built to inspire and inform, this kitchen showcases today’s most innovative solutions in real world settings. All the technology (video, audio, lighting, security and HVAC) is controlled through a single app on the iPad. Even the motorized window shades, task & accent lighting are controlled via the Lutron Lighting Control System. It allows for lighting scene selection at the touch of a single button – including a “Cook” scene which when pressed will activate the lighting to an optimal 100% over the kitchen sink & island areas and will also drop the motorized spice rack from behind the wall cabinet. Project specs: Thermador appliances, Caesarstone countertops in honed Pebble. Single app control system by Savant. Photographer - Bruce Van Inwegen

Our client was looking to update the master bath and dressing area in their penthouse condo with a clean modern feel. The goal was to create 3 unique spaces with distinct personalities, yet create flow and connections from one to the other. An initial selection for the shower area tile served as a starting point and informed the rest of the design. The custom vanity was constructed with angular integrated handles and a 4" thick countertop which extended into the shower to act as a shelf. The extra large shower allowed us to eliminate the door and provide a bench as well as towel and robe storage. A Duravit toilet continues the angular theme. To create connection, the rich deep yellow of the linen closet reappears in the dressing area where a custom outfitted cabinet holds the owner's shoes and socks. With a focus on the view from the bedroom, through the dressing area and into the bathroom.

Large minimalist open concept light wood floor and beige floor family room photo in Los Angeles with white walls and a wall-mounted tv

Photo of the informal dining adjacent to the Kitchen that features a spot for the microwave, a beverage center and a hidden coffee nook. This Kitchen is on the north side of the home and lack a lot of natural light. The home was originally all oak cabinets and millwork and we wanted to bright and lighten up the central kitchen location while working with the rest of the stain that would remain in the home. This kitchen now features cabinets to the ceiling, a stainless hood (microwave moved and hidden), more organization within the cabinets and brighter material selections. We closed in a "window" to the formal dining room allowing us to make more of a feature at the kitchen sink. Photos by Spacecrafting Photography

Contemporary custom made furniture fun space to play and dine
Inspiration for a contemporary dining room remodel in Miami

Great room open concept kitchen design with painted white and gray cabinetry in a LeClaire, Iowa home built facing the Mississippi River. Stacked wall cabinets to the ceiling, a custom wood hood, 48” commercial gas range, and Quartz counters shine in this design by Village Home Stores for Aspen Homes. Featured: Wynnbrooke Cabinetry in the Denali door and combination of “Frost” and “Pewter” paint. MSI engineered quartz countertops in the Calacatta Laza design, Capital lighting, KitchenAid appliances, Glendale Hardware, and motorized Lafayette window treatments also featured. Design and select materials by Village Home Stores for Aspen Homes of the Quad Cities.

Great room open concept kitchen design with painted white and gray cabinetry in a LeClaire, Iowa home built facing the Mississippi River. Stacked wall cabinets to the ceiling, a custom wood hood, 48” commercial gas range, and Quartz counters shine in this design by Village Home Stores for Aspen Homes. Featured: Wynnbrooke Cabinetry in the Denali door and combination of “Frost” and “Pewter” paint. MSI engineered quartz countertops in the Calacatta Laza design, Capital lighting, KitchenAid appliances, Glendale Hardware, and motorized Lafayette window treatments also featured. Design and select materials by Village Home Stores for Aspen Homes of the Quad Cities.

The new kitchen layout maximizes countertop and storage space as well as enhances overall functionality, To add visual interest to the large space we used two toned cabinets – classic white along the perimeter and a deep blue to distinguish the two islands and tall pantry. Brushed brass accents echo the original brass hardware and fixtures throughout the home. A kitchen this large needed a statement when it came to the countertops so we selected a stunning Nuvolato quartzite with distinctive veining that complements the blue cabinets. We restored and refinished the original Heart of Pine floors, letting the natural character of the wood shine through. A custom antique Heart of Pine wood top was commissioned for the fixed island – the warmth of wood was preferable to stone for the informal seating area. The second island serves as both prep area and staging space for dinners and events. This mobile island can be pushed flush with the stationary island to provide a generous area for the caterers to expedite service.

With an ideal location in the Pacific Heights neighborhood of San Francisco, this dated Victorian residence had "beautiful bones" but had been sitting on the market for a year before being purchased with plans to revitalize the interior. Interior designer, Noel Han, explained, "Historical Victorian homes in this area often have beautiful architectural elements that I aim to preserve, but the floor plan and layout tend to be stuffy, not live-able and not light filled. Modern families want bright, light-filled, spacious rooms that take advantage of outdoor views and living spaces, and function well for storage, meals and entertaining." Preserving the architectural integrity and special features of the home was one of Han's goals but at the same time, she re-designed the space, moving walls and adding windows to create an open floorplan that flowed easily between the kitchen and outdoor living spaces. Where the range once stood in the original design, now an entire wall of windows provides panoramic views of the outdoors and fills the kitchen with light. Below the windows, Han designed a long bank of base cabinets with drawers to provide plenty of storage and work surface. Light now pours into the space even on foggy days. The range was moved to the opposite wall so that beautiful window views could be added to the kitchen. Han selected a palette of finishes with an eye toward creating a "soft color aesthetic". "White painted finishes are very popular right now but would have felt stark and cold in this space," she explained. "The French grey paint from Dura Supreme was a perfect complement for this vintage Victorian home, to create a classic color scheme". "This beautiful home already had hardware elements with a vintage brass finish, so I carefully selected antiqued, brushed brass hardware, plumbing and metal finishes to blend with the original elements," said Han. She continued, "The La Cornue French Range adds modern function with a French antique look." "I appreciate working with Dura Supreme cabinetry because of the quality of the cabinetry, fast delivery and the custom options. I'm able to create beautiful architectural details like the pull-out columns on both sides of the range and the curved mullion doors on the furniture hutch, and they offer a stunning palette of finishes and styles," explained Han. For the bath cabinetry, Han created a similar palette of finishes and styles to create a complementary look throughout the entire home. Product Details: Perimeter: Dura Supreme Cabinetry shown in the St. Augustine door style and Mullion Pattern #15 door style with a “Zinc” painted finish. Kitchen Island: Dura Supreme Cabinetry shown in the St. Augustine door style with a Clove stain and Black Accent finish on Cherry wood. For more information about Noel Han, Interior Designer, click to her website here www.atelnoel.com. For more information about Gilmans Kitchens and Baths, click to their website here www.gkandb.com. Photography by: Ned Bonzi www.nedbonzi.com. Request a FREE Dura Supreme Brochure Packet: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure

Linda Krebs

Great room open concept kitchen design with painted white and gray cabinetry in a LeClaire, Iowa home built facing the Mississippi River. Stacked wall cabinets to the ceiling, a custom wood hood, 48” commercial gas range, and Quartz counters shine in this design by Village Home Stores for Aspen Homes. Featured: Wynnbrooke Cabinetry in the Denali door and combination of “Frost” and “Pewter” paint. MSI engineered quartz countertops in the Calacatta Laza design, Capital lighting, KitchenAid appliances, Glendale Hardware, and motorized Lafayette window treatments also featured. Design and select materials by Village Home Stores for Aspen Homes of the Quad Cities.