Mike Schwartz
Open concept kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Chicago with an island, a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash and white countertops

We reconfigured several spaces in this home to create one very large kitchen area. We love how bright and airy the space is. Custom cabinetry allowed our clients to personalize their kitchen.

An open plan kitchen with white shaker cabinets and natural wood island. The upper cabinets have glass doors and frame the window looking into the yard ensuring a light and open feel to the room. Marble subway tile and island counter contrasts with the taupe Neolith counter surface. Shiplap detail was repeated on the buffet and island. The buffet is utilized as a serving center for large events. Photo: Jean Bai / Konstrukt Photo

Roberto Garcia Photography
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Los Angeles with an island, a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, stainless steel appliances, white countertops, gray backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Jeri Koegel
Inspiration for a contemporary open concept kitchen remodel in Orange County with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, blue backsplash and glass sheet backsplash

Example of a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor, brown floor and shiplap ceiling kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, an island and white countertops

A library ladder is a charming, unexpected addition to a kitchen, but totally functional for accessing storage.
Huge cottage l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Milwaukee with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

KuDa Photography
Elegant galley kitchen photo in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Completely remolded and redesigned kitchen. Beveled subway tile and honed carrara counter tops.Dark gray center island.
Example of a classic l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photography: Ira Montgomery
Transitional kitchen photo in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Transitional l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white backsplash

The small 1950’s ranch home was featured on HGTV’s House Hunters Renovation. The episode (Season 14, Episode 9) is called: "Flying into a Renovation". Please check out The Colorado Nest for more details along with Before and After photos. Photos by Sara Yoder. FEATURED IN: Fine Homebuilding

This home is built by Robert Thomas Homes located in Minnesota. Our showcase models are professionally staged. Please contact Ambiance at Home for information on furniture - 952.440.6757

Amy Braswell
Example of a classic u-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets, concrete countertops and stainless steel appliances

Photo: Karen Melvin
Example of a classic kitchen design in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash and paneled appliances

Recessed panel runs the length of the counter to create a finished look and to hide the dog den from guests. Photo Credit: Betsy Bassett
Example of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, matchstick tile backsplash, a peninsula, gray countertops and soapstone countertops

A transitional kitchen that blends modern, eco-friendly stainless steel appliances and white subway tiles with a more traditional country wood floor and Shaker style custom cabinetry. Matthew Willams Photography Victoria Kirk Interiors Co-Designer

Cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Seattle with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, an island and brown countertops