As innkeepers, Lois and Evan Evans know all about hospitality. So after buying a 1955 Cape Cod cottage whose interiors hadn’t been updated since the 1970s, they set out on a whole-house renovation, a major focus of which was the kitchen. The goal of this renovation was to create a space that would be efficient and inviting for entertaining, as well as compatible with the home’s beach-cottage style. Cape Associates removed the wall separating the kitchen from the dining room to create an open, airy layout. The ceilings were raised and clad in shiplap siding and highlighted with new pine beams, reflective of the cottage style of the home. New windows add a vintage look. The designer used a whitewashed palette and traditional cabinetry to push a casual and beachy vibe, while granite countertops add a touch of elegance. The layout was rearranged to include an island that’s roomy enough for casual meals and for guests to hang around when the owners are prepping party meals. Placing the main sink and dishwasher in the island instead of the usual under-the-window spot was a decision made by Lois early in the planning stages. “If we have guests over, I can face everyone when I’m rinsing vegetables or washing dishes,” she says. “Otherwise, my back would be turned.” The old avocado-hued linoleum flooring had an unexpected bonus: preserving the original oak floors, which were refinished. The new layout includes room for the homeowners’ hutch from their previous residence, as well as an old pot-bellied stove, a family heirloom. A glass-front cabinet allows the homeowners to show off colorful dishes. Bringing the cabinet down to counter level adds more storage. Stacking the microwave, oven and warming drawer adds efficiency.

Inspiration for a farmhouse l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, white appliances, no island and gray countertops

New butler’s pantry we created after removing the stove and the closet in the old kitchen. // This room makes a big design statement, from the hex tile, Alba Vera marble counters, custom cabinets and pendant light fixtures. // The pendant lights are from Circa Lighting, and match the brass of the drawer and door pulls. // The 3x12 subway tile runs from countertop to the ceiling. // One side of the butler’s pantry features a dish pantry with custom glass-front cabinets and drawer storage. // The other side features the main sink, dishwasher and custom cabinets. This butler’s pantry keeps dirty dishes out of sight from the guests and entertaining area. // Designer refers to it as the jewel of the kitchen

Matthew Millman
Elegant kitchen photo in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, beige backsplash and subway tile backsplash

The kitchen features cabinets from Grabill Cabinets in their frameless “Mode” door style in a “Blanco” matte finish. The kitchen island back, coffee bar and floating shelves are also from Grabill Cabinets on Walnut in their “Allspice” finish. The stunning countertops and full slab backsplash are Brittanica quartz from Cambria. The Miele built-in coffee system, steam oven, wall oven, warming drawer, gas range, paneled built-in refrigerator and paneled dishwasher perfectly complement the clean lines of the cabinetry. The Marvel paneled ice machine and paneled wine storage system keep this space ready for entertaining at a moment’s notice. Builder: J. Peterson Homes. Interior Designer: Angela Satterlee, Fairly Modern. Kitchen & Cabinetry Design: TruKitchens. Cabinets: Grabill Cabinets. Countertops: Cambria. Flooring: Century Grand Rapids. Appliances: Bekins. Furniture & Home Accessories: MODRN GR. Photo: Ashley Avila Photography.

Custom design by Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design Inc. in Toronto, Canada. Photography by Stephani Buchman Photography.
Open concept kitchen - large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Toronto with white cabinets, an island, recessed-panel cabinets, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

David Kingsbury, www.davidkingsburyphoto.com
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Taking out the wall between a small kitchen and dining area made room for this spacious new kitchen. Photo - Jeffrey Totaro
Example of a mid-sized transitional medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Philadelphia with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and an island

The focal point of the whole kitchen is the beautiful, unique tiles on the sides of the kitchen island. They contrast with the rest of the kitchen by adding an individualized design. Photo Credit: StudioQPhoto.com

The cabinetry and details of the kitchen are integrated floor to ceiling. All the pieces are fit together like a puzzle to create this beautiful space. The white cabinets are accented by the teal and deep blue in the tile and upholstery. Interior Design by Ashley Whitakker.

A simple front facade consisting solely of ten-foot shuttered French doors radiates elegance in this new traditional foursquare home in Washington, D.C. Featured in Country Living magazine, the airy plan offers spaciousness in a limited-fronted site of the American foursquare house. The goal for the design was creating a contemporary foursquare style house. The family room and kitchen of this American foursquare interior are separated by a glassy built-in rather than walls, encouraging visual connection between the spaces in the four square house. Though nestled in the city, this American foursquare home feels like a classic country home.

1st Place, National Design Award Winning Kitchen. Remodeling in Warwick, NY. From a dark, un-inspiring kitchen (see before photos), to a bright, white, custom kitchen. Dark wood floors, white carrera marble counters, solid wood island-table and much more. Photos - Ken Lauben

A modern classic white kitchen with every amenity. Every detail was thought out. One wall is the beverage area with glass cabinets for storing glassware next to the built-in wine fridge, fridge, and freezer. The wall with the cooktop boasts double ovens, a Zephyr range hood, pot filler and plenty of counter space. The cabinets are Shiloh. The island serves as the centerpiece adorned with Cambria Brittanic quartz counters and lit up by Circa Lighting brass pendants. Photo: Elite Home Images

Designed by Akram Aljahmi of Reico Kitchen & Bath in King of Prussia, PA this transitional farmhouse inspired kitchen design features Green Forest Cabinetry kitchen cabinets in the Sierra door style in 2 finishes. The perimeter kitchen cabinets features a White finish and the kitchen island features a Summit Grey finish. Kitchen countertops are engineered quartz by MSI in the color Carrara Marmi. The tile back splash combines white subway tile with a Vintage Twenties tile behind the oven and ventilation hood. Says the client, "Working with Akram was a great experience. He communicated quickly, coordinated times for me to see the products I was interested in and provided revised quotes to help meet the look and budget we wanted. Akram was patient in helping us understand and see all the options and choose what worked best for our needs. Our favorite part is the addition of the pantry cabinets. They are beautiful, clean and add so much useful storage. We love the final kitchen." Photos courtesy of BTW Images LLC.

Here we have a beautiful, white kitchen that features cabinetry from Wood-Mode. There are stainless steel appliances, including a stainless steel vent hood, which make any kitchen functional and elegant. Stainless steel proves to be easy care and easy to work. The white cabinets on the wall are accented wonderfully with a dark-wooden island that has a countertop to match the rest of the kitchen. We always have a dark-wooden table that goes with the island to tie everything together. The decor in this kitchen includes a gorgeous flower arrangement of yellow tulips, fruit bowls and white candles.

Wide Galley style kitchen. White cabinets with brass hardware. Calcutta marble. Jessica Delaney Photography
Small transitional galley slate floor eat-in kitchen photo in Boston with an undermount sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A lovely Colonial revival in Larchmont NY was begging for a fresh start. Custom cabinetry by Studio Dearborn in a soft grey was fitted into the compact kitchen utilizing every inch of space. A muted palette keeps the space feeling light, allowing the colorful Le Creuset cookware to take center stage. Bosch cooktop, Signature Hardware range hood, Kohler faucet, Kraus sink, Sonoma Marketplace Pure white bevel subway tile 3x6. Cabinetry custom color match to Benjamin Moore Balboa Mist. Countertops in Jet Mist granite by Rye Marble and Stone. Hardware –Bistro pulls and Asbury knobs by Restoration Hardware. GC: Classic Construction Group LLC. Photos, Sarah Robertson.c 2015

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

Elegant kitchen photo in Seattle with glass-front cabinets, green cabinets, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash and white appliances