Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners of this mid-century Colonial and family of four were frustrated with the layout of their existing kitchen which was a small, narrow peninsula layout but that was adjoining a large space that they could not figure out how to use. Stealing part of the unused space seemed like an easy solution, except that there was an existing transition in floor height which made that a bit tricky. The solution of bringing the floor height up to meet the height of the existing kitchen allowed us to do just that. This solution also offered some challenges. The exterior door had to be raised which resulted in some exterior rework, and the floor transition had to happen somewhere to get out to the garage, so we ended up “pushing” it towards what is now a new mudroom and powder room area. This solution allows for a small but functional and hidden mudroom area and more private powder room situation. Another challenge of the design was the very narrow space. To minimize issues with this, we moved the location of the refrigerator into the newly found space which gave us an L-shaped layout allowing for an island and even some shallow pantry storage. The windows over the kitchen sink were expanded in size and relocated to allow more light into the room. A breakfast table fits perfectly in the area adjacent to the existing French doors and there was even room for a small bar area that helps transition from inside to outside for entertaining. The confusing unused space now makes sense and provides functionality on a daily basis. To help bring some calm to this busy family, a pallet of soft neutrals was chosen -- gray glass tile with a simple metal accent strip, clear modern pendant lights and a neutral color scheme for cabinetry and countertops. For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, onyx countertops and glass tile backsplash

Drop-in bathtub - large transitional master multicolored tile and stone slab slate floor drop-in bathtub idea in Raleigh with raised-panel cabinets, green cabinets, a two-piece toilet, green walls, an undermount sink and laminate countertops

Example of a large transitional l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photo: Whitney Lyons © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern l-shaped concrete floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Portland with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and white walls

Custom L-shaped cabinetry with glass doors, open shelves, beverage refrigerators, microwave, and white quartz.
Wet bar - large transitional l-shaped wet bar idea in Dallas with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops and white countertops

Eat-in kitchen - large transitional l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

www.photosbycherie.net
Inspiration for a contemporary bathroom remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and white countertops

Photography by Ric Johnson http://www.RicJPhotography.com
Kitchen - transitional l-shaped gray floor kitchen idea in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

David Marquardt
Trendy l-shaped kitchen photo in Las Vegas with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets and paneled appliances

A previously unused, angled corner adjacent to the dining room is now a bar area with an ornate marble backsplash.
Large l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash and an island

Home design - contemporary l-shaped home design idea

Klopf Architecture, Arterra Landscape Architects and Henry Calvert of Calvert Ventures Designed and built a new warm, modern, Eichler-inspired, open, indoor-outdoor home on a deeper-than-usual San Mateo Highlands property where an original Eichler house had burned to the ground. The owners wanted multi-generational living and larger spaces than the original home offered, but all parties agreed that the house should respect the neighborhood and blend in stylistically with the other Eichlers. At first the Klopf team considered re-using what little was left of the original home and expanding on it. But after discussions with the owner and builder, all parties agreed that the last few remaining elements of the house were not practical to re-use, so Klopf Architecture designed a new home that pushes the Eichler approach in new directions. One disadvantage of Eichler production homes is that the house designs were not optimized for each specific lot. A new custom home offered the team a chance to start over. In this case, a longer house that opens up sideways to the south fit the lot better than the original square-ish house that used to open to the rear (west). Accordingly, the Klopf team designed an L-shaped “bar” house with a large glass wall with large sliding glass doors that faces sideways instead of to the rear like a typical Eichler. This glass wall opens to a pool and landscaped yard designed by Arterra Landscape Architects. Driving by the house, one might assume at first glance it is an Eichler because of the horizontality, the overhanging flat roof eaves, the dark gray vertical siding, and orange solid panel front door, but the house is designed for the 21st Century and is not meant to be a “Likeler.” You won't see any posts and beams in this home. Instead, the ceiling decking is a western red cedar that covers over all the beams. Like Eichlers, this cedar runs continuously from inside to out, enhancing the indoor / outdoor feeling of the house, but unlike Eichlers it conceals a cavity for lighting, wiring, and insulation. Ceilings are higher, rooms are larger and more open, the master bathroom is light-filled and more generous, with a separate tub and shower and a separate toilet compartment, and there is plenty of storage. The garage even easily fits two of today's vehicles with room to spare. A massive 49-foot by 12-foot wall of glass and the continuity of materials from inside to outside enhance the inside-outside living concept, so the owners and their guests can flow freely from house to pool deck to BBQ to pool and back. During construction in the rough framing stage, Klopf thought the front of the house appeared too tall even though the house had looked right in the design renderings (probably because the house is uphill from the street). So Klopf Architecture paid the framer to change the roofline from how we had designed it to be lower along the front, allowing the home to blend in better with the neighborhood. One project goal was for people driving up the street to pass the home without immediately noticing there is an "imposter" on this lot, and making that change was essential to achieve that goal. This 2,606 square foot, 3 bedroom, 3 bathroom Eichler-inspired new house is located in San Mateo in the heart of the Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, AIA, Klara Kevane Landscape Architect: Arterra Landscape Architects Contractor: Henry Calvert of Calvert Ventures Photography ©2016 Mariko Reed Location: San Mateo, CA Year completed: 2016

Coronado, CA The Alameda Residence is situated on a relatively large, yet unusually shaped lot for the beachside community of Coronado, California. The orientation of the “L” shaped main home and linear shaped guest house and covered patio create a large, open courtyard central to the plan. The majority of the spaces in the home are designed to engage the courtyard, lending a sense of openness and light to the home. The aesthetics take inspiration from the simple, clean lines of a traditional “A-frame” barn, intermixed with sleek, minimal detailing that gives the home a contemporary flair. The interior and exterior materials and colors reflect the bright, vibrant hues and textures of the seaside locale.

Elegant l-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Example of a large transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen design in San Francisco with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, a single-bowl sink, marble countertops, marble backsplash and white countertops

Roehner Ryan
Example of a large country l-shaped brick floor mudroom design in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, gray countertops and white walls

Transitional master gray floor freestanding bathtub photo in Grand Rapids with shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, a hinged shower door and white countertops

Amanda Kirkpatrick
Freestanding bathtub - large transitional master white tile and stone tile marble floor freestanding bathtub idea in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, a one-piece toilet and gray walls