Ramona d'Viola - ilumus photography & marketing
Example of a transitional kitchen design in San Francisco

The existing U-shaped kitchen was tucked away in a small corner while the dining table was swimming in a room much too large for its size. The client’s needs and the architecture of the home made it apparent that the perfect design solution for the home was to swap the spaces. The homeowners entertain frequently and wanted the new layout to accommodate a lot of counter seating, a bar/buffet for serving hors d’oeuvres, an island with prep sink, and all new appliances. They had a strong preference that the hood be a focal point and wanted to go beyond a typical white color scheme even though they wanted white cabinets. While moving the kitchen to the dining space gave us a generous amount of real estate to work with, two of the exterior walls are occupied with full-height glass creating a challenge how best to fulfill their wish list. We used one available wall for the needed tall appliances, taking advantage of its height to create the hood as a focal point. We opted for both a peninsula and island instead of one large island in order to maximize the seating requirements and create a barrier when entertaining so guests do not flow directly into the work area of the kitchen. This also made it possible to add a second sink as requested. Lastly, the peninsula sets up a well-defined path to the new dining room without feeling like you are walking through the kitchen. We used the remaining fourth wall for the bar/buffet. Black cabinetry adds strong contrast in several areas of the new kitchen. Wire mesh wall cabinet doors at the bar and gold accents on the hardware, light fixtures, faucets and furniture add further drama to the concept. The focal point is definitely the black hood, looking both dramatic and cohesive at the same time.

This serene Zen-style bathroom combines natural textures with a modern, minimalist design. A floating bamboo vanity with quartz countertop anchors the space, complemented by black fixtures and warm wood accents. The spacious walk-in shower features a pebble tile floor, dual rainfall heads, and a built-in bench, while a freestanding tub set against a textured wall offers a spa-like retreat. Large-format floor tiles and soft lighting enhance the calming atmosphere, creating a perfect space for relaxation.

Our clients came to us wanting to update and open up their kitchen, breakfast nook, wet bar, and den. They wanted a cleaner look without clutter but didn’t want to go with an all-white kitchen, fearing it’s too trendy. Their kitchen was not utilized well and was not aesthetically appealing; it was very ornate and dark. The cooktop was too far back in the kitchen towards the butler’s pantry, making it awkward when cooking, so they knew they wanted that moved. The rest was left up to our designer to overcome these obstacles and give them their dream kitchen. We gutted the kitchen cabinets, including the built-in china cabinet and all finishes. The pony wall that once separated the kitchen from the den (and also housed the sink, dishwasher, and ice maker) was removed, and those appliances were relocated to the new large island, which had a ton of storage and a 15” overhang for bar seating. Beautiful aged brass Quebec 6-light pendants were hung above the island. All cabinets were replaced and drawers were designed to maximize storage. The Eclipse “Greensboro” cabinetry was painted gray with satin brass Emtek Mod Hex “Urban Modern” pulls. A large banquet seating area was added where the stand-alone kitchen table once sat. The main wall was covered with 20x20 white Golwoo tile. The backsplash in the kitchen and the banquette accent tile was a contemporary coordinating Tempesta Neve polished Wheaton mosaic marble. In the wet bar, they wanted to completely gut and replace everything! The overhang was useless and it was closed off with a large bar that they wanted to be opened up, so we leveled out the ceilings and filled in the original doorway into the bar in order for the flow into the kitchen and living room more natural. We gutted all cabinets, plumbing, appliances, light fixtures, and the pass-through pony wall. A beautiful backsplash was installed using Nova Hex Graphite ceramic mosaic 5x5 tile. A 15” overhang was added at the counter for bar seating. In the den, they hated the brick fireplace and wanted a less rustic look. The original mantel was very bulky and dark, whereas they preferred a more rectangular firebox opening, if possible. We removed the fireplace and surrounding hearth, brick, and trim, as well as the built-in cabinets. The new fireplace was flush with the wall and surrounded with Tempesta Neve Polished Marble 8x20 installed in a Herringbone pattern. The TV was hung above the fireplace and floating shelves were added to the surrounding walls for photographs and artwork. They wanted to completely gut and replace everything in the powder bath, so we started by adding blocking in the wall for the new floating cabinet and a white vessel sink. Black Boardwalk Charcoal Hex Porcelain mosaic 2x2 tile was used on the bathroom floor; coordinating with a contemporary “Cleopatra Silver Amalfi” black glass 2x4 mosaic wall tile. Two Schoolhouse Electric “Isaac” short arm brass sconces were added above the aged brass metal framed hexagon mirror. The countertops used in here, as well as the kitchen and bar, were Elements quartz “White Lightning.” We refinished all existing wood floors downstairs with hand scraped with the grain. Our clients absolutely love their new space with its ease of organization and functionality. Design/Remodel by Hatfield Builders & Remodelers | Photography by Versatile Imaging

custom cabinets painted white with a large island. tile floors and tile backsplash
Inspiration for a small timeless l-shaped porcelain tile open concept kitchen remodel in Indianapolis with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Full shot of shower/toilet area. Diagonal stone floor tiles and glass deco cover the room and walls. Glass doors create a fashionable entrance to the shower.

Dan Cutrona Photography
Mid-sized trendy white tile and mosaic tile dark wood floor bathroom photo in Boston with an integrated sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops and white walls

Country Inn apartment at La Fornella in Tuscany.
Eat-in kitchen - cottage eat-in kitchen idea in Atlanta with open cabinets and white backsplash

Ed Ritger Photography
Transitional kitchen photo in San Francisco

The owners of this traditional home sought to update and expand their somewhat dated and crowded kitchen. The former kitchen had a corner sink and a modified U-shape, but with the only entry intersecting the refrigerator and bar passage, it did not allow for multiple cooks in the kitchen. The existing kitchen was separated from the family room by a wall which included a see-through fireplace, but in reality the two areas were distinctly separate. As this family enjoys cooking and entertaining, they sought to open the space to accommodate a large island in the kitchen and opening the space to the adjoining family room. Additionally, they wanted the cooking surfaces and appliances to be state of the art, but with a style reminiscent of Tuscany. To achieve the effect, color groups and materials were selected to create the Tuscan region’s theme. Round shapes were included throughout the space including the island top and the custom archway opening to the family room. The owners selected cherry cabinetry with a dark brown stain, granite counters with some hues of blue-green, and a natural stone tumbled subway tile backsplash. The island color is fossil beige, and the owners re-purposed their existing bar stools using the same color. With the serious emphasis on cooking, the range selected is a 36” gas Thermador® with custom exhaust hood. A separate Thermador® baking oven and microwave are built-in on the adjoining wall. Bela Cera® hand-scraped hardwood flooring ties together the kitchen, eating area, and family room. The existing stone fireplace was taken down and set aside for re-installation at project completion. As the wall separating the kitchen and family room was eliminated, the stone fireplace has been reinstalled at its new location on the home’s east-wall. Windows and built-in cabinetry flank the fireplace, with the flat screen mounted above it. With added windows, additional can lighting, and antique white trim, the rooms are bright and airy.

This very modern kitchen features our Large Moroccan Fish Scales in one of our most popular color blends. Set against white countertops and very light cabinets, the tile definitely takes center stage with its oceanic hues. Large Moroccan Fish Scales - 1015E Caribbean Blue, 12W Blue Bell, 216 Sea Glass, 1017E Sea Mist, 11 Deco White

Dove White shaker Grabill Cabinetry and soft 4”x8” stacked glass backsplash tiles create a sleek and rectilinear design. The White Galaxy granite countertop, with a radius seating area, marries the two tones, while breaking up the rigid hard lines of the design by creating a visually appealing cohesive room. Ceiling height cabinetry adds volume to the space. The stainless steel appliances contemporize this kitchen while details, like the crown molding, add a traditional touch to this overall transitionally timeless design.

Custom Surface Solutions (www.css-tile.com) - Owner Craig Thompson (512) 430-1215. This project shows a gray arabesque kitchen tile backsplash with window and tile to ceiling at cooktop vent, white quartz countertop, farm sink and stainless steel appliances and fixtures.

Simple glass tile backsplash sets the tone for this open kitchen design
Inspiration for a timeless l-shaped open concept kitchen remodel in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, glass tile backsplash and paneled appliances

Floor-to-ceiling handmade terracotta tile, glazed in seafoam green, in a kitchen whose colors are inspired by the nearby Hudson River. Built-in microwave oven in the kitchen island. Architect: Fivecat Studio Cabinetry: Crown Point Cabinetry Contractor: Comstock Residential Counter, tile, floor tile: Terra Tile and Marble Photo by Suzy Allman

Drastic personality change for this Ann Arbor bathroom/ powder room - bringing it from the 1970’s to 2010’s. The porcelain wall was designed as a floor to ceiling backsplash around this modern sink - a Corian washplane that drains into the wall. A modern wall mounted faucet and a clean mirror with standoffs complete the clean lines. Steve Kuzma Photography

Inspiration for a small transitional 3/4 white tile and subway tile porcelain tile, single-sink and multicolored floor bathroom remodel in Phoenix with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, quartz countertops, white countertops and a built-in vanity

The original kitchen cabinets were updated with a new Granite Natural Stone countertop in Tan Brown and Panaria D. Manson 12x12 tile with a bullnose edge. A new Artisan stainless steel sink was installed and the original faucet and water purifier was reinstalled.

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped porcelain tile eat-in kitchen design in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops