The homeowners asked the designer of this kitchen to create a larger, modern space that would “entertain a crowd.” A light color palette featuring Vanguard MDF in Nordic White was selected to brighten up the space and reflect the coastal view just outside the kitchen windows. The previous space underutilized the center of the room, and the decision to include two islands created a viable space for seating for guests. To create this space, however, the designer was challenged to remove a walk-in pantry and add a large steel beam. To offset the white and create dimension, Vanguard Plus in a Matte Foundry finish on rough sawn euro oak veneer was used for the island bases and then wrapped in the same porcelain material used on the backsplashes. And floor-to-ceiling wall cabinets more than made the storage space, packed with organizational extras like an appliance garage to keep countertops clear, swing-out spice rack within easy reach of the stove, and tall pull-out pantries to house cookware and cleaning supplies. Designed by Alice Sin Sierra Custom Kitchens, Baths & Designs

This house built in the 1990s never had renovations done prior to this whole house remodel. Filled with vibrant wallpaper and shiny brass finishes so indicative of the time the house was in need of a major upgrade and refresh. The laundry room already had ample space and storage, but we tailored the storage for the family. An integrated shoe shelf allows for a clean space to store shoes in this no shoe household. A fold down, integrated ironing board provides functionality without crowding the space. The powder bath is the only bath on the first floor, so is a full bath, but functions as a powder bath 90% of the time. We wanted to keep the focus away from the shower and keep the fun of a powder bath. A custom window pane patterned etched glass shower allows the shower to stay in the background. In the master bath there was also ample space, but the design was in great need of an upgrade. With a decked-in tub and shower that you had to step up and then down into, the space needed a better flow and easier access. A freestanding tub allowed all of the decking to be removed and gave space for a larger, more luxurious shower. A huge linen storage with bench that double as a suitcase stand finishes out the space nicely. The room was given a clean, modern farmhouse feel to really freshen up the space. The focus of this kitchen was to open up the workflow, creating a space for the family to work comfortably while also creating a beautiful and inspiring space. Placing a large refrigerator at the edge of the kitchen, adding a beverage refrigerator, using a Galley Workstation and having the island at a slightly lower height makes it highly functional for the whole family. It is rare to achieve a long line of symmetry, but with a feature wall created around the range top we were able to do so. We created an antique armoire feel with the panel ready refrigerator and custom panel design above. A mixture of hardware was used, the gray stained hickory cabinets were paired with matte black hardware, while the designer white cabinets were paired with brass hardware. A very custom refrigerator cabinet was created that emphasized the armoire feel. A long wall of 9” deep tall cabinets created a very beautiful as well as highly functional pantry space.

This space was an addition off of an existing small living space, which was designed by an architect who created a beautifully dramatic, two-story, living space by angling walls and making the living room area 2 stories high, with an overlook at the top of the spiral staircase to the second floor. The appliances were already set in place, and the homeowners did not want to move the existing plumbing, electrical, or venting, so I had to work within those parameters. They wanted a contemporary, industrial, feel for the kitchen, which I believe is described as Midcentry Modern, was acheived by using slab-style doors and drawers, mixing painted with walnut veneered finishes, along with other custom and unique items. The soapstone was a must-have for the homeowners, providing a source for the painted cabinetry color, which draws out the beautiful veins in the countertop. They needed pantry space, and as much usable storage as possible for the space, which included the angled wall that the refrigerator was on, along with not crowding the walk space between that wall and the necessary column adjacent to it. By building in the refrigerator with panels on either side to conceal the refrigerator "box", I was able to create a storage section which included a 2-drawer base for storage of larger items, with 2 pantries flanking either end, with contrasting walnut floating shelves in between. along with that custom section, in order to provide additional storage, and counter space, I created a free-standing piece, which had to feel like a part of the kitchen, yet also feel like a furniture piece, when viewed from the living room. In order to achieve that look, I used 3" wide columns to frame the piece, which I also repeated as floating shelves in the middle, to house their crockpot, but most importantly, a "home" for their roomba. The island also provided the space for separate pull-out trash and recycling bins, which I did not have space for elsewhere. Collaborating with the homeowners on this project enabled me to design a kitchen that was in a style that I hadn't had the opportunity to design in before, and I now appreciate and love this style myself!

The client hired Swati Goorha Designs after they downsized from a 5 bedroom house, to a smaller fixer upper in Scotch Plains NJ. The main pain point of the house was an awkward circulation flow, and a tiny dated kitchen. Our clients love cooking and entertain often. The small kitchen was crowded with just two people in it, lacked ample prep space and storage. Additionally, there was no direct access to the kitchen from the main entrance. In order to get to the “Sitting room” the clients had to circulate through a tiny powder room off of the entry. The client had to circulate through the Living room, the formal Dining Room, to finally arrive at the Kitchen. The entire space was awkward, choppy and dark. We assessed the existing space, our clients needs and wants, and designed a utilitarian kitchen to fit the client’s lifestyle, their entertaining habits and their aesthetic sensibilities. We knocked down the wall between the kitchen and the family room to open the area, and made the entire space into one large kitchen. We designed an unusual custom angled island to maximize the use of space without infringing the circulation or the usability of the kitchen. The island can now accommodate 3-4 people for a intimate dinner or function as a food setup area for larger parties. The island also provides extra storage. We used dark kitchen cabinets with light backsplash, countertops and floor to brighten the space and hide the inevitable pet hair from clients four dogs. We moved the Dining Room into the earlier Sitting room. In order to improve the circulation in the home we closed the entry through the powder room and knocked out a coat closet. This allowed direct access into the kitchen and created a more open and easy flowing space. Now the entire house is a bright, light filled space, with natural light and open circulation. Our client’s needs and wants have been satisfied!

By not having any upper cabinets, the space feels less crowded and bigger, as if it belongs to a larger home. The few cabinets in the kitchen are efficiently utilized, but we had to compensate for storage elsewhere. We have designed a custom hutch for Michelle that serves multiple purposes. It not only provides storage for overstock from the kitchen but also acts as a hub for her electronics, paperwork, printer, filing drawer, and craft supplies. The kitchen is influenced by Scandinavian design, featuring playful shades of pink on the walls, the floating shelf, and the vintage spice cubby (coral). Timeless black and white accents throughout the space complement the pink accents in a subtle way.

This house built in the 1990s never had renovations done prior to this whole house remodel. Filled with vibrant wallpaper and shiny brass finishes so indicative of the time the house was in need of a major upgrade and refresh. The laundry room already had ample space and storage, but we tailored the storage for the family. An integrated shoe shelf allows for a clean space to store shoes in this no shoe household. A fold down, integrated ironing board provides functionality without crowding the space. The powder bath is the only bath on the first floor, so is a full bath, but functions as a powder bath 90% of the time. We wanted to keep the focus away from the shower and keep the fun of a powder bath. A custom window pane patterned etched glass shower allows the shower to stay in the background. In the master bath there was also ample space, but the design was in great need of an upgrade. With a decked-in tub and shower that you had to step up and then down into, the space needed a better flow and easier access. A freestanding tub allowed all of the decking to be removed and gave space for a larger, more luxurious shower. A huge linen storage with bench that double as a suitcase stand finishes out the space nicely. The room was given a clean, modern farmhouse feel to really freshen up the space. The focus of this kitchen was to open up the workflow, creating a space for the family to work comfortably while also creating a beautiful and inspiring space. Placing a large refrigerator at the edge of the kitchen, adding a beverage refrigerator, using a Galley Workstation and having the island at a slightly lower height makes it highly functional for the whole family. It is rare to achieve a long line of symmetry, but with a feature wall created around the range top we were able to do so. We created an antique armoire feel with the panel ready refrigerator and custom panel design above. A mixture of hardware was used, the gray stained hickory cabinets were paired with matte black hardware, while the designer white cabinets were paired with brass hardware. A very custom refrigerator cabinet was created that emphasized the armoire feel. A long wall of 9” deep tall cabinets created a very beautiful as well as highly functional pantry space.

On the larger wall, we decided to install a gallery wall. Gallery walls are a great way to add not only art to your walls but also something more personal, like family photos or other decorative elements. At first, the idea of having a gallery wall in such a small space seemed like it could make the bathroom feel crowded. However, by using very simple frames in the same color, all the art pieces work together like one big artwork. I also like how this gallery wall helped bring in some color to this neutral space. This particular gallery wall features photography from our Summer vacation plus some of my artworks.

Imaging trying to get the kids out to school in a foyer that is less than 6 feet wide, has no closet and a staircase that eats up most of the space. Let's just say it got crowded fast. In this foyer/hallway space we introduced an alcove for a bench and upper storage by taking a bit of space from the adjacent room. Although the actual floor footprint hasn't increased, it visually creates a larger feel and offers people the opportunity to tuck themselves into the alcove whilst seated.

Paver Walk, Landing, and steps with Landscaping - Wayne, PA. This job called for an updating of the front walk, landing and steps, as well as a rejuvenating of the landscaping. The existing landscaping had been just sheared for years and all of the natural form of the shrubs had been destroyed. The walk was moved out a little farther from the house to allow for a larger bed, and the shrubs in the new landscape were planted far enough apart to allow the plants to be pruned more naturally without crowding. The old plants were removed and the hardscaping completed late fall 2013; as well as roto-tilling leaf compost into the beds, and the new plants planted in spring of 2014. A few of the new plants used as deer resistant shrubs here were Boxwood (variegated type and narrow upright type), Dragon Lady Holly, Otto Luyken Cherry Laurel, and 'Admiration' Barberry. See additional before and after photos of this project at http://kleinberg.com/recent2014.htm

We removed a peninsula to make the kitchen for this condo in the Adirondacks larger. The kitchen is now part of the open plan first floor that allows the grand view of the mountains and lake take center stage. Matching Wrought Iron grey with Cascade White cabinetry from Plain & Fancy gives dimension to this small kitchen without giving it a crowded feel. GE Cafe appliances match perfectly with the Wrought Iron grey cabinets, and the honey bronze hardware adds richness to the both the appliances and the cabinetry.

We started with a small crowded patio and we transformed it into a larger, useable outdoor living space by adding a circular seat wall with built in LED low voltage lighting, a natural wood burning fire pit, 480 sq feet of Belgard pavers, custom build Cedar Pergola and flagstone walkway for side access. We also fixed all of the disrupted sod areas and built natural areas for future planting and added Low voltage LED lighting along the flagstone pathway.

By not having any upper cabinets, the space feels less crowded and bigger, as if it belongs to a larger home. The few cabinets in the kitchen are efficiently utilized, but we had to compensate for storage elsewhere. We have designed a custom hutch for Michelle that serves multiple purposes. It not only provides storage for overstock from the kitchen but also acts as a hub for her electronics, paperwork, printer, filing drawer, and craft supplies. The kitchen is influenced by Scandinavian design, featuring playful shades of pink on the walls, the floating shelf, and the vintage spice cubby (coral). Timeless black and white accents throughout the space complement the pink accents in a subtle way.

By not having any upper cabinets, the space feels less crowded and bigger, as if it belongs to a larger home. The few cabinets in the kitchen are efficiently utilized, but we had to compensate for storage elsewhere. We have designed a custom hutch for Michelle that serves multiple purposes. It not only provides storage for overstock from the kitchen but also acts as a hub for her electronics, paperwork, printer, filing drawer, and craft supplies. The kitchen is influenced by Scandinavian design, featuring playful shades of pink on the walls, the floating shelf, and the vintage spice cubby (coral). Timeless black and white accents throughout the space complement the pink accents in a subtle way.

The centerpiece of this exquisite kitchen is the deep navy island adorned with a stunning quartzite slab. Its rich hue adds a touch of sophistication and serves as a captivating focal point. Complementing this bold choice, the two-tone color-blocked cabinet design elevates the overall aesthetic, showcasing a perfect blend of style and functionality. Light counters and a thoughtfully selected backsplash ensure a bright and inviting atmosphere. The intelligent layout separates the work zones, allowing for seamless workflow, while the strategic placement of the island seating around three sides ensures ample space and prevents any crowding. A larger window positioned above the sink not only floods the kitchen with natural light but also provides a picturesque view of the surrounding environment. And to create a cozy corner for relaxation, a delightful coffee nook is nestled in front of the lower windows, allowing for moments of tranquility and appreciation of the beautiful surroundings. --- Project completed by Wendy Langston's Everything Home interior design firm, which serves Carmel, Zionsville, Fishers, Westfield, Noblesville, and Indianapolis. For more about Everything Home, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/ To learn more about this project, see here: https://everythinghomedesigns.com/portfolio/carmel-indiana-elegant-functional-kitchen-design

The client hired Swati Goorha Designs after they downsized from a 5 bedroom house to a smaller fixer-upper in Scotch Plains NJ. The main pain point of the house was an awkward circulation flow and a tiny dated kitchen. Our clients love cooking and entertain often. The small kitchen was crowded with just two people in it, lacked ample prep space and storage. Additionally, there was no direct access to the kitchen from the main entrance. In order to get to the “Sitting room” the clients had to circulate through a tiny powder room off of the entry. The client had to circulate through the Living room, the formal Dining Room, to finally arrive at the Kitchen. The entire space was awkward, choppy and dark. We assessed the existing space, our clients needs and wants, and designed a utilitarian kitchen to fit the client’s lifestyle, their entertaining habits, and their aesthetic sensibilities. We knocked down the wall between the kitchen and the family room to open the area, and made the entire space into one large kitchen. We designed an unusual custom angled island to maximize the use of space without infringing the circulation or the usability of the kitchen. The island can now accommodate 3-4 people for an intimate dinner or function as a food setup area for larger parties. The island also provides extra storage. We used dark kitchen cabinets with light backsplash, countertops, and floor to brighten the space and hide the inevitable pet hair from clients four dogs. We moved the Dining Room into the earlier Sitting room. In order to improve the circulation in the home, we closed the entry through the powder room and knocked out a coat closet. This allowed direct access to the kitchen and created a more open and easy flowing space. Now the entire house is a bright, light-filled space, with natural light and open circulation. Our client’s needs and wants have been satisfied!

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

From crowded and cluttered to open and clean! This kitchen renovation streamlined and simplified the space to make it more functional for this Blue Bell, PA family. The kitchen flows seamlessly into the dining space instead of being cut off by a countertop; the bright whites in this design make the room feel larger. We also did away with a small, barely functional pantry closet in favor of two floor to ceiling cabinets that really maximize storage potential!

By not having any upper cabinets, the space feels less crowded and bigger, as if it belongs to a larger home. The few cabinets in the kitchen are efficiently utilized, but we had to compensate for storage elsewhere. We have designed a custom hutch for Michelle that serves multiple purposes. It not only provides storage for overstock from the kitchen but also acts as a hub for her electronics, paperwork, printer, filing drawer, and craft supplies. The kitchen is influenced by Scandinavian design, featuring playful shades of pink on the walls, the floating shelf, and the vintage spice cubby (coral). Timeless black and white accents throughout the space complement the pink accents in a subtle way.

The private home, reminiscent of Maine lodges and family camps, was designed to be a sanctuary for the family and their many relatives. Lassel Architects worked closely with the owners to meet their needs and wishes and collaborated thoroughly with the builder during the construction process to provide a meticulously crafted home. The open-concept plan, framed by a unique timber frame inspired by Greene & Greene’s designs, provides large open spaces for entertaining with generous views to the lake, along with sleeping lofts that comfortably host a crowd overnight. Each of the family members' bedrooms was configured to provide a view to the lake. The bedroom wings pivot off a staircase which winds around a natural tree trunk up to a tower room with 360-degree views of the surrounding lake and forest. All interiors are framed with natural wood and custom-built furniture and cabinets reinforce daily use and activities. The family enjoys the home throughout the entire year; therefore careful attention was paid to insulation, air tightness and efficient mechanical systems, including in-floor heating. The house was integrated into the natural topography of the site to connect the interior and exterior spaces and encourage an organic circulation flow. Solar orientation and summer and winter sun angles were studied to shade in the summer and take advantage of passive solar gain in the winter. Equally important was the use of natural ventilation. The design takes into account cross-ventilation for each bedroom while high and low awning windows to allow cool air to move through the home replacing warm air in the upper floor. The tower functions as a private space with great light and views with the advantage of the Venturi effect on warm summer evenings. Sandy Agrafiotis