Brain Vanden Brink
Inspiration for a coastal kitchen remodel in Boston

Our St. Pete studio designed this stunning pied-à-terre for a couple looking for a luxurious retreat in the city. Our studio went all out with colors, textures, and materials that evoke five-star luxury and comfort in keeping with their request for a resort-like home with modern amenities. In the vestibule that the elevator opens to, we used a stylish black and beige palm leaf patterned wallpaper that evokes the joys of Gulf Coast living. In the adjoining foyer, we used stylish wainscoting to create depth and personality to the space, continuing the millwork into the dining area. We added bold emerald green velvet chairs in the dining room, giving them a charming appeal. A stunning chandelier creates a sharp focal point, and an artistic fawn sculpture makes for a great conversation starter around the dining table. We ensured that the elegant green tone continued into the stunning kitchen and cozy breakfast nook through the beautiful kitchen island and furnishings. In the powder room, too, we went with a stylish black and white wallpaper and green vanity, which adds elegance and luxe to the space. In the bedrooms, we used a calm, neutral tone with soft furnishings and light colors that induce relaxation and rest.

Inspiration for a country kitchen remodel in San Francisco

Bedroom - coastal bedroom idea

Simon Jacobsen
Inspiration for a large coastal l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This Paradise Valley stunner was a down-to-the-studs renovation. The owner, a successful business woman and owner of Bungalow Scottsdale -- a fabulous furnishings store, had a very clear vision. DW's mission was to re-imagine the 1970's solid block home into a modern and open place for a family of three. The house initially was very compartmentalized including lots of small rooms and too many doors to count. With a mantra of simplify, simplify, simplify, Architect CP Drewett began to look for the hidden order to craft a space that lived well. This residence is a Moroccan world of white topped with classic Morrish patterning and finished with the owner's fabulous taste. The kitchen was established as the home's center to facilitate the owner's heart and swagger for entertaining. The public spaces were reimagined with a focus on hospitality. Practicing great restraint with the architecture set the stage for the owner to showcase objects in space. Her fantastic collection includes a glass-top faux elephant tusk table from the set of the infamous 80's television series, Dallas. It was a joy to create, collaborate, and now celebrate this amazing home. Project Details: Architecture: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB; Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Interior Selections: Linda Criswell, Bungalow Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ Photography: Dino Tonn, Scottsdale, AZ Featured in: Phoenix Home and Garden, June 2015, "Eclectic Remodel", page 87.

Architectural Visualization for Private Contractor

Transitional kitchen photo in Orange County

Inspiration for a small contemporary galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Chicago with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, cement tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The open kitchen provides a sage green pop of color in the neutral great room. A small island accommodates three barstools for extra seating.
Open concept kitchen - rustic l-shaped open concept kitchen idea in Minneapolis with recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Open concept kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Details: The integrated stainless steel sink was custom fabricated by the countertop craftspeople. It has crisp corners, a lowered center divider (to minimize splash from the faucet) and offset drains (to push back the plumbing so as to allow for better cabinet storage below). To the right of the sink is a subtle detail (look closely at the reflections to see it), but one that adds great functionality: a sloped, recessed drainboard directs water back into the sink. The window is trimmed tight to the cabinets on either side with custom maple millwork, and has a built-in shelf above--again with trim up to the ceiling. The shelf provides a nice spot for favorite curios and mementos. The pendant light above the sink is actually an LED fixture with an Edison style bulb. Stainless steel outlet and switch covers over black devices pull the design together. Under-cabinet xenon lighting highlights the tile.

This home had been a rental for a while and the homeowners were ready to move in full time and make this house their home! The original kitchen was a ‘U-shaped’ layout that felt closed off from the great room, so by removing a couple of walls (and getting some structural engineering!) we were able to use the existing square footage for a more open layout with a large center island. Blue and white cabinets in the kitchen are topped with a concrete look-a-like quartz countertop and white subway tile for a casual, classic look. We also updated the flooring throughout and re-designed the master bath and closet to provide a much more functional (and updated) aesthetic!

A large 2 bedroom, 2.5 bath home in New York City’s High Line area exhibits artisanal, custom furnishings throughout, creating a Mid-Century Modern look to the space. Also inspired by nature, we incorporated warm sunset hues of orange, burgundy, and red throughout the living area and tranquil blue, navy, and gray in the bedrooms. Stunning woodwork, unique artwork, and exquisite lighting can be found throughout this home, making every detail in this home add a special and customized look.

At the center of this home, the kitchen isn’t just a place to cook—it’s where the family comes together. Designed with an open-concept layout, it flows effortlessly into the surrounding spaces, making it as inviting as it is functional. Since the homeowners are passionate about cooking, we prioritized thoughtful details, like a waterfall edge at the end of the island closest to the range to make meal prep an easy clean up. The oversized island acts as both a workspace and a gathering spot, providing ample room for everything. To enhance its overall impact, we selected an Orca stone for its continuous pattern and installed it with a book-matched pattern, ensuring a flawless, uninterrupted look across this showstopping centerpiece.

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW As with most projects, it all started with the kitchen layout. The home owners came to us wanting to upgrade their kitchen and overall aesthetic in their suburban home, with a combination of fresh paint, updated finishes, and improved flow for more ease when doing everyday activities. A monochromatic, earth-toned palette left the kitchen feeling uninspired. It lacked the brightness they wanted from their space. An eat-in table underutilized the available square footage. The butler’s pantry was out of the way and hard to access, and the dining room felt detached from the kitchen. Lead Designer, Stephanie Cole, saw an improved layout for the spaces that were no longer working for this family. By eliminating an existing wall between the kitchen and dining room, and relocating the bar area to the dining room, we opened up the kitchen, providing all the space we needed to create a dreamy and functional layout. A new perimeter configuration promoted circulation while also making space for a large and functional island loaded with seating – a must for any family. Because an island that isn’t big enough for everyone (and a few more) is a recipe for disaster. The light white cabinetry is fresh and contrasts with the deeper tones in the wood flooring, creating a modern aesthetic that is elevated, yet approachable for everyday living. With better flow as the overarching goal, we made some structural changes too. To remove a bottleneck in the entryway, we angled one of the dining room walls to create more natural separation between rooms and facilitate ease of movement throughout the large space. At The Kitchen Studio, we believe a well-designed kitchen uses every square inch to the fullest. By starting from scratch, it was possible to rethink the entire kitchen layout and design the space according to how it is used, because the kitchen shouldn’t make it harder to feed the family. A new location for the existing range, flanked by a new column refrigerator and freezer on each side, worked to anchor the space. The very large and very spacious island (a dream island if we do say so ourselves) now houses the primary sink and provides ample space for food prep and family gathering. The new kitchen table and coordinating banquette seating provide a cozy nook for quick breakfasts before school or work, and evening homework sessions. Elegant gold details catch the natural light, elevating the aesthetic. The dining room was transformed into one of this client’s favorite spaces and we couldn’t agree more. We saw an opportunity to give the dining room a more distinguished identity by closing off the entrance from the foyer. The relocated wet bar enhances the sophisticated vibe of this gathering space, complete with beautiful antique mirror tiles and open shelving encased by moody built-in cabinets. Updated furnishings add warmth. A rich walnut table is paired with custom chairs in a muted coral fabric. The large, transitional chandelier grounds the room, pairing beautifully with the gold finishes prevalent in the faucet and cabinet hardware. Linen-inspired wallpaper and cream-toned window treatments add to the glamorous feel of this entertainment space. There is no way around it. The laundry room was cramped. The large washer and dryer blocked access to the sink and left little room for the space to serve its other essential function – as a mudroom. Because we reworked the kitchen layout to create more space overall, we could rethink the mudroom too – an essential for any busy family. The first step was moving the washer and dryer to an existing area on the second floor, where most of the family’s laundry lives (no one wants to carry laundry up and down the stairs if they don’t have to anyway). This is a more functional solution and opened up the space for all the mudroom necessities – including the existing kitchen refrigerator, loads of built-in cubbies, and a bench. It’s hard to not fall in love with every detail of a new space, especially when it serves your day-to-day life. But that doesn’t mean the clients didn’t have their favorite features they use on the daily. This remodel was focused largely on function with a new kitchen layout. And it’s the functional features that have the biggest impact. The large island provides much needed workspace in the kitchen and is a spot where everyone gathers together – it grounds the space and the family. And the custom counter stools are the icing on the cake. The nearby mudroom has everything their previous space was lacking – ample storage, space for everyone’s essentials, and the beloved cement floor tiles that are both durable and artistic.

Corner bathtub - country gray tile black floor and single-sink corner bathtub idea in Philadelphia with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, an undermount sink, white countertops, a niche and a freestanding vanity

Example of a mid-sized eclectic l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen design in Vancouver with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This Vancouver West Side 1930's home has been updated with a bright contemporary kitchen (featuring a fabulous Calacatta Gold marble backsplash), lots of warm wood details, and an airy open-concept layout. Martin Knowles Photomedia