The Magnolia Renovation has been primarily concerned with the design of a new, highly crafted modern kitchen in a traditional home located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. The kitchen design relies on the creation of a very simple continuous space that is occupied by highly crafted pieces of furniture, cabinets and fittings. Materials such as steel, bronze, bamboo, stained elm, woven cattail, and sea grass are used in juxtaposition, allowing each material to benefit from adjacent contrasts in texture and color. The existing kitchen and dining room consisted of separate rooms with a dividing wall. This wall was removed to create a long, continuous, east-west space, approximately 34 feet long, with cabinets and counters along each wall. The west end of the space has glass doors and views to the Puget Sound. The east end also has glass doors, leading to a small garden space. In the center of the new kitchen/dining space, we designed two long, custom tables from reclaimed elm planks (20" wide, 2" thick). The first table is a working kitchen island, the second table is the dining table. Both tables have custom blued-steel bases with laser-cut bronze overlay. We also designed custom stools with blued-steel bases and woven cattail rush seats. The lighting of the kitchen consists of 15 small, candle-like fixtures arranged in a random array with custom steel brackets. The cabinets are custom designed, with bleached Alaskan yellow cedar frames and bamboo panels. The counters are a dark limestone with a beautiful stone mosaic backsplash with a bamboo-like pattern. Adjacent to the backsplash is a long horizontal window with a “beargrass” resin panel placed on the interior side of the window. The “beargrass” panel contains actual sea grasses, which are backlit by the window behind the panel. Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

This Houston kitchen remodel turned an outdated bachelor pad into a contemporary dream fit for newlyweds. The client wanted a contemporary, somewhat commercial look, but also something homey with a comfy, family feel. And they couldn't go too contemporary, since the style of the home is so traditional. The clean, contemporary, white-black-and-grey color scheme is just the beginning of this transformation from the previous kitchen, The revamped 20-by-15-foot kitchen and adjoining dining area also features new stainless steel appliances by Maytag, lighting and furnishings by Restoration Hardware and countertops in white Carrara marble and Absolute Black honed granite. The paneled oak cabinets are now painted a crisp, bright white and finished off with polished nickel pulls. The center island is now a cool grey a few shades darker than the warm grey on the walls. On top of the grey on the new sheetrock, previously covered in a camel-colored textured paint, is Sherwin Williams' Faux Impressions sparkly "Striae Quartz Stone." Ho-hum 12-inch ceramic floor tiles with a western motif border have been replaced with grey tile "planks" resembling distressed wood. An oak-paneled flush-mount light fixture has given way to recessed lights and barn pendant lamps in oil rubbed bronze from Restoration Hardware. And the section housing clunky upper and lower banks of cabinets between the kitchen an dining area now has a sleek counter-turned-table with custom-milled legs. At first, the client wanted to open up that section altogether, but then realized they needed more counter space. The table - a continuation of the granite countertop - was the perfect solution. Plus, it offered space for extra seating. The black, high-back and low-back bar stools are also from Restoration Hardware - as is the new round chandelier and the dining table over which it hangs. Outdoor Homescapes of Houston also took out a wall between the kitchen and living room and remodeled the adjoining living room as well. A decorative cedar beam stained Minwax Jacobean now spans the ceiling where the wall once stood. The oak paneling and stairway railings in the living room, meanwhile, also got a coat of white paint and new window treatments and light fixtures from Restoration Hardware. Staining the top handrailing with the same Jacobean dark stain, however, boosted the new contemporary look even more. The outdoor living space also got a revamp, with a new patio ceiling also stained Jacobean and new outdoor furniture and outdoor area rug from Restoration Hardware. The furniture is from the Klismos collection, in weathered zinc, with Sunbrella fabric in the color "Smoke."

Michael J. Lee Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, white cabinets, granite countertops, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and metallic backsplash

Designer Fernanda Conrad of K&W Interiors chose Merillat Tolani Cotton white cabinets extended to the ceiling to maximize the space and give the illusion of height. Stainless steel open shelves provide roomy storage and enhance the decor. The white gloss subway tile used for the backsplash provides the classic, clean look our client wanted, while the mix of Formica laminate and unfinished butcher block countertops give the kitchen interest. The old carpet and vinyl were replaced with a beautiful engineered, hand-scraped hickory floor throughout the entire first floor. Lastly, our client needed a table to accommodate her large extended family. We custom built the table from maple finished butcher block and Cayenne painted chunky legs to give the room a pop of color. With a modification to the sliding doors, and the right appliances and lighting fixtures, this kitchen became the bright, welcoming environment with a modern vibe that has become the heart of this home.

Angie Seckinger
Example of a large beach style u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with glass-front cabinets, marble countertops, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white cabinets and subway tile backsplash

Example of a transitional dark wood floor dining room design in Atlanta with beige walls

10" Wide plank Select white oak flooring with a custom stain and finish. Photography by: The Bowman Group
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Orange County with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and marble backsplash

This kitchen was completely remodeled to add room for entertaining and bring all the beautiful light into the space. It's now the favorite room in the house! Light granite countertops offer the look of marble without the upkeep and price. Photo: Ashley Hope; AWH Photo & Design; New Orleans, LA

Jim Yochum Photography
Kitchen - small country kitchen idea in Other with white cabinets, quartzite countertops and a farmhouse sink

This sleek, contemporary kitchen is a piece of art. From the two story range hood with its angled window to the flat paneled cabinets with opaque glass inserts to the stainless steel accents, this kitchen is a showstopper.

A soft subtle Toasted Antique finish gives Aristokraft Cabinetry's Durham its distinguished, enduring character that adds an effortless grace to any room. Shown here against light oak floors and dark gray countertop.

The original breakfast room was removed and the corner corner squared off a the site of the new sink. The removal of the wall dividing the kitchen and dining areas allowed the kitchen to expand and accommodate the open concept floor plan. The result is an amazingly comfortable & beautiful space in which to cook & entertain.

These high gloss white cabinets are the perfect compliment to the single bowl sink. The black porcelain tile floor is low maintenance and a great touch to the minimalist look of the space. For more on Normandy Designer Chris Ebert, click here: http://www.normandyremodeling.com/designers/christopher-ebert/

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Vancouver

Location: Nantucket, MA, USA A gorgeous New England beach compound which features a tranquil, sophisticated kitchen. The blue backsplash is the perfect backdrop to a sunny breakfast at the island or a glamorous dinner party in the paneled banquet. The cabinets are accented with hand-made European hardware that enhances the bespoke nature of the kitchen. The children's bathroom has a fun penny tile on the floor juxtaposed against the over-sized subway wall tile. The master bath features crystal fixtures and fittings imported from France. threshold interiors loves working with our clients to produce the perfect blend of relaxation and sophistication in your beach home! Photographed by: Michael Partenio

The homeowners of this Mid Century Modern home in Creve Coeur are a young Architect and his wife and their two young sons. Being avid collectors of Mid Century Modern furniture and furnishings, they purchased their Atomic Ranch home, built in the 1970s, and saw in it a perfect future vessel for their lifestyle. Nothing had been done to the home in 40 years but they saw it as a fresh palette. The walls separating the kitchen from the dining, living, and entry areas were removed. Support beams and columns were created to hold the loads. The kitchen and laundry facilities were gutted and the living areas refurbished. They saw open space with great light, just waiting to be used. As they waited for the perfect time, they continued collecting. The Architect purchased their Claritone, of which less than 50 are in circulation: two are in the Playboy Mansion, and Frank Sinatra had four. They found their Bertoia wire chairs, and Eames and Baby Eames rockers. The chandelier over the dining room was found in a Los Angeles prop studio. The dining table and benches were made from the reclaimed wood of a beam that was removed, custom designed and made by Mwanzi and Co. The flooring is white oak with a white stain. Chairs are by Kartell. The lighting pendants over the island are by Tom Dixon and were found at Centro in St. Louis. Appliances were collected as they found them on sale and were stored in the garage along with the collections, until the time was right.. Even the dog was curated...from a South Central Los Angeles Animal Shelter!

The vertically-laid glass mosaic backsplash adds a beautiful and modern detail that frames the stainless steel range hood to create a grand focal point from across the room. The neutral color palette keeps the space feeling crisp and light, working harmoniously with the Northwest view outside. Patrick Barta Photography

Island countertop is white macaubus quartzite. Castaway Cabinets Steve Bracci
Example of a large classic u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, shaker cabinets, quartzite countertops and subway tile backsplash

Gorgeous Remodel- We remodeled the 1st Floor of this beautiful water front home in Wexford Plantation, on Hilton Head Island, SC. We added a new pool and spa in the rear of the home overlooking the scenic harbor. The marble, onyx and tile work are incredible!