The 100-year old home’s kitchen was old and just didn’t function well. A peninsula in the middle of the main part of the kitchen blocked the path from the back door. This forced the homeowners to mostly use an odd, U-shaped corner of the kitchen. Design objectives: -Add an island -Wow-factor design -Incorporate arts and crafts with a touch of Mid-century modern style -Allow for a better work triangle when cooking -Create a seamless path coming into the home from the backdoor -Make all the countertops in the space 36” high (the old kitchen had different base cabinet heights) Design challenges to be solved: -Island design -Where to place the sink and dishwasher -The family’s main entrance into the home is a back door located within the kitchen space. Samantha needed to find a way to make an unobstructed path through the kitchen to the outside -A large eating area connected to the kitchen felt slightly misplaced – Samantha wanted to bring the kitchen and materials more into this area -The client does not like appliance garages/cabinets to the counter. The more countertop space, the better! Design solutions: -Adding the right island made all the difference! Now the family has a couple of seats within the kitchen space. -Multiple walkways facilitate traffic flow. -Multiple pantry cabinets (both shallow and deep) are placed throughout the space. A couple of pantry cabinets were even added to the back door wall and wrap around into the breakfast nook to give the kitchen a feel of extending into the adjoining eating area. -Upper wall cabinets with clear glass offer extra lighting and the opportunity for the client to display her beautiful vases and plates. They add and an airy feel to the space. -The kitchen had two large existing windows that were ideal for a sink placement. The window closest to the back door made the most sense due to the fact that the other window was in the corner. Now that the sink had a place, we needed to worry about the dishwasher. Samantha didn’t want the dishwasher to be in the way of people coming in the back door – it’s now in the island right across from the sink. -The homeowners love Motawi Tile. Some fantastic pieces are placed within the backsplash throughout the kitchen. -Larger tiles with borders make for nice accent pieces over the rangetop and by the bar/beverage area. -The adjacent area for eating is a gorgeous nook with massive windows. We added a built-in furniture-style banquette with additional lower storage cabinets in the same finish. It’s a great way to connect and blend the two areas into what now feels like one big space!

Transitional kitchen photo in San Francisco

Small minimalist u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, shaker cabinets, gray backsplash and glass tile backsplash

Weller Photography
Trendy kitchen photo in Los Angeles with recessed-panel cabinets and blue cabinets

Kath & Keith Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash and porcelain backsplash

Example of a small minimalist l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray backsplash and glass tile backsplash

Example of a classic l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a classic l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Small minimalist l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray backsplash and glass tile backsplash

Inspiration for a small modern l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray backsplash and glass tile backsplash

Galley Kitchen expanded to open floor plan; Kitchen, Dining Room, Living Room. Quartz Calacatta Laza countertops with Island Waterfall and Full Height Stone Backsplash. Low profile microwave including pot filler and Built in Fridge. Also includes a wine bar with cooler.

Inspiration for a small modern l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray backsplash and glass tile backsplash

Small minimalist l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Diego with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances, an island, gray backsplash and glass tile backsplash

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen remodel in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a mid-sized trendy u-shaped kitchen design in Dallas with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Photography by William Quarles. Cabinetry by Kitchens Bath and Beyond, custom built with Conestoga Doors. The color/finish was painted with Benjamin Moore Black Jack (black) and Bone Black (light gray). The counter tops are granite "Super White". Designer, Jill Frey Kitchen Design.

Eat-in kitchen - traditional l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Shannon Addison
Open concept kitchen - large transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island