When these homeowners first approached me to help them update their kitchen, the first thing that came to mind was to open it up. The house was over 70 years old and the kitchen was a small boxed in area, that did not connect well to the large addition on the back of the house. Removing the former exterior, load bearinig, wall opened the space up dramatically. Then, I relocated the sink to the new peninsula and the range to the outside wall. New windows were added to flank the range. The homeowner is an architect and designed the stunning hood that is truly the focal point of the room. The shiplap island is a complex work that hides 3 drawers and spice storage. The original slate floors have radiant heat under them and needed to remain. The new greige cabinet color, with the accent of the dark grayish green on the custom furnuture piece and hutch, truly compiment the floor tones. Added features such as the wood beam that hides the support over the peninsula and doorway helped warm up the space. There is also a feature wall of stained shiplap that ties in the wood beam and ship lap details on the island.

Open concept kitchen - contemporary galley open concept kitchen idea in Denver with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, metallic backsplash and black appliances

photo: Mark Pinkerton
Trendy kitchen photo in San Francisco

This homeowner has long since moved away from his family farm but still visits often and thought it was time to fix up this little house that had been neglected for years. He brought home ideas and objects he was drawn to from travels around the world and allowed a team of us to help bring them together in this old family home that housed many generations through the years. What it grew into is not your typical 150 year old NC farm house but the essence is still there and shines through in the original wood and beams in the ceiling and on some of the walls, old flooring, re-purposed objects from the farm and the collection of cherished finds from his travels. Photos by Tad Davis Photography

The kitchen is splendid with knotty alder custom cabinets, handmade peeled bark legs were crafted to support the chiseled edge granite. A hammered copper farm sink compliments the custom copper range hood while the slate backsplash adds color. Barstools from Old Hickory, also with peeled bark frames are upholstered in a casual red and gold fabric back with brown leather seats. A vintage Persian runner is between the range and sink to effortlessly blend all the colors together. Designed by Melodie Durham of Durham Designs & Consulting, LLC. Photo by Livengood Photographs [www.livengoodphotographs.com/design].

Miller + Miller Real Estate Sun-filled kitchen + breakfast room. Large windows galore offer views of waterfalls trees + wildlife (including backless china cabinet + window over range to maintain view of gardens). Distressed white oak floor. Skylights. Faux finish walls/ceiling. Kitchen with expansive Island with 13-foot hardwood counter-top and second prep sink. Two dishwashers in Island, Two Subzero 36 inch fridge/freezers, plus Two refrigerator drawers. Fully Renovated. All indoor and outdoor appliances are new in ’09.

The kitchen island was painted in Sherwin Williams Dovetail to compliment the over-sized, dark bronze, pendant lights. The beveled tile backsplash in antique white provides a clean backdrop for the custom, aged, zinc finish on the hood.

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Denver with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, black appliances and no island

Open concept kitchen - small traditional l-shaped porcelain tile open concept kitchen idea in Miami with an undermount sink, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The Kitchen has a very open feeling, aided by the wood beam lighting and very high ceilings. The island is beautifully warm with the Iroko wood insert on the honed Zebrino marble. Large windows over the sink allow natural light to fill the space and the white cabinetry lends a nice contrast to the dark walnut island. Marble and Stainless steel backsplash with open shelving is contemporary yet fuctional, giving the owner a beautiful backdrop to his professional Wolf range. The apron sink is also a wonderful touch under-mounted below the marble countertop.

Matt Steeves Studio
Inspiration for a huge transitional medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Miami with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Example of a large mid-century modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners of this mid-century Colonial and family of four were frustrated with the layout of their existing kitchen which was a small, narrow peninsula layout but that was adjoining a large space that they could not figure out how to use. Stealing part of the unused space seemed like an easy solution, except that there was an existing transition in floor height which made that a bit tricky. The solution of bringing the floor height up to meet the height of the existing kitchen allowed us to do just that. This solution also offered some challenges. The exterior door had to be raised which resulted in some exterior rework, and the floor transition had to happen somewhere to get out to the garage, so we ended up “pushing” it towards what is now a new mudroom and powder room area. This solution allows for a small but functional and hidden mudroom area and more private powder room situation. Another challenge of the design was the very narrow space. To minimize issues with this, we moved the location of the refrigerator into the newly found space which gave us an L-shaped layout allowing for an island and even some shallow pantry storage. The windows over the kitchen sink were expanded in size and relocated to allow more light into the room. A breakfast table fits perfectly in the area adjacent to the existing French doors and there was even room for a small bar area that helps transition from inside to outside for entertaining. The confusing unused space now makes sense and provides functionality on a daily basis. To help bring some calm to this busy family, a pallet of soft neutrals was chosen -- gray glass tile with a simple metal accent strip, clear modern pendant lights and a neutral color scheme for cabinetry and countertops. For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Open concept kitchen - craftsman l-shaped slate floor open concept kitchen idea in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The accent of glass and copper mosaic backslash tiles echoes the copper hood and farmhouse sink. This kitchen stands out with state of the art Wolf and Subzero appliances which are paired with the ingenuity of intricately constructed custom frameless cabinetry.

Modern open white kitchen with dinning area bar and serving area. The uses of floating shelves keeps the kitchen open and light. Stainless steel appliances and elongated brushed nickel hardware bring a modern touch. Pebble Caesarstone compliments the white shaker style doors, while glass globe light and glass doors lighten the look. Beautiful 7" oak wood floors complete the space. White retro style pendants over island add a personality. Greg Frost Photography

A custom Brass Montrose range hood, hand-fabricated in our Fort Collins studio and finished in burnished brass with a softly coved crown. It anchors this transitional Atlanta kitchen over a statement range, with grey glazed subway tile and marble carrying the warmth up the wall. Designed by Design Galleria, photographed by Mali Azima. Every Montrose is built one at a time, so no two wear their brass quite the same way. Curious how a brass finish ages over the years? Ask us below.

Shultz Photo & Design
Enclosed kitchen - small traditional light wood floor and beige floor enclosed kitchen idea in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, green backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Construction by Deep Creek Builders, Photography by Sara Rounsavall
Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Louisville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, concrete countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island