Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients and their three teenage kids had outgrown the footprint of their existing home and felt they needed some space to spread out. They came in with a couple of sets of drawings from different architects that were not quite what they were looking for, so we set out to really listen and try to provide a design that would meet their objectives given what the space could offer. We started by agreeing that a bump out was the best way to go and then decided on the size and the floor plan locations of the mudroom, powder room and butler pantry which were all part of the project. We also planned for an eat-in banquette that is neatly tucked into the corner and surrounded by windows providing a lovely spot for daily meals. The kitchen itself is L-shaped with the refrigerator and range along one wall, and the new sink along the exterior wall with a large window overlooking the backyard. A large island, with seating for five, houses a prep sink and microwave. A new opening space between the kitchen and dining room includes a butler pantry/bar in one section and a large kitchen pantry in the other. Through the door to the left of the main sink is access to the new mudroom and powder room and existing attached garage. White inset cabinets, quartzite countertops, subway tile and nickel accents provide a traditional feel. The gray island is a needed contrast to the dark wood flooring. Last but not least, professional appliances provide the tools of the trade needed to make this one hardworking kitchen. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Flush Inset cabinetry with shaker style doors & drawers. Perimeter cabinetry paint finish in Putty, Island cabinetry paint finish in Navy by Brookhaven Cabinetry . Soapstone countertops on the perimeter and Marble countertop on the island with a 3" thick Walnut countertop section. Flooring and furnishings, by others. Renovation and Design selections per ARC Design Group and Tim Sack, Interior Designer. Photography by Flagship Photo

We completely renovated this space for an episode of HGTV House Hunters Renovation. The kitchen was originally a galley kitchen. We removed a wall between the DR and the kitchen to open up the space. We used a combination of countertops in this kitchen. To give a buffer to the wood counters, we used slabs of marble each side of the sink. This adds interest visually and helps to keep the water away from the wood counters. We used blue and cream for the cabinetry which is a lovely, soft mix and wood shelving to match the wood counter tops. To complete the eclectic finishes we mixed gold light fixtures and cabinet hardware with black plumbing fixtures and shelf brackets.

Example of a large farmhouse l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, multicolored backsplash, marble backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Keith Gegg / Gegg Media
Example of a classic kitchen design in St Louis

Tower Creek Construction
Mid-sized mountain style master gray tile and stone tile porcelain tile freestanding bathtub photo in Baltimore with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, soapstone countertops, a two-piece toilet and gray walls

Builder: Anchor Builders / Building Design, Plans, and Interior Finishes by Fluidesign Studio / Photographer: Seth Benn Photography
Arts and crafts l-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash and subway tile backsplash

Inspiration for a large cottage l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

A completely remodeled kitchen with custom cabinets.
Mid-sized elegant l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen photo in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, stainless steel appliances, yellow backsplash, porcelain backsplash and an island

Inspiration for a mid-sized craftsman l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-sized arts and crafts l-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen photo in Seattle with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Metropolitan Cabinets ShowHouse Collection Mission Shaker door in honey stained mahogany. Countertops in oiled soapstone
Example of an arts and crafts l-shaped slate floor open concept kitchen design in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, soapstone countertops, black backsplash, mirror backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This incredible island is made from 110 year old chestnut and a richly oiled soapstone. Note the different drawer heads on each drawer. Heirloom Designs

Powder room - mid-sized industrial porcelain tile and black floor powder room idea in Chicago with open cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, soapstone countertops and black countertops

This eclectic kitchen has Soapstone countertops! Thanks Granite Grannies for fabricating this project and providing us this photo! http://www.granitegrannies.com Look through our soapstone or other stone options: http://www.stoneaction.com Soapstone is a classic. Stone colors are available in dark gray to blueish or greenish gray with light or dramatic veining. Over a period of time as soapstone ages it achieves a beautiful patina. When treated with mineral oil the stone will darken. Soapstone is an ideal kitchen countertop choice because it never has to been sealed and has high heat resistant properties. Soapstone, although soft, is a very dense (non-porous) stone. Most people are surprised to learn it is more dense than marble, slate, limestone and even granite. Since soapstone is impenetrable and it will not stain. No liquid will permeate its surface. This is why through the years soapstone is widely used in chemistry lab countertops and acid rooms. If you love the dark beauty of granite and the light veining of marble, consider soapstone instead. It's durable, relatively low-maintenance, and has a lovely, old-world feel.

Large farmhouse single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, gray backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Farm House Kitchen built from a white oak tree harvested from the Owner's property. The Radiant heat in the Kitchen flooring is native Bluestone from Johnston & Rhodes. The double Cast Iron Kohler Sink is a reclaimed fixture with a Rohl faucet. Counters are by Vermont Soapstone. Appliances include a restored Wedgewood stove with double ovens and a refrigerator by Liebherr. Cabinetry designed by JWRA and built by Gergen Woodworks in Newburgh, NY. Lighting including the Pendants and picture lights are fixtures by Hudson Valley Lighting of Newburgh. Featured paintings include Carriage Driver by Chuck Wilkinson, Charlotte Valley Apples by Robert Ginder and Clothesline by Theodore Tihansky.

Oiled Soapstone countertops.
Wet bar - large traditional galley light wood floor wet bar idea in Philadelphia with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, soapstone countertops and gray backsplash

Starry Night soapstone island in a White Macauba granite kitchen. Island features a recessed composting bin. Photo courtesy of Scott Ilott
Open concept kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Vancouver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island