While this new home had an architecturally striking exterior, the home’s interior fell short in terms of true functionality and overall style. The most critical element in this renovation was the kitchen and dining area, which needed careful attention to bring it to the level that suited the home and the homeowners. As a graduate of Culinary Institute of America, our client wanted a kitchen that “feels like a restaurant, with the warmth of a home kitchen,” where guests can gather over great food, great wine, and truly feel comfortable in the open concept home. Although it follows a typical chef’s galley layout, the unique design solutions and unusual materials set it apart from the typical kitchen design. Polished countertops, laminated and stainless cabinets fronts, and professional appliances are complemented by the introduction of wood, glass, and blackened metal – materials introduced in the overall design of the house. Unique features include a wall clad in walnut for dangling heavy pots and utensils; a floating, sculptural walnut countertop piece housing an herb garden; an open pantry that serves as a coffee bar and wine station; and a hanging chalkboard that hides a water heater closet and features different coffee offerings available to guests. The dining area addition, enclosed by windows, continues to vivify the organic elements and brings in ample natural light, enhancing the darker finishes and creating additional warmth. Photography by Ira Montgomery

Example of a mid-sized tuscan u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen pantry design in Seattle with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, no island and white countertops

Scott Conover
Dedicated laundry room - large transitional concrete floor and black floor dedicated laundry room idea in Boise with white cabinets, laminate countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, open cabinets, white countertops and gray walls

A PLACE TO GATHER Location: Eagan, MN, USA This family of five wanted an inviting space to gather with family and friends. Mom, the primary cook, wanted a large island with more organized storage – everything in its place – and a crisp white kitchen with the character of an older home. Challenges: Design an island that could accommodate this family of five for casual weeknight dinners. Create more usable storage within the existing kitchen footprint. Design a better transition between the upper cabinets on the 8-foot sink wall and the adjoining 9-foot cooktop wall. Make room for more counter space around the cooktop. It was poorly lit, cluttered with small appliances and confined by the tall oven cabinet. Solutions: A large island, that seats 5 comfortably, replaced the small island and kitchen table. This allowed for more storage including cookbook shelves, a heavy-duty roll out shelf for the mixer, a 2-bin recycling center and a bread drawer. Tall pantries with decorative grilles were placed between the kitchen and family room. These created ample storage and helped define each room, making each one feel larger, yet more intimate. A space intentionally separates the upper cabinets on the sink wall from those on the cooktop wall. This created symmetry on the sink wall and made room for an appliance garage, which keeps the countertops uncluttered. Moving the double ovens to the former pantry location made way for more usable counter space around the cooktop and a dramatic focal point with the hood, cabinets and marble backsplash. Special Features: Custom designed corbels and island legs lend character. Gilt open lanterns, antiqued nickel grilles on the pantries, and the soft linen shade at the kitchen sink add personality and charm. The unique bronze hardware with a living finish creates the patina of an older home. A walnut island countertop adds the warmth and feel of a kitchen table. This homeowner truly understood the idea of living with the patina of marble. Her grandmother’s marble-topped antique table inspired the Carrara countertops. The result is a highly organized kitchen with a light, open feel that invites you to stay a while. Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg

Jeri Koegel
Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Orange County with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen pantry photo with shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops

Whole-house remodel of a hillside home in Seattle. The historically-significant ballroom was repurposed as a family/music room, and the once-small kitchen and adjacent spaces were combined to create an open area for cooking and gathering. A compact master bath was reconfigured to maximize the use of space, and a new main floor powder room provides knee space for accessibility. Built-in cabinets provide much-needed coat & shoe storage close to the front door. ©Kathryn Barnard, 2014

Welcome to our latest kitchen renovation project, where classic French elegance meets contemporary design in the heart of Great Falls, VA. In this transformation, we aim to create a stunning kitchen space that exudes sophistication and charm, capturing the essence of timeless French style with a modern twist. Our design centers around a harmonious blend of light gray and off-white tones, setting a serene and inviting backdrop for this kitchen makeover. These neutral hues will work in harmony to create a calming ambiance and enhance the natural light, making the kitchen feel open and welcoming. To infuse a sense of nature and add a striking focal point, we have carefully selected green cabinets. The rich green hue, reminiscent of lush gardens, brings a touch of the outdoors into the space, creating a unique and refreshing visual appeal. The cabinets will be thoughtfully placed to optimize both functionality and aesthetics. Throughout the project, our focus is on creating a seamless integration of design elements to produce a cohesive and visually stunning kitchen. The cabinetry, hood, light fixture, and other details will be meticulously crafted using high-quality materials, ensuring longevity and a timeless appeal. Countertop Material: Quartzite Cabinet: Frameless Custom cabinet Stove: Ilve 48" Hood: Plaster field made Lighting: Hudson Valley Lighting

The homeowners loved the location of their small Cape Cod home, but they didn't love its limited interior space. A 10' addition along the back of the home and a brand new 2nd story gave them just the space they needed. With a classy monotone exterior and a welcoming front porch, this remodel is a refined example of a transitional style home. Space Plans, Building Design, Interior & Exterior Finishes by Anchor Builders Photos by Andrea Rugg Photography

Fumed Antique Oak #1 Natural
Brown, medium tone wood and mid-sized trendy oak and galley smooth, 3/4 inch, natural and medium plank nail down, brown floor and dark wood floor kitchen photo in Raleigh with protective coating, an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, marble countertops, stone slab backsplash, white backsplash and white countertops

Enclosed kitchen - large traditional galley dark wood floor enclosed kitchen idea in New York with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and recessed-panel cabinets

Abby Caroline Photography
Eat-in kitchen - large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Atlanta with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, subway tile backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Kitchen - cottage kitchen idea in San Francisco

Shelly Harrison
Example of a beach style kitchen pantry design in Boston with white cabinets, wood countertops, stainless steel appliances and open cabinets

Inspiration for a large contemporary u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen remodel in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Inspiration for a mid-sized coastal l-shaped dark wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in Boston with an island, a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, flat-panel cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Example of a huge tuscan light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen design in Dallas with stone slab backsplash, an island, shaker cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, gray countertops and gray cabinets

Kerri Fukkai
Kitchen - modern l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel countertops, metallic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Welcome to our latest kitchen renovation project, where classic French elegance meets contemporary design in the heart of Great Falls, VA. In this transformation, we aim to create a stunning kitchen space that exudes sophistication and charm, capturing the essence of timeless French style with a modern twist. Our design centers around a harmonious blend of light gray and off-white tones, setting a serene and inviting backdrop for this kitchen makeover. These neutral hues will work in harmony to create a calming ambiance and enhance the natural light, making the kitchen feel open and welcoming. To infuse a sense of nature and add a striking focal point, we have carefully selected green cabinets. The rich green hue, reminiscent of lush gardens, brings a touch of the outdoors into the space, creating a unique and refreshing visual appeal. The cabinets will be thoughtfully placed to optimize both functionality and aesthetics. Throughout the project, our focus is on creating a seamless integration of design elements to produce a cohesive and visually stunning kitchen. The cabinetry, hood, light fixture, and other details will be meticulously crafted using high-quality materials, ensuring longevity and a timeless appeal. Countertop Material: Quartzite Cabinet: Frameless Custom cabinet Stove: Ilve 48" Hood: Plaster field made Lighting: Hudson Valley Lighting