Designer Sarah Robertson of Studio Dearborn helped a neighbor and friend to update a “builder grade” kitchen into a personal, family space that feels luxurious and inviting. The homeowner wanted to solve a number of storage and flow problems in the kitchen, including a wasted area dedicated to a desk, too-little pantry storage, and her wish for a kitchen bar. The all white builder kitchen lacked character, and the client wanted to inject color, texture and personality into the kitchen while keeping it classic.

The kitchen juxtaposes luxurious paneled and glazed cabinets against a backdrop of rustic timber framing, weathered wide plank oak floors, and handmade-brick infill. The entirely brand new construction has the appeal of a perfect contemporary renovation to a 400-year-old French Normandy manor house accented by an antique iron backsplash and a custom metalwork range hood concealing a modern exhaust. Woodruff Brown Photography

Paul McCredie
Kitchen - small industrial kitchen idea in Wellington with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel countertops and white appliances

Large walk-in kitchen pantry with rounded corner shelves in 2 far corners. Installed to replace existing builder-grade wire shelving. Custom baking rack for pans. Wall-mounted system with extended height panels and custom trim work for floor-mount look. Open shelving with spacing designed around accommodating client's clear labeled storage bins and other serving items and cookware.

Opening the pocketing steel lift and slide doors allows nature into this Master Bedroom.
Example of a mid-sized country master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in San Francisco with white walls

Inspiration for a large cottage l-shaped ceramic tile entryway remodel in Birmingham with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray walls and a side-by-side washer/dryer

Photography by Rebecca Lehde
Large contemporary two-story wood exterior home idea in Charleston with a hip roof

This tranquil and relaxing pool and spa in Fort Lauderdale is the perfect backyard retreat! With deck jets, wood deck area and pergola area for lounging, it's the luxurious elegance you have been waiting for!

pool with hydraulic floor, movable shade canopy
Patio - contemporary patio idea in New York with a gazebo

The owners of this vegetable garden purchased the undeveloped lot adjacent to their home and developed the sloping area into a collection of raised beds. - Photo by Kevin Bost

Michael Glassman
Hot tub - mediterranean hot tub idea in Sacramento

Sam Balukonis
Example of a transitional formal light wood floor living room design in Boston with white walls and a standard fireplace

Photo Credit: Rob Karosis
Inspiration for a large coastal l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, green backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Photos by Kaity
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary galley slate floor dedicated laundry room remodel in Grand Rapids with flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, a side-by-side washer/dryer, orange cabinets and white walls

Photo of a modern landscaping in Denver.

Inspiration for a modern pool remodel in New York

David O. Marlow
Home gym - huge contemporary vinyl floor and gray floor home gym idea in Denver with brown walls

In choosing modular cooktop units over a full range, Franklin was able to keep the open galley kitchen streamlined in appearance and gain storage space to boot. The commercial grade components sport strong down draft units beneath the burners to eliminate cooking odors, which is a major consideration when designing an open concept space. One of the highlights of the work area is the gleaming stainless backsplash that Franklin designed. "I simply had a large piece of stainless steel bent into shape and attached with industrial grade adhesive," he explains. "Big look, inexpensive price!" The integrated shelf keeps necessities close at hand for easy access during cooking. Cooktop Units: GE Monogram (commercial) Adrienne DeRosa Photography

Simple and clean tradition mouldings decorate the functional surfaces and storage areas creating a practical kitchen within the antique charm of a new French Eclectic home. Woodruff Brown Photography