This client came to us with a very clear vision of what she wanted, but she needed help to refine and execute the design. At our first meeting she described her style as somewhere between modern rustic and ‘granny chic’ – she likes cozy spaces with nods to the past, but also wanted to blend that with the more contemporary tastes of her husband and children. Functionally, the old layout was less than ideal with an oddly placed 3-sided fireplace and angled island creating traffic jams in and around the kitchen. By creating a U-shaped layout, we clearly defined the chef’s domain and created a circulation path that limits disruptions in the heart of the kitchen. While still an open concept, the black cabinets, bar height counter and change in flooring all add definition to the space. The vintage inspired black and white tile is a nod to the past while the black stainless range and matte black faucet are unmistakably modern. High on our client’s wish list was eliminating upper cabinets and keeping the countertops clear. In order to achieve this, we needed to ensure there was ample room in the base cabinets and reconfigured pantry for items typically stored above. The full height tile backsplash evokes exposed brick and serves as the backdrop for the custom wood-clad hood and decorative brass sconces – a perfect blend of rustic, modern and chic. Black and brass elements are repeated throughout the main floor in new hardware, lighting, and open shelves as well as the owners’ curated collection of family heirlooms and furnishings. In addition to renovating the kitchen, we updated the entire first floor with refinished hardwoods, new paint, wainscoting, wallcovering and beautiful new stained wood doors. Our client had been dreaming and planning this kitchen for 17 years and we’re thrilled we were able to bring it to life.

Eat-in kitchen - contemporary white floor eat-in kitchen idea in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel countertops, brown backsplash, wood backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and gray countertops

Inspiration for a transitional medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Vancouver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Arts and crafts l-shaped brown floor kitchen photo in Vancouver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, wood countertops, stainless steel appliances, no island and beige countertops

Eclectic u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, marble countertops, multicolored backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

Inspiration for a huge contemporary l-shaped gray floor kitchen remodel in Vancouver with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, black backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Chicago Lux, Art Deco, White Kitchen, Modern, Contemporary, Tambour, Gold Detail Photographer: Mike Schwartz
Eat-in kitchen - contemporary u-shaped ceramic tile and white floor eat-in kitchen idea in Chicago with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, black backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, black countertops and an undermount sink

Example of a beach style kitchen design in Minneapolis with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, metallic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Houston

Kitchen renovation replacing the sloped floor 1970's kitchen addition into a designer showcase kitchen matching the aesthetics of this regal vintage Victorian home. Thoughtful design including a baker's hutch, glamourous bar, integrated cat door to basement litter box, Italian range, stunning Lincoln marble, and tumbled marble floor.

This study off the kitchen acts as a control center for the family. Kids work on computers in open spaces, not in their rooms. Green linoleum covers the desk for a durable and cleanable surface. The cabinets were custom built for the space. The chairs are from Overstock.com. photo: David Duncan Livingston

The homeowners desired an outdoor space that felt more rustic than their refined interior spaces, but still related architecturally to their house. Cement plaster support arbor columns provide enough of visual tie to the existing house exterior. Oversized wood beams and rafter members provide a unique outdoor atmosphere. Structural bolts and hardware were minimized for a cleaner appearance. Structural connections and supports were engineered to meet California's stringent earthquake standards. Ali Atri Photography

Kitchen - farmhouse kitchen idea in Seattle

Inspiration for a rustic u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, two islands, gray cabinets and gray countertops

Example of a transitional l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Open concept kitchen - large transitional galley medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Orlando with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, an island, green cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances and gray countertops

Wing Wong, Memories TTL
Inspiration for a mid-sized eclectic medium tone wood floor enclosed kitchen remodel in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Thse clients came to me for a kitchen refresh. Keeping the existing floor plan but updating as much as possible. After explaining my thoughts, they chose to go with a much larger project. The wall to the garage wash pushed bach 12" to allow for the island to happen. This almost couldn't happen as there is a support post in the garage we had to keep. I designed the last pantry area as on 10" deep, allowing us to conceal that behind the cabinets. Then, we opend up the wall to the dining room to make the rooms one large space. The wall to the family room was also openend up, leaving the half wall to allow for the kitchen eating area. They wanted to incorporate a bar area, without it feeling like a "bar" The fabulous tall custom unit houses their wine collection and then half of the dining room buffet area holds glassware and other bar items. I helped the clients with all of the design choices.We all wanted to keep the space classic, war, functional and with mixed materials. I chose to use the same countertop material for the backsplash, to keep the space feeling as large as possible.

A compact yet comfortable kitchen allows for a range of seating options and interaction. Clean lines and design allow the space to be seen as either a beautiful kitchen or as part of the art landscape of the house.