Did you know that soapstone is considered to be an inert stone? Acid and base neutral. It is the main reason why it is used in science and chemistry labs. You can spill anything on it without worrying about stains or etching.

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized traditional u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in St Louis with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, brown backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

When Maria Bilotta Distefano and her husband, George Distefano—each owners of their own home design/renovation businesses—purchased their home in North Salem, they knew they would have to make some pretty radical changes, starting with the kitchen. “It was horrific,” Bilotta says. “A bathroom opened up right into the eating area. The space was small, the cooking area crammed. Cabinets were an inexpensive stock—pickled oak—and were falling apart. And the appliances were completely out of date. It was a kitchen-company owner’s worst nightmare.” She should know. Along with siblings Regina Bilotta and Jim Bilotta, Maria owns and runs Bilotta Kitchens, a full-service kitchen and bath company that specializes in cabinetry design. Maria Bilotta's 400-square-foot kitchen boasts a large hearth area with a stainless-steel dual-fuel range surrounded by crackled rectangular tiles, sconces, and an antique glass mirror. Over the range is a handy pot filler, an item frequently recommended by Bilotta for its ease of use. On the far wall next to the hearth stands a 48-inch side-by-side Sub-Zero refrigerator paneled in the same cherry as the cabinets. The generous island is equipped with an undermount Franke stainless-steel sink with a bronze oil-rubbed faucet by Rohl, a built-in ASKO dishwasher, and a double trash pull-out. The dining table’s unique copper top, along with the copper trim on the ledge leading into the family room and along the edge of the pizza oven, are all custom made and finished by George Distefano at his custom-metal shop, Ornametal, based in Newburgh, New York. Bilotta wanted a kitchen that would not only accommodate her family’s lifestyle but embrace the best of the products and designs out there. To achieve this, she asked Mel Elion, a top designer in Bilotta’s Mamaroneck showroom, to work with architect Terry Lennon of Somers and general contractor Fred Boehmer of Boehmer Homes of La Grangeville, New York, to bring her dream kitchen to life. Bilotta looked to her past to hone her vision, recalling boisterous family gatherings where everyone pitched in to make the meal. Thus, Elion included in her design a large banquette area for casual sit-down meals and a wide multi-purpose island with three stools, designed for both food preparation and light dining. In terms of style, Bilotta favors a rustic aesthetic, complete with state-of-the-art appliances and top-of-the-line amenities. And number-one on her wish list: a pizza oven. The Old World “appliance” brings back special memories of pizza-making with her siblings, cousins, and grandfather, an Italian immigrant who brought a love of cooking with him from Arpino. To accommodate Bilotta’s request for a sophisticated country look, Elion recommended cherry cabinets from Bilotta Kitchens’ private cabinet collection, with perimeter cabinets sporting custom inset doors of rustic cherry wood and an island of antique cherry. Green Verde Vecchio granite countertops and a soft moss shade for the walls complement the warm wood. Sixteen-by-sixteen-inch honed limestone tiles used for the floors have decorative metal inserts that match the copper tabletop in the banquette area (hand-made and finished by George Distefano) and other copper accents, such as the pizza oven’s ledge. A magnificent ivory-colored cherry hearth was designed to surround the 48-inch professional Wolf range. Behind the range, framed by the crackled tile backsplash from Waterworks, hangs an antique glass mirror with metal trim from Distefano’s shop, GlasSolutions, a New York-based architectural glass and metal company. Besides providing an interesting focal point, installing a mirror behind the range has a practical purpose, allowing the chef to keep an eye on the often boisterous and energetic activities while cooking.

HDR Remodeling Inc. specializes in classic East Bay homes. Whole-house remodels, kitchen and bathroom remodeling, garage and basement conversions are our specialties. Our start-to-finish process -- from design concept to permit-ready plans to production -- will guide you along the way to make sure your project is completed on time and on budget and take the uncertainty and stress out of remodeling your home. Our philosophy -- and passion -- is to help our clients make their remodeling dreams come true.

Stunning New Kitchen
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Chicago with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The main level at this modern farmhouse has a great room and den bookended by stone fireplaces. The kitchen is at the center of the main living spaces where we designed multiple islands for smart base cabinet storage which still allows visual connection from the kitchen to all spaces. The open living spaces serve the owner’s desire to create a comfortable environment for entertaining during large family gatherings. There are plenty of spaces where everyone can spread out whether it be eating or cooking, watching TV or just chatting by the fireplace. The main living spaces also act as a privacy buffer between the master suite and a guest suite. Photography by Todd Crawford.

Transitional mountain kitchen with reclaimed wood cabinets. Elements of wood and steel create a rustic, yet cozy, mountain kitchen that is a fully functioning chef's kitchen.

This transitional kitchen feature green base cabinet and white wall cabinets. The island provide waterfall countertop.
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Sacramento with an undermount sink, green cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, shaker cabinets, quartz countertops, porcelain backsplash and white countertops

Tuscan kitchen photo

The Island House built by Glenn Layton Homes in Paradise Key South Beach, Jacksonville Beach, Florida.
Inspiration for a mid-sized victorian white two-story brick gable roof remodel in Jacksonville

Visit the rest of our portfolio now at : www.laurau.com Learn about our new "design bar" concept, Studio U, online at: www.studiou.com Photography: Julie Soefer

Peter Urbanski Photography
Beach style l-shaped light wood floor kitchen photo in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

photography by John Hayes
Open concept kitchen - country galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen idea in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, white appliances and an island

The Kitchen is almost unrecognizable in its transformed state! What was once a small, closed-in space now feels welcoming, modern and fresh.
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in DC Metro

Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Portland with a farmhouse sink, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, recessed-panel cabinets, quartz countertops and stone tile backsplash

Rick Ueda
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

JVL Photography
Example of a small trendy galley ceramic tile enclosed kitchen design in Ottawa with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, wood countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Custom metal base for kitchen bar and custom metal base for pendant lighting in kitchen.
Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped linoleum floor kitchen pantry remodel in Other with raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, beige backsplash, terra-cotta backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The kitchen blends old and new, combining elements of more traditional styles, such as the island, with contemporary industrial materials and modern lines. Large French doors and floor-to-ceiling windows provide connection to the backyard.