We tailored this major kitchen update to meet the needs of our client for whom regularly gathering her adult children and their families for home cooked meals is a tradition hailing from her southern heritage. The Wolf range, Sub Zero refrigerator and freezer, commercial grade range hood and strategically placed prep sink were designed to support her love of cooking and large scale meal preparation. By replacing a smaller island and peninsula with an expansive sixteen foot island we greatly increased both the storage and the seating capacity, providing plenty of space for family and friends to comfortably gather in this true heart of the home. Other must haves like the built in coffee maker, dedicated wine refrigerators and bar area, and a built in buffet niche for storing several dish collections make this a modern kitchen with traditional roots that is ideal for entertaining and relaxing.

Aaron Usher http://aaronusher.com/
Large beach style u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen pantry photo in Providence with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Lou Costy
Inspiration for a huge industrial medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

With this modern kitchen we put in new maple cabinets finished in Chantilly Lace that match so well with the Monte Cristo satin granite countertops and full backsplash. We added shaker crown moulding, power Bars, under cabinet lighting, amerock matte black cabinet hardware, trash Pullout, new storage/pantry cabinet, and new appliances. We also added beam for structural support to increase the opening on the range wall for the new bar top, framed new box above range location for ducting and recessed ceiling mounted hood, increased the size of the kitchen by framing in the dining room opening to increase wall space for cabinets and deleting the wall between the kitchen and dining room. We removed the soffits in the kitchen to increase the cabinet height, moved plumbing to center the sink on the window overlooking the backyard, added new 6" ceiling LED lighting in the kitchen, bar room and pool table room, relocated outlets and light switches, and patched floor tile due to new layout.

With this modern kitchen we put in new maple cabinets finished in Chantilly Lace that match so well with the Monte Cristo satin granite countertops and full backsplash. We added shaker crown moulding, power Bars, under cabinet lighting, amerock matte black cabinet hardware, trash Pullout, new storage/pantry cabinet, and new appliances. We also added beam for structural support to increase the opening on the range wall for the new bar top, framed new box above range location for ducting and recessed ceiling mounted hood, increased the size of the kitchen by framing in the dining room opening to increase wall space for cabinets and deleting the wall between the kitchen and dining room. We removed the soffits in the kitchen to increase the cabinet height, moved plumbing to center the sink on the window overlooking the backyard, added new 6" ceiling LED lighting in the kitchen, bar room and pool table room, relocated outlets and light switches, and patched floor tile due to new layout.

Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized contemporary l-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, gray cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

Eat-in kitchen - large contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, glass sheet backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

Tom Harper Photography
Kitchen - large cottage kitchen idea in Atlanta

We tailored this major kitchen update to meet the needs of our client for whom regularly gathering her adult children and their families for home cooked meals is a tradition hailing from her southern heritage. The Wolf range, Sub Zero refrigerator and freezer, commercial grade range hood and strategically placed prep sink were designed to support her love of cooking and large scale meal preparation. By replacing a smaller island and peninsula with an expansive sixteen foot island we greatly increased both the storage and the seating capacity, providing plenty of space for family and friends to comfortably gather in this true heart of the home. Other must haves like the built in coffee maker, dedicated wine refrigerators and bar area, and a built in buffet niche for storing several dish collections make this a modern kitchen with traditional roots that is ideal for entertaining and relaxing.

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.

This space completely transformed the flow of this house. Before it was a tiny galley kitchen that was the exterior wall of the home, and the family room was an enclosed patio. The client had no hope of merging the spaces but dreamed of an open concept kitchen. I kept the exterior supports and header in place and wrapped the beam plus added one false beam for balance (in the space where the exterior kitchen window had been), added millwork at the and extended the "island" into the step-down patio with tall bar stools on the patio side. In the end, the effect is that the space is an open great room and was always meant to be that way! (Photo Credit; Shawn Lober Construction)

We tailored this major kitchen update to meet the needs of our client for whom regularly gathering her adult children and their families for home cooked meals is a tradition hailing from her southern heritage. The Wolf range, Sub Zero refrigerator and freezer, commercial grade range hood and strategically placed prep sink were designed to support her love of cooking and large scale meal preparation. By replacing a smaller island and peninsula with an expansive sixteen foot island we greatly increased both the storage and the seating capacity, providing plenty of space for family and friends to comfortably gather in this true heart of the home. Other must haves like the built in coffee maker, dedicated wine refrigerators and bar area, and a built in buffet niche for storing several dish collections make this a modern kitchen with traditional roots that is ideal for entertaining and relaxing.

This project we recently completed in Manhattan Beach had an original floor plan with a dark, closed off kitchen. The homeowners' desire to open up the space by removing the common wall between the dining room and kitchen came with a structural challenge; we had to keep a support beam. Our Great Room feel was successful by removing the wall, but leaving just the post which we wrapped with walnut panels to match their new cabinetry. Our team also removed a section of the mirrored wall, turning it into a beautifully framed mirror piece to finish off the family's new Great Room.

Nestled in the bluffs of beautiful Keuka lake, the Farro Lake House went through an impressive journey to reach the space you see. The kitchen once housed the garage, and you can still see the support beam where the wall used to be. A support post is cleverly hidden inside one of the many custom built-in cabinets. This kitchen has absolutely everything you could want, from a backsplash with tile handmade in Rochester to a built-in coffee machine. The Home is entirely fitted for lake living, with performance fabrics, and a table fashioned from reclaimed oak ready to receive its beautiful lakeside patina.

The Hive This remodel transforms three small, crowded rooms into an expansive, open kitchen connecting directly onto a new backyard deck. The coziness of a former breakfast nook is re-created with a built-in bench with discreet storage, and a pre-existing island is re-imagined with a new marble surface and complementary marble slab installed above the counters. The new modern kitchen, combines bamboo, white, and glass cabinet materials and integrates an original Wedgewood range stove providing a spacious, open environment. Outside, the new deck design addresses a previous basement flooding problem and brings together the upper and lower floors with a floating “crow’s nest” balcony, maximizing available outdoor space for use by both couples. To avoid the need for a support post, the balcony is supported by steel beams cantilevered into the house itself. Its custom rail system is galvanized steel and stainless steel cable, leaving as much space open as possible, and a steel awning overhead protects the new door from potential rain damage. The deck itself, as well as its railings and trellis structure, are built in durable ipe, a smooth barefoot-friendly hardwood. Stairs and seating create a smooth transition from the elevated deck down into the yard, where the new owners installed flagstones and setup their own bee hives.

This large kitchen is the hub of the home. There is plenty of room for large family gatherings including an island that can seat up to 8, two sinks, two ovens, a separate wet bar (not shown) and a separate coffee station (not shown). The hallway beyond leads to the pantry, laundry room and side entrance. Anice Hoachlander, Hoachlander Davis Photography LLC

This lovely home features an open concept space with the kitchen at its heart. Built in the late 1990's the prior kitchen was cherry, but dark, and the new family needed a fresh update. The back of the raised counter shown here is supported by custom corbels with room for four stools.The center section features and oval wood-topped table with banquette bench seating on two sides. Six can sit on the benches, chairs at the end add two more places... There is plenty of room for the family of five... even with the children's friends or team-mates dropping by; room for 12 if you are keeping count. The show-stopping coffered ceiling was custom designed and features a highlighted central area in a circular design. It's painted in the center section but the outside portions have beaded boards, recessed can lighting and dramatic crown molding. The prior cherry kitchen with Corian counters and appliances was re-invented as a entertainment/auxiliary kitchen in the lower level of the house. This great space was a collaboration between many talented folks including but not limited to the team at Delicious Kitchens & Interiors, LLC, L. Newman and Associates/Paul Mansback, Inc with Leslie Rifkin and Emily Shakra, along with contributions from the homeowners and Belisle Granite. John C. Hession Photographer

Nestled in the bluffs of beautiful Keuka lake, the Farro Lake House went through an impressive journey to reach the space you see. The kitchen once housed the garage, and you can still see the support beam where the wall used to be. A support post is cleverly hidden inside one of the many custom built-in cabinets. This kitchen has absolutely everything you could want, from a backsplash with tile handmade in Rochester to a built-in coffee machine. The Home is entirely fitted for lake living, with performance fabrics, and a table fashioned from reclaimed oak ready to receive its beautiful lakeside patina.