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.

Full-height light cabinetry surrounds the range in this renovated Scarborough kitchen. A concealed-style hood surround, pale backsplash and under-cabinet lighting create a coordinated cooking wall. White countertops connect the work areas, with protective film visible on the range. Part of Cedarstone Group Inc.’s 2024 whole-home renovation and second-storey addition in Scarborough, Toronto. This custom kitchen is part of a complete main-floor renovation and whole-home remodel. Coordinated kitchen cabinetry, carefully planned storage and continuous work surfaces support the layout of the renovated home. For homeowners researching a kitchen renovation in Scarborough or a custom kitchen remodel in Toronto, this project shows how cabinet design, appliance placement and interior finishing can be developed together within a larger home transformation. Explore this project and Cedarstone Group Inc.’s renovation work at cedarstonereno.com.

Nestled against the backdrop of the Worcester Mountain Range lies this timeless Modern Farmhouse. This project consisted of a full gut to most of the interior as well as new windows, doors, siding, decks, and trim. Part of the project involved building an addition to join the detached garage to the main house as well as redefining the entry with a beautiful and functional mudroom and powder room. We also built out a new dining room with a ton of glass which helped to connect the interior with the lush gardens outside. Custom cabinetry, millwork, and builtins throughout. Doug Fir Timbers were used to support the load above while also providing a warm and handsome ascetic value throughout the downstairs as we opened the floorpan up. It is always refreshing to breath new life into an outdated structure.

This client asked me to provide them with ample storage in their ski vacation condo's kitchen. I wanted to take advantage of the end wall to maximize the countertop and give them more storage with a cabinet under the new range that is 92" wide. Even though the cabinet is well supported, the cabinet opening has no center divider which would hinder any individual seeking out pots and kettles from below. The other elements fell into logical places including a generous pantry to the right of the refrigerator. In trying to maintain the sleek look of the backsplash, I worked diligently with the electrician to avoid outlets in the backsplash area as much as possible using Task Lighting's angled power strips. I love working with the outlet strips that tuck up under the cabinetry; they are brilliantly discreet. One of the special elements in this kitchen is the log pedestal base under the cantilevered bar top that is a continuation of the cap on the half wall. This log is from my neighbor's tree which they were cutting down in perfect timing with this renovation. Other components from this same tree are incorporated elsewhere in the condo. Surrounding the bar top are great wrought iron bar stools from Charleston Forge Photo by Sandra J. Curtis, ASID

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.

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.

When these homeowners first approached me to help them update their kitchen, the first thing that came to mind was to open it up. The house was over 70 years old and the kitchen was a small boxed in area, that did not connect well to the large addition on the back of the house. Removing the former exterior, load bearinig, wall opened the space up dramatically. Then, I relocated the sink to the new peninsula and the range to the outside wall. New windows were added to flank the range. The homeowner is an architect and designed the stunning hood that is truly the focal point of the room. The shiplap island is a complex work that hides 3 drawers and spice storage. The original slate floors have radiant heat under them and needed to remain. The new greige cabinet color, with the accent of the dark grayish green on the custom furnuture piece and hutch, truly compiment the floor tones. Added features such as the wood beam that hides the support over the peninsula and doorway helped warm up the space. There is also a feature wall of stained shiplap that ties in the wood beam and ship lap details on the 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.

Southwest kitchen photo in Austin

Nestled against the backdrop of the Worcester Mountain Range lies this timeless Modern Farmhouse. This project consisted of a full gut to most of the interior as well as new windows, doors, siding, decks, and trim. Part of the project involved building an addition to join the detached garage to the main house as well as redefining the entry with a beautiful and functional mudroom and powder room. We also built out a new dining room with a ton of glass which helped to connect the interior with the lush gardens outside. Custom cabinetry, millwork, and builtins throughout. Doug Fir Timbers were used to support the load above while also providing a warm and handsome ascetic value throughout the downstairs as we opened the floorpan up. It is always refreshing to breath new life into an outdated structure.

Nestled against the backdrop of the Worcester Mountain Range lies this timeless Modern Farmhouse. This project consisted of a full gut to most of the interior as well as new windows, doors, siding, decks, and trim. Part of the project involved building an addition to join the detached garage to the main house as well as redefining the entry with a beautiful and functional mudroom and powder room. We also built out a new dining room with a ton of glass which helped to connect the interior with the lush gardens outside. Custom cabinetry, millwork, and builtins throughout. Doug Fir Timbers were used to support the load above while also providing a warm and handsome ascetic value throughout the downstairs as we opened the floorpan up. It is always refreshing to breath new life into an outdated structure.

Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped eat-in kitchen remodel with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash and beige walls

Photo of Kitchen Island. Photography by Angela Zuill.
Eat-in kitchen - mid-sized cottage galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Nashville with a drop-in sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This 1930's Barrington Hills farmhouse was in need of some TLC when it was purchased by this southern family of five who planned to make it their new home. The renovation taken on by Advance Design Studio's designer Scott Christensen and master carpenter Justin Davis included a custom porch, custom built in cabinetry in the living room and children's bedrooms, 2 children's on-suite baths, a guest powder room, a fabulous new master bath with custom closet and makeup area, a new upstairs laundry room, a workout basement, a mud room, new flooring and custom wainscot stairs with planked walls and ceilings throughout the home. The home's original mechanicals were in dire need of updating, so HVAC, plumbing and electrical were all replaced with newer materials and equipment. A dramatic change to the exterior took place with the addition of a quaint standing seam metal roofed farmhouse porch perfect for sipping lemonade on a lazy hot summer day. In addition to the changes to the home, a guest house on the property underwent a major transformation as well. Newly outfitted with updated gas and electric, a new stacking washer/dryer space was created along with an updated bath complete with a glass enclosed shower, something the bath did not previously have. A beautiful kitchenette with ample cabinetry space, refrigeration and a sink was transformed as well to provide all the comforts of home for guests visiting at the classic cottage retreat. The biggest design challenge was to keep in line with the charm the old home possessed, all the while giving the family all the convenience and efficiency of modern functioning amenities. One of the most interesting uses of material was the porcelain "wood-looking" tile used in all the baths and most of the home's common areas. All the efficiency of porcelain tile, with the nostalgic look and feel of worn and weathered hardwood floors. The home’s casual entry has an 8" rustic antique barn wood look porcelain tile in a rich brown to create a warm and welcoming first impression. Painted distressed cabinetry in muted shades of gray/green was used in the powder room to bring out the rustic feel of the space which was accentuated with wood planked walls and ceilings. Fresh white painted shaker cabinetry was used throughout the rest of the rooms, accentuated by bright chrome fixtures and muted pastel tones to create a calm and relaxing feeling throughout the home. Custom cabinetry was designed and built by Advance Design specifically for a large 70” TV in the living room, for each of the children’s bedroom’s built in storage, custom closets, and book shelves, and for a mudroom fit with custom niches for each family member by name. The ample master bath was fitted with double vanity areas in white. A generous shower with a bench features classic white subway tiles and light blue/green glass accents, as well as a large free standing soaking tub nestled under a window with double sconces to dim while relaxing in a luxurious bath. A custom classic white bookcase for plush towels greets you as you enter the sanctuary bath. Joe Nowak

Nestled against the backdrop of the Worcester Mountain Range lies this timeless Modern Farmhouse. This project consisted of a full gut to most of the interior as well as new windows, doors, siding, decks, and trim. Part of the project involved building an addition to join the detached garage to the main house as well as redefining the entry with a beautiful and functional mudroom and powder room. We also built out a new dining room with a ton of glass which helped to connect the interior with the lush gardens outside. Custom cabinetry, millwork, and builtins throughout. Doug Fir Timbers were used to support the load above while also providing a warm and handsome ascetic value throughout the downstairs as we opened the floorpan up. It is always refreshing to breath new life into an outdated structure.

A shared children's full bath wrapped in vintage trellis wallpaper. Infused with fun using paper mache animal wall sculptures. A happy and vibrant space in a traditional family home. Design by Courtney B. Smith.

Nestled against the backdrop of the Worcester Mountain Range lies this timeless Modern Farmhouse. This project consisted of a full gut to most of the interior as well as new windows, doors, siding, decks, and trim. Part of the project involved building an addition to join the detached garage to the main house as well as redefining the entry with a beautiful and functional mudroom and powder room. We also built out a new dining room with a ton of glass which helped to connect the interior with the lush gardens outside. Custom cabinetry, millwork, and builtins throughout. Doug Fir Timbers were used to support the load above while also providing a warm and handsome ascetic value throughout the downstairs as we opened the floorpan up. It is always refreshing to breath new life into an outdated structure.

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.