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.

Sutter Photographers 2014 CotY Award - Entire House Under $250,000 -We removed the wall separating the kitchen and dining room and used a micro lam for structural support. This made a huge difference in space, lighting, and flow. -Daylight flows between both spaced thanks to the glass display cabinet above the peninsula. -The peninsula's counter was extended to allow for extra seating or a spot for a quick snack. -3x6 travertine tile and a glass + stone mosaic tile were used to enhance the cabinets and stove area.

Enjoy the ultimate relaxation with the Luxier FSB-004 freestanding bathtub. Made for deep soaking and relaxation, you can stretch out and unwind in full comfort after a long day of hard work. This versatile bathtub complements a wide range of bathroom styles and becomes a luxurious centerpiece of your bathing area. All Luxier freestanding bath tubs are backed by one year US warranty and customer support. Features: - Stunning stylish European inspired design - Freestanding design creates a striking focal point in your bathing area - Offers 14 inch depth deep soaking experience - Made with durable acrylic and fiberglass composite - Adjustable legs for leveling - 75 gallon capacity - Overflow protection for optimal safety - One year US warranty and customer support Specifications: - Part Number: BT-FSB-004 - Length: 66.93" - Width: 31.5" - Height: 22.83" - Material: Acrylic and fiberglass composite - Color: White - Overflow: Yes - Drain: Chrome Pop up drain stopper - Drainage: Flexible drainage pipe What’s included: - FSB-004 Freestanding Bathtub - Flexible drainage pipe

Family room casual seating at raised bar. Dimmable recessed lighting. Photo by PreviewFirst.
Mid-sized transitional family room photo in San Diego

Alise O'Brien Photography
Transitional light wood floor enclosed kitchen photo in St Louis with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, granite countertops, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This 1930’s gem did not have a functional, beautiful kitchen. In fact, many cabinets barely opened, and some appliances didn’t even work. The top priority was to replace the cabinetry, appliances, and finishes in the main kitchen and butler’s pantry for better functionality. The original footprint was kept mostly intact, with only minor adjustments to improve flow, connectivity, and layout. Custom cabinetry was designed to enhance storage, and a suite of high-performance appliances was installed. Finishes like a herringbone tile floor and soapstone countertops were chosen for longevity and durability. The secondary goal was to match the beauty of the rest of the home, with traditional elements, symmetry, and warmth. Details like fluting on the range hood and a unique corbel shape mirror original moldings. Stained oak accents were color-matched to the home’s existing woodwork. White oak cabinet interiors and custom inserts create a furniture-like feel. The finished design blends seamlessly into the historic home, and also enhances functionality for day-to-day living, hosting, and gathering.

Photo by: HA Architecture
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley medium tone wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Austin with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, turquoise cabinets, soapstone countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

The use of the Fantasy Brown natural quartzite in this space adds the perfect balance to the contrasting cabinetry and the subdued gray tone of the Stellar Dovetail tile. The Herringbone Pattern above the range is both appealing and the perfect touch of sophisticated detail. Location: Cumming, GA 30040 Countertops: Fantasy Brown Quartzite Island: Fantasy Brown Quartzite, supported by Traditional Corbels underneath Backsplash: 3"x6" Stellar Dove Tail tiles Cooktop Backsplash: 3"x9 Stellar Dove Tail tiles in herringbone pattern Sink: Undermount Stainless Steel Single Large Bowl

This garden was designed to provide large terrace spaces that do not impose on the natural woodland setting. Natural flagstone is dry set in an irregular pattern with planted joints to help soften the overall appearance. The flagstone terraces weave around the trees, creating separate outdoor rooms for entertaining, dining, or lounging on a hammock. Boulders placed throughout the garden, provide terracing between patios and create sculptural supports for the grill. As part of the boulder terracing, a fire pit is located where it can be enjoyed from both levels of the terrace. The plantings are carefully selected to provide a full range of interest that is both shade and deer tolerant. A later phase of this installation includes a swimming pool that ties in with the overall woodland theme.

Design ideas for a southwestern drought-tolerant and full sun front yard stone garden path in Albuquerque for summer.

Ulrich designer: Bonnie Hufnagel, CKD Photography by Peter Rymwid This rustic kitchen was designed to support the look of the original house (the first house built in Awosting, Hewitt, NJ approx. 1800's) with products inspired by nature and to bring the outdoors in. We used distressed pine cabinets in a warm sunny color. Brown glazing detail added a sophistication and kept the overall look from being too rustic. The countertops were done in "Black Morgan" granite, named for its river rock look. The tile backsplash gives the appearance of farmhouse stones, completing the outdoorsy look, but is actually a non-porous man-made material for easy maintenance. The flooring has the appearance of old antique planks, and runs throughout the first floor. It is Mannington's Revolutions laminate floor in Butterscotch color.

Beauty meets practicality in this Florida Contemporary on a Boca golf course. The indoor – outdoor connection is established by running easy care wood-look porcelain tiles from the patio to all the public rooms. The clean-lined slab door has a narrow-raised perimeter trim, while a combination of rift-cut white oak and “Super White” balances earthy with bright. Appliances are paneled for continuity. Dramatic LED lighting illuminates the toe kicks and the island overhang. Instead of engineered quartz, these countertops are engineered marble: “Unique Statuario” by Compac. The same material is cleverly used for carved island panels that resemble cabinet doors. White marble chevron mosaics lend texture and depth to the backsplash. The showstopper is the divider between the secondary sink and living room. Fashioned from brushed gold square metal stock, its grid-and-rectangle motif references the home’s entry door. Wavy glass obstructs kitchen mess, yet still admits light. Brushed gold straps on the white hood tie in with the divider. Gold hardware, faucets and globe pendants add glamour. In the pantry, kitchen cabinetry is repeated, but here in all white with Caesarstone countertops. Flooring is laid diagonally. Matching panels front the wine refrigerator. Open cabinets display glassware and serving pieces. This project was done in collaboration with JBD JGA Design & Architecture and NMB Home Management Services LLC. Bilotta Designer: Randy O’Kane. Photography by Nat Rea. Description written by Paulette Gambacorta adapted for Houzz.

Bathroom and Shower Teak Wood Mat Superior Quality Price start at $89.95 5 sizes and custom order available Teak Wood Mat Rectangle 14" x 20" - $89.95 Teak Wood Mat Square Round Corners 30" x 30" - $295.00 Teak Wood Mat Rectangle 14" x 32" - $165.00 Teak Wood Mat Rectangle 36" x 30" - $345.00 Teak Wood Mat Rectangle 18" x 25" - $165.00 Custom mats at $0.48 per sq inch We offer a wide range of standard sizes and styles plus we can create just about any size, shape or design that you can imagine. Whether you want to add a non-slip surface by your tub or totally surround your shower with a rich, custom mat, we can do it. Best of all, these mats can be used inside the shower as well as outside! Feature • Ideal for indoor or outdoor use • Marine grade stainless steel screws are used in the construction • Made of natural teak wood • All screws are countersunk into the bottom supports and into the top slats. • Ideal for use in or out of the shower and or high-moisture areas. • Slip and bacteria resistant • Battens are 1/4" rounded on the edge of each top batten to assure comfort • All mats are built on 3/4" x 3/4" solid teak supports • Anti-bacterial rubberized strips are bonded to each teak support to assure the mat stays in place Plantation Teak Our FSC certified Plantation Teak comes from trees harvested from an actual plantation of younger Teak trees. Since we only use the heartwood of the tree, it has all the same qualities of old growth Burmese Teak but it is a little lighter in color. Handcrafted in the USA Ship same day Worldwide Our store open to the Public 5047 W Jefferson Blvd Los Angeles CA 90016 Mon - Fri 7:00 am - 5:00pm Sunday 8:00 am- 12:00 noon For more product visit our web site http://www.flooringsupplyshop.com Or call us at 323-731-8453

Photo: Steven Paul Whitsitt. ALLENTOWN CHARMER - Designed by George Siwy of Artisan Kitchens and Baths This unique home located in the historical Allentown area of Buffalo, was purchased by two busy professionals who had a dream to bring back this historical mansion to its original glory and add a modernized kitchen to its design. The owners with their passion for Architecture and their love of cooking and entertaining hired George Siwy of Artisan Kitchens & Baths at Appliance Associates to make this dream a reality. The project started with the removal of a load bearing wall that structurally supported two stories above. The project called for a structural engineer to design the right size beam that can be supported by two columns that were built flush into the walls to give the space a more open feel. George Suggested in bringing in the homes architectural elements by choosing materials and details that were historic to the era of the home. Such details consist of the inset cabinet doors and its recessed panel and molding details, which relate to the quarter sawn oak stair case existing and wainscoting panel details found throughout the first floor of the home. The perimeter cabinetry in the kitchen consist of a maple wood species with a reversed raised panel door style painted white. The island and bar cabinetry consist of a wood species quarter sawn oak stained in an onyx color to relate to a historic cast iron stove inserted into a fireplace which is all original to the home. The imperfect glass seen on either side of the mullion glass windows, which are original to the home, is repeated within the design of the hutch and bar areas with a “seeded glass” material. The natural countertop materials chosen for this project were seen in the early 20th century era homes, such as Carrera marble which was used in the island and bar areas as well as the Soapstone material used for the perimeter cabinetry. The well thought out design has made the homeowners dreams a reality, with a kitchen that relates well to its existing architectural elements and brought up to date with modern conveniences of today. Designer: George Siwy Special Features: Glass hutch cabinetry with wainscoting, large bar area with beverage center and prep sink, expanded island with seating for four. Cabinetry: Medallion Gold / Door Style: Bayside Countertop: Soapstone and Carrera Marble Kohler: Stages Sink Elkay: Avado Bar Sink Wolf: Range top, Wall Oven, and Microwave Drawers Thermador: Refrigerator / Freezer

Open concept kitchen and sunroom area - expanded kitchen by 3 ft and opened up to make home feel more warm and roomy. Incorporated the sunroom into a usable space whereas it was an unused room previously. Custom trim, corbels, and cathedral ceiling mounted island range hood.

Two hutch areas provide ample storage and display space for the family's favorite dishes. Photo by Crown Point Cabinetry
Eat-in kitchen - large traditional u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Boston with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, colored appliances and an island

This private studio, built in collaboration with producer, engineer, and pianist Ian Miller, is a fully custom creative space designed around his workflow and artistic process. The project blended NILES’ technical execution with Ian’s hands-on finishing work, resulting in a studio where every corner has intention and every system supports a seamless, plug-and-play workflow. The structure began as a barn-style two-car garage with a second floor. After exploring several layouts and engineering options, we landed on a design that leveraged the high ceilings and existing footprint to create a dynamic and spacious acoustic environment. Generous daylight from surrounding windows connects the interior to the outdoors, while layered textures, warm tones, and custom finishes create a grounded yet inspiring atmosphere. The Control Room is fully isolated from the rest of the building with sound-reducing wall systems, a full soft-ceiling bass trap, tuned corner traps, treatment throughout, and full-lite doors for controlled transmission and visibility. Though modest in size, it delivers accurate monitoring and integrates smoothly with the larger live environment. Roasted Bean Studio was built to support any direction Ian pursues—from producing to mixing to live performance. The space provides the sonic palette and creative flexibility needed for a wide range of projects, offering a visually inspiring and acoustically reliable environment that empowers his work every day.

2010 REGIONAL AWARD WINNER Built in 2000, this center hall colonial in Fairfax Station, Virginia had a kitchen that was neither functional nor aesthetically pleasing. First, the floor plan was poorly rationalized. The work triangle was inefficient, a large pantry took up too much floor space, and a series of railings between the kitchen and family room obstructed traffic flow. Aesthetically, the space was dated. Dutch cabinetry, floral wallpaper and a faux Victorian chandelier all cried for an update. Additionally, the homeowners wanted to incorporate high-end appliances and other amenities like a wine cooler and steam cooker. Overall, the owners were seeking to replace worn out-of-style kitchen with a substantially upgraded “open” facility that combines traditional and contemporary features configured to support multiple social and culinary needs. Working with Michael Nash Design, Build & Homes, they decided to implement a series of strategic revisions that would support their new use goals. First, they removed an obstructive bearing wall between the existing kitchen and mudroom, creating a recessed niche for a new 48” gas range with custom hood. An unused desk taken out provided a spot for the new 48” two-drawer refrigerator/freezer. A custom-designed L-shaped granite-surfaced island with bar sink, icemaker and mini-drawer refrigerator takes center stage in the space and offers seating for six. Now the chef can entertain guests while preparing the meal. From an aesthetic point of view, the interior features are nothing less than stunning. Softly painted walls, decorative ceramic tile backsplashes and granite surfaces combine with custom made cabinets to create an elegant space. Antiqued soft-opaque cabinet facings, wood panel refrigerator door inserts, glass-facing display cabinets and a custom mantle range hood are true works of craftsmanship. Fine detail is expressed with flutes and corbels. Beauty is truly in the details of this award-winning kitchen.

2 DUAL STACKED TRUE SIMMER BURNERS LOW-PROFILE CONTINUOUS GRATES SEALED BURNERS W/ DEEP DRIP PANS LIGHTED CONTROL AREA DISHWASHER SAFE GRATES ADDITIONAL FEATURES: Optional-Bracket Supports For Downdraft Modules Optional-Filler Strip For Multiple Installations APPEARANCE: Classical Stainless Steel Exterior Finish CONTROLS: Illuminated Control Panel 2-Tiered Control Knobs Individual Spark Ignition System COOKTOP FEATURES: 2 Sealed Gas Burners 1- 12,000 BTU Sealed Gas Burner 1- 9,200 BTU Sealed Gas Burner Low Profile Cast Iron Porcelain Grates True Simmer Setting On All Burners Seamless Drawn Burner Pan ENERGY/POWER: Optional-High Altitude Conversion Kit Gas Cooktop MANUFACTURERS WARRANTY: 2 Year Parts and Labor 5 Year Parts-Gas Burners, Electric Elements PRODUCT DIMENSIONS: 4" H x 21" D x 15" W