Photo Credit: Kelly Horkoff; K West Images
Inspiration for a large contemporary living room remodel in Toronto

Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW For many, extra time at home during COVID left them wanting more from their homes. Whether you realized the shortcomings of your space or simply wanted to combat boredom, a well-designed and functional home was no longer a want, it became a need. Tina found herself wanting more from her Old Irving Park home and reached out to The Kitchen Studio about adding function to her kitchen to make the most of the available real estate. At the end of the day, there is nothing better than returning home to a bright and happy space you love. And this kitchen wasn’t that for Tina. Dark and dated, with a palette from the past and features that didn’t make the most of the available square footage, this remodel required vision and a fresh approach to the space. Lead designer, Stephanie Cole’s main design goal was better flow, while adding greater functionality with organized storage, accessible open shelving, and an overall sense of cohesion with the adjoining family room. The original kitchen featured a large pizza oven, which was rarely used, yet its footprint limited storage space. The nearby pantry had become a catch-all, lacking the organization needed in the home. The initial plan was to keep the pizza oven, but eventually Tina realized she preferred the design possibilities that came from removing this cumbersome feature, with the goal of adding function throughout the upgraded and elevated space. Eliminating the pantry added square footage and length to the kitchen for greater function and more storage. This redesigned space reflects how she lives and uses her home, as well as her love for entertaining. The kitchen features a classic, clean, and timeless palette. White cabinetry, with brass and bronze finishes, contrasts with rich wood flooring, and lets the large, deep blue island in Woodland’s custom color Harbor – a neutral, yet statement color – draw your eye. The kitchen was the main priority. In addition to updating and elevating this space, Tina wanted to maximize what her home had to offer. From moving the location of the patio door and eliminating a window to removing an existing closet in the mudroom and the cluttered pantry, the kitchen footprint grew. Once the floorplan was set, it was time to bring cohesion to her home, creating connection between the kitchen and surrounding spaces. The color palette carries into the mudroom, where we added beautiful new cabinetry, practical bench seating, and accessible hooks, perfect for guests and everyday living. The nearby bar continues the aesthetic, with stunning Carrara marble subway tile, hints of brass and bronze, and a design that further captures the vibe of the kitchen. Every home has its unique design challenges. But with a fresh perspective and a bit of creativity, there is always a way to give the client exactly what they want [and need]. In this particular kitchen, the existing soffits and high slanted ceilings added a layer of complexity to the lighting layout and upper perimeter cabinets. While a space needs to look good, it also needs to function well. This meant making the most of the height of the room and accounting for the varied ceiling features, while also giving Tina everything she wanted and more. Pendants and task lighting paired with an abundance of natural light amplify the bright aesthetic. The cabinetry layout and design compliments the soffits with subtle profile details that bring everything together. The tile selections add visual interest, drawing the eye to the focal area above the range. Glass-doored cabinets further customize the space and give the illusion of even more height within the room. While her family may be grown and out of the house, Tina was focused on adding function without sacrificing a stunning aesthetic and dreamy finishes that make the kitchen the gathering place of any home. It was time to love her kitchen again, and if you’re wondering what she loves most, it’s the niche with glass door cabinetry and open shelving for display paired with the marble mosaic backsplash over the range and complimenting hood. Each of these features is a stunning point of interest within the kitchen – both brag-worthy additions to a perimeter layout that previously felt limited and lacking. Whether your remodel is the result of special needs in your home or simply the excitement of focusing your energy on creating a fun new aesthetic, we are here for it. We love a good challenge because there is always a way to make a space better – adding function and beauty simultaneously.

Aaron Leitz
Living room - contemporary open concept living room idea in San Francisco with a corner fireplace

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Elegant staircase photo in DC Metro

The existing U-shaped kitchen was tucked away in a small corner while the dining table was swimming in a room much too large for its size. The client’s needs and the architecture of the home made it apparent that the perfect design solution for the home was to swap the spaces. The homeowners entertain frequently and wanted the new layout to accommodate a lot of counter seating, a bar/buffet for serving hors d’oeuvres, an island with prep sink, and all new appliances. They had a strong preference that the hood be a focal point and wanted to go beyond a typical white color scheme even though they wanted white cabinets. While moving the kitchen to the dining space gave us a generous amount of real estate to work with, two of the exterior walls are occupied with full-height glass creating a challenge how best to fulfill their wish list. We used one available wall for the needed tall appliances, taking advantage of its height to create the hood as a focal point. We opted for both a peninsula and island instead of one large island in order to maximize the seating requirements and create a barrier when entertaining so guests do not flow directly into the work area of the kitchen. This also made it possible to add a second sink as requested. Lastly, the peninsula sets up a well-defined path to the new dining room without feeling like you are walking through the kitchen. We used the remaining fourth wall for the bar/buffet. Black cabinetry adds strong contrast in several areas of the new kitchen. Wire mesh wall cabinet doors at the bar and gold accents on the hardware, light fixtures, faucets and furniture add further drama to the concept. The focal point is definitely the black hood, looking both dramatic and cohesive at the same time.

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Claw-foot bathtub - victorian painted wood floor claw-foot bathtub idea in New York with a two-piece toilet and white walls

Example of a classic multiuse home gym design in Grand Rapids with beige walls

The Futuro Futuro 32-Inch Portofino Champagne Downdraft Induction Cooktop is a next-generation kitchen solution that redefines elegance, performance, and efficiency. Combining the seamless power of induction cooking with a built-in downdraft ventilation system, this innovative appliance eliminates the need for traditional overhead range hoods—creating a sleek, open-concept kitchen design. Its striking champagne finish adds a touch of luxury while offering timeless style that blends perfectly with both modern and transitional interiors. Seamless Induction Cooking Meets Advanced Ventilation Designed for high-performance kitchens, this model features a powerful automatic downdraft hood that activates at the optimal speed based on cooking intensity. As heat, steam, and odors rise, the system adapts suction power in real time to ensure fresh, clean air throughout your kitchen. When cooking is finished, the fan gradually reduces speed, eliminating lingering odors and vapors for maximum comfort.

GC: Ekren Construction Photography: Tiffany Ringwald
Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Charlotte with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Our homeowner had dreamt about one day redoing her beyond outdated kitchen since they day her husband carried her over the threshold. Vinyl flooring used for a backsplash, dingy carpeting, laminate with no sheen left to speak of and mismatched cabinetry…. it was time to make it happen. A year’s worth of planning later, her time capsule became one dreamy kitchen. Functionality reigns supreme in this small, but efficient kitchen where every cabinet has a story to tell and a place to store it. Countertop space to the right of the stove was an added necessity for function and safety. The raised snack bar is perfect for day to day meals and the lowered countertop was a must for this petite baker. A new lighting plan includes recessed lights, under-cabinet and accent lights, while new lighting fixtures reflect the client’s sense of style. Dingy brick patterned carpet was removed making way for new hardwood floors toothed in from the dining room. An airy palette gained some weight with the use of larger details; the oversized hood, beefy turned posts, prominent apron front sink and a grouping of tall cabinets on the refrigerator wall. Glass cabinet fronts, shiny beveled subway tile, and granite countertops allow light to dance around the space. Zachary Seib Photography

The Futuro Futuro 32-Inch Portofino Champagne Downdraft Induction Cooktop is a next-generation kitchen solution that redefines elegance, performance, and efficiency. Combining the seamless power of induction cooking with a built-in downdraft ventilation system, this innovative appliance eliminates the need for traditional overhead range hoods—creating a sleek, open-concept kitchen design. Its striking champagne finish adds a touch of luxury while offering timeless style that blends perfectly with both modern and transitional interiors. Seamless Induction Cooking Meets Advanced Ventilation Designed for high-performance kitchens, this model features a powerful automatic downdraft hood that activates at the optimal speed based on cooking intensity. As heat, steam, and odors rise, the system adapts suction power in real time to ensure fresh, clean air throughout your kitchen. When cooking is finished, the fan gradually reduces speed, eliminating lingering odors and vapors for maximum comfort.

Rustic exterior home idea in Boston

Detail of front door. Jeff Wolfram, photography
Inspiration for a large farmhouse front door remodel in DC Metro with a red front door

Karen Palmer Photography
Mid-sized eclectic medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in St Louis with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Example of a mountain style kitchen design in Boston

Midcentury Modern Master Bathroom - Wet Room/Shower
Doorless shower - mid-sized mid-century modern master white tile and porcelain tile mosaic tile floor doorless shower idea in Phoenix with quartz countertops

Thomas Clary
Inspiration for a contemporary gray tile and stone slab limestone floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops and white walls

Pool - mediterranean indoor custom-shaped indoor pool idea in Tampa

This 10x10 shed can easily be customized with a wide variety of high quality accessories that will not only protect your investment, it will make your daily tasks much easier. For extra light inside your storage shed, add a large window. If you plan on storing items that emit chemical vapors such as gasoline, get a wall vent, ridge vent or venting skylight for more air circulation. We're your one stop shop for high quality 10x10 sheds and accessories.