Example of a large trendy l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Everyday dishes are displayed on three understated shelves, also crafted from Reclaimed Chestnut. Photo Credit: Crown Point Cabinetry
Kitchen - rustic kitchen idea in Burlington with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped kitchen idea in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A Marble-Wrapped Island Adds a Natural Element to the Minimal White Kitchen
Example of a minimalist l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, an island, green countertops and paneled appliances

Meghan Beierle-O'Brien
Elegant dressing room photo in Los Angeles with white cabinets

Winner of the 2018 Tour of Homes Best Remodel, this whole house re-design of a 1963 Bennet & Johnson mid-century raised ranch home is a beautiful example of the magic we can weave through the application of more sustainable modern design principles to existing spaces. We worked closely with our client on extensive updates to create a modernized MCM gem. Extensive alterations include: - a completely redesigned floor plan to promote a more intuitive flow throughout - vaulted the ceilings over the great room to create an amazing entrance and feeling of inspired openness - redesigned entry and driveway to be more inviting and welcoming as well as to experientially set the mid-century modern stage - the removal of a visually disruptive load bearing central wall and chimney system that formerly partitioned the homes’ entry, dining, kitchen and living rooms from each other - added clerestory windows above the new kitchen to accentuate the new vaulted ceiling line and create a greater visual continuation of indoor to outdoor space - drastically increased the access to natural light by increasing window sizes and opening up the floor plan - placed natural wood elements throughout to provide a calming palette and cohesive Pacific Northwest feel - incorporated Universal Design principles to make the home Aging In Place ready with wide hallways and accessible spaces, including single-floor living if needed - moved and completely redesigned the stairway to work for the home’s occupants and be a part of the cohesive design aesthetic - mixed custom tile layouts with more traditional tiling to create fun and playful visual experiences - custom designed and sourced MCM specific elements such as the entry screen, cabinetry and lighting - development of the downstairs for potential future use by an assisted living caretaker - energy efficiency upgrades seamlessly woven in with much improved insulation, ductless mini splits and solar gain

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.

Photography by Beth Singer
Mid-sized transitional single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Detroit with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, marble countertops and black countertops

Light and Bright Kitchen and adjoining nook. Photography by John Woodcock
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in Phoenix with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Cate Black
Large 1950s medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Houston with a farmhouse sink, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops and shaker cabinets

Seamless connection between kitchen and family room showcases complementary custom-designed cabinetry. Rusty Reniers
Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen design in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, paneled appliances, beige walls and a peninsula

Photography by Lemuel Walsh
Large elegant u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in Dallas with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Giana Allen Design www.gianaallendesign.com
Mountain style u-shaped eat-in kitchen photo with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and stainless steel appliances

Contractor: Architectural Building Arts Photography: Joe DeMaio
Example of a trendy kitchen design with shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Example of a transitional u-shaped light wood floor and beige floor kitchen design in Boston with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Eric Charles Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Los Angeles with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island, white cabinets, multicolored backsplash and an undermount sink

Photographed by Kyle Caldwell
Eat-in kitchen - large modern l-shaped light wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen idea in Salt Lake City with white cabinets, solid surface countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white countertops, an undermount sink and flat-panel cabinets

This beautiful seaside kitchen in Osterville MA on Cape Cod was featured as "kitchen of the week" on Houzz! It features white cabinets, leaded mullions, a cherry island and a soapstone countertop. Kitchen design by Main Street at Botellos Project by Bayside Building in Centerville, MA Photography by Dan Cutrona

Photo by: Joshua Caldwell
Inspiration for a timeless open concept kitchen remodel in Salt Lake City with glass-front cabinets