Interior view of dining room with custom designed screen wall that provides privacy from front entry while showcasing the Owner's collection of travel artifacts. Photo: Ebony Ellis

Large transitional galley medium tone wood floor kitchen/dining room combo photo in New York with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, multicolored backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Casey Dunn
Trendy two-story wood exterior home photo in Austin with a shed roof

John Evans
Inspiration for a timeless white tile and marble tile alcove shower remodel in Columbus with gray walls

Committing to a kosher kitchen is quite a daunting undertaking and when you are also taking on a complete remodel, it can be overwhelming. It does not, however, have to be insurmountable. There are many resources to help guide you through the experience. Check out the internet and magazines to guide you. Once you have done the initial research, contact your Rabi with questions and for clarification on a kosher kitchen. Kosher requirements can vary differently between Orthodox, Conservatism, Ultra Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Your Rabi most likely will have a list of rules and guidelines. Also, hire a professional kitchen designer. They will not only be able to design the needs of a kosher kitchen but also make it personal to your needs and beautiful too. If the space and the budget allow, two distinct kitchens within one space is a possibility. A kosher kitchen requires stringent separation of meat and dairy items. Depending on the sect of Judaism you practice ------ Storage: The Storage areas need space for two sets of dishes, pots and pans, flatware, cups and utensils. You can combine the storage areas as long as there is a separation and that you do not mix service ware. A good recommendation is to color code your plates, flatware, table linen, pots. For example, red plates, gold-colored flatware, copper pots for meat items while dairy items have white plates, stainless flatware, stainless pots. You may want to label each area so when you have your new sister-in-law help in the kitchen; everything stays in the correct place. Appliances: When selecting appliances look for the STAR-K logo. This will help you determine to what extent an appliance is Kosher. Some ovens will have Sabbath modes where they will turn on automatically at a predetermined time. Once the oven is open, the oven turns off. Some refrigerators also have Sabbath modes where the ice maker turns off on the Sabbath and back on the following day. One refrigerator is usually sufficient provided all foods stay on the proper container in the proper section of the refrigerator. Having an immaculately clean refrigerator is a must if this is the case. You do not want spills from one food source contaminating food from the other. If you decide on two refrigerators, one can be full size while the other is smaller. A good kitchen designer can help assess your family’s needs to determine which is best for you. Dishwashers cannot be Kosher in most cases. You either need two dishwashers, separate compartment dishwashers as in dishwasher drawers or wash by hand. Look at Fisher Pikel or Kitchen Aid for dishwasher drawers. Each drawer is on separate controls. You can dedicate the top drawer for dairy while the bottom drawer is for meat service ware. If you have space and decide to have two dishwashers, you can get two 24” wide dishwashers. Another option is to have one full size dishwasher and supplement it with a small 18” wide dishwasher. Miele makes an 18” wide dishwasher that is super quiet and cleans dishes very well. You may also opt for a single dishwasher drawer in addition to a full sized dishwasher. A single Microwave oven can be used for milk and meat provided that a complete cover is used around the food. You will also need separate plastic plate’s places on the bottom or glass turn table. Keeping the unit clean is very important. Counter tops: Counter tops may or may not be able to be koshered depending on your sect. Simply having sets of trivets for dairy, meat and pareve (not meat or dairy) will provide adequate separation of foods. Sinks: If you can’t have two separate sinks, include three separate tubs to be places in the sink. Color code the tubs for meat, dairy and pareve. If you have one sink or a single divided sink, you will need to be cautious about splashing, to keep the meat and dairy particulates apart. You will also need space for separate dish cloths or sponges and dish towels. Again, color coding is extremely helpful and highly suggested. Must Haves: ~Storage space for two sets of dishes, flatware, pans bowls ~Color Code and label where appropriate ~Separate burners dedicate for either meat or dairy ~Separate clean up areas ~Clean environment to avoid contamination between meat and dairy ~A space that functions for how you cook ~A space that reflects you Design and remodel by Design Studio West Brady Architectural Photography

Casey Dunn
Example of a mid-century modern open concept medium tone wood floor living room design in Austin with white walls

David Marquardt
Example of a mid-sized trendy porcelain tile and gray floor wine cellar design in Las Vegas with storage racks

Wall paint: Simply White, Benjamin Moore; hardwood floor: Southern Pecan Natural, Home Depot; cabinets: Veddinge, Ikea; sink: Undermount Deep Single Bowl, Zuhne; faucet: Ringskär, Ikea; range hood: Luftig, Ikea; shelves: Reclaimed Wood Shelving + Brackets, West Elm; backsplash: Retro 2" x 2" Hex Porcelain Mosaic Tile in Glossy White, EliteTile; hardware: Edgecliff Pull - Natural Brass, Schoolhouse Electric; dinnerware: Coupe Line in Opaque White, Heath Ceramics; countertop: Carrara Marble, The Stone Collection; pendant lights: Luna Pendant, Schoolhouse Electric Photo: Allie Crafton © 2016 Houzz Design: Annabode + Co

Family room - small scandinavian open concept light wood floor and white floor family room idea in New York with white walls, no fireplace and a tv stand

Photo: Rikki Snyder © 2014 Houzz
Inspiration for an eclectic freestanding desk study room remodel in New York

Corner shower - mid-sized transitional master beige tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile corner shower idea in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, limestone countertops and a one-piece toilet

Mid-sized transitional master beige tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile corner shower photo in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, limestone countertops and a one-piece toilet

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master gray tile, white tile and porcelain tile corner shower remodel in Toronto with raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Example of a mid-sized transitional master gray tile, white tile and porcelain tile corner shower design in Toronto with raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Mid-sized transitional master beige tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile corner shower photo in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, limestone countertops and a one-piece toilet

Corner shower - mid-sized transitional master beige tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile corner shower idea in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, beige walls, an undermount sink, limestone countertops and a one-piece toilet

Drop-in bathtub - mid-sized transitional master beige tile and ceramic tile ceramic tile drop-in bathtub idea in Toronto with recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a one-piece toilet, beige walls, an undermount sink and limestone countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master gray tile, white tile and porcelain tile corner shower remodel in Toronto with raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional master gray tile, white tile and porcelain tile corner shower remodel in Toronto with raised-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, a one-piece toilet, gray walls, an undermount sink and marble countertops