A close up of the main kitchen sink, with a view of the back porch through the windows. Wall scones over the sink allow for extra task lighting, and continue the industrial look throughout the Kitchen.

When my clients purchased this charming 1940's home in the Seattle neighborhood of Wedgwood, they were amazed by how intact the original kitchen was. It was like a perfect time capsule. The color palette was avocado green and buttercream yellow. The highlights were an original retro built-in banquette and vintage oven! The challenge we faced (besides the awesome but dated finishes) was the closed floor plan typical in this era of homes and the lack of storage. So, we opened the kitchen to the adjacent dining and living room, bringing it up to speed with modern-day living. In opening it up, we also walled off a doorway that went from the kitchen to the hallway, but it was completely unnecessary and allowed us to gain an entire wall of cabinets that didn't exist previously. For the finishes, we kept it classic with mostly gray and white but brought in a little flare and interest with the herringbone backsplash and brushed brass finishes because who doesn't love a little gold? Also, we added color with the finishing details like the rug and countertop decor because those things are a great way to add interest and warmth to a space and can be easily changed when it's time for a fresh new look.

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Boston

Mid-sized minimalist l-shaped eat-in kitchen photo in Cedar Rapids with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, granite countertops, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Brendon Pinola
Wet bar - mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor wet bar idea in Birmingham with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash and white countertops

Photo credits: Michael Moran/OTTO
Kitchen - contemporary single-wall medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Cabinets - Five Star Cabinets Faucet - Quality Bath Sink - efaucets Countertops - Cosentino Backsplash - Ann Sacks Hardware - build.com
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen remodel in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Mid-sized trendy u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Eat-in kitchen - small contemporary l-shaped concrete floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen idea in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Open Concept Kitchen and Dining
Inspiration for a large transitional u-shaped travertine floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Charleston with white cabinets, quartz countertops, multicolored backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, recessed-panel cabinets and beige countertops

Dark wood cabinets in Waypoint Living Spaces are accented with reflecting glass and mirror mosaics tile. Sleek quartz in Snow cover the counters. Photo Credit: Julie Lehite

This Coronado Condo went from dated to updated by replacing the tile flooring with newly updated ash grey wood floors, glossy white kitchen cabinets, MSI ash gray quartz countertops, coordinating built-ins, 4x12" white glass subway tiles, under cabinet lighting and outlets, automated solar screen roller shades and stylish modern furnishings and light fixtures from Restoration Hardware.

South Peak
Example of a classic kitchen design in Atlanta with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Photo by Jessie Preza
Inspiration for a large farmhouse galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Jacksonville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Inspiration for a large modern u-shaped porcelain tile and white floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary home design remodel in Portland Maine

Mid-sized elegant l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Austin with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Situated on a three-acre Intracoastal lot with 350 feet of seawall, North Ocean Boulevard is a 9,550 square-foot luxury compound with six bedrooms, six full baths, formal living and dining rooms, gourmet kitchen, great room, library, home gym, covered loggia, summer kitchen, 75-foot lap pool, tennis court and a six-car garage. A gabled portico entry leads to the core of the home, which was the only portion of the original home, while the living and private areas were all new construction. Coffered ceilings, Carrera marble and Jerusalem Gold limestone contribute a decided elegance throughout, while sweeping water views are appreciated from virtually all areas of the home. The light-filled living room features one of two original fireplaces in the home which were refurbished and converted to natural gas. The West hallway travels to the dining room, library and home office, opening up to the family room, chef’s kitchen and breakfast area. This great room portrays polished Brazilian cherry hardwood floors and 10-foot French doors. The East wing contains the guest bedrooms and master suite which features a marble spa bathroom with a vast dual-steamer walk-in shower and pedestal tub The estate boasts a 75-foot lap pool which runs parallel to the Intracoastal and a cabana with summer kitchen and fireplace. A covered loggia is an alfresco entertaining space with architectural columns framing the waterfront vistas.

This home was featured in the May 2016 edition of HOME & DESIGN Magazine. To see the rest of the home tour as well as other luxury homes featured, visit http://www.homeanddesign.net/designer-at-home/