Storage for kitchen equipment, small appliances, kitchen gadgets, and food.
Transitional kitchen photo in Richmond

Completely custom Kitchen Cabinetry. Cooks kitchen with built in appliances, pantries and coffee center to keep all small appliances neatly out of site. Peter Paige Photography, FerrisLLC Cabinetry

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients came in after thinking a long time about what to do with their kitchen – new cabinets or paint them, white kitchen or wood, custom or is semi-custom? All good questions to ask! They were committed to making this home for a while, they decided to do a full remodel. The kitchen was not living up to its potential both visually and functionally. The dark cabinets and countertop made the room feel dull. And the major drawback, a large corner pantry that was eating into the room, make it appear smaller than it was. We started by ditching the corner pantry. It created a perfectly centered spot for the new professional range and made room for a much larger island that now houses a beverage center, microwave drawer, seating for three and tons of storage. The multi-generational family does a ton of cooking, so this kitchen gets used! We spent lots of time fine tuning the storage devices and planning where critical items would be stored. This included the new pantry area across from the refrigerator that houses small appliances and food staples. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Easily access and safely power your small kitchen appliances. Coffee makers, blenders, juicers, toasters and more can remain plugged in and ready to use. Features a convenient storage shelf for coffee, tea and utensils, as well as a stainless steel bottom for easy clean up.

This transitional kitchen brings in clean lines, simple cabinets, warm earth tones accents, and lots of function. This kitchen has a small footprint and had very little storage space. Our clients wanted to add more space, somehow, get the most storage possible, make it feel bright and open, have a desk area, and somewhere that could function as a coffee area. By taking out the doorway into the dining room, we were able to extend the cabinetry into the dining room, giving them their desk area as well as storage and a nice area for guests! A custom appliance garage was made that allows you to have all the necessities right at your hands and gives you the ability to close it up and hide all of the appliances. Trash, spice, tray, and drawer pull outs were added for function, as well as 2 lazy susans, wine storage, and deep drawers for pots and pans. The homeowner fell in love with the matte white GE Cafe appliances with the brushed bronze accents, and quite frankly, so did we! Once we found those, we knew we wanted to incorporate that metal throughout the kitchen. New hardwood flooring was installed in the kitchen and finished to match the existing wood in the dining room. We brought the warmth up to eye level with open shelving stained to match. We love creating with our clients, and this kitchen was no exception! We are thrilled with how everything came together.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Our clients came in after thinking a long time about what to do with their kitchen – new cabinets or paint them, white kitchen or wood, custom or is semi-custom? All good questions to ask! They were committed to making this home for a while, they decided to do a full remodel. The kitchen was not living up to its potential both visually and functionally. The dark cabinets and countertop made the room feel dull. And the major drawback, a large corner pantry that was eating into the room, make it appear smaller than it was. We started by ditching the corner pantry. It created a perfectly centered spot for the new professional range and made room for a much larger island that now houses a beverage center, microwave drawer, seating for three and tons of storage. The multi-generational family does a ton of cooking, so this kitchen gets used! We spent lots of time fine tuning the storage devices and planning where critical items would be stored. This included the new pantry area across from the refrigerator that houses small appliances and food staples. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKBD Photography by: LOMA Studios For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

THE SETUP Senior Designer Diana Burton’s client loved her sixties-era home – it just needed some work. The cozy galley kitchen was narrow and mostly closed off from the family room. A pass-through window served as a limited pipeline for treats and chatter. The appliances were failing, too. It was simply time for an overhaul. Design Objectives: Remove load bearing wall and open kitchen to the family room Omit large unused fireplace in family room Increase work surfaces and overall storage solutions Dedicated small countertop appliance storage Seating for 3 or 4 at island Add pantry storage Offer solution for lack of mudroom Upgrade all appliances THE REMODEL Design Challenges: Finding a location to hide structural support for new beam Reworking awkward configuration of existing walls Adding a walk-in pantry Creating mudroom storage Allowing room for large sectional in family room Design Solutions: Add a discreet column by the fridge to hide essential support Flush out wall by bath to be even with the range wall, where the new walk in pantry exists Use void space behind new wall for large appliance garage Create combination walk in pantry/mudroom by adding bench with shoe storage and hooks Maintain island depth for comfortable seating without infringing on space for the sectional THE RENEWED SPACE This cramped, dated kitchen has a new lease on life! Opening it to the family room dramatically transformed the space. Diana’s client now has plenty of storage, a big island for food prep, and an open-concept space that’s perfect for entertaining and hanging out with friends and family.

Elegant kitchen photo in Portland with shaker cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This large open concept kitchen and dining space was created by removing a load bearing wall between the old kitchen and a porch area. The new porch was insulated and incorporated into the overall space. The kitchen remodel was part of a whole house remodel so new quarter sawn oak flooring, a vaulted ceiling, windows and skylights were added. A large calcutta marble topped island takes center stage. It houses a 5’ galley workstation - a sink that provides a convenient spot for prepping, serving, entertaining and clean up. A 36” induction cooktop is located directly across from the island for easy access. Two appliance garages on either side of the cooktop house small appliances that are used on a daily basis. Honeycomb tile by Ann Sacks and open shelving along the cooktop wall add an interesting focal point to the room. Antique mirrored glass faces the storage unit housing dry goods and a beverage center. “I chose details for the space that had a bit of a mid-century vibe that would work well with what was originally a 1950s ranch. Along the way a previous owner added a 2nd floor making it more of a Cape Cod style home, a few eclectic details felt appropriate”, adds Klimala. The wall opposite the cooktop houses a full size fridge, freezer, double oven, coffee machine and microwave. “There is a lot of functionality going on along that wall”, adds Klimala. A small pull out countertop below the coffee machine provides a spot for hot items coming out of the ovens. The rooms creamy cabinetry is accented by quartersawn white oak at the island and wrapped ceiling beam. The golden tones are repeated in the antique brass light fixtures. “This is the second kitchen I’ve had the opportunity to design for myself. My taste has gotten a little less traditional over the years, and although I’m still a traditionalist at heart, I had some fun with this kitchen and took some chances. The kitchen is super functional, easy to keep clean and has lots of storage to tuck things away when I’m done using them. The casual dining room is fabulous and is proving to be a great spot to linger after dinner. We love it!” Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

A creative storage solution for the space above the refrigerator in this transitional Hickory kitchen in Rock Island, IL. This full remodel made use of every inch of space with the new layout. Small appliances can also be stored in this deep cabinet.

The in-law suite kitchen could only be in a small corner of the basement. The kitchen design started with the question: how small can this kitchen be? The compact layout was designed to provide generous counter space, comfortable walking clearances, and abundant storage. The bold colors and fun patterns anchored by the warmth of the dark wood flooring create a happy and invigorating space. SQUARE FEET: 140

The original kitchen in this midcentury Ann Arbor home was only a fraction of the size it is today. We removed walls to open up the main floor and create a brighter, more connected space that fits the way this family lives. The existing hardwood floors were blended and refinished for a seamless transition between old and new, tying the whole space together. Storage and function were at the top of the list. We added dedicated spaces for spices, a mixer, corner pullouts, and small appliances to keep the counters clear and organized. Full-size column refrigerator and freezer units now provide plenty of food storage without sacrificing style. We also improved the light and flow of the space. A small window that faced a brick wall and a non-functioning door were both removed, replaced by a new sliding door that brings in natural light and connects the kitchen to the backyard. The new design combines navy and white cabinetry with brass and orange accents for a look that feels modern but still connected to the home’s midcentury roots. The result is a kitchen that works as beautifully as it looks, filled with smart storage and thoughtful details. Contractor: MAV Design + Build Stylist: Jill Fagan Interiors Photographer: Jacob Hawkins Photography

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away. When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors. Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors. Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage. Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way. We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area. And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them. Credits: Custom cabinetry by Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry Contracting by Michael Pezzato of Lost Coast Construction Stone counters by Pyramid M.T.M.

Laneway House by Smallworks -- www.smallworks.ca
Small elegant single-wall kitchen photo in Vancouver with white cabinets, blue backsplash and an island

This old tiny kitchen now boasts big space, ideal for a small family or a bigger gathering. It's main feature is the customized black metal frame that hangs from the ceiling providing support for two natural maple butcher block shevles, but also divides the two rooms. A downdraft vent compliments the functionality and aesthetic of this installation. The kitchen counters encroach into the dining room, providing more under counter storage. The concept of a proportionately larger peninsula allows more working and entertaining surface. The weightiness of the counters was balanced by the wall of tall cabinets. These cabinets provide most of the kitchen storage and boast an appliance garage, deep pantry and a clever lemans system for the corner storage. Design: Astro Design Centre, Ottawa Canada Photos: Doublespace Photography

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

Hidden appliance garage in a traditional ADU kitchenette, designed to conceal small appliances and maximize countertop space while maintaining a streamlined look.