Transitional light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen photo in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, marble backsplash, an island, white countertops and quartz countertops

Inspiration for a contemporary gray floor bedroom remodel in San Francisco with white walls

Kitchen - contemporary kitchen idea in Boston with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets and stainless steel appliances

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Double waterfall, pondless
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional shade backyard stone formal garden in Chicago for fall.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

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.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Example of a trendy single-wall dark wood floor open concept kitchen design in Orlando with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, an island, a drop-in sink, wood countertops and stainless steel appliances

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Photo of a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Design ideas for a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

This is an example of a mid-sized transitional drought-tolerant and full sun side yard stone water fountain landscape in San Diego.

Valerie Wilcox
Mid-sized trendy u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and a double-bowl sink