When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

This home is a true gem in the heart of MacGregor Downs community in Cary, NC. Built in the 1980's in true Modernist design and architecture, the new owners wanted to keep the integrity of the original design. We redesigned the Half Bath, created floor plan layouts for new furniture, spec'd out furniture, accessories, flooring material, lighting, and artwork, as well as worked on brightening the wall and ceiling paint colors. One challenge we faced during the design process were the very tall ceilings, the very wide walls, and unusual angles. We chose interesting , engaging, and minimalistic artwork for the walls, which proved a successful solution. Another challenge was having a large open angled living room space; we created the perfect layout with separate functional gathering areas and eliminated unused corners. Photo credit: Bob Fortner

This Paradise Valley stunner was a down-to-the-studs renovation. The owner, a successful business woman and owner of Bungalow Scottsdale -- a fabulous furnishings store, had a very clear vision. DW's mission was to re-imagine the 1970's solid block home into a modern and open place for a family of three. The house initially was very compartmentalized including lots of small rooms and too many doors to count. With a mantra of simplify, simplify, simplify, Architect CP Drewett began to look for the hidden order to craft a space that lived well. This residence is a Moroccan world of white topped with classic Morrish patterning and finished with the owner's fabulous taste. The kitchen was established as the home's center to facilitate the owner's heart and swagger for entertaining. The public spaces were reimagined with a focus on hospitality. Practicing great restraint with the architecture set the stage for the owner to showcase objects in space. Her fantastic collection includes a glass-top faux elephant tusk table from the set of the infamous 80's television series, Dallas. It was a joy to create, collaborate, and now celebrate this amazing home. Project Details: Architecture: C.P. Drewett, AIA, NCARB; Drewett Works, Scottsdale, AZ Interior Selections: Linda Criswell, Bungalow Scottsdale, Scottsdale, AZ Photography: Dino Tonn, Scottsdale, AZ Featured in: Phoenix Home and Garden, June 2015, "Eclectic Remodel", page 87.

The layout of this colonial-style house lacked the open, coastal feel the homeowners wanted for their summer retreat. Siemasko + Verbridge worked with the homeowners to understand their goals and priorities: gourmet kitchen; open first floor with casual, connected lounging and entertaining spaces; an out-of-the-way area for laundry and a powder room; a home office; and overall, give the home a lighter and more “airy” feel. SV’s design team reprogrammed the first floor to successfully achieve these goals. SV relocated the kitchen to what had been an underutilized family room and moved the dining room to the location of the existing kitchen. This shift allowed for better alignment with the existing living spaces and improved flow through the rooms. The existing powder room and laundry closet, which opened directly into the dining room, were moved and are now tucked in a lower traffic area that connects the garage entrance to the kitchen. A new entry closet and home office were incorporated into the front of the house to define a well-proportioned entry space with a view of the new kitchen. By making use of the existing cathedral ceilings, adding windows in key locations, removing very few walls, and introducing a lighter color palette with contemporary materials, this summer cottage now exudes the light and airiness this home was meant to have. © Dan Cutrona Photography

Inspiration for a mid-sized southwestern l-shaped medium tone wood floor and exposed beam eat-in kitchen remodel in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood countertops, multicolored backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

This traditional inspired kitchen design features Merillat Masterpiece cabinets in the Verona raised panel door style in the Pebble Grey Paint finish. Kitchen countertops are Cambria Brittanica. Photos courtesy of Felicia Evans Photography.

Photography by Analicia Herrman
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Mountain style l-shaped kitchen photo in Denver with a double-bowl sink, glass-front cabinets, beige cabinets, beige backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Seattle with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, dark wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Inspiration for a large eclectic u-shaped open concept kitchen remodel in Austin with flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances, solid surface countertops and an island

Bathroom - traditional bathroom idea in Philadelphia

This kitchen was in a home dating from the early 20th century and located in the Mt. Baker neighborhood of Seattle. It is u-shaped with an island in the center topped with a zinc counter. Black and white tile was used on the floor in a tradition pattern with hexagon as the inset and a black and white border with a square mosaic around the perimeter framing the island. Cabinetry is inset traditional style with the hardware on the exterior. the base of each cabinet is framed with a footed detail. Base cabinet were painted with teal, upper cabinets are white and the full height cabinets are mahogany which is used throughout the residence. A tradition style faucet was used with the pull out attached. Cup pulls are used on the drawers and knobs have a back plate.

Mid-sized farmhouse galley slate floor and blue floor dedicated laundry room photo in Grand Rapids with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white walls, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

The kitchen and sunroom were closed off by walls that hindered the flow of traffic and natural light. The new layout is open, airy and features folding LaCantina doors that allow for seamless access to the patio during warmer months. Radiant heating warms the spaces during cooler months. The large kitchen island matches the impressiveness of the rest of the home, especially as your eye catches the cascading marble of the waterfall edge that extends the countertop down to the floor. Sleek Miele, Subzero and Wolf appliances, as well as a portion of butcher block counter make it a chef’s kitchen without detracting from the bright aesthetic. © Cindy Apple Photography

Example of a transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, an island and black countertops

This sleek kitchen space used to be about half the size and twice as hard to use. Originally a "g-shape" we opened up walls and removed some windows to create a truly functional and friendly space. Flush and integrated appliances uplift the look and create a truly customized kitchen.

Tuscan l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in San Diego with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a trendy u-shaped kitchen design in San Diego with a double-bowl sink, blue cabinets and stainless steel appliances