The client requested a kitchen that would not only provide a great space to cook and enjoy family meals but one that would fit in with her unique design sense. An avid collector of contemporary art, she wanted something unexpected in her 100-year-old home in both color and finishes but still providing a great layout with improved lighting, storage, and superior cooking abilities. The existing kitchen was in a closed off space trapped between the family room and the living. If you were in the kitchen, you were isolated from the rest of the house. Making the kitchen an integrated part of the home was a paramount request. Step one, remove the wall separating the kitchen from the other rooms in the home which allowed the new kitchen to become an integrated space instead of an isolation room for the cook. Next, we relocated the pantry access which was in the family room to the kitchen integrating a poorly used recess which had become a catch all area which did not provide any usable space for storage or working area. To add valuable function in the kitchen we began by capturing unused "cubbies", adding a walk-in pantry from the kitchen, increasing the storage lost to un-needed drop ceilings and bring light and design to the space with a new large awning window, improved lighting, and combining interesting finishes and colors to reflect the artistic attitude of the client. A bathroom located above the kitchen had been leaking into the plaster ceiling for several years. That along with knob and tube wiring, rotted beams and a brick wall from the back of the fireplace in the adjacent living room all needed to be brought to code. The walls, ceiling and floors in this 100+ year old home were completely out of level and the room’s foot print could not be increased. The choice of a Sub-Zero wolf product is a standard in my kitchen designs. The quality of the product, its manufacturing and commitment to food preservation is the reason I specify Sub Zero Wolf. For the cook top, the integrated line of the contemporary cooktop and the signature red knobs against the navy blue of the cabinets added to the design vibe of the kitchen. The cooking performance and the large continuous grate on the cooktop makes it an obvious choice for a cook looking for a great cook top with professional results in a more streamlined profile. We selected a Sharp microwave drawer for the island, an XO wine refrigerator, Bosch dishwasher and Kitchen Aid double convection wall ovens to round out the appliance package. A recess created by the fireplace was outfitted with a cabinet which now holds small appliances within easy reach of my very petite client. Natural maple accents were used inside all the wall cabinets and repeated on the front of the hood and for the sliding door appliance cabinet and the floating shelves. This allows a brighter interior for the painted cabinets instead of the traditional same interior as exterior finish choice. The was an amazing transformation from the old to the new. The final touches are the honey bronze hardware from Top Knobs, Mitzi pendants from Hudson Valley Lighting group, a fabulous faucet from Brizo. To eliminate the old freestanding bottled water cooler, we specified a matching water filter faucet.

Transitional backyard concrete patio photo in Orange County

Elegant powder room featuring a black, semi circle vanity Werner Straube Photography
Example of a large classic black tile and slate tile limestone floor, gray floor, tray ceiling and wallpaper powder room design in Chicago with an undermount sink, furniture-like cabinets, black cabinets, beige walls, granite countertops, black countertops and a freestanding vanity

Photos by SpaceCrafting
Mid-sized craftsman exterior home idea in Minneapolis

Walk-in shower - large transitional gray tile and marble tile marble floor and gray floor walk-in shower idea in Cincinnati with recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, white walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops, a hinged shower door and gray countertops

Inspiration for a coastal open concept living room remodel in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets and an island

Kitchen - mid-sized modern l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in Toronto with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white cabinets

Suggested products do not represent the products used in this image. Design featured is proprietary and contains custom work. (Dan Piassick, Photographer)

Brett Mountain
Inspiration for a mid-sized industrial enclosed and formal living room remodel in Detroit with a wall-mounted tv and white walls

Inspiration for a large contemporary single-wall dark wood floor and gray floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and quartz countertops

Photography by Emily Redfield, Styled by Charlotte Safavi, and Wonderful overhead light by Bright on Presidio
Elegant u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances and no island

Faith Elder
Dining room - coastal light wood floor dining room idea in Orange County with beige walls and no fireplace

Refined Oak & Stone kitchen renovation, nestled near Rancho Santa Fe. This stunning kitchen features rift-cut white oak cabinets, sleek black accents, and timeless Taj Mahal quartzite countertops and backsplash. Perfect for those seeking a modern yet refined aesthetic, this design blends natural warmth with sophisticated elements. The spacious layout and meticulous craftsmanship make it an ideal example of luxury kitchen design in San Diego. If you’re looking for inspiration or a high-end kitchen remodel, the Refined Oak & Stone project is a showcase of excellence in materials and design. Whether you want custom cabinetry, premium stone surfaces, or a sleek, contemporary feel, this kitchen renovation highlights the best in modern kitchen design.

Example of a minimalist light wood floor bedroom design in San Francisco with gray walls

Inspiration for a tropical master medium tone wood floor bedroom remodel in Tampa with white walls

Working from the existing home’s deficits, we designed a bright and classic home well-suited to today’s living. Instead of a dark tunnel-like entry, we have a skylight custom curving stair that no one can believe is not original. Instead of a maze of rooms to reach the gorgeous park-like backyard, we have a clear central axis, allowing a sightline right through from the top of the stairs. Instead of three bedrooms scattered all over the house, we have zoned them to the second floor, each well-proportioned with a true master suite. Painted wood paneling, face-frame cabinets, box-beam beilings and Calacatta counters express the classic grandeur of the home.

Living room - mid-sized transitional formal and enclosed dark wood floor living room idea in Atlanta with a standard fireplace and a wood fireplace surround

This beautiful eclectic kitchen brings together the class and simplistic feel of mid century modern with the comfort and natural elements of the farmhouse style. The white cabinets, tile and countertops make the perfect backdrop for the pops of color from the beams, brass hardware and black metal fixtures and cabinet frames.

Charming stone bungalow in the smokey mountains. The original stone work was restored, new roof and passive solar added, reducing electricity costs by approximately 30%. We used ABC Landscaping to put in the new lawn and suggest landscaping. We built the custom planters to fit the rustic surroundings. The stone work on the edge of the lawn and the stairs are all new, deigned to match the home.