Our client wanted to take their 1970s kitchen to the 2020s. The original kitchen had many issues - inefficient cabinet space, choppy countertop layout, dated appliances, an obtrusive pantry that blocked access into the kitchen and provided poor storage, and a 1970's style step-down into the space. They requested a space that was clean, bright and open with a modern/mid-century feel where they could easily cook at home and entertain family and friends. Improvements included: - Raising the floor to make it level with the rest of the house - Removing the obtrusive pantry and converting the water heater closet into the new pantry space - Combining the two water heaters into one tank-less water heater - Appliances were moved to create more counter space. The cooktop and oven were combined into a range. The microwave was moved to under the counter. The original trash compactor was replaced by a pull-out waste bin. - The double basin sink was replaced by a single, large basin better suited for washing large pots, pans and tray. Accessories such as a cutting board and strainer fit over the sink making food prep and clean up easier. - The pantry was custom built to fit the clients' needs with pull-out shelves to make accessing everything in the back easier. A socket was installed to create a coffee and smoothie station that can be hidden when not in use behind the pantry doors keeping the countertops cleared. - Custom panels were manufactured for the refrigerator and dishwasher to hide the appliances. - A unique 3-D tile backsplash was installed from counter to ceiling to create eye-catching movement. - Electrical sockets were hidden under the upper cabinets and light switches on either side of the sink were turned horizontal to preserve the look and motion of the backsplash. The dated kitchen with a challenging layout and inefficient storage was replaced with a bright, welcoming kitchen with clean lines and creative touches. The clients are beyond thrilled with the transformation and say that it is the ideal place to gather.

Designer: Terri Becker Construction: Star Interior Resources Photo: Samantha Brown
Small arts and crafts u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar photo in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash and stone tile backsplash

New 48" Wolf rangetop and Hood with custom cutouts, the island is in dark walnut, and the walnut arched opening over the sink looks into the family room. Cabinetry is painted and glazed a light green

This remodel was one worth waiting for! Clients had a need for more storage, more counter and more room for entertaining friends and family. They love color and low maintenance materials so we went with a lovely happy green cabinet color, quartz counters, fun large hex porcelain floor tile and easy to clean backsplash. The original kitchen was lacking good flow, ample storage for this family. We started in the laundry room but re configuring the layout so now the W/D and fridge could be on one wall which opened up space for a drop area. We removed the old small closet that was the pantry and replaced the old water heater with a tank-less one to allow more place where they needed it the most. Drop area has outlets for charging and one in the broom cabinet as well. We removed the door to allow for us to relocate the garage entry door which now sits in the mud room instead of right in the middle of the kitchen. We added an actual walk in pantry which is equipped with drawers and plenty of shelf storage, we put the small appliances in here to allow for more counter space in the kitchen. To access the kitchen is now through a pocket door which is a big space saver and allows a more open feel. Let's get to this kitchen design! This was a odd layout before, now we have the fridge tucked away in it's proper home instead of sticking out. We relocated the garage entry door to the mud room to allow for this 36" range in its place featuring a pot filler as well. To maximize the kitchen footprint we closed up the door that went to the office and now we have a full L corner with plenty of storage and added some wood shelves for a sense of warmth and displace space in a beverage bar area, which also features an under-counter beverage fridge. Under-cabinet lighting, island fixture , a pendant above the sink and relocated the recessed lights to work better with the new kitchen layout. The island was a new addition which replaced the peninsula that used to cut off the kitchen from the rest of the home. We also removed a built in bookshelf and relocated the return air to the ceiling to free up even more floor space to truly transform this kitchen into the heart of the home.

Many recent renovations had already taken place at this phenomenal old Tudor home. The kitchen redo was saved for last. Our mission, imposed by our client, was to create a jaw-dropping, ultra-functional space for family and friends to gather in for years to come. Naturally, the new kitchen would have to reflect the style of the home seamlessly. One challenge was to incorporate very large professional style appliances into the space while keeping the feel of a stately, yet warm home. Custom wood panels were designed for the refrigerator units to give a furniture feel. A copper hood was designed to bring in an old world element. Wood panels were applied to all other appliances – two dishwashers, a wine refrigerator, and a beverage refrigerator. An iron I-beam that separated the original kitchen from the butler’s pantry and back entry was covered in wood with chamfers to match the other ceiling beams in the home by a local woodworker. Due to the age of the home, the outside walls are concrete block. This necessitated chiseling troughs into the concrete for electrical wiring. Ceilings were studded randomly, so finding openings for recessed lighting was hit or miss. A large cluster of wiring and plumbing to the second floor had to be hidden behind cabinetry to the left of and above the refrigerators. HVAC wasn’t straight forward either. Toe kick heaters from the old kitchen had to be replaced with other sources. A propane tank had to be added to fuel the large dual fuel, double oven range. The homeowner wanted to add a walk-in pantry for extra storage, so space was taken from an existing exterior space. This created the need for extra insulation, supplemental heat and added lighting. Needless to say, mechanicals were a big challenge. Natural stone was added in backsplash areas to the ceiling to mimic the rectangular stone on the exterior of the home. Wood panels fill the backsplash areas under wall cabinets. Large chandeliers light the space. Open shelves at the wet bar/prep area offer convenient storage for grab and go service items. A built-in pantry with antique mirrored mullion doors hides a microwave, several other small appliances as well as dishes and food items. This pantry was tucked into an alcove for an added architectural element. Herringbone wood floors are classic and timeless. Wrought iron hardware and shelf brackets fit right in. Large Barley twist legs ground the island giving a nod to the Tudor style. Mission accomplished. Matt Villano Photography

Eduardo Roditi Photography
Example of a large transitional acrylic l-shaped staircase design in Mexico City

Design/Build Complete Remodel, Renovation, and Additions. Demoed to studs, restructured framing, new decorative raised gypsum ceiling details, entirely new >/= Level 4 finished drywall, all new plumbing distributing with fixtures, spray-foam insulation, tank-less water heater, all new electrical wiring distribution with fixtures, all new HVAC, and all new modern finishes.

Felicia Evans Photography
Example of a mid-sized classic u-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Our client purchased what had been a custom home built in 1973 on a high bank waterfront lot. They did their due diligence with respect to the septic system, well and the existing underground fuel tank but little did they know, they had purchased a house that would fit into the Three Little Pigs Story book. The original idea was to do a thorough cosmetic remodel to bring the home up to date using all high durability/low maintenance materials and provide the homeowners with a flexible floor plan that would allow them to live in the home for as long as they chose to, not how long the home would allow them to stay safely. However, there was one structure element that had to change, the staircase. The staircase blocked the beautiful water/mountain few from the kitchen and part of the dining room. It also bisected the second-floor master suite creating a maze of small dysfunctional rooms with a very narrow (and unsafe) top stair landing. In the process of redesigning the stairs and reviewing replacement options for the 1972 custom milled one inch thick cupped and cracked cedar siding, it was discovered that the house had no seismic support and that the dining/family room/hot tub room and been a poorly constructed addition and required significant structural reinforcement. It should be noted that it is not uncommon for this home to be subjected to 60-100 mile an hour winds and that the geographic area is in a known earthquake zone. Once the structural engineering was complete, the redesign of the home became an open pallet. The homeowners top requests included: no additional square footage, accessibility, high durability/low maintenance materials, high performance mechanicals and appliances, water and energy efficient fixtures and equipment and improved lighting incorporated into: two master suites (one upstairs and one downstairs), a healthy kitchen (appliances that preserve fresh food nutrients and materials that minimize bacterial growth), accessible bathing and toileting, functionally designed closets and storage, a multi-purpose laundry room, an exercise room, a functionally designed home office, a catio (second floor balcony on the front of the home), with an exterior that was not just code compliant but beautiful and easy to maintain. All of this was achieved and more. The finished project speaks for itself.

Transitional l-shaped kitchen photo in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Tim Bell Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

Two years before this photo shoot, a Bloomington couple came to SYI wondering whether to renovate their dated bi-level or upgrade to a new house entirely: the classic love-it-or-list-it dilemma. The whole house needed to be touched, really: bathrooms and kitchen, lighting and flooring and paint everywhere, not to mention new furniture to fill in and improve the living spaces. We spent a year with this family, considering options that were less transformative but allowed for the whole house to be upgraded, as well as options that dramatically changed the main living space but meant the rest of the house would have to wait. Meanwhile, they kept an eye out for better digs in town: a house at their price point, that met their family's needs and matched their aesthetic without major construction. After a year of hunting, hemming and hawing: they pulled the trigger. Give us the whole enchilada in the kitchen and main living space, they said. There's no other house for us. The bathrooms and basement can wait. Make this space, where we spend all our time, a place we love to be. Walls and ceilings came down; clerestory windows went in. A stunning 4-panel sliding door-cum-window wall replaced two separate doors in two separate rooms, and the sun streaming in now gives this house in Indiana a California-like access to the outdoors. The central custom screen does triple duty: displaying the client's objets d'art, hiding an HVAC chase, and holding up the ceiling. The gas fireplace is completely new, with custom shelving on either side. Of course, in 2017, the kitchen anchors everything. Family Central, it features custom cabinetry, honed quartz, a new window wall, and a huge island. Materials are earthy and natural, lending a warm modern effect to the space. The medium stain of the wood and overall horizontality of the design are a nod to the home's era (1967), while white cabinetry and charcoal tile provide a neutral but crisp backdrop for the family's stunning and colorful art collection. The result: an ordinary bi-level is now an extraordinary home, unlike any other in Bloomington. Contractor: Rusty Peterson Construction Cabinetry: Tim Graber Furniture Photography: Gina Rogers

Welcome to Sand Dollar, a grand five bedroom, five and a half bathroom family home the wonderful beachfront, marina based community of Palm Cay. On a double lot, the main house, pool, pool house, guest cottage with three car garage make an impressive homestead, perfect for a large family. Built to the highest specifications, Sand Dollar features a Bermuda roof, hurricane impact doors and windows, plantation shutters, travertine, marble and hardwood floors, high ceilings, a generator, water holding tank, and high efficiency central AC. The grand entryway is flanked by formal living and dining rooms, and overlooking the pool is the custom built gourmet kitchen and spacious open plan dining and living areas. Granite counters, dual islands, an abundance of storage space, high end appliances including a Wolf double oven, Sub Zero fridge, and a built in Miele coffee maker, make this a chef’s dream kitchen. On the second floor there are five bedrooms, four of which are en suite. The large master leads on to a 12’ covered balcony with balmy breezes, stunning marina views, and partial ocean views. The master bathroom is spectacular, with marble floors, a Jacuzzi tub and his and hers spa shower with body jets and dual rain shower heads. A large cedar lined walk in closet completes the master suite. On the third floor is the finished attic currently houses a gym, but with it’s full bathroom, can be used for guests, as an office, den, playroom or media room. Fully landscaped with an enclosed yard, sparkling pool and inviting hot tub, outdoor bar and grill, Sand Dollar is a great house for entertaining, the large covered patio and deck providing shade and space for easy outdoor living. A three car garage and is topped by a one bed, one bath guest cottage, perfect for in laws, caretakers or guests. Located in Palm Cay, Sand Dollar is perfect for family fun in the sun! Steps from a gorgeous sandy beach, and all the amenities Palm Cay has to offer, including the world class full service marina, water sports, gym, spa, tennis courts, playground, pools, restaurant, coffee shop and bar. Offered unfurnished.

Adjacent butler's pantry in solid walnut with leaded glass inserts, soapstone counters, and mirrored tile backsplash
Kitchen - traditional u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen idea in New York with a single-bowl sink, beaded inset cabinets, green cabinets, quartzite countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Side Addition to Oak Hill Home After living in their Oak Hill home for several years, they decided that they needed a larger, multi-functional laundry room, a side entrance and mudroom that suited their busy lifestyles. A small powder room was a closet placed in the middle of the kitchen, while a tight laundry closet space overflowed into the kitchen. After meeting with Michael Nash Custom Kitchens, plans were drawn for a side addition to the right elevation of the home. This modification filled in an open space at end of driveway which helped boost the front elevation of this home. Covering it with matching brick facade made it appear as a seamless addition. The side entrance allows kids easy access to mudroom, for hang clothes in new lockers and storing used clothes in new large laundry room. This new state of the art, 10 feet by 12 feet laundry room is wrapped up with upscale cabinetry and a quartzite counter top. The garage entrance door was relocated into the new mudroom, with a large side closet allowing the old doorway to become a pantry for the kitchen, while the old powder room was converted into a walk-in pantry. A new adjacent powder room covered in plank looking porcelain tile was furnished with embedded black toilet tanks. A wall mounted custom vanity covered with stunning one-piece concrete and sink top and inlay mirror in stone covered black wall with gorgeous surround lighting. Smart use of intense and bold color tones, help improve this amazing side addition. Dark grey built-in lockers complementing slate finished in place stone floors created a continuous floor place with the adjacent kitchen flooring. Now this family are getting to enjoy every bit of the added space which makes life easier for all.

Many recent renovations had already taken place at this phenomenal old Tudor home. The kitchen redo was saved for last. Our mission, imposed by our client, was to create a jaw-dropping, ultra-functional space for family and friends to gather in for years to come. Naturally, the new kitchen would have to reflect the style of the home seamlessly. One challenge was to incorporate very large professional style appliances into the space while keeping the feel of a stately, yet warm home. Custom wood panels were designed for the refrigerator units to give a furniture feel. A copper hood was designed to bring in an old world element. Wood panels were applied to all other appliances – two dishwashers, a wine refrigerator, and a beverage refrigerator. An iron I-beam that separated the original kitchen from the butler’s pantry and back entry was covered in wood with chamfers to match the other ceiling beams in the home by a local woodworker. Due to the age of the home, the outside walls are concrete block. This necessitated chiseling troughs into the concrete for electrical wiring. Ceilings were studded randomly, so finding openings for recessed lighting was hit or miss. A large cluster of wiring and plumbing to the second floor had to be hidden behind cabinetry to the left of and above the refrigerators. HVAC wasn’t straight forward either. Toe kick heaters from the old kitchen had to be replaced with other sources. A propane tank had to be added to fuel the large dual fuel, double oven range. The homeowner wanted to add a walk-in pantry for extra storage, so space was taken from an existing exterior space. This created the need for extra insulation, supplemental heat and added lighting. Needless to say, mechanicals were a big challenge. Natural stone was added in backsplash areas to the ceiling to mimic the rectangular stone on the exterior of the home. Wood panels fill the backsplash areas under wall cabinets. Large chandeliers light the space. Open shelves at the wet bar/prep area offer convenient storage for grab and go service items. A built-in pantry with antique mirrored mullion doors hides a microwave, several other small appliances as well as dishes and food items. This pantry was tucked into an alcove for an added architectural element. Herringbone wood floors are classic and timeless. Wrought iron hardware and shelf brackets fit right in. Large Barley twist legs ground the island giving a nod to the Tudor style. Mission accomplished. Matt Villano Photography

Kitchen - transitional l-shaped kitchen idea in New York with recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, an island and white countertops

Designer: Terri Becker Construction: Star Interior Resources Photo: Samantha Brown
Inspiration for a small craftsman u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor wet bar remodel in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, brown cabinets, granite countertops, multicolored backsplash and stone tile backsplash

Classic Design. Simple. Refined. Classic Pine Kitchen modernized by White Carrera 2" top on center island, with a complementing White Carrera backsplash. All surrounding islands/counters are UbaTuba Granite. Dividing the kitchen from the great room is a Hand Carved Silver Fish denoting where the food begins and ends. Photo Credit: Laura S. Wilson http://lauraswilson.com