For a client with an enthusiastic appreciation of retro design, this sunny ode to kitchens of the past is a cheerful and comforting retreat for today. The client wanted a kitchen that creatively expressed her fun, unconventional taste while providing all the modern conveniences of a contemporary home. Space was borrowed from an existing office to provide more open area and easier navigation in the kitchen. Bright, optimistic yellow sets the tone in the room, with retro-inspired appliances in buttery yellow chosen as key elements of the design. A generous apron-front farm sink gleams with clean white enameled cast iron and is outfitted with a rare retro faucet with spray and scrub brush attachments. Black trim against the yellow ceramic tile countertops defines the kitchen’s lines. Simple maple cabinetry painted white with black ceramic knobs provides a modern level of storage. Playful positioning of contrasting tiles on the floor presents a modern, quirky interpretation of the traditional checkerboard pattern in this classic kitchen with an original point of view.

Bob Greenspan
Inspiration for a craftsman medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in Kansas City with recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, blue backsplash and stainless steel appliances

The Lighting in this great room is layered in many different ways. From the trimless square accent lights in the wood above the dining table, to the uplights and cable lights integrated into the trusses the architectural lighting becomes one with the architecture. Decorative fixtures by the interior designer bring this over-scaled great room down to a human scale. Architect: Julie Spinnato, Studio Spinnato http://juliespinnato.com/ Builder: Jeff Cohen, Cohen Construction Interior Designer: Lyon Design Group http://www.interiordesigncolorado.net/ Photographer: http://www.jaygoodrich.com/ Key Words: Great Room Lighting, Modern Kitchen Lighting, Contemporary great room lighting, lighting, lighting designer, lighting design, modern kitchen, contemporary great room, modern great room, contemporary living room, modern living room, contemporary living room lighting, great room lighting, great room lighting design, living room lighting design, great room, great rooms, great room lighting, modern great room, modern great room lighting, lighting for great rooms, lighting for living rooms, cable lighting, decorative lighting, decorative pendants, pendant lighting

Martin King Photography
Example of a large beach style light wood floor kitchen design in Orange County with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

This mid-century modern was a full restoration back to this home's former glory. The vertical grain fir ceilings were reclaimed, refinished, and reinstalled. The floors were a special epoxy blend to imitate terrazzo floors that were so popular during this period. The quartz countertops waterfall on both ends and the handmade tile accents the backsplash. Reclaimed light fixtures, hardware, and appliances put the finishing touches on this remodel. Photo credit - Inspiro 8 Studios

Here we have a beautiful, white kitchen that features cabinetry from Wood-Mode. There are stainless steel appliances, including a stainless steel vent hood, which make any kitchen functional and elegant. Stainless steel proves to be easy care and easy to work. The white cabinets on the wall are accented wonderfully with a dark-wooden island that has a countertop to match the rest of the kitchen. We always have a dark-wooden table that goes with the island to tie everything together. The decor in this kitchen includes a gorgeous flower arrangement of yellow tulips, fruit bowls and white candles.

Rob Karosis
Elegant eat-in kitchen photo in New York with shaker cabinets, beige cabinets, stainless steel appliances and white backsplash

Elegant l-shaped dark wood floor kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Pale and weathered driftwood. Coastal morning fog. A cool spot of sand – The essence of a Hamptons beach scene captured in a light and inviting Bakes & Kropp kitchen. The foundation for this space is our custom cabinetry, Meridian style, in a hand-painted white finish with Smoke Walnut accents. The expansive waterfall island features the same Smoke Walnut signature finish, as does the custom Bakes & Kropp range hood, which is beautifully banded in stainless steel. Chic orb chandeliers and Bakes hardware in polished nickel bring some jewelry-like radiance to the room, juxtaposing the Walnut’s soft matte finish. From every view and angle, the composition reflects this home’s serene coastal vibe.

Example of a trendy kitchen design in Portland Maine with an undermount sink, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, an island and white countertops

The kitchen was stuck in the 1980s with builder stock grade cabinets. It did not have enough space for two cooks to work together comfortably, or to entertain large groups of friends and family. The lighting and wall colors were also dated and made the small kitchen feel even smaller. By removing some walls between the kitchen and dining room, relocating a pantry closet,, and extending the kitchen footprint into a tiny home office on one end where the new spacious pantry and a built-in desk now reside, and about 4 feet into the family room to accommodate two beverage refrigerators and glass front cabinetry to be used as a bar serving space, the client now has the kitchen they have been dreaming about for years. Steven Kaye Photography

white glass tile backsplash, grey wall, black countertop, black pendant light, coffered ceiling, dark wood floor, great for entertaining, kitchen, panel refrigerator, small & functional, stainless steel appliances, transitional, under-cabinet lighting, white cabinets, white coffered ceiling with dark grey inserts, all trim semi-gloss white, all walls grey, wine cooler, wine cubbies, wine fridge, wine rack, wine storage, Peter Rymwid, Architechtural Photography

A wall between the kitchen and den and a walk-in wet bar were removed. The open plan brought more natural light and a great openness to the space. The team reconfigured the space, encroaching into the laundry area to carve out the placement for the ovens. A large island added much functionality and works as easily for a single cook or several. A unique modular niche at the rangetop was the result of careful planning by the team utilizing large format porcelain tiles for the backsplash. Improving the lighting was a key requirement and new LED task and accent lighting was specified to illuminate the space. Aaron Dougherty Photography

The focal point in the kitchen is the deep navy, French range positioned in an alcove trimmed in distressed natural wood and finished with handmade tile. The arched marble backsplash of the bar creates a dramatic focal point visible from the dining room.

The kitchen takes advantage of abundant natural light, allowing the owners to fully enjoy urban living. Pendant lighting helps delineate the kitchen area within the open plan great room.

Overall view of the kitchen - The first island highlights the eating area with mid-tone cabinetry, exotic granite, and a decorative chandelier. The second island and surrounding cabinetry is white with cream countertops. Photo: Bob Narod

Elegant eat-in kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and limestone backsplash

This home remodel is a celebration of curves and light. Starting from humble beginnings as a basic builder ranch style house, the design challenge was maximizing natural light throughout and providing the unique contemporary style the client’s craved. The Entry offers a spectacular first impression and sets the tone with a large skylight and an illuminated curved wall covered in a wavy pattern Porcelanosa tile. The chic entertaining kitchen was designed to celebrate a public lifestyle and plenty of entertaining. Celebrating height with a robust amount of interior architectural details, this dynamic kitchen still gives one that cozy feeling of home sweet home. The large “L” shaped island accommodates 7 for seating. Large pendants over the kitchen table and sink provide additional task lighting and whimsy. The Dekton “puzzle” countertop connection was designed to aid the transition between the two color countertops and is one of the homeowner’s favorite details. The built-in bistro table provides additional seating and flows easily into the Living Room. A curved wall in the Living Room showcases a contemporary linear fireplace and tv which is tucked away in a niche. Placing the fireplace and furniture arrangement at an angle allowed for more natural walkway areas that communicated with the exterior doors and the kitchen working areas. The dining room’s open plan is perfect for small groups and expands easily for larger events. Raising the ceiling created visual interest and bringing the pop of teal from the Kitchen cabinets ties the space together. A built-in buffet provides ample storage and display. The Sitting Room (also called the Piano room for its previous life as such) is adjacent to the Kitchen and allows for easy conversation between chef and guests. It captures the homeowner’s chic sense of style and joie de vivre.

Customer submitted photograph of a 16" Sky Chief Pendant in their kitchen! Pendant has a 355-Jadite finish complete with a red & white chevron twisted cord.