A hip young family moving from Boston tackled an enormous makeover of an antique colonial revival home in downtown Larchmont. The kitchen area was quite spacious but benefitted from a small bump out for a banquette and additional windows. Navy blue island and tall cabinetry matched to Benjamin Moore’s Van Deusen blue is balanced by crisp white (Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace) cabinetry on the perimeter. The mid-century inspired suspended fireplace adds warmth and style to the kitchen. A tile covered range hood blends the ventilation into the walls. Brushed brass hardware by Lewis Dolan in a contemporary T-bar shape offer clean lines in a warm metallic tone. White Marble countertops on the perimeter are balanced by white quartz composite on the island. Kitchen design and custom cabinetry by Studio Dearborn. Countertops by Rye Marble. Refrigerator--Subzero; Range—Viking French door oven--Viking. Dacor Wine Station. Dishwashers—Bosch. Ventilation—Best. Hardware—Lewis Dolan. Lighting—Rejuvenation. Sink--Franke. Stools—Soho Concept. Photography Adam Kane Macchia.

White painted wood cabinets and light colored stone countertop help keep the the kitchen bright. Multiple pendent lights and under cabinet lighting are for general as well as task lighting. Large windows at corner bring in lots of natural light. The cat is particularly fond of that spot near the warm oven! David Sloane Photography

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This client was referred to us from a past client. They are a busy 2-career household with young children and enjoy entertaining friends and family in their home. They have a beautiful open concept home but unfortunately the kitchen was not fitting for the rest of the home. They were not quite sure what to do with the space. We talked about trying to refresh it or do more of a minor remodel, but in the end they decided a full gut would get them to where they wanted to be. One problem was there was no place for guests to hang out other than the large and awkward banquette area. The brick wall and tiled hood area were feeling a bit dated and tired. The space was just not functional for their lifestyle. There was no prep space near the cooktop and no landing area for items coming out of the ovens or refrigerator, plus a big dead zone in the center of the room. Banquettes, like the one they previously had in the space, are great for small spaces, but when they get really large like this one, it makes getting in and out of the seating area awkward and uncomfortable. Plus, there was room for a large table, so we eliminated the awkward built in. We started by removing the faux brick wall between the kitchen and back entry. We relocated the entry to the garage over a couple feet in order to get every last inch out of the new kitchen. We also made the decision to close up the primary window that faced the pretty ho hum brick wall of the neighbor’s house. There was plenty of light coming in from the seating area, so we just didn’t feel the window was adding much to the room. Construction went smoothy. There was a bit of rework with electrical, flooring and HVAC, but in the end, we think it was well worth it. The clients really wanted a sleek contemporary look, and we originally had planned for a full height slab backsplash, but due to it’s size, it was a budget buster. Instead, we got creative and settled on large format porcelain tiles that have a similar feel but were a fraction of the cost. We made sure the wall was plumb and level so that the fit and finish would mimic that of slab material. The final space was quite a change. A large prep sink sits directly across from the new pro-style range with plenty additional prep space on the large island. The refrigerator and ovens now have miles of landing space, and a nice tight work triangle makes cooking a breeze. Since we wanted a more contemporary feel, not many wall cabinets were included. Instead, we outfitted some of the drawers for dish storage with a peg system. Two large pantries flanking the refrigerator hold baking supplies and small appliances. Large drawers by the cooktop hold pots and pans, and an appliance garage tucked away to the left of the range hides away miscellaneous items. The large island also houses a microwave drawer and tons of storage, most of which is drawers offering maximum convenience. The island now seats 5-6 people comfortably along with the new table in the seating area which can seat up to 8. Entertaining will be a breeze in this space. With such a clean backdrop, we knew we would need some drama with the lighting, so we chose two sets of staggered pendants, which we adjusted for the right visual balance above the island. We also included a small coffee station to the right of the main kitchen, which helps keep the coffee clutter out of the kitchen proper. Two tones of complimentary gray are featured in this kitchen. The perimeter is a light gray that reads almost white. The island is a gray stain that adds some depth and interest with the visible wood texture. The countertops are clean white quartz, and the hardware, barstools and light fixtures add warm brass tones. I see lots of cooking and entertaining with family and friends in the near future in this bright and airy new space. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Maximizing the functionality of this space, and coordinating the new kitchen with the beautiful remodel completed previously by the client were the two most important aspects of this project. The existing spaces are elegantly decorated with an open plan, dark hardwood floors, and natural stone accents. The new, lighter, more open kitchen flows beautifully into the client’s existing dining room space. Satin nickel hardware blends with the stainless steel appliances and matches the satin nickel details throughout the home. The fully integrated refrigerator next to the narrow pull-out pantry cabinet, take up less visual weight than a traditional stainless steel appliance and the two combine to provide fantastic storage. The glass cabinet doors and decorative lighting beautifully highlight the client’s glassware and dishes. Finished with white subway tile, Dreamy Marfil quartz countertops, and a warm natural wood blind; the space warm, inviting, elegant, and extremely functional. copyright 2013 marilyn peryer photography

European charm meets a fully modern and super functional kitchen. This beautiful light and airy setting is perfect for cooking and entertaining. Wood beams and dark floors compliment the oversized island with farmhouse sink. Custom cabinetry is designed specifically with the cook in mind, featuring great storage and amazing extras. James Kruger, Landmark Photography & Design, LLP. Learn more about our showroom and kitchen and bath design: http://www.mingleteam.com

Liz Daly
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless galley medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and green cabinets

The existing quirky floor plan of this 17 year old kitchen created 4 work areas and left no room for a proper laundry and utility room. We actually made this kitchen smaller to make it function better. We took the cramped u-shaped area that housed the stove and refrigerator and walled it off to create a new more generous laundry room with room for ironing & sewing. The now rectangular shaped kitchen was reoriented by installing new windows with higher sills we were able to line the exterior wall with cabinets and counter, giving the sink a nice view to the side yard. To create the Victorian look the owners desired in their 1920’s home, we used wall cabinets with inset doors and beaded panels, for economy the base cabinets are full overlay doors & drawers all in the same finish, Nordic White. The owner selected a gorgeous serene white river granite for the counters and we selected a taupe glass subway tile to pull the palette together. Another special feature of this kitchen is the custom pocket dog door. The owner’s had a salvaged door that we incorporated in a pocket in the peninsula to corale the dogs when the owner aren’t home. Tina Colebrook

Angie Seckinger
Example of a large beach style u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in DC Metro with glass-front cabinets, marble countertops, blue backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island, white cabinets and subway tile backsplash

Casey Dunn Photography
Inspiration for a timeless medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

John Evans
Inspiration for a huge timeless u-shaped dark wood floor kitchen remodel in Columbus with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, paneled appliances, an island, granite countertops and stone tile backsplash

Visual Comfort Darlana 4 Light Medium Lantern
Kitchen - traditional dark wood floor kitchen idea in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen - large contemporary u-shaped kitchen idea in DC Metro with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, stone tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Peter Rymwid This beautiful kitchen is the heart of this new construction home. Black accents in the range and custom pantry provide a dramatic touch.Seeded glass cabinet doors repeat the texture of the lantern light fixtures over the island which can seat 4

Huge Contemporary Kitchen Designer: Teri Turan
Example of a huge transitional u-shaped porcelain tile and beige floor kitchen design in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This light and airy kitchen invites entertaining and features multiple seating areas. The cluster of light fixtures over the island adds a special touch

Cape Cod; Dennis, MA This kitchen beautifully captures the essence of a Cape Cod coastal style, blending a light, airy color palette with high-end, functional elements. The room is centered around a kitchen island with a dark countertop and classic turned legs, offering a striking visual contrast to the mostly white space. The island provides both a spacious workspace and a casual dining area with woven bar stools that feature a subtle patterned cushion. Above the island, two modern pendant lights with polished metal shades serve as a focal point and provide task lighting. The kitchen's main work area features a white farmhouse sink situated beneath a large window, which floods the space with natural light. The countertops and full-height backsplash are a single slab of white marble with delicate veining, creating a clean and luxurious surface. The white shaker-style cabinetry, including glass-front cabinets for displaying dishes, reinforces the traditional coastal aesthetic. On the far left, a large, integrated refrigerator with sleek handles maintains the clean, built-in look of the cabinetry. The light wood floors provide warmth and a connection to natural elements, completing the inviting and sophisticated feel of the room.

Kitchen: erik kitchen design- avon nj Interior Design: Katlarsondesigns.com Lights: Ro Sham Beaux
Inspiration for a large cottage u-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen remodel in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, a farmhouse sink and an island

Arched valances above the window and on the island bookshelf, along with the curved custom metal hood above the stainless steel range, contrast nicely with the overall linear design of the space. The leaded glass cabinet doors not only create a spot to display the homeowner’s favorite glassware, but visually it helps prevent the white cabinets from being overbearing. By installing recessed can lights uniformly throughout the space instead of decorative pendants above the island, the kitchen appears more open and spacious.

THE SETUP Client Background: Our clients, a couple who have transitioned into the empty nest phase, have cherished their home for over three decades without undergoing any significant renovations. With a newfound desire to adapt their living space to better suit their current lifestyle, they’ve embarked on a journey to reimagine their kitchen — the heart of their home. Their aspiration is to cultivate a serene, neutral-toned sanctuary on the first floor that seamlessly merges with their family room, ensuring a harmonious and inviting environment. Design Inspiration: The renovation is inspired by the couple’s penchant for soft, calming neutrals, using their cherished family room and the kitchen’s existing tile flooring as the cornerstone for the color scheme. This approach aims to foster a sense of warmth and tranquility throughout. Design Objectives: Harmonize the kitchen with the family room by adopting a soothing, neutral color scheme, ensuring a seamless flow across the first floor. Enhance kitchen functionality with thoughtfully designed cabinetry, providing a designated place for every item and maximizing storage efficiency. Cultivate an inviting and comfortable atmosphere that reflects the homeowners’ desire for a calm and relaxing space. Design Challenges: The homeowners wish to retain the existing kitchen tile flooring and integrate it into a refreshed, modern design. Accommodating a dining area spacious enough for family visits without compromising the kitchen’s open feel or functional layout. Despite liking the current placement of plumbing and appliances, the homeowners aspire for a more open floor plan to facilitate better movement and interaction. The need to amplify natural light in the kitchen, especially around the sink area, where existing lighting is insufficient. Preserving the half-wall between the kitchen and family room, a feature the homeowners want to keep, while ensuring it complements the new design. THE RENEWED SPACE Design Solutions: By choosing a neutral color palette that complements the existing tile, the design unifies the kitchen with the adjacent spaces. The tile’s grout was cleaned and restored, enhancing the floor’s appearance and integrating it seamlessly with the new kitchen aesthetic. The inclusion of a larger island with seating for two, alongside maintaining a substantial dining table, was achieved by optimizing the spatial layout. This allowed for a sociable yet functional kitchen, accommodating large family gatherings without feeling crowded. Minor adjustments to the kitchen’s layout maintained the preferred locations for plumbing and appliances while introducing an ‘open’ design concept. Strategic modifications, such as angling the pantry wall, improved the flow and accessibility within the space. Replacing the garden window with a broader, standard window significantly increased natural light, transforming the sink area into a bright, welcoming space with enhanced views of the outdoors. The decision to keep the half-wall was ingeniously leveraged to define the dining area while maintaining an open connection to the family room. This feature not only serves as a visual separator but also ties the two spaces together through the shared color scheme and design elements. The homeowners are thrilled with their newly remodeled kitchen, which has become a hub of warmth and hospitality. Hosting a wedding shower and a birthday party, they have shared their renewed space with friends and family, who have been equally enamored. This remodel has not only met their functional and aesthetic desires but has also enriched their home with a fresh sense of serenity and joy. The upstairs part of the home is shaping up nicely. Here’s their newly remodeled primary bathroom.