This newly remodeled family home and in law unit in San Anselmo is 4000sf of light and space. The first designer was let go for presenting grey one too many times. My task was to skillfully blend all the color my clients wanted from their mix of Latin, Hispanic and Italian heritage and get it to read successfully. Wow, no easy feat. Clients alway teach us so much. I learned that much more color could work than I ever thought possible.

This newly remodeled family home and in law unit in San Anselmo is 4000sf of light and space. The first designer was let go for presenting grey one too many times. My task was to skillfully blend all the color my clients wanted from their mix of Latin, Hispanic and Italian heritage and get it to read successfully. Wow, no easy feat. Clients alway teach us so much. I learned that much more color could work than I ever thought possible.

Our clients are always teaching us. In this case, our clients had a vision that changed the direction of the design process midstream. Often our clients tell us they have trouble visualizing. This time, we must admit, we had a little trouble visualizing how their big idea was better than what we were planning. And then, it clicked! This young family of five had outgrown their dark and dated kitchen. Food prep, cooking and baking play a large daily role in this home. Pantry storage was overflowing to the point where bulk ingredients, small appliances and other daily necessities were stored in a nearby closet and the laundry room at the end of the house. Counter space was scarce. The kitchen also served as an office area for the husband, who works from home, and a study area for the three school age children. Given some constraints and a fixed budget, our inclination was to work with the existing kitchen to design a much more efficient space, keeping it close to the laundry room/pantry, which could be maximized for convenient storage and access. We would create an organized work area within the kitchen as well. Our clients were happy with the design. Then, out of the blue, they announced that they would like to move the kitchen into the family room space! Our first reaction was to question how this could work being so far from the pantry storage areas, and the other living spaces of the home. The flow seemed as though it would be odd, but we heard them out and allowed some time for the idea to blossom. And blossom, it did. The existing kitchen and eating space became the new study and family room with enlarged windows and an added sliding door bringing their beautiful gardens into clear sight. The pantry dilemma was solved by adding a full wall of tall cabinetry with roll out storage flanking a beautiful fireplace. A large island with waterfall sides provides copious counter space and seating for the whole family. Dark, dated traditional styling of the past kitchen gave way to contemporary high gloss white and warm rosewood elements. The dramatic Dekton Aura backsplash is the icing on the cake! Matt Villano Photography

Our clients are always teaching us. In this case, our clients had a vision that changed the direction of the design process midstream. Often our clients tell us they have trouble visualizing. This time, we must admit, we had a little trouble visualizing how their big idea was better than what we were planning. And then, it clicked! This young family of five had outgrown their dark and dated kitchen. Food prep, cooking and baking play a large daily role in this home. Pantry storage was overflowing to the point where bulk ingredients, small appliances and other daily necessities were stored in a nearby closet and the laundry room at the end of the house. Counter space was scarce. The kitchen also served as an office area for the husband, who works from home, and a study area for the three school age children. Given some constraints and a fixed budget, our inclination was to work with the existing kitchen to design a much more efficient space, keeping it close to the laundry room/pantry, which could be maximized for convenient storage and access. We would create an organized work area within the kitchen as well. Our clients were happy with the design. Then, out of the blue, they announced that they would like to move the kitchen into the family room space! Our first reaction was to question how this could work being so far from the pantry storage areas, and the other living spaces of the home. The flow seemed as though it would be odd, but we heard them out and allowed some time for the idea to blossom. And blossom, it did. The existing kitchen and eating space became the new study and family room with enlarged windows and an added sliding door bringing their beautiful gardens into clear sight. The pantry dilemma was solved by adding a full wall of tall cabinetry with roll out storage flanking a beautiful fireplace. A large island with waterfall sides provides copious counter space and seating for the whole family. Dark, dated traditional styling of the past kitchen gave way to contemporary high gloss white and warm rosewood elements. The dramatic Dekton Aura backsplash is the icing on the cake! Matt Villano Photography

This newly remodeled family home and in law unit in San Anselmo is 4000sf of light and space. The first designer was let go for presenting grey one too many times. My task was to skillfully blend all the color my clients wanted from their mix of Latin, Hispanic and Italian heritage and get it to read successfully. Wow, no easy feat. Clients alway teach us so much. I learned that much more color could work than I ever thought possible.

Inspiration for a mid-sized cottage u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in St Louis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, cement tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This is a kitchen for a professional baker. In addition to being able to produce hundreds of cookies and cupcakes a day, it had to work as a teaching kitchen, a family kitchen, and a kitchen for a couple that loves to entertain. We realized we needed to swap out the original kitchen space with their larger dining/living area and open the entire space up in order to meet these objectives. Two sinks, a second undercounter refrigerator (for baking only), professional quality appliances and loads of counterspace make this work. Photo Credits: Steven Mednick

Design Consultant Jeff Doubét is the author of Creating Spanish Style Homes: Before & After – Techniques – Designs – Insights. The 240 page “Design Consultation in a Book” is now available. Please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com for more info. Jeff Doubét specializes in Santa Barbara style home and landscape designs. To learn more info about the variety of custom design services I offer, please visit SantaBarbaraHomeDesigner.com Jeff Doubét is the Founder of Santa Barbara Home Design - a design studio based in Santa Barbara, California USA.

Our clients are always teaching us. In this case, our clients had a vision that changed the direction of the design process midstream. Often our clients tell us they have trouble visualizing. This time, we must admit, we had a little trouble visualizing how their big idea was better than what we were planning. And then, it clicked! This young family of five had outgrown their dark and dated kitchen. Food prep, cooking and baking play a large daily role in this home. Pantry storage was overflowing to the point where bulk ingredients, small appliances and other daily necessities were stored in a nearby closet and the laundry room at the end of the house. Counter space was scarce. The kitchen also served as an office area for the husband, who works from home, and a study area for the three school age children. Given some constraints and a fixed budget, our inclination was to work with the existing kitchen to design a much more efficient space, keeping it close to the laundry room/pantry, which could be maximized for convenient storage and access. We would create an organized work area within the kitchen as well. Our clients were happy with the design. Then, out of the blue, they announced that they would like to move the kitchen into the family room space! Our first reaction was to question how this could work being so far from the pantry storage areas, and the other living spaces of the home. The flow seemed as though it would be odd, but we heard them out and allowed some time for the idea to blossom. And blossom, it did. The existing kitchen and eating space became the new study and family room with enlarged windows and an added sliding door bringing their beautiful gardens into clear sight. The pantry dilemma was solved by adding a full wall of tall cabinetry with roll out storage flanking a beautiful fireplace. A large island with waterfall sides provides copious counter space and seating for the whole family. Dark, dated traditional styling of the past kitchen gave way to contemporary high gloss white and warm rosewood elements. The dramatic Dekton Aura backsplash is the icing on the cake! Matt Villano Photography

This newly remodeled family home and in law unit in San Anselmo is 4000sf of light and space. The first designer was let go for presenting grey one too many times. My task was to skillfully blend all the color my clients wanted from their mix of Latin, Hispanic and Italian heritage and get it to read successfully. Wow, no easy feat. Clients alway teach us so much. I learned that much more color could work than I ever thought possible.

This additions' main purpose was to create a home office/ photographers studio. Also included was a remodeled master bathroom featuring a sunken tub/ shower addition. The studio is equipped with a portrait wall with electrically operated roll up device for background scenes. There is an office area and area to teach photography. Photos by David Tyson

This newly remodeled family home and in law unit in San Anselmo is 4000sf of light and space. The first designer was let go for presenting grey one too many times. My task was to skillfully blend all the color my clients wanted from their mix of Latin, Hispanic and Italian heritage and get it to read successfully. Wow, no easy feat. Clients alway teach us so much. I learned that much more color could work than I ever thought possible.

This additions' main purpose was to create a home office/ photographers studio. Also included was a remodeled master bathroom featuring a sunken tub/ shower addition. The studio is equipped with a portrait wall with electrically operated roll up device for background scenes. There is an office area and area to teach photography. Photos by David Tyson

This newly remodeled family home and in law unit in San Anselmo is 4000sf of light and space. The first designer was let go for presenting grey one too many times. My task was to skillfully blend all the color my clients wanted from their mix of Latin, Hispanic and Italian heritage and get it to read successfully. Wow, no easy feat. Clients alway teach us so much. I learned that much more color could work than I ever thought possible.

After: The drum shade chandelier fits the redesigned eclectic/beach themed living room. It is also flexible if the homeowner wants to switch this space into a dining room.

Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in St Louis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, cement tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Studio Apartment. This newly remodeled family home and in law unit in San Anselmo is 4000sf of light and space. The first designer was let go for presenting grey one too many times. My task was to skillfully blend all the color my clients wanted from their mix of Latin, Hispanic and Italian heritage and get it to read successfully. Wow, no easy feat. Clients alway teach us so much. I learned that much more color could work than I ever thought possible.

Inspiration for a mid-sized farmhouse medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen/dining room combo remodel in St Louis with beige walls and no fireplace

Our clients are always teaching us. In this case, our clients had a vision that changed the direction of the design process midstream. Often our clients tell us they have trouble visualizing. This time, we must admit, we had a little trouble visualizing how their big idea was better than what we were planning. And then, it clicked! This young family of five had outgrown their dark and dated kitchen. Food prep, cooking and baking play a large daily role in this home. Pantry storage was overflowing to the point where bulk ingredients, small appliances and other daily necessities were stored in a nearby closet and the laundry room at the end of the house. Counter space was scarce. The kitchen also served as an office area for the husband, who works from home, and a study area for the three school age children. Given some constraints and a fixed budget, our inclination was to work with the existing kitchen to design a much more efficient space, keeping it close to the laundry room/pantry, which could be maximized for convenient storage and access. We would create an organized work area within the kitchen as well. Our clients were happy with the design. Then, out of the blue, they announced that they would like to move the kitchen into the family room space! Our first reaction was to question how this could work being so far from the pantry storage areas, and the other living spaces of the home. The flow seemed as though it would be odd, but we heard them out and allowed some time for the idea to blossom. And blossom, it did. The existing kitchen and eating space became the new study and family room with enlarged windows and an added sliding door bringing their beautiful gardens into clear sight. The pantry dilemma was solved by adding a full wall of tall cabinetry with roll out storage flanking a beautiful fireplace. A large island with waterfall sides provides copious counter space and seating for the whole family. Dark, dated traditional styling of the past kitchen gave way to contemporary high gloss white and warm rosewood elements. The dramatic Dekton Aura backsplash is the icing on the cake! Matt Villano Photography