Klopf Architecture and Jesse Ososki Art remodeled an existing Eichler atrium home into a brighter, more open, and more functional version of its original self. The goals were to preserve the Eichler look and feel without the need to strictly adhere to it. The scope of work included re-configuring the master bedroom/bath, the kitchen, and the hall bath/laundry area, as well as updating interior finishes throughout to be more sophisticated. The owners are detail-oriented and were very involved in the design process, down to the selection of lighting controls and stainless steel faceplates.Their design aesthetic leans toward the Scandinavian — light and bright, with simple straight lines and pure geometric shapes. The finish flooring is large porcelain tile (24” x 24”) in a neutral grey tone, providing a uniform backdrop against which other materials can stand out. The same tile continues into the shower floor (with a different finish texture for slip-resistance) and up the shower/tub walls (in a smaller size). Heath Classic Field ceramic tile in Modern Blue was used sparingly, to add color at the hall bath vanity backsplash and at the shampoo niches in both bathrooms. Back-painted soda glass in pale blue to match the Heath tile was used at the kitchen backsplash. This same accent color was also used at the front entry atrium door. Kitchen cabinetry, countertops, appliances, and light fixtures are all white, making the kitchen feel more airy and light. Countertops are Caesarstone Blizzard. The owners chose to keep some of the original Eichler elements: the concrete masonry fireplace; the stained tongue-and-groove redwood ceiling decking; and the luan wall paneling. The luan paneling was lightly sanded, cleaned, and re-stained. The owners also kept an added element that was installed by a previous owner: sliding shoji panels at all bedroom windows and sliding glass doors, for both privacy and sun control. Grooves were cut into the new tile flooring for the shoji panels to slide in, creating a more integrated look. Walnut was used to add warmth and contrast at the kitchen bar top and niche, the bathroom vanities, and the window sill/ledge under the kitchen window. This Burlingame Eichler Remodel is a 2,121 sf, 4 bedroom/2 bath home located in the heart of Silicon Valley. Klopf Architecture Project Team: John Klopf, Klara Kevane and Yegvenia Torres Zavala Contractor: Jesse Ososki Art Structural Engineer: Emmanuel Pun Photography ©2018 Mariko Reed Location: Burlingame, CA Year completed: 2017

A contemporary custom kitchen cabinet system by Boffi in natural wood holds court in the eat-in kitchen amongst stunning views, white marble counters and floor, and top of the line appliances. Beyond being highly functional for the home chef, the cabinets add a warm visual accent that brings the wooded outdoors inside. Phtography by Adrian Wilson

Complete renovation of 1960's ranch style home located in Los Altos. The design is functional modern with many stylish and unique amenities. The new design incorporates more light and views to the outside. Features of the home include vaulted ceilings, a large chef's kitchen with top of the line appliances and a more open floor plan than the original home. Sustainable features of this project include bamboo flooring, solar photovoltaic electric generation, solar hydronic hot water heating for the pool and a high efficiency tankless hot water system for the pool/exercise room. Photos: Rien van Rijthoven Architect: Mark Horton

The kitchen is a mix of exquisite detail and simple design solutions. Cabinetry is installed with a 1" shadow line to create the illusion that it is floating beneath the counters. Fully integrated appliance panels add to the minimalist feel of the space and allow the range to be the focal center of the space. Dave Adams Photography

Michael J. Lee
Elegant slate floor and gray floor kitchen photo in Boston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash and stainless steel appliances

10' ceilings and 2-story windows surrounding this space (not in view) bring plenty of natural light into this casual and contemporary cook's kitchen. Other views of this kitchen and the adjacent Great Room are also available on houzz. Builder: Robert Egge Construction (Woodinville, WA). Cabinets: Jesse Bay Cabinets (Port Angeles, WA) Design: Studio 212 Interiors

The owners of this kitchen had spent the money to upgrade the finishes in their kitchen upon building the home 12 years ago, but after living in the space for several years they realized how nonfunctional the layout really was. The (then) two preschool aged children had grown into busy, hungry teenagers with many friends who also liked to hang out at the house. So the family needed a more functional kitchen with better traffic flow, space for daily activities revolving around the kitchen at different times of day, and a kitchen that could accommodate cooking for and serving large groups. Furthermore, the dark, traditional finishes no longer reflected the homeowners’ style. They requested a brighter, more relaxed, coastal style that reflected their love of the seaside cities they like to visit. Originally, the kitchen was U-shaped with a narrow island in the middle. The island created narrow aisles that bottle-necked at the dishwasher, refrigerator, and cooktop areas. There was a pass-through from the foyer into the kitchen, but the owners never liked that the pass-through was also located so close to the powder room. The awkward proximity was unappealing and made guests feel uncomfortable. The kitchen’s storage was made up of lots of narrow cabinets, apothecary drawers, clipped corner units, and very few drawers. It lacked useful storage for the larger items the family used on a daily basis. And the kitchen’s only pantry was small closet that had only builder-grade, narrow shelving with no illumination to be able to see the contents inside. Overall, the kitchen’s lighting plan was poorly executed. Only six recessed cans illuminated the entire kitchen and nook areas. The under cabinet lighting was not evenly distributed either. In fact, the builder had mis-placed the under cabinet lighting around the decorative pilasters which made for choppy, dark cubbies. Further, the builder didn’t include any lighting over the sink or the bar area, which meant whoever was doing the dishes was always in their own shadow. That, coupled with the steep overhang of the game room above made the bar area feel like a dim, cavernous space that wasn’t inviting or task oriented. The kitchen looked out into the main living space, but the raised bar and a narrow wall (which held the only large cabinet in the kitchen) created more of a barrier than a relationship to the living room or breakfast nook. In fact, one couldn’t even see the breakfast nook from the cooktop or sink areas due to its orientation. The raised bar top was too narrow to comfortably sit to either dine at or chat from due to the lack of knee space. The the homeowners confided that the kitchen felt more like a dark, dirty prison than place where the family, or their guests, wanted to gather and commune. The clients' needs and desires were: ➢ to create a kitchen that would be a space the family loved to be in; to relate to the adjacent spaces all around, and to have better flow for entertaining large groups ➢ to remove the walls between the breakfast nook and living area and to be able to utilize the natural light from the windows in both those areas ➢ to incorporate a functional chopping block for prepping fresh food for home cooked meals, an island with a large sink and drain board, 2 pull out trash cans, and seating for at least the 2 teens to eat or do homework ➢ to design a kitchen and breakfast nook with an airy, coastal, relaxed vibe that blended with the rest of the house's coastal theme ➢ to integrate a layered lighting plan which would include ample general illumination, specific task lighting, decorative lighting, and lots of illuminated storage ➢ to design a kitchen with not only more storage for all the husband’s kitchen gadgets and collection of oils and spices, but smart storage, including a coffee/breakfast bar and a place to store and conceal the toaster oven and microwave ➢ to find a way to utilize the large open space between the kitchen, pantry area, and breakfast nook Twelve Stones Designs achieved the owner's goals by: ➢ removing the walls between the kitchen and living room to allow the natural light to filter in from the adjacent rooms and to create a connection between the kitchen, nook, and living spaces for a sense of unity and communion ➢ removing the existing pantry and designing 3 large pantry style cabinets with LED tape lights and rollout drawers to house lots of kitchen appliances, gadgets, and tons of groceries. We also took the cabinets all the way up to the 9’ ceiling for additional storage for seasonal items and bulk storage. ➢ designing 2 islands - 1 with a gorgeous black walnut chopping block that houses a drawer for chopping and carving knives and a custom double pull out trash unit for point of use utilization - and 1 that houses the dishwasher, a large Blanco Gourmet sink with integrated drain board, woven baskets for fresh root vegetables and kitchen towels, plenty of drawer storage for kitchen items, and bar seating for up to 4 diners. ➢ closing off the space between the kitchen and the powder room to create a beautiful new private alcove for the powder room as well as adding some decorative storage. This also gave us space to include more tall storage near the new range for precision placement of the husband’s extensive oil and spice collection as well as a location for a combo-steam oven the wife wanted for baking and cooking healthy meals. The project is enhanced functionally by: ➢ incorporated USB and standard receptacles for the kids’ laptops and phone charging in the large island ➢ designing the small island to include additional open shelving for items used on a daily basis such as a variety of bowls, plates, and colanders. This set up also works well for the husband who prefers to “plate” his dinners in restaurant-style fashion before presenting them to the table. ➢ the integration of specific storage units, such as double stacked cutlery drawers, a custom spice pull-out, a Kuerig coffee and tea pod drawer, and custom double stacked utensil drawers ➢ moving the refrigerator to the old oven location - this eliminated the bottle neck as well as created a better relationship to the eating table. It also utilizes the floor space between the pantry, nook, and kitchen ➢ creating a banquet style breakfast nook - this banquette seating not only doubles the amount of seating for large gatherings but it better utilizes the odd space between the kitchen and the previous nook area. It also helps to create a distinct pathway from the mudroom room through the pantry area, kitchen, nook, and living room. ➢ the coffee/breakfast bar area which includes the perfect location for the concealed microwave and toaster oven, convenient storage for the coffee pods and tea accoutrements. Roll-out drawers below also house the smoothie maker, hot water kettle, and a plethora of smoothie-making ingredients such as protein powders, smoothie additives, etc. Furthermore, the drawers below the Keurig house measuring utensil, cutlery, baking supplies and tupperware storage. ➢ incorporating lots of wide drawers and pullouts to accommodate large cookware. ➢ utilizing as much vertical space as possible by building storage to the ceiling which accommodates the family’s abundant amount of serving platters, baking sheets, bakeware, casserole dishes, and additional cutting boards. The project is enhanced aesthetically by: ➢ new 5-piece Versailles pattern porcelain tile that now seamlessly joins the entire down stairs area together creating a bright, cohesiveness feeling instead of choppy separated spaces - it also adds a coastal feeling ➢ designing a cabinet to conceal the microwave and toaster oven ➢ the coastal influenced light fixtures over the nook table and island ➢ the sandy colors of the Langdon Cambria countertops. The swirling pattern and sparkling quartz pieces remind the homeowner of black-and-tan sandy beaches ➢ the striped banquet seating whose creamy white background and blue-green stripes were the inspiration for the cabinet and wall colors. ➢ All the interior doors were painted black to coordinate with the blacks and grays in the backsplash tile and countertop. This also adds a hint of tailored formality to an otherwise casual space. ➢ the use of WAC's Oculux small aperture LED units for the overhead lighting complimented with Diode LED strips for task lighting under the cabinets and inside the pantry and glass wall cabinets. All of the lighting applications are on separate dimmer switches. Innovative uses of materials or construction methods by Realty Restoration LLC: ➢ Each 1-1/2” x 3” block of reclaimed end-grain black walnut that makes up the center island chopping block was hand milled and built in the shop. It was designed to look substantial and proportional to the surrounding elements, executed by creating the 4 inch tall top with a solid wood chamfered edge band. ➢ The metal doors on either side of the vent hood were also custom designed for this project and built in the Realty Restoration LLC shop. They are made 1x2, 11-gauge mild steel with ribbed glass. Weighing 60 lbs a piece, heavy duty cabinet hinges were added to support the weight of the door and keep them from sagging. ➢ Under-cabinet receptacles were added along the range wall in order to have a clean, uninterrupted backsplash. Design obstacles to overcome: ➢ Because we were removing the demising walls between the kitchen and living room, we had to find a way to plumb and vent the new island. We did this by tunneling through the slab (the slab had post tension cables which prevented us from just trenching) to run a new wet vent through a nearby structural wall. We pulled the existing hot and cold lines between upper floor joists and ran them down the structural wall as well and up through a conduit in the tunnel. ➢ Since we were converting from wall overs to a gas range it allowed us to utilize the 220 feed for the wall ovens to provide a new sub panel for all the new kitchen circuits ➢ Due to framing deficiencies inherited from the original build there was a 1-1/2” differential in the floor-to-ceiling height over a 20 foot span; by utilizing the process of cutting and furring coupled with the crown moulding details on the cabinet elevations we were able to mask the problem and provide seamless transitions between the cabinet components. Evidence of superior craftsmanship: ➢ uniquely designed, one-of-a-kind metal “X” end panels on the large island. The end panels were custom made in the Realty Restoration LLC shop and fitted to the exact dimensions of the island. The welding seams are completely indistinguishable - the posts look like they are cut from a single sheet of metal ➢ square metal posts on the small island were also custom made and designed to compliment and carry through the metal element s throughout the kitchen ➢ the beautiful, oversized end panels on the pantry cabinets which give the breakfast nook a tailored look ➢ integrating a large format 5 piece Versailles tile pattern to seamlessly flow from the existing spaces into the new kitchen space ➢ By constructing a custom cabinet that jogged around a corner we could not remodel (housing the entry way coat closet) we were able to camouflage the adjacent wall offset within the upper and lower cabinets. By designing around the existing jog in the structural walls we accomplished a few things: we were able to find the space to house, and hide, the microwave and toaster oven yet still have a clean cohesive appearance from the kitchen side. Additionally, the owners were able to keep their much needed coat closet and we didn’t have to increase the budget with unnecessary structural work.

Photo Credit - Katrina Mojzesz topkatphoto.com Interior Design - Katja van der Loo Papyrus Home Design papyrushomedesign.com Homeowner & Design Director - Sue Walter, subeeskitchen.com

Kitchen Hide-away door to Pantry
Example of a classic kitchen design in Other with stainless steel appliances and subway tile backsplash

Inspiration for a large timeless l-shaped dark wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Atlanta with stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, an island and white countertops

A machined hood, custom stainless cabinetry and exposed ducting harkens to a commercial vibe. The 5'x10' marble topped island wears many hats. It serves as a large work surface, tons of storage, informal seating, and a visual line that separates the eating and cooking areas. Photo by Lincoln Barber

Our client is a huge cook and wanted the kitchen to continue in the theme of being designed for guests. Renowned Renovation built the owner’s dream kitchen in a relatively small, yet highly efficient, space. As you can see in the photos, the kitchen is open to the living room, making sure the cook is still in the mix of the company. A large quartzite countertop was designed to also double as a banquet-style serving area for parties. The client choose Renowned Cabinetry and Grant and his team designed the kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, wet-bar, and a hutch on the lower-level. This kitchen was custom-designed with all high-end appliances. From the 36” Thermador refrigerator with a touch-to-close door to a Miele built-in coffee maker—functionality and comfort pave the way for the best in luxury kitchen renovation. We also choose a Miele Steam Oven, for a top-of-the-line innovation for a home cooking experience. “The unique external steam generation in the form of Miele MultiSteam technology ensures perfect results,” for all cooking needs. The Kitchen lighting was impressively designed. There are recessed down and recessed directional lighting with independent switches. We installed Lutron Caseta lighting, a high-end Smart controlled system. By having more control over the lighting you will always be sure to be able to set the mood. This system also allows you to control your lights from an app so you’re able to turn on lights in the house when you’re nowhere near it. The kitchen design is beautifully enhanced by the premium Quartzite countertops and backsplash. This is a silver macabus quartzite stone that has a natural shine and durability. One end of the countertop is a waterfall edge. This provides a clean vertical drop down the side of the counter. The effect is a modern look that eliminates the separation from the counter to cabinets. The backsplash is the same quartzite countertops. It’s a separate piece but it appears as one continuous stone that lines up to meet the hand-crafted line of Renowned Cabinetry. Many designers will suggest elaborate and decorative backsplashes as a feature to a kitchen renovation. In this home, and for a modern and minimalistic look, the goal is to use the same materials. The look is elegant, beautiful and simplistic. It’s not sticking out or catching anyone’s eye.

Contractor: Northrup Building Photographer: Daniel Cronin
Example of a trendy kitchen design in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances

Our client is a huge cook and wanted the kitchen to continue in the theme of being designed for guests. Renowned Renovation built the owner’s dream kitchen in a relatively small, yet highly efficient, space. As you can see in the photos, the kitchen is open to the living room, making sure the cook is still in the mix of the company. A large quartzite countertop was designed to also double as a banquet-style serving area for parties. The client choose Renowned Cabinetry and Grant and his team designed the kitchen cabinets, bathroom vanities, wet-bar, and a hutch on the lower-level. This kitchen was custom-designed with all high-end appliances. From the 36” Thermador refrigerator with a touch-to-close door to a Miele built-in coffee maker—functionality and comfort pave the way for the best in luxury kitchen renovation. We also choose a Miele Steam Oven, for a top-of-the-line innovation for a home cooking experience. “The unique external steam generation in the form of Miele MultiSteam technology ensures perfect results,” for all cooking needs. The Kitchen lighting was impressively designed. There are recessed down and recessed directional lighting with independent switches. We installed Lutron Caseta lighting, a high-end Smart controlled system. By having more control over the lighting you will always be sure to be able to set the mood. This system also allows you to control your lights from an app so you’re able to turn on lights in the house when you’re nowhere near it. The kitchen design is beautifully enhanced by the premium Quartzite countertops and backsplash. This is a silver macabus quartzite stone that has a natural shine and durability. One end of the countertop is a waterfall edge. This provides a clean vertical drop down the side of the counter. The effect is a modern look that eliminates the separation from the counter to cabinets. The backsplash is the same quartzite countertops. It’s a separate piece but it appears as one continuous stone that lines up to meet the hand-crafted line of Renowned Cabinetry. Many designers will suggest elaborate and decorative backsplashes as a feature to a kitchen renovation. In this home, and for a modern and minimalistic look, the goal is to use the same materials. The look is elegant, beautiful and simplistic. It’s not sticking out or catching anyone’s eye.

a small galley kitchen opens up to the Dining Room in a 19th century Row House
Example of a small classic enclosed kitchen design in Boston with stainless steel appliances, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets and white backsplash

Conceived as a remodel and addition, the final design iteration for this home is uniquely multifaceted. Structural considerations required a more extensive tear down, however the clients wanted the entire remodel design kept intact, essentially recreating much of the existing home. The overall floor plan design centers on maximizing the views, while extensive glazing is carefully placed to frame and enhance them. The residence opens up to the outdoor living and views from multiple spaces and visually connects interior spaces in the inner court. The client, who also specializes in residential interiors, had a vision of ‘transitional’ style for the home, marrying clean and contemporary elements with touches of antique charm. Energy efficient materials along with reclaimed architectural wood details were seamlessly integrated, adding sustainable design elements to this transitional design. The architect and client collaboration strived to achieve modern, clean spaces playfully interjecting rustic elements throughout the home. Greenbelt Homes Glynis Wood Interiors Photography by Bryant Hill

Removing a wall between the kitchen and living room brings light and usability to a once closed off, secluded kitchen. Mealtimes become a favorite family time now with a large island with seating for four. The homeowners wanted a more modern feel with a classic touch, and this was achieved with classic white cabinetry topped with leathered granite on the surround and a showstopping Quartz for the island that is a work of art. Playing on textures and finishes, the beveled marble backsplash draws the eyes to the focal point of the room, the mantle style vent hood. Keeping symmetry the star, two Circa Lighting pendants command attention. Not letting style get all the attention, this kitchen lacks no modern conveniences such as a water dispensing station, beverage center, and top of the line appliances. This stunning new kitchen breathes new life to this beautiful home and will grow with this sweet young family.

Rufty Homes was recognized by the National Association of Home Builders with its “Room of the Year” award, as well as a platinum award for “Interior Design: Kitchen”, in the 2012 Best in American Living Awards (BALA). For the past 6 years, Rufty Homes has been named top custom home builder by Triangle Business Journal.

Hand scraped hardwood floor. Marble counter tops, traditional kitchen, crackle ceramic subway tile, farmhouse sink
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless dark wood floor kitchen remodel in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, stainless steel appliances, white countertops, shaker cabinets and white cabinets