Brynn Burns Photography
Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional open concept and formal medium tone wood floor living room remodel in Kansas City with gray walls, no tv, a standard fireplace and a stone fireplace

This is the story about a kitchen that was showing it’s age with white countertops and dark oak cabinets on a dark oak floor. It all worked once, but now the kitchen felt dark, cramped and dysfunctional. The owners were looking for a total kitchen transformation. After a disastrous beginning with a contractor taking their money and vanishing into thin air, the owners were left with a completely gutted kitchen that consisted of only the walls. They hired Rick Jacobson to rescue them and restart the project. The new kitchen design began with the idea of using Cobalt Blue as a primary color. The blue seen on many glassware pieces is Cobalt Blue, and it was decided to use it in the tile for the kitchen, as well as the pendant lights. Another goal was to make the kitchen brighter with an easier traffic flow, as well as completely updated cabinetry. And there were traffic patterns to improve, a refrigerator to move, and exhaust vents to reroute. Rick Jacobson listened to the owners and worked to create the kitchen that the owners imagined. He began by thinking through the traffic flow patterns. He noted that the doorway from the dining room needed to be widened. He added rounded doorway headers to match the home’s existing décor. He carefully thought through where the kitchen island should be, including how opening the oven doors would be in relation to people sitting at the kitchen island at a family gathering. Kitchen cabinet touches include off edge flat panel doors, soft close wooden drawers, and a spice cabinet with two slide-out racks. The new longer center island features a drawer microwave that opens and closes automatically with the push of a button. The center island also features two recycling bins and seating for four. Rick even thought of adding decorative elements to the existing half wall to make it look in line with the kitchen island. The kitchen’s black granite countertops offer an unusually appealing view: There are lots of interesting reflections throughout the kitchen. Another of Rick’s touches is that all of the lights, including recessed ceiling lights, three cobalt blue pendant lights and below cabinet lights are on dimmers which work to balance daytime and nighttime lighting. The under mounted stainless steel single sink is complemented with a gooseneck faucet. The stainless steel gas range is thin enough to allow for a wide drawer below for utensils, and the stainless steel vent hood is vented through the ceiling to outdoors, allowing additional storage space in the top cabinets. Double ovens with white doors are the perfect match to the cabinets, with a location that makes baking and roasting easier with the two large vertical storage for baking sheets and supplies nearby. The result: A functional, open, bright and Cobalt blue kitchen.

Julia Valenti
Living room - coastal living room idea in New York

Farmhouse entryway photo in Minneapolis

Example of a trendy bathroom design in Atlanta

Custom built-in entertainment center in the same house as the custom built-in window seat project that was posted in 2019. This project is 11-1/2 feet wide x 18 inches deep x 8 feet high. It consists of two 36" wide end base cabinets and a 66" wide center base cabinet with an open component compartment. The base cabinets have soft-close door hinges with 3-way cam adjustments and adjustable shelves. The base cabinet near the doorway includes custom-made ducting to re-route the HVAC air flow from a floor vent out through the toe kick panel. Above the base countertop are side and overhead book/display cases trimmed with crown molding. The TV is mounted on a wall bracket that extends and tilts, and in-wall electrical and HDMI cables connect the TV to power and components via a wall box at the back of the component compartment.

Juniper wood raised beds. Woodchips surrounding and insectary beds for pollination.
Design ideas for a traditional landscaping in Seattle.

photos by Trina Roberts 949.395.8341 trina@grinphotography.com www.grinphotography.com
Inspiration for a coastal exterior home remodel in Orange County

Anna M Campbell
Inspiration for a small modern backyard concrete paver patio remodel in Portland with no cover

Julie Soefer
Entryway - mediterranean entryway idea in Houston

The kitchen boasts expansive views of the garden beyond. The windows are operational for light spring breezes and for ventilation. Between the stud storage is shown on the right for client mementos.

Staircase - mediterranean staircase idea in Los Angeles

Transitional exterior home photo in Birmingham

Casey Dunn Photography
Kitchen - large farmhouse galley dark wood floor kitchen idea in Houston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Julia Valenti
Living room - transitional living room idea in New York

Contemporary. Expansive. Multi-functional. An extensive kitchen renovation was needed to modernize an original design from 1993. Our gut remodel established a seamless new floor plan with two large islands. We lined the perimeter with ample storage and carefully layered creative lighting throughout the space. Contrasting white and walnut cabinets and an oversized copper hood, paired beautifully with a herringbone backsplash and custom live-edge table.

Rob Karosis
Example of a large mountain style slate floor and gray floor mudroom design in Burlington with brown walls

Living room - living room idea in Atlanta

This growing family of six was struggling with a dysfunctional kitchen design. The center island had been installed at an odd angle that limited accessibility and traffic flow. Additionally, storage space was limited by poor cabinet design. Finally, doorways in and out of the kitchen were narrow and poorly located, especially for children dashing in and out. Other design challenges included how to better use a 10’ x 12’ room for children’s jackets and toys and how to add a professional-quality gas range in a neighborhood were natural gas wasn’t available. The new design would address all of these issues. DESIGN SOLUTIONS The new kitchen design revolves around a more proportional island. Carefully placed in the center of the new space with seating for four, it includes a prep sink, a second dishwasher and a beverage center. The distressed ebony-stained island and hutch provides a brilliant contrast between the white color cabinetry. White Carrera marble countertops and backsplash top both island and perimeter cabinets. Tall, double stacked cabinetry lines two walls to maximize storage space. Across the room there was an unused wall that now contains a 36” tower fridge and freezer, both covered with matching panels, and a tall cabinet that contains a microwave, steam unit and warming drawer. A propane tank was buried in the back yard to provide gas to a new 60” professional range and cooktop. A custom-made wood mantel hood blends perfectly with the cabinet style. The old laundry room was reconfigured to have lots of locker space for all kids and added cabinetry for storage. A double entry door separated the new mudroom from the rest of the back hall. In the back hall the back windows were replaced with a set of French door and added decking to create a direct access to deck and backyard. The end result is an open floor plan, high-end appliances, great traffic flow and pleasing colors. The homeowner calls it the “kitchen of her dreams.”