Example of a large beach style u-shaped light wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

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Photos credited to Imagesmith- Scott Smith Open and functional kitchen, access everything with your fingertips. Including the dining room, wood burning stove, and living area. The structural Douglas Fir post and ceiling beams set the tone along with the stain matched 2x6 pine tongue and groove ceiling –this also serves as the finished floor surface at the loft above. Dreaming a cozy feel at the kitchen/dining area a darker stain was used to visual provide a shorter ceiling height to a 9’ plate line. The knotty Alder floating shelves and wall cabinetry share their own natural finish with a chocolate glazing. The island cabinet was of painted maple with a chocolate glaze as well, this unit wanted to look like a piece of furniture that was brought into the ‘cabin’ rather than built-in, again with a value minded approach. The flooring is a pre-finished engineered ½” Oak flooring, and again with the darker shade we wanted to emotionally deliver the cozier feel for the space. Additionally, lighting is essential to a cook’s –and kitchen’s- performance. We needed there to be ample lighting but only wanted to draw attention to the pendants above the island and the dining chandelier. We opted to wash the back splash and the counter tops with hidden LED strips. We then elected to use track lighting over the cooking area with as small of heads as possible and in black to make them ‘go away’ or get lost in the sauce.

Benjamin Benschneider
Example of a mid-sized minimalist galley light wood floor open concept kitchen design in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, recycled glass countertops, gray backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Huge re-model including taking ceiling from a flat ceiling to a complete transformation. Bamboo custom cabinetry was given a grey stain, mixed with walnut strip on the bar and the island given a different stain. Huge amounts of storage from deep pan corner drawers, roll out trash, coffee station, built in refrigerator, wine and alcohol storage, appliance garage, pantry and appliance storage, the amounts go on and on. Floating shelves with a back that just grabs the eye takes this kitchen to another level. The clients are thrilled with this huge difference from their original space.

This custom kitchen is part of an adventuresome project my wife and I embarked upon to create a complete apartment in the basement of our townhouse. We designed a floor plan that creatively and efficiently used all of the 385-square-foot-space, without sacrificing beauty, comfort or function – and all without breaking the bank! To maximize our budget, we did the work ourselves and added everything from thrift store finds to DIY wall art to bring it all together. Since the kitchen / living room has no windows, we wanted to be sure that it felt warm and comfortable. We used a combination of recessed lights, under-cabinet lights, and this pendant light to create a bright welcoming space. We bought both the under-cabinet and pendant lights secondhand for $7.50 and $20 respectively.

Unlike the more traditionally think chef's block, this modestly sized transitional kitchen features a thinner and more streamlined design giving it a near flush install with the counter-top. You will notice it strategically located right next to the kitchen sink on one of the two facing islands with double pullout trash storage below to conveniently brush the chopped leftovers into and stainless dishwasher on the left. On the other side of this island, we designed in a stainless under-counter beverage refrigerator with pull-out trash to the left. A transitional induction cooktop rests on the other island just across from the seating area, giving the homeowner the option to easily converse with family and friends while cooking a meal. Just below the cooktop, you will notice plentiful pullout storage for pots and pans. Beyond the two island is a creatively designed side-by-side Frigidaire stainless refrigerator and freezer encased in a custom built box stained to match the beige cabinets throughout the kitchen. They are flanked on either side by floating shelves with base pullout storage on the left and an under-counter oven on the right. All of these features combined with the tile flooring and ceiling accented by weathered wood beams and rustic hanging light fixture give this kitchen a truly warm and inviting glow.

Kitchen - transitional kitchen idea in Providence

Inspire 3000K Super Bright and Inspire 3000K Bright are used in lighting the under cabinets, over cabinets, inside cabinets and under counter in this contemporary home.

Many avid cooks love having a recessed chef’s block located somewhere on their kitchen island, and this KI client was no different. Unlike the more traditionally thick chef’s block, the homeowner opted for a thinner and more streamlined design giving it a near flush install with the counter-top. You will notice it strategically located right next to the kitchen sink on one of the two facing islands with double pullout trash storage below to conveniently brush the chopped leftovers into and stainless dishwasher on the left. On the other side of this island, we designed in a stainless under-counter beverage refrigerator with pull-out trash to the left. A transitional induction cooktop rests on the other island just across from the seating area, giving the homeowner the option to easily converse with family and friends while cooking a meal. Just below the cooktop, you will notice plentiful pullout storage for pots and pans. Last but certainly not least is the creatively designed side-by-side Frigidaire stainless refrigerator and freezer encased in a custom built box stained to match the beige cabinets throughout the kitchen. They are flanked on either side by floating shelves with base pullout storage on the left and an under-counter oven on the right.

Even small wine collections deserve to have proper storage. The Wine Enthusiast Classic is the perfect fridge for those who want to keep a few bottles cool. You can leave this fridge free-standing, or have it built in under your cabinets. The glass front will have a beautiful touch to your cabinetry. This fridge will fit into the same space as a standard sized trash compactor. The glass is UV protected to ensure that the light doesn't damage your wine. You can also use the digital thermostat to control the temperature. Temperature range is between 41-72 degrees, it’s perfect whether you drink red or white wine. You will also love the quiet, energy-efficient design. - Height 34" - Width: 15" -Depth: 23 1/4" - Bottle capacity: 30 - Weight: 84 pounds Add an under-the-counter wine fridge to your kitchen for a bit of convenience and luxury in your life.

Example of a minimalist u-shaped kitchen design in Austin with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, stainless steel appliances and marble backsplash

Post remodel, what had been a bank of cabinets is now the main path through the kitchen. The stove has been relocated to the north with its back against the new bar with subway tile backsplash. The fridge has been repositioned on the west side of the kitchen where a hall closet once was located. The fir floor of the kitchen has been removed and replaced with oak to match the dining room and living room. The fir was salvaged for use as the countertop of the bar and pantry. The original exhaust fan was removed and replaced with a Zephyr island exhaust with built-in LED lights visible above the stove. The faux wood countertop and backsplash have been replaced with "Absolute Black" granite with a honed finish and white subway tile. Combination power/led light strips were installed under the cabinets. A moveable island (antique enamel topped cabinet) serves as a landing spot and work surface. Two new (old) overhead lights were added. In the kitchen a vintage farmhouse fixture obtained from North End Lampworks replaces a contemporary fixture. In the dining room, a 100-year-old wrought iron chandelier purchased from CenturyOfLighting.com's Etsy page was added. The center panels of the upper row of cabinets have been replaced with "mistlite" obscure glass. All of the cabinet pulls have been replaced with Van Dyke Restorers brushed silver "bow" handles. The hinges on the under-counter cabinets are new House of Antique Hardware 2-1/2" half-surface hinges to match the original hinges. The shape of the arched wall between the kitchen and dining room matches the wall between the dining room and living room. The curtain under the counter hides the space a dishwasher would go.

LED lights are a safe and cost effective way to brighten up your kitchen island, cabinets, or pendants. Illuminating cabinet interiors and the spaces above and below is a great way to perfectly balance opening up the room, task lighting for food prep and cooking, and adding a splash of color. Illuminating the area under cabinets really transforms a room. LED light bars and strips provide ample task lighting for everyday activities and increase the overall illumination in a room. Never has it been easier to achieve this look than now with the various LED light strip kits offered.

The owners of a charming home in the hills west of Paso Robles recently decided to remodel their not-so-charming kitchen. Referred to San Luis Kitchen by several of their friends, the homeowners visited our showroom and soon decided we were the best people to design a kitchen fitting the style of their home. We were delighted to get to work on the project right away. When we arrived at the house, we found a small, cramped and out-dated kitchen. The ceiling was low, the cabinets old fashioned and painted a stark dead white, and the best view in the house was neglected in a seldom-used breakfast nook (sequestered behind the kitchen peninsula). This kitchen was also handicapped by white tile counters with dark grout, odd-sized and cluttered cabinets, and small ‘desk’ tacked on to the side of the oven cabinet. Due to a marked lack of counter space & inadequate storage the homeowner had resorted to keeping her small appliances on a little cart parked in the corner and the garbage was just sitting by the wall in full view of everything! On the plus side, the kitchen opened into a nice dining room and had beautiful saltillo tile floors. Mrs. Homeowner loves to entertain and often hosts dinner parties for her friends. She enjoys visiting with her guests in the kitchen while putting the finishing touches on the evening’s meal. Sadly, her small kitchen really limited her interactions with her guests – she often felt left out of the mix at her own parties! This savvy homeowner dreamed big – a new kitchen that would accommodate multiple workstations, have space for guests to gather but not be in the way, and maybe a prettier transition from the kitchen to the dining (wine service area or hutch?) – while managing the remodel budget by reusing some of her major appliances and keeping (patching as needed) her existing floors. Responding to the homeowner’s stated wish list and the opportunities presented by the home's setting and existing architecture, the designers at San Luis Kitchen decided to expand the kitchen into the breakfast nook. This change allowed the work area to be reoriented to take advantage of the great view – we replaced the existing window and added another while moving the door to gain space. A second sink and set of refrigerator drawers (housing fresh fruits & veggies) were included for the convenience of this mainly vegetarian cook – her prep station. The clean-up area now boasts a farmhouse style single bowl sink – adding to the ‘cottage’ charm. We located a new gas cook-top between the two workstations for easy access from each. Also tucked in here is a pullout trash/recycle cabinet for convenience and additional drawers for storage. Running parallel to the work counter we added a long butcher-block island with easy-to-access open shelves for the avid cook and seating for friendly guests placed just right to take in the view. A counter-top garage is used to hide excess small appliances. Glass door cabinets and open shelves are now available to display the owners beautiful dishware. The microwave was placed inconspicuously on the end of the island facing the refrigerator – easy access for guests (and extraneous family members) to help themselves to drinks and snacks while staying out of the cook’s way. We also moved the pantry storage away from the dining room (putting it on the far wall and closer to the work triangle) and added a furniture-like hutch in its place allowing the more formal dining area to flow seamlessly into the up-beat work area of the kitchen. This space is now also home (opposite wall) to an under counter wine refrigerator, a liquor cabinet and pretty glass door wall cabinet for stemware storage – meeting Mr. Homeowner’s desire for a bar service area. And then the aesthetic: an old-world style country cottage theme. The homeowners wanted the kitchen to have a warm feel while still loving the look of white cabinetry. San Luis Kitchen melded country-casual knotty pine base cabinets with vintage hand-brushed creamy white wall cabinets to create the desired cottage look. We also added bead board and mullioned glass doors for charm, used an inset doorstyle on the cabinets for authenticity, and mixed stone and wood counters to create an eclectic nuance in the space. All in all, the happy homeowners now boast a charming county cottage kitchen with plenty of space for entertaining their guests while creating gourmet meals to feed them. Credits: Custom cabinetry by Wood-Mode Fine Custom Cabinetry Contracting by Michael Pezzato of Lost Coast Construction Stone counters by Pyramid M.T.M.

Looking southeast, post remodel, what had been a bank of cabinets is now the main path through the kitchen. The stove has been relocated to the north with its back against the new bar. The face of bar is made from salvaged fir sliding door panels that had been stored in the home's basement from its original construction. The fir floor of the kitchen has been removed and replaced with oak to match the dining room and living room. The fir was salvaged for use as the countertop of the bar and pantry. The original exhaust fan was removed and replaced with a Zephyr island exhaust with built-in LED lights visible above the stove. The faux wood countertop and backsplash have been replaced with "Absolute Black" granite with a honed finish and Daltile 3" x 6" bright white subway tile. Combination power/led light strips were installed under the cabinets. A moveable island (antique enamel topped cabinet) serves as a landing spot and work surface. The center panels of the upper row of cabinets have been replaced with "mistlite" obscure glass. All of the cabinet pulls have been replaced with Van Dyke Restorers brushed silver "bow" handles. The hinges on the under-counter cabinets are new House of Antique Hardware 2-1/2" half-surface hinges to match the original ornamental butt hinges. The shape of the arched wall between the kitchen and dining room matches the wall between the dining room and living room. The curtain under the counter hides the space a dishwasher would go.

The design concept of this kitchen was inspired by the client's love of France. The materials are classic but very special; the marble tile has a silk-screened pattern overlay, the butcher block island top is walnut with a furniture finish, the creamy-white cabinets are a modified shaker with a beveled edge, and the counters are durable Calcutta porcelain. The amazing over-scaled vintage pendants from France and the sleek brass and linen counter stools give the space a modern and fresh feel.

In this white kitchen renovation, we removed the old wooden shaker-style kitchen cabinetry and replaced them with all new white and grey cabinets, and white marble counter tops. Expertly hidden behind some of these cabinets is the family’s new walk-in pantry. The original space had a small, awkward-shaped kitchen island that was so small it was barely functional or convenient for more than one person to sit at. We gave the homeowners a much larger kitchen island, with a beveled edge, that now has more than enough space for eating, socializing, or doing work. With a large overhang counter top on one side, there is now room for several backless bar stools tucked under the island. You’ll also notice glitters of gold inside the two over-sized lighting fixtures suspended over the island. We created the homeowners a small wok kitchen just off of their new white kitchen renovation. In the main kitchen, we added a ceramic flat cook top and subtle white exhaust hood with an elegant rose-gold trim. Behind it, a white/grey mosaic back splash acts as a wall accent to provide some dimension to the otherwise solid white space. Surrounding the range hood are two large wall cabinets with clear doors to provide extra storage without adding bulk to the newly opened room. The adjacent dining room was also updated to include a long, contemporary dining table with comfortable seating for eight (ten if you want to get cozy). We replaced the low-hanging run-of-the-mill chandelier with a higher, more modern style made of gold and glass. Behind it all is a new dark grey accent wall with a paneled design to add dimension and depth to the new brighter room.

Custom design by Cynthia Soda of Soda Pop Design Inc. in Toronto, Canada. Photography by Stephani Buchman Photography.
Open concept kitchen - large transitional l-shaped dark wood floor open concept kitchen idea in Toronto with white cabinets, an island, recessed-panel cabinets, beige backsplash, stone tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances