We decided on a retro look for our new kitchen with lots of display shelving, happy colors, laminate counters (no cracking!), a chubby old stove, period details and “linoleum” flooring.

Photo by Donna Dotan Photography Inc.
Transitional laundry room photo in New York with white cabinets, a side-by-side washer/dryer and white countertops

Thermador Kitchen Design Contest - Regional Winner
Large transitional u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Salt Lake City with a double-bowl sink, dark wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, marble countertops, stone slab backsplash, an island and recessed-panel cabinets

Mike Kaskel
Small transitional u-shaped light wood floor and brown floor enclosed kitchen photo in San Francisco with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and gray countertops

photography by Rob Karosis
Example of a large classic l-shaped medium tone wood floor kitchen design in Portland Maine with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and white walls

Photography by Ric Johnson http://www.RicJPhotography.com
Kitchen - transitional l-shaped gray floor kitchen idea in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Kitchen & Breakfast Nook Photo Credit: Tim Murphy
Example of a large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, blue backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

David Woo The main fridge is counter depth with French doors so it doesn't interfere with traffic. To make up for a smaller fridge volume, a two drawer under counter fridge was installed in the peninsula. We put drinks in the under counter fridge and food in the main fridge which has the added benefit of distributing the traffic to either side of the kitchen. This works amazingly well. The space above the fridge we turned into a display area which acknowledges that this is a hard to reach area and best used for non-daily activity. LED strip lighting lights the space and reduces a potential dark spot in the kitchen.

With education being key to our remodel process, our designer discussed lighting elements, space planning, cabinet options and finish materials with our homeowners. To begin, she talked about under cabinet and above cabinet lighting options. They also discussed the popularity and functionality of LED lights for task, decorative and ambient lighting scenes. Eavesdropping on our conversation, one of the brothers chimed in on how often they had to change the recessed ceiling fixtures. That comment from the brother led our designer to increase our scope of work to add dimmable LED can lights in the color frequency close to daylight. Now it was time to complete the finish selections. Product selection had to go quickly, as the homeowner was only able to dedicate one long weekend to shop. With this goal in mind, our designer made choosing plumbing products and decorative lighting an online event. Then they went to an appliance showroom and granite/tile showroom to make the final choices. Our designer made sure they found a gorgeous set of slabs for the granite above the cooktop, since it was a key factor for the client and her mother. With all the selections made, final space plan drawings and the electrical layout complete, the client met with our designer to sign off on all the paperwork and move forward with their new kitchen. The key improvements incorporated into the final design were: LED can lights, under cabinet and above cabinet lights all on dimmers. Accessible items for wheelchair use with a touch-free faucet and microwave drawer . Extra deep counter space and seating at the island. Additional storage cabinets under the seating area of the island. Decreased traffic flow issues by adjusting refrigerator/freezer location and double oven cabinet. Plug strips under the wall cabinets to eliminate backsplash outlets. An expansive granite slab backsplash centered on the cooktop area. Our project manager started the job with rough electrical and rough plumbing, as the homeowner had enlisted the assistance of a family friend to remove the kitchen cabinets and re-install them in her garage. The plumbing was straight forward with the gas line already in place and the sink location staying in the island. The electrician wired for the new under-cabinet and above cabinet LED strip lights. The sconce locations were adjusted for the new bar top location, as were a row of can lights to accommodate for an even pour of ambient light throughout the space. The new LED can lights are a hit, as none have needed to be changed out. Our project manager specializes in trim carpentry so he did the cabinet install to keep our schedule on time. The cabinets went in smoothly except for the custom refrigerator panel. One of the panels needed to be remade three times, as each time it was produced the manufacturer’s quality control caught a defect. Our project manager worked closely with manufacturer and homeowner to keep everyone in the loop waiting patiently on its arrival. When it came time for the quartzite installation, we worked closely with our fabricator at cut layout to create the focal point at the hood. His team did an excellent job with the installation. The sink area was a surprise. They went above and beyond in framing the sink with the similar vein to the hood backsplash. Upon installation, the tile backsplash just did not do justice to the amazing quartzite. Discussion with the family and pictures sent to the homeowner lead to a decision to call the fabricator to see how much quartzite might be left. He had just enough to complete the island and beverage center. In the end, the backsplash worked out beautifully in all stone. We met our schedule for the end date of the project and the wheelchair-bound sister was able to move in. For this large Italian family, big meals with lots of family and friends in the new wonderful hub/kitchen is now a part of their happy life. Mission accomplished.

Michael Carroll. Solid Apollo LED. In this elegant and simple kitchen renovation, the owners wanted to add extra lighting to two places in the kitchen that normally do not receive enough light - the under cabinet area and in the cabinets. The owners wanted to find a simple solution without having excess installation requirements, such as drilling and work to fit large traditional lighting fixtures. Here instead they looked to Solid Apollo for the slim and easy to install LED Strip Light - shown here in the beautiful Warm White color, which suits the wood cabinet colors. The LED Strip Light has an extremely low profile and includes double sided sticky back tape for an easy to install and permanent installation. The photos shown here show the completed kitchen with the LED Lights turned on, another photo of the renovation in progress and several photos of the dimmer, simple barrel connections, and the slide and lock LED Strip connectors for quick easy-to-hide connections. The dimmer used here is the iTouch LED Dimmer, which is a simple in-line LED Dimmer for quick and easy on/off and dimming control. And with the included double sided tape, the slim dimmer can easily be hidden in a discrete location, compared to unsightly traditional wall dimmers that upset the carefully chosen back splash designs and require excessive effort for installation.

Condo kitchen remodel, hand-crafted cabinets painted creamy gray, vertical spice pull-outs, cabinet pantry pull-outs, glass backsplash, quartz counter tops, stainless appliances, under-mount Blanco sink, plug strips, coffee bar, peninsula, ceramic tile floor, designed for maximum storage, convenience.

More unique features, pull out spice drawer. Pot filler above the stove, under counter lighting with under counter outlets. There are no outlets in the back splash.

Marilyn Peryer Style House Photography
Example of a large transitional l-shaped orange floor and medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, porcelain backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and multicolored countertops

More unique features, pull out spice drawer. Pot filler above the stove, under counter lighting with under counter outlets. There are no outlets in the back splash.

Solid Apollo LED. In this kitchen remodel, the owner wanted to bring more light to the counter tops and for a nice accent light when not in use. The owner choose the warm white LED strip light to go with the tan and brown colors used in the tile and surrounding cabinets. A Micro Wireless LED Dimmer was placed by the strip for a concealed one touch controller that remembers the last setting used.

Three level island... The homeowner’s wanted a large galley style kitchen with island. It was important to the wife the island be unique and serve many purposes. Our team used Google Sketchup to produce and present concept after concept. Each revision brought us closer to what you see. The final design boasted a two sided island (yes, there is storage under the bar) 6” thick cantilevered bar ledge over a steel armature, and waterfall counter tops on both ends. On one end we had a slit fabricated to receive one side of a tempered glass counter top. The other side is supported by a stainless steel inverted U. The couple usually enjoys breakfast or coffee and the morning news at this quaint spot. Photography by Juliana Franco

More unique features, pull out spice drawer. Pot filler above the stove, under counter lighting with under counter outlets. There are no outlets in the back splash.

Goals The clients main goal was more space. They desired a new kitchen that was large enough to fit their growing family and to update other rooms in their home to fit their contemporary style. Our Design Solution In order to enlarge the kitchen, we had to build a new addition. The original kitchen was just too small and had no where to expand to within the house. With moving the entire kitchen into the addition, there was now room to create a mudroom and a new bathroom. Above the new kitchen, we gave the client a new master suite. We used white cabinets, a custom wood counter, and gray back splash tile, to give the kitchen the contemporary feel the clients were seeking. C.J South Photography

We added LED light strips under the vanity, on a separate switch, in order to set a mood and have minimal lighting at night (almost like a night light) This also enhances the effect of the furniture legs on the vanity. And yes, the floors are heated!