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.”

Please see this Award Winning project in the October 2014 issue of New York Cottages & Gardens Magazine: NYC&G http://www.cottages-gardens.com/New-York-Cottages-Gardens/October-2014/NYCG-Innovation-in-Design-Winners-Kitchen-Design/ It was also featured in a Houzz Tour: Houzz Tour: Loving the Old and New in an 1880s Brooklyn Row House http://www.houzz.com/ideabooks/29691278/list/houzz-tour-loving-the-old-and-new-in-an-1880s-brooklyn-row-house Photo Credit: Hulya Kolabas

Photo: Robert Benson
Example of a small beach style wooden straight staircase design in New York with wooden risers

Photography: Chuck Choi
Inspiration for a contemporary dark wood floor hallway remodel in New York with white walls

Designer: Cameron Snyder & Judy Whalen; Photography: Dan Cutrona
Laundry room - huge traditional carpeted and beige floor laundry room idea in Boston with glass-front cabinets, dark wood cabinets, a side-by-side washer/dryer and brown countertops

When our client came to us, she was stumped with how to turn her small living room into a cozy, useable family room. The living room and dining room blended together in a long and skinny open concept floor plan. It was difficult for our client to find furniture that fit the space well. It also left an awkward space between the living and dining areas that she didn’t know what to do with. She also needed help reimagining her office, which is situated right off the entry. She needed an eye-catching yet functional space to work from home. In the living room, we reimagined the fireplace surround and added built-ins so she and her family could store their large record collection, games, and books. We did a custom sofa to ensure it fits the space and maximized the seating. We added texture and pattern through accessories and balanced the sofa with two warm leather chairs. We updated the dining room furniture and added a little seating area to help connect the spaces. Now there is a permanent home for their record player and a cozy spot to curl up in when listening to music. For the office, we decided to add a pop of color, so it contrasted well with the neutral living space. The office also needed built-ins for our client’s large cookbook collection and a desk where she and her sons could rotate between work, homework, and computer games. We decided to add a bench seat to maximize space below the window and a lounge chair for additional seating.

©Karl Neumann
Arts and crafts gray two-story wood exterior home photo

Raquel Langworthy
Example of a small beach style master medium tone wood floor and brown floor bedroom design in New York with gray walls

To create a unique kitchen, we take inspiration from the personality of our clients; it’s a collaborative effort to develop the exact look and feel that best suits their lifestyles. The challenge of this kitchen was to re-build the existing kitchen and adjoining full bath, creating a much better flow with plenty of storage for this active family (as they often entertain seaside). The two-toned cabinetry in both white and laguna blue reflected a true beach-feel adorned with a terrific choice of starfish and shell shaped hardware to draw attention to this creative and beautifully transformed seaside kitchen. We remind our clients that in order to be unique, do something unique! And this is nicely demonstrated in both the layout, color scheme and backsplash design details. Our client selected several hand painted decorative ocean creatures for the backsplash, drawing from colors in the room, and this created a truly unique conversation piece! A glint of sparkle from the white quartz countertops brings you closer to the beach in this impressive oceanfront home. From flooring to ceiling, we created a picture perfect beautiful beach house kitchen that is not only functional but provides a relaxed and inviting feel for these seaside owners.

Inspiration for a timeless master marble tile marble floor and gray floor freestanding bathtub remodel in Columbus with beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, gray walls, an undermount sink, marble countertops and a hinged shower door

Allison Bitter Photography
Bedroom and mid-sized transitional girl medium tone wood floor nursery photo in New York with purple walls

In this traditional remodel represented here, is a Waypoint Cabinetry’s Painted Square Door profile with Hazelnut Glaze as well as Crown and Light Rail moulding. Antique Pewter Copper pulls and knobs are used to tie the cabinetry together, especially with the Granite countertop with an Ogee Edge. Tile consists of an 18 x 18 Ceramic Floor Tile as well as a 3 x 6 Ceramic Subway Tile with an Almond Glaze Backsplash. To draw attention to the excellent tile work and provide functionality, under cabinet LED lighting is used.

The view from the dining room. We looked at several options to make this relatively tight space both functional and spacious. The wife, who is a chef and meticulously organized, had this to say about 3 Lights Design's attention to detail, "I'm so impressed how you heard all the little silly things I was saying and got it into a picture!!!" For us, the "silly little things" are everything. That's how the project's name was born. All photos by Thomas Kuoh Photography.

Robert D. Schwerdt
Corner shower - small traditional master beige tile ceramic tile corner shower idea with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, a two-piece toilet and blue walls

The large counter space and cabinets surrounding this washer and dryer makes doing laundry a breeze in this timber home. Photo Credit: Roger Wade Studios

Inspiration for a contemporary women's medium tone wood floor walk-in closet remodel in San Diego with open cabinets, white cabinets and white walls

Reminiscent of a villa in south of France, this Old World yet still sophisticated home are what the client had dreamed of. The home was newly built to the client’s specifications. The wood tone kitchen cabinets are made of butternut wood, instantly warming the atmosphere. The perimeter and island cabinets are painted and captivating against the limestone counter tops. A custom steel hammered hood and Apex wood flooring (Downers Grove, IL) bring this room to an artful balance. Project specs: Sub Zero integrated refrigerator and Wolf 36” range Interior Design by Tony Stavish, A.W. Stavish Designs Craig Dugan - Photographer

Basement Mud Room
Large transitional slate floor mudroom photo in New York with beige walls and a white front door