This couple had acreage, complete with horses, near the South Carolina border. We stripped the entire kitchen down to the foundation, leveled out uneven slab floors, added an unobtrusive exhaust hood in the ceiling over the center island, dining room cabinets, relaid ceramic tile flooring throughout the kitchen, dining room, and hallway to the front door.

THE SETUP “You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'” The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place. THE REMODEL The objectives were: Enlarge and open the space Find a classic look that incorporates blues Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances Hide an office space within the space Ample storage for dishes Design challenges: Uneven window alignment on the back wall Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header Large island that seats six easily Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way. “In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

Dealing with exposed beams, uneven floors and soffits made for several design challenges. Regular site visits to keep on top of construction progress was essential to making sure every detail of the kitchen cabinetry was thought of ahead of time. Custom Brighton Cabinetry by Attleboro Kitchen and Bath in this break-taking Mansfield, MA kitchen. Antique furnishings, hand-hewn floorboards and posts, custom farm table - all made by the homeowners - married with modern fixtures and appliances make this labor of love shine in its unique design.

New granite countertops called Copenhagen, with bold white, browns, and, gold. Kitchen with white walls, dark cherry cabinets. 60/40 uneven stainless steel sink, 18 gauge thickness. Stainless steel microwave and refrigerator. Stone supplied by Ecstatic Stone in Columbia, South Carolina, fabricated and installed by Rocky Tops Granite & Marble in Cayce, South Carolina.

This couple had acreage, complete with horses, near the South Carolina border. We stripped the entire kitchen down to the foundation, leveled out uneven slab floors, added an unobtrusive exhaust hood in the ceiling over the center island, dining room cabinets, relaid ceramic tile flooring throughout the kitchen, dining room, and hallway to the front door.

THE SETUP “You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'” The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place. THE REMODEL The objectives were: Enlarge and open the space Find a classic look that incorporates blues Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances Hide an office space within the space Ample storage for dishes Design challenges: Uneven window alignment on the back wall Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header Large island that seats six easily Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way. “In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

THE SETUP “You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'” The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place. THE REMODEL The objectives were: Enlarge and open the space Find a classic look that incorporates blues Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances Hide an office space within the space Ample storage for dishes Design challenges: Uneven window alignment on the back wall Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header Large island that seats six easily Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way. “In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

Open kitchen layout designed as the central family gathering place. The Creative Kitchen Co. collaborated with the homeowners to design a kitchen to fit the needs of a busy family of four. Photo credit: Ray LaVoie

Elegant medium tone wood floor kitchen photo in Vancouver with flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, quartz countertops, glass tile backsplash and stainless steel appliances

Example of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen design in Calgary with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Example of a large transitional galley dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen design in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite countertops, white backsplash, brick backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

This is an asymmetric wall cabinet used as a base to capture some valuable storage. A large support post made using a standard susan-type base impossible. The uneven front measurements — 6" on the left part of the opening and 9" on the right gives good access and allows the standard cabinet to to its left to be 15" wide.

Photography: Elevin Photography
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Boston with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

Gretjen Helene
Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash and stainless steel appliances

This couple had acreage, complete with horses, near the South Carolina border. We stripped the entire kitchen down to the foundation, leveled out uneven slab floors, added an unobtrusive exhaust hood in the ceiling over the center island, dining room cabinets, relaid ceramic tile flooring throughout the kitchen, dining room, and hallway to the front door.

THE SETUP “You have to figure out how to rebuild a life worth living,” Basia Kozub’s client says. Her husband passed away suddenly three years ago. Holidays with family became more important, and she found herself struggling with a 37-year old kitchen that was falling apart. “I made a decision to move forward,” she says. “I went, ‘You know what? I’m redoing the kitchen.'” The big task of getting started was as easy as having a conversation – literally. Basia was on the job, helping the client sort through priorities, wishes and ideas. Basia’s client is 5′ 4″, likes keeping an eye on the kiddoes in the backyard and wanted certain things to have their own place. THE REMODEL The objectives were: Enlarge and open the space Find a classic look that incorporates blues Upgrade to easy-to-use appliances Hide an office space within the space Ample storage for dishes Design challenges: Uneven window alignment on the back wall Original kitchen smaller than desired, stuctural concerns if walls to be moved Keep folks close – figure out seating for entertaining Main sink in corner is ideal, but windows are hard to reach Lots of storage needed for dishes, glass collection, pantry items, bar bottles and office supplies Specific storage needs for oft-used spices and utensils THE RENEWED SPACE Design solutions: Replace back wall windows, establish window size continuity Take out two walls to open up the space, tall shallow cabinet and a tall filler added to conceal a new header Large island that seats six easily Custom corner sink cabinet with recessed edge allows vertically challenged homeowner to reach the windows Mindful storage planning features: plenty of cabinets, pull-out bar bottle storage, file drawers & cubbies with pocket doors for office appliances, magic corner pullouts, and appliance garages with pocket doors Shelf behind range for easy access to daily-use spices and oils. Also: spice and utensil pullouts on either side of range The clients says every priority and wish box got checked. The highly functional design absorbed everything that used to be in that area of the house, but now those things are out of the way. “In the past, we were all spread out when we gathered for the holidays, because we had to spread out. Now, we’re all in here together, including my 92-year old mother. We’re visiting, cooking, laughing… everyone is here. And I’m really learning how to use these appliances. This kitchen has given me a whole new life.”

Replacing the 3 unevenly spaced and different sized windows with matching windows allowed more light in and improved the layout of the kitchen.
Mid-sized cottage u-shaped vinyl floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Seattle with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and no island

We gutted the condo's dated melamine kitchen and gave it a cozy cottage feel, with white beadboard cabinet fronts and bright blue accents. A dropped fluorescent ceiling was removes and replaced with LED recessed lighting that require a mere 3 " to install. Cork flooring in a saddle brown is easy on the knees and adds warm subtle texture. An interesting metallic granite countertop is complemented by a mother-of -pearl mosaic inlay in the backsplash. Subway tiles used for the rest of the backsplash are a hand-made version, with uneven edges adding still more texture. Our revamped layout took over a good portion of the breakfast nook, but a small bistro table and stools serves the clients well. The bright blue accent wall sets off the dark wood furniture and the clients' contemporary painting.

Example of a mid-sized arts and crafts vinyl floor eat-in kitchen design in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island