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.”

Photo by John Rippons. Initially an unused, dead space in the house, we transformed it into a private conversation area that greets you when you walk up the staircase. Four comfortable chairs and excellent lighting make this area inviting to everyone who comes into the house.

A direct Entry off the Kitchen makes easy access to the Outdoor Dining Area, Grill and adjacent Dock. With a 270 degree waterfront lots, all sides of the home have a view of the lake and no side goes unused.

Main floor renovation of a home in Barrie, Ontarion Canada. Expanding the kitchen for a young growing family. Reomved old outdated kichen, flooring and unused fireplace in dinning room. Created a large usable kitchen with lots of storage. Panty wall in old dinning room. Built-in Stainless Fridge and Freezer where old fireplace use to be. Painted white shaker doors, Builting oven and microwave. Induction stove top with Stainless steel hood vent. Picket fence tile backsplash. Island were the whole family can gather.

This kitchen remodel is the definition of elevated everyday living, where clean lines, warm textures, and intentional function come together in a space designed to truly perform. The quartz countertops & full height backsplash give the entire kitchen a clean, luminous feel while providing durable, low-maintenance performance for real everyday living. A large statement island was created by expanding the kitchen footprint and eliminating the unused formal dining room. The island adds generous prep space, comfortable seating, and the perfect gathering spot for morning coffee or evening entertaining. Tucked seamlessly into the cabinetry is a hidden walk-in pantry with wet bar & storage galore, keeping the kitchen's visual lines beautifully uncluttered. And for effortless hosting, a dedicated beverage station- in the kitchen- featuring an ice maker and refrigerator creates a functional mini-hub for drinks, snacks, and celebrations. Modern. Functional. Timeless. This is more than a kitchen remodel, it’s a space designed to make daily life feel beautiful and effortless.

A full storage island wouldn't work in this Hinsdale, Illinois master closet, so the creative professionals at Chicagoland Home Products found the answer ina storage peninsula that was just the right size for this custom project. For those who long for custom storage, gaze on these photos and behold ample space to stow socks, keep under garments and organize jewelry. Shelves and drawers galore help provide a home for everything. When our client dreamed about special features in the custom closet, a place for staging items and folding clothing came to mind. We made that dream come true by incorporating a large countertop onto the peninsula. This was all tied together in a white melamine finish, but you could use any color that works best for you. It was just about complete except for one troublesome area just below the window. The small area of unused space was transformed with the addition of the handy bench which can be used for a variety of things — including sitting and looking out the window.

White kitchens are, truly, not for everyone. These clients, settling in Bloomington with a newborn and collections of quilts, fiestaware and jam band tour posters, were drawn to how bright and clean a white kitchen can be, but reluctant to lose color and interest. At SYI, we agreed! It would have felt like too sudden a drain of intensity to go from so much vibrancy to a complete white out. At the same time, all that vibrancy needed a backdrop that didn't compete. Enter the bright green island! And yellow sconces! And red bird runner! And upstairs, in a complete makeover of an awkward ensuite, the turquoise ceiling and door! (You really can't speak of these things without exclamation marks, we find.) True to its 1960s era colonial bones, the kitchen was formerly a tight U of wood stained cabinetry, adjacent to but cut off from an eating nook (where, if it's like most households, previous occupants likely ate most if not all of their meals, leaving the nearby dining room awfully lonely and unused). The eating nook's picture window became a door to a new deck, and one side of the U went away, leaving room for one of the most functional types of kitchen layouts we know of: an L with big windows to the back yard and a nice big island. Contractor: Loren Wood Builders Cabinetry: Stoll's Woodworking Photography: Gina Rogers and Michiko Owaki

A new client reached out with a desire to redesign the entertainment center in their family room. The entertainment center was made up of a traditional fireplace, an outdated media cabinet with a built-in bookshelf, and an unused nook on the right side of the room. Our client wanted a more modern, clean look. They greatly value symmetry and balance, but the existing layout, combined with the off-center ceiling beam and soffit above the nook, gave the whole space a clunky and asymmetrical feel. The goal was to provide balance to the entertainment wall, and add a more contemporary look to update the dysfunctional design. The fireplace was redesigned with a clean, linear, electric insert, and a television mounted above it, backed with decorative wood paneling. The dated bookshelves were removed, tiled over, and replaced with modern, floating shelves. Linear lighting was incorporated into the shelving to draw attention to the paneling and accessories. The spare nook was converted into a walk-up bar. Custom cabinetry was installed, along with a wine fridge, trash pullout, sink, and metal and glass shelving that beautifully displays glasses and bottles. The floating quartz hearth seamlessly connects the whole space, creating a sleek, modern, and balanced entertainment center that perfectly suits the client's taste.

Converted an unused dining space into a wine bar. Large cabinet to the left is a fine furniture bar cabinet. Greg Coleman, LensPortraits Photography
Mid-sized elegant home bar photo in Austin

Photographer: Brendon Pinola Contractor: Lovette Construction This Tanglewood home originally had a very tiny kitchen separated from the family room and dining area. Several walls were removed to create this gorgeous open plan. The laundry was in the back corner by the bay window where ovens are currently located. The laundry was relocated to the front of the house where they had an unused formal sitting room. The laundry is now inside the walk in HIDDEN pantry that is concealed by cabinet doors. The large island is an incredible work surface and social gathering area. The cabinets are Wellborn's shaker door style with Glacier on the perimeter and Shadow Charcoal for the hood and island. This turned out to be one of my favorite projects of all time! Great clients to work with.

These clients loved the historic details of their classic Portland Bungalow, but wished for modern updates to improve livability. We were able to capture square footage to the kitchen by removing an unused chimney allowing us to increase additional work surface with the addition of a narrow island. Where traffic flow previously moved directly across the work triangle, the new layout keeps cooking activities within one zone of the kitchen and shifting traffic flow to another zone, allowing their daughter and four-legged family members to run through the space freely! High-end appliances create a luxury cooking experience. Crisp surfaces and colors create a light and bright space while classically sized crown and trim profiles draw the eye up and around the room offering a feeling of expanse in a modestly sized footprint. The blue and white color pallet offer a subtle reminder to coastal and tropical environments … the client’s favorite place to escape!

Modern kitchen renovation for a home in Miami Beach. The existing kitchen was outdated, small, and had wasted space for the client. We redesigned the space and utilized the unused breakfast nook to create a larger kitchen. Two separate counter areas to create a Kosher Kitchen were added. The breakfast nook was reincorporated into the middle island to open the space up more. A new hallway access to the guest corridor provided more wall space for cabinetry and a more connected feel for the guest room to the rest of the house. (Rendering)

Now you see it - now you don't. See the previous photo for how nice it looks closed up. Then see how useful storage items are hiding. Corner base cabinet has a Lazy Susan. On the countertop is an appliance garage, which has an overhead door to make hiding the coffemaker fast and easy. Under the sink is a pull out shelf to keep scrubbies off the counter. Photo by Toby Weiss

This special property has a bluff setting above Lake Washington with incredible views. The original landscape was an unusable overgrown garden. Working with Allworth Design Terrain implemented a space that was ideal for entertaining and a space for the kids to kick balls. Every detail was thought through and the finished result reflects it. The custom built glass railing keeps the view intact and the family safe.

Our Underhill style sink in Oil Rubbed Bronze glaze. Adding a bathroom in an otherwise unused space can make living in a space challenged home much easier.

Ross Metal Works
Entryway - craftsman entryway idea in Houston

**Before Photo** This master bathroom was a full demolition including the existing unused tub. Be removing the tub we were able to create a new walk in shower. We installed new flooring, vanity, custom ship lap wall around the fireplace and the project turned out amazing.

Created an outdoor living space in an unusable side yard of this Emerald Isle property using Techo Bloc Blu 60 3 piece pavers in Sandalwood
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless side yard concrete paver patio remodel in Other with no cover