What can we do with 6” of space? … Bottle service for the host and guests! Kate Falconer Photography
Mid-sized beach style l-shaped medium tone wood floor and yellow floor open concept kitchen photo with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, distressed cabinets, quartz countertops, blue backsplash, glass tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Walls and cabinets are Sherwin-Williams Anew, pendants are Visual Comfort, counters are marble, faucets are Kohler, hood is Vent-A-Hood, stools are Kartell, table is Design Within Reach, chairs are Lee Inds.

This home in the Portland hills was stuck in the 70's with cedar paneling and almond laminate cabinets with oak details. (See Before photos) The space had wonderful potential with a high vaulted ceiling that was covered by a low ceiling in the kitchen and dining room. Walls closed in the kitchen. The remodel began with removal of the ceiling and the wall between the kitchen and the dining room. Hardwood flooring was extended into the kitchen. Shaker cabinets with contemporary hardware, modern pendants and clean-lined backsplash tile make this kitchen fit the transitional style the owners wanted. Now, the light and backdrop of beautiful trees are enjoyed from every room.

Open concept kitchen - large country u-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Denver with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and black countertops

Open concept kitchen - large transitional l-shaped bamboo floor and brown floor open concept kitchen idea in Portland with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, quartz backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Downsizing to a downtown sky rise was exciting for my clients, but came with an array of challenges. My client is an avid cook, with all the gadgets and small appliances out there, but now didn’t have the space or easy access to them. The building design brought on other challenges, with angled walls creating awkward spaces in the small pantry and with cabinetry. By removing a door from the kitchen to a guest bedroom, we transformed the pantry to a fully functioning additional workstation. Fully retractable pocket doors give you full access to food & small appliances that are ready to use without moving. Custom tall lazy susans maximize an angled corner. Custom cabinets now maximize the corners that were wasted before, and a Galley Sink makes prepping meals a breeze, and maximizes countertop space when entertaining. A steam oven makes cooking easier with less mess. They love it!

Kitchen - contemporary l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Houston with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and gray countertops

Mid-sized elegant u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor open concept kitchen photo in Toronto with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite countertops, multicolored backsplash, marble backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Transitional living room photo in Denver

Inspiration for a transitional kitchen remodel in Dallas

Entryway - transitional entryway idea in Denver

Living room - cottage living room idea in Dallas

Transitional bathroom photo in Denver

Example of a transitional kitchen design in Denver

The goal for this 1939 Tudor-style story-and-a-half home was to create a kitchen that offered the conveniences, storage, and performance of a modern workspace while preserving the warmth, craftsmanship, and vintage charm that made the home special. The client, an avid home cook, wanted the room to feel as though it had always belonged to the house, with thoughtful upgrades that respected the original architecture rather than competing with it. Just as important, she needed a more efficient layout with enough storage for small appliances, so everyday cooking would no longer require carrying items up from the lower level. Several existing conditions shaped the design approach. The kitchen retained original, amber-stained birch woodwork that the client wished to keep, and the compact footprint was interrupted by six doorways and two windows, none of which were to be moved, altered, or replaced. A previous flooring update had left the door casings undercut too short, creating visible gaps where the casing met the floor. The existing vintage 40-inch range also lacked proper ventilation, yet the client wished to accommodate a refrigerator, dishwasher, cooktop, double ovens, built-in microwave, and effective venting above the cooktop into the new kitchen layout. To honor the original millwork, beaded inset-style cherry cabinetry was selected in a soft, hand-rubbed finish that will deepen over time and develop a natural patina. Charcoal-gray soapstone countertops complement the cabinetry while reinforcing the historic character of the home with an organic, timeworn texture. The former breakfast nook was transformed into a butler’s pantry, adding valuable base cabinet storage and expanded work surfaces for frequently used small appliances. Also in the butler’s pantry, a single upper cabinet was paired with open shelves to give an open, airy feeling while adding character and practical storage. A classic single-bowl apron-front workstation sink contributes both period-appropriate character and practical prep and cleanup function. Because the home’s openings were such a defining feature, the design worked within the existing architecture instead of altering it. Custom plinth blocks were created for each doorway to extend the original casing gracefully down to the new natural red oak flooring, resolving the earlier construction issue while adding a detail that feels authentic to the age of the house. Despite the number of door and window openings, the new layout provides a significantly more functional, built-in kitchen with an improved work triangle for serious cooking. Appliance placement was carefully planned to deliver the requested performance without overwhelming the small room. Three cooking functions (double ovens & microwave) were consolidated into one location with a GE Café double oven featuring Advantium Technology, while the client’s compact 31-inch refrigerator was reused to preserve space. A sleek 30-inch induction cooktop provides efficient cooking, and a Vent-A-Hood ARS ductless vent hood supplies needed ventilation without requiring a duct run to the exterior. The finish palette balances richness, texture, and historical sensitivity. A deeply textured navy backsplash tile adds depth and dramatic shadow play against the soapstone, while wallpaper in the back entry echoes the tile’s geometric pattern to visually connect the adjoining spaces. Oil-rubbed bronze cabinet hardware and light fixtures enhance the warmth of the cherry cabinetry and complete the antique-inspired feel. Lighting was layered to make the compact kitchen brighter, more useful, and more inviting. Vintage-style semi-flush ceiling fixtures establish the overall tone, while dimmable puck lights highlight select areas and undercabinet task lighting keeps work surfaces well illuminated. The completed kitchen now feels both highly functional and deeply rooted in the home’s history. Rich cherry cabinetry, velvety soapstone, natural red oak flooring, navy tile, bronze accents, and carefully preserved birch trim work together to create a warm, cohesive space that celebrates timeless craftsmanship. By increasing storage, improving workflow, integrating modern appliances, and respecting the Tudor home’s original character, the design achieves the client’s vision: a kitchen that feels personal, practical, historically appropriate, and as though it has always been there.

Inspiration for a contemporary gray floor kitchen remodel in Jacksonville with dark wood cabinets, multicolored backsplash, matchstick tile backsplash, two islands and white countertops

Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel with beaded inset cabinets, green cabinets, white backsplash, stone slab backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

In the kitchen, dark outdated cabinets were swapped out for Glacier white cabinets from Grabill Cabinets in their Devonshire door style. A beautiful waterfall walnut countertop from Grothouse pops next to the white ENVI Quartz countertop in Statuario Fiora on the island. A beautiful custom Vent-A-Hood in black and stainless steel creates contrast around the perimeter of the room.

Transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen photo in Toronto with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, no island and white countertops