Built-in bar and entertainment niche of a new construction single-level home in Orinda, CA. A custom walnut bar cabinet is recessed into the wall between the kitchen and family room, walnut flat-front lower cabinets with brushed metal pulls and white quartz countertop below, and a full-width walnut slatted upper cabinet with vertical batten doors above, housing bar glassware and bottles behind the rhythmic screen of timber fins. A mirror backsplash between the upper and lower cabinet runs reflects the black-framed picture window and courtyard garden beyond, visually opening the bar niche to the landscape while keeping the bar counter intimate and functional. Integrated Thor stainless steel wine refrigerator to the right of the lower cabinets. Butterfly roofline clerestory windows with cedar soffit visible at upper level. Charcoal polished concrete radiant slab floors.

Example of a large trendy l-shaped light wood floor and beige floor open concept kitchen design in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

Kitchen - mid-sized contemporary kitchen idea in New York with shaker cabinets, marble countertops, white backsplash, marble backsplash, an island and white countertops

A PLACE TO GATHER Location: Eagan, MN, USA This family of five wanted an inviting space to gather with family and friends. Mom, the primary cook, wanted a large island with more organized storage – everything in its place – and a crisp white kitchen with the character of an older home. Challenges: Design an island that could accommodate this family of five for casual weeknight dinners. Create more usable storage within the existing kitchen footprint. Design a better transition between the upper cabinets on the 8-foot sink wall and the adjoining 9-foot cooktop wall. Make room for more counter space around the cooktop. It was poorly lit, cluttered with small appliances and confined by the tall oven cabinet. Solutions: A large island, that seats 5 comfortably, replaced the small island and kitchen table. This allowed for more storage including cookbook shelves, a heavy-duty roll out shelf for the mixer, a 2-bin recycling center and a bread drawer. Tall pantries with decorative grilles were placed between the kitchen and family room. These created ample storage and helped define each room, making each one feel larger, yet more intimate. A space intentionally separates the upper cabinets on the sink wall from those on the cooktop wall. This created symmetry on the sink wall and made room for an appliance garage, which keeps the countertops uncluttered. Moving the double ovens to the former pantry location made way for more usable counter space around the cooktop and a dramatic focal point with the hood, cabinets and marble backsplash. Special Features: Custom designed corbels and island legs lend character. Gilt open lanterns, antiqued nickel grilles on the pantries, and the soft linen shade at the kitchen sink add personality and charm. The unique bronze hardware with a living finish creates the patina of an older home. A walnut island countertop adds the warmth and feel of a kitchen table. This homeowner truly understood the idea of living with the patina of marble. Her grandmother’s marble-topped antique table inspired the Carrara countertops. The result is a highly organized kitchen with a light, open feel that invites you to stay a while. Liz Schupanitz Designs Photographed by: Andrea Rugg

Brain Vanden Brink
Example of a beach style kitchen design in Boston with shaker cabinets

Kitchen - traditional l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor kitchen idea in Other with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and an island

A custom home builder in Chicago's western suburbs, Summit Signature Homes, ushers in a new era of residential construction. With an eye on superb design and value, industry-leading practices and superior customer service, Summit stands alone. Custom-built homes in Clarendon Hills, Hinsdale, Western Springs, and other western suburbs.

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Starting out with a project that has good bones is always a bonus as was the case with the project. This young family has a great house on a great street in a great location. The kitchen was a large space with ample room and great view to the backyard. The dated cabinets and large peninsula layout however were not working for them, so they came in looking for a fresh start. Goals for the project included adding a large island with seating for four and a bright, open and cheerful space for daily meals and entertaining. Our clients also wanted to keep the existing breakfast table, but the original space did not allow for an island and breakfast table. Our solution was to create banquette seating which gave us the extra inches necessary to accomplish both. The larger awning window over the kitchen sink allows for ample light in the new space. The wall between the kitchen and family room was partially removed to provide the more open feeling our clients desired. The work triangle is centered on the island which serves as a big open prep space conveniently located across from the large pro style range. The island also houses the microwave and a 2nd oven for larger gatherings. A new counter depth fridge and beverage center provide options for refrigeration. A simple pallet of white cabinetry, Carrera marble countertops and polished nickel fixtures will be a timeless look and provide a lovely backdrop for entertaining and spending time with family. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Mike Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

A spacious layout was achieved by taking down the wall between the cramped U-shaped kitchen and the under-utilized dining room. Removing this wall provide the wide open space needed for additional cabinet space as well as a large stone island with seating. The kitchen is now far more functional for the clients' modern lifestyle following the removal of soffits around the perimeter, which allowed for full height cabinetry and full size appliances. A bench seat was built around the large picture window for taking in views of their well-manicured back yard. Zachary Seib Photography

Jonathan Wallen Photography The kitchen and breakfast room is beautifully detailed in a way reminiscent of a bygone era. Honed carrera marble counter tops are combined with custom built hand made cabinetry with a hand painted distressed finish. Antique glass fronts the upper cabinets. Above the Shaw porcelain farm sink are casement glass windows that look out onto the backyard and patio. Custom polished nickel light fixtures and stained alder beam ceilings compliment the state of the art stainless steel appliances including a Miele coffee maker, glass fronted Sub Zero refrigerator, Viking gas range and Gaggenau dishwasher.

Small danish l-shaped dark wood floor and brown floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, beige backsplash, ceramic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

This professional-grade chef's kitchen with cream-colored perimeter cabinetry. The space is anchored by a high-end stainless steel range and custom ventilation hood, accented by a textured herringbone tile backsplash. Architectural details include a coffered ceiling with integrated lighting and large windows that provide a bright, airy feel.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional galley light wood floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Portland with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite countertops, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and a peninsula

This is a pretty kitchen, but it is also practical and efficient. The working triangle: sink to range to refrigerator is right in line and allows the cook to function without any interruption of workflow in the space. Friends and family can gather at the island or even help at the bar sink without feeling crowded.

Photos by: Emily Minton Redfield Photography
Inspiration for a huge contemporary u-shaped slate floor and multicolored floor eat-in kitchen remodel in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, paneled appliances, an undermount sink and two islands

Janine Dowling Design, Inc. www.janinedowling.com Michael J. Lee Photography Bathroom Design by Jodi L. Swartz
Inspiration for a mid-sized timeless master white tile and stone tile marble floor walk-in shower remodel in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, gray cabinets, marble countertops, a one-piece toilet and gray walls

Dan Ryan — Southfield Media
Mid-sized trendy galley eat-in kitchen photo in Other with flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and an undermount sink

Julia Staples Photography
Inspiration for a timeless blue tile and subway tile mosaic tile floor bathroom remodel in Philadelphia with an undermount sink, white cabinets and gray countertops

This home is built by Robert Thomas Homes located in Minnesota. Our showcase models are professionally staged. Please contact Ambiance at Home for information on furniture - 952.440.6757