This client came to us with a very clear vision of what she wanted, but she needed help to refine and execute the design. At our first meeting she described her style as somewhere between modern rustic and ‘granny chic’ – she likes cozy spaces with nods to the past, but also wanted to blend that with the more contemporary tastes of her husband and children. Functionally, the old layout was less than ideal with an oddly placed 3-sided fireplace and angled island creating traffic jams in and around the kitchen. By creating a U-shaped layout, we clearly defined the chef’s domain and created a circulation path that limits disruptions in the heart of the kitchen. While still an open concept, the black cabinets, bar height counter and change in flooring all add definition to the space. The vintage inspired black and white tile is a nod to the past while the black stainless range and matte black faucet are unmistakably modern. High on our client’s wish list was eliminating upper cabinets and keeping the countertops clear. In order to achieve this, we needed to ensure there was ample room in the base cabinets and reconfigured pantry for items typically stored above. The full height tile backsplash evokes exposed brick and serves as the backdrop for the custom wood-clad hood and decorative brass sconces – a perfect blend of rustic, modern and chic. Black and brass elements are repeated throughout the main floor in new hardware, lighting, and open shelves as well as the owners’ curated collection of family heirlooms and furnishings. In addition to renovating the kitchen, we updated the entire first floor with refinished hardwoods, new paint, wainscoting, wallcovering and beautiful new stained wood doors. Our client had been dreaming and planning this kitchen for 17 years and we’re thrilled we were able to bring it to life.

This charming Lyon Park house was built in 1925, when the typical kitchen was small, modest and closed-off from the rest of the home. For a family that loves to cook and bake, the cramped, outdated and dysfunctional kitchen was a source of constant frustration. Our new design expanded the kitchen into an adjacent sunroom, opening it up to the rest of the home and creating a spacious, light and updated kitchen that now serves as the heart of the home. We more than doubled the amount of countertop space and added much needed pantry storage as well as a dedicated coffee nook. The bold blue herringbone backsplash, honed black granite, white shaker cabinets and substantial matte black pulls complement the rustic modern style of the adjoining living space.

This charming farmhouse kitchen pairs blue green cabinetry with a patterned tile backsplash, farmhouse sink, and a built in window seat nook nearby. Reclaimed Wood Timbers cross the ceiling in exposed beams, Reclaimed Wood Paneling covers the staircase accent wall, and Reclaimed Wood Flooring runs throughout the space, bringing natural texture and warmth into this bright, cabin retreat kitchen. Every piece of reclaimed wood at Manomin Resawn Timbers is salvaged from 19th and early 20th century barns, factories, and warehouses, structures built during the Industrial Revolution from old growth hardwoods that grew slower and denser than the trees available today. Through our detailed process of denailing, kiln drying, and precision milling, that history is preserved and prepared for a new life in modern homes. Whether you are a homebuilder, a home remodeling contractor, a homeowner, or a designer planning a space like this one, Manomin Resawn Timbers has reclaimed wood timbers, paneling, and flooring to fit your vision. Visit our showroom in Hugo, MN or reach out to us with a call or a message to discover the antique charm of reclaimed wood.

Traditional custom kitchen Photo by Marcel Page Photography
Eat-in kitchen - large traditional galley dark wood floor eat-in kitchen idea in Chicago with white cabinets, quartzite countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and recessed-panel cabinets

Mark Lohman
Elegant u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen photo in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances and an island

Kitchen with pantry behind screen door
Kitchen - country light wood floor kitchen idea in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances and an island

Interior Designer - Laura Schwartz-Muller General Contractor - Cliff Muller Photographer - Brian Thomas Jones Copyright 2014
Example of a mid-sized cottage u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, solid surface countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and a peninsula

The home design started with wide open dining, & kitchen for entertaining. To make the new space not so "New" We used a reclaimed antique hutch we saved from an Atlanta home that was being torn down. Photos- Rustic White Photography

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

A raised, Walnut breakfast bar brings in some warmth and is a nice complement to the other tones within the space. The kitchen island light fixture has an antique brass finish to complement the actual antiques throughout the home.

Lynn Donaldson
Eat-in kitchen - farmhouse u-shaped eat-in kitchen idea in Other with white cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets and marble countertops

Chris Veith
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in New York with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, gray cabinets, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an island and white countertops

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   The homeowners came to us looking to update the kitchen in their historic 1897 home. The home had gone through an extensive renovation several years earlier that added a master bedroom suite and updates to the front façade. The kitchen however was not part of that update and a prior 1990’s update had left much to be desired. The client is an avid cook, and it was just not very functional for the family. The original kitchen was very choppy and included a large eat in area that took up more than its fair share of the space. On the wish list was a place where the family could comfortably congregate, that was easy and to cook in, that feels lived in and in check with the rest of the home’s décor. They also wanted a space that was not cluttered and dark – a happy, light and airy room. A small powder room off the space also needed some attention so we set out to include that in the remodel as well. See that arch in the neighboring dining room? The homeowner really wanted to make the opening to the dining room an arch to match, so we incorporated that into the design. Another unfortunate eyesore was the state of the ceiling and soffits. Turns out it was just a series of shortcuts from the prior renovation, and we were surprised and delighted that we were easily able to flatten out almost the entire ceiling with a couple of little reworks. Other changes we made were to add new windows that were appropriate to the new design, which included moving the sink window over slightly to give the work zone more breathing room. We also adjusted the height of the windows in what was previously the eat-in area that were too low for a countertop to work. We tried to keep an old island in the plan since it was a well-loved vintage find, but the tradeoff for the function of the new island was not worth it in the end. We hope the old found a new home, perhaps as a potting table. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

Hallmark Floors, Alta Vista , Historic Oak engineered flooring featured in Kitchen Kraft remodel Gorgeous Kitchen Remodel featuring Hallmark Floors Alta Vista Collection, Historic Oak. Project Completed by Kitchen Kraft, Columbus, OH. Photo Credit | John Evans

Photo: Corynne Pless © 2013 Houzz
Example of a cottage l-shaped kitchen design in New York with multicolored backsplash and colored appliances

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

Transitional u-shaped gray floor eat-in kitchen photo in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, quartz countertops, white backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula and white countertops

We chose cabinetry made from reclaimed barnwood from Country Roads Associates (in Holmes, NY) as well as a copper farmhouse sink to get the farmhouse feel. Adding the brick wall and reclaimed 2" thick barnwood beam shelving further enhanced the rustic nature of the design. The Caspian blue glass tile by Akdo Tile, stainless steel appliances (Viking, Bosch, Liebherrr, Thermador) and thin Dekton (by Cosentino) counter tops lend the contemporary touch. Hafele hardware and interior cabinet lighting also adds a contemporary touch along with the Blum Aventos lift-systems (automatic cabinet doors). Photo by Chris Sanders