A 6,000 square foot 2-story new home complex in Milpitas was designed to facilitate the owners’ large business parties and gatherings, to have rooms for the kids to come back to upstairs, and a ground floor master suite with a huge walk-in closet. Several separate structures make up the dwelling: The main house, 3-car garage with carport for overflow parking, and a separate entertainment and recreation building separated by a courtyard from the main house. The business activities include gatherings in the hundreds of people, so parking was maximized and guests can flow in through a separate gate to party in the courtyard and recreation building. Inside this structure is a wet bar, billiard room, workout gym and home theater. The main house ground floor has formal and informal living rooms, open kitchen and master suite with views and expansive windows in every direction. The house is sited on the crestline of a hill with views of the San Francisco Bay and private golf course below. The indoor-outdoor aspect of the house is further accentuated with outside living and dining areas. High ceilings and expansive glass walls dissolve the sense of enclosure taking advantage of the site’s openness and privacy. The owner’s suite is downstairs in anticipation of aging-in-place, and upstairs there are three bedrooms and four bathrooms plus a sitting area lounge and casual TV loft area. The house sits on one acre at the top of a low hill range overlooking Milpitas. The city was very cognizant of the importance of keeping a low profile at this crestline and required extensive story poles and photo evidence of the proper height and siting so as not to be seen from certain selected vantage points. GENERAL CONTRACTOR: JCD Builders Inc. LANDSCAPE DESIGN: Morf Chang Landscape Architecture / ODS Architecture PHOTOGRAPHS: Paul Dyer Photography

Vaulted Dining, Kitchen, and Nook (beyond).
Eat-in kitchen - large rustic light wood floor and beige floor eat-in kitchen idea in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, ceramic backsplash, paneled appliances, two islands and white countertops

Beautiful kitchen with two islands for a large family to gather in. One island with lots of seating while the other is used prepare meals still leaving the cook with lots of workspace. Between the built-in refrigerator and freezer a pewter countertop was used to mirror the materials used on the hood on the opposing wall.

The kitchen was a major transformation. We clad the walls in stone and designed a grand hood carved from a block of antique limestone. The custom cabinets are a combination of stained oak and blackened brass. A steel door with amber seeded glass leads to an expansive pantry. To maximize the space we designed two islands that flank the La Cornue range and designed a custom banquette to serve as the breakfast nook.

Example of a large classic u-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Atlanta with raised-panel cabinets, beige backsplash, stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, stone tile backsplash, two islands, gray cabinets and a farmhouse sink

Elegant walnut kitchen feature two islands and a built-in banquette. Custom wand lights are made in Brooklyn.
Inspiration for a large contemporary galley limestone floor and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in Orlando with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartzite countertops, brown backsplash, glass tile backsplash, paneled appliances, two islands and gray countertops

Example of a large transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor eat-in kitchen design in Miami with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble countertops, blue backsplash, subway tile backsplash, stainless steel appliances and two islands

Leonard Ortiz
Inspiration for a large transitional l-shaped limestone floor and beige floor open concept kitchen remodel in Orange County with raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, metallic backsplash, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, granite countertops, metal backsplash and two islands

The island offers additional prep space while reducing clutter with extra storage and offering a convenient place for the drawer microwave. The crackle ceramic tiles in a herringbone pattern over the cooktop create a new rhythm and subtle focal point. The large sink and base, centered over a new 6' window, is extended forward to soften the linear effect of the counters, creating a graceful furniture look.

A blend of transitional design meets French Country architecture. The kitchen is a blend pops of teal along the double islands that pair with aged ceramic backsplash, hardwood and golden pendants. Mixes new with old-world design.

The kitchen blends timeless cabinetry, warm finishes, and thoughtful architectural details to create a space that feels refined, functional, and welcoming.

Cosmic Black granite is shown in this project! Search the specific granite name, see more granite or other stone options: http://www.stoneaction.com Learn more about granite to see if it’s right for you: Granite countertops can last a lifetime. It contains no harmful chemicals and do not emit harmful radiation or gasses. Granite is heat resistant and is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. You can place a hot pan out of the oven directly onto the countertop surface. Experts do recommend the use of a trivet when using appliances that emit heat for long periods of time, such as crockpots. Since the material is so dense, there is a small possibility heating one area of the top and not the entire thing, could cause the countertop to crack. Granite is scratch resistant. You can cut on it, but it will dull your knives! Granite scores a seven on Moh’s hardness scale. Granite countertops are considered to be a low maintenance countertop surface. The likelihood of needing to be repaired or resurfaced is low. Granite is a porous material. Most fabricators will apply a sealer to granite countertops before they are installed which will protect them from absorbing liquids too quickly. Many sealers last more than 10 years before needing to be reapplied. When they do need to be reapplied, it is something that most homeowners can do on their own as the process is similar to cleaning. Darker granites are very dense and sometimes don’t even require a sealer. When it comes to pricing, there are a lot of variables such as edge profile, total square footage, backsplash, etc. Don’t be fooled by the stereotype that all granite is expensive. Lower-range granites will cost less than high-range laminate. Though granite countertops are not considered “low range” in pricing, there are a lot of affordable options. If you are looking for something truly unique, consider an exotic granite. Some quarries are not easily accessible and/or only able to be quarried for short periods of time throughout the year. If these circumstances exist in a quarry with gorgeous stone, the price will be driven upward You won’t find a lot of solid patterns or bright colors, but both do exist. Also, watch for a large range of color and pattern within the same color of stone. It’s always a good idea to view the exact slab(s) that will be fabricated for your kitchen to make sure they are what you expected to see from the sample. Another factor is that many exotic types of granite have huge flowing waves, and a small sample will not be an accurate representation of the whole slab. Granite countertops are very resistant to chemicals. Acids and bases will not harm the material.

In our world of kitchen design, it’s lovely to see all the varieties of styles come to life. From traditional to modern, and everything in between, we love to design a broad spectrum. Here, we present a two-tone modern kitchen that has used materials in a fresh and eye-catching way. With a mix of finishes, it blends perfectly together to create a space that flows and is the pulsating heart of the home. With the main cooking island and gorgeous prep wall, the cook has plenty of space to work. The second island is perfect for seating – the three materials interacting seamlessly, we have the main white material covering the cabinets, a short grey table for the kids, and a taller walnut top for adults to sit and stand while sipping some wine! I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend time in this kitchen?! Cabinetry With a tuxedo trend look, we used Cabico Elmwood New Haven door style, walnut vertical grain in a natural matte finish. The white cabinets over the sink are the Ventura MDF door in a White Diamond Gloss finish. Countertops The white counters on the perimeter and on both islands are from Caesarstone in a Frosty Carrina finish, and the added bar on the second countertop is a custom walnut top (made by the homeowner!) with a shorter seated table made from Caesarstone’s Raw Concrete. Backsplash The stone is from Marble Systems from the Mod Glam Collection, Blocks – Glacier honed, in Snow White polished finish, and added Brass. Fixtures A Blanco Precis Silgranit Cascade Super Single Bowl Kitchen Sink in White works perfect with the counters. A Waterstone transitional pulldown faucet in New Bronze is complemented by matching water dispenser, soap dispenser, and air switch. The cabinet hardware is from Emtek – their Trinity pulls in brass. Appliances The cooktop, oven, steam oven and dishwasher are all from Miele. The dishwashers are paneled with cabinetry material (left/right of the sink) and integrate seamlessly Refrigerator and Freezer columns are from SubZero and we kept the stainless look to break up the walnut some. The microwave is a counter sitting Panasonic with a custom wood trim (made by Cabico) and the vent hood is from Zephyr.

Inspiration for a large modern l-shaped porcelain tile and gray floor kitchen pantry remodel in Miami with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium tone wood cabinets, quartz countertops, gray backsplash, quartz backsplash, black appliances, two islands and gray countertops

Example of a huge transitional l-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen design in Salt Lake City with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white backsplash, two islands, a farmhouse sink, stone slab backsplash, paneled appliances and quartzite countertops

Located on the pristine Glenn Lake in Eureka, Montana, Robertson Lake House was designed for a family as a summer getaway. The design for this retreat took full advantage of an idyllic lake setting. With stunning views of the lake and all the wildlife that inhabits the area it was a perfect platform to use large glazing and create fun outdoor spaces.

Photography by Chase Daniel
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped medium tone wood floor and brown floor kitchen remodel in Austin with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, white backsplash, stainless steel appliances, two islands and white countertops

This modern, open-concept kitchen is a chef's dream and an entertainer's paradise. Soaring ceilings and a curved wood-paneled ceiling create a sense of grandeur, while floor-to-ceiling windows flood the space with natural light, offering views of the surrounding landscape. Two expansive marble islands, each with ample seating, provide plenty of space for food preparation and casual dining. High-end appliances, including a Wolf range and Sub-Zero refrigerator, cater to the culinary enthusiast, while a built-in bar area with glass shelving and under-cabinet lighting invites guests to relax and socialize. The warm tones of the walnut cabinetry and the cool elegance of the marble countertops create a harmonious blend of natural materials, while the sleek lines and minimalist design lend a sophisticated, contemporary feel to the space. Whether cooking for a crowd or enjoying a quiet morning coffee, this kitchen is designed for both functionality and luxurious living.

Photography by Analicia Herrmann
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped dark wood floor, brown floor and exposed beam kitchen remodel in Houston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, gray backsplash, mosaic tile backsplash, paneled appliances, two islands and gray countertops