The collaboration between architect and interior designer is seen here. The floor plan and layout are by the architect. Cabinet materials and finishes, lighting, and furnishings are by the interior designer. Detailing of the vent hood and raised counter are a collaboration. The raised counter includes a chase on the far side for power. Photo: Michael Shopenn

We introduced a new Kitchen to a 100 year old farmhouse in northern New Jersey. The family uses the Kitchen a lot, so it was important to introduce large work surfaces, and a variety of spaces. Most important is the introduction of an oversized work island with a sink, wine refrigerator, and built-in walnut cutting board. the cutting board has a slot for bread crumbs that lead to a small drawer with a removable tray for disposing the crumbs. The simple flat panel cabinets and modern light fixtures help integrate the updated Kitchen into a traditional farmhouse structure.

Photography by Richard Mandelkorn
Photo of a traditional kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, marble benchtops, white cabinets, beaded inset cabinets, white splashback and subway tile splashback.

Inspiration for a contemporary galley kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances and white benchtop.

This 1920 Craftsman home was remodeled in the early 80’s where a large family room was added off the back of the home. This remodel utilized the existing back porch as part of the kitchen. The 1980’s remodel created two issues that were addressed in the current kitchen remodel: 1. The new family room (with 15’ ceilings) added a very contemporary feel to the home. As one walked from the dining room (complete with the original stained glass and built-ins with leaded glass fronts) through the kitchen, into the family room, one felt as if they were walking into an entirely different home. 2. The ceiling height change in the enlarged kitchen created an eyesore. The designer addressed these 2 issues by creating a galley kitchen utilizing a mid-tone glazed finish on alder over an updated version of a shaker door. This door had wider styles and rails and a deep bevel framing the inset panel, thus incorporating the traditional look of the shaker door in a more contemporary setting. By having the crown molding stained with an espresso finish, the eye is drawn across the room rather than up, minimizing the different ceiling heights. The back of the bar (viewed from the dining room) further incorporates the same espresso finish as an accent to create a paneled effect (Photo #1). The designer specified an oiled natural maple butcher block as the counter for the eating bar. The lighting over the bar, from Rejuvenation Lighting, is a traditional shaker style, but finished in antique copper creating a new twist on an old theme. To complete the traditional feel, the designer specified a porcelain farm sink with a traditional style bridge faucet with porcelain lever handles. For additional storage, a custom tall cabinet in a denim-blue washed finish was designed to store dishes and pantry items (Photo #2). Since the homeowners are avid cooks, the counters along the wall at the cook top were made 30” deep. The counter on the right of the cook top is maple butcher block; the remainder of the countertops are Silver and Gold Granite. Recycling is very important to the homeowner, so the designer incorporated an insulated copper door in the backsplash to the right of the ovens, which allows the homeowner to put all recycling in a covered exterior location (Photo #3). The 4 X 8” slate subway tile is a modern play on a traditional theme found in Craftsman homes (Photo #4). The new kitchen fits perfectly as a traditional transition when viewed from the dining, and as a contemporary transition when viewed from the family room.

The cabinet paint is standard Navajo White and the 3"x6" tile is Pratt & Larson C609 metallic glazed ceramic tile. Visit http://prattandlarson.com/colors/glazes/metallics/

This large l-shaped kitchen warms up the house with its light tan cabinets and dark gray quartz counters. The black hardware and pendant lights dress it up and create a modern farmhouse vibe with the white shiplap paneling, and natural wood open shelving.

Photo of a scandinavian open plan kitchen in Melbourne with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, black cabinets, window splashback, white appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.

Photo of a large modern l-shaped kitchen in Miami with flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, panelled appliances, multiple islands, white benchtop, an undermount sink, porcelain floors and beige floor.

Simon Wood Photography
Photo of a modern galley kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

This modern kitchen features a large center island and an open concept design. The wall cabinets have slab doors with integrated pulls and the island cabinets have white oak veneer with a horizontal grain, stained to match the white oak hardwood floors. The counter is Caesarstone quartz and the back splash is a milk porcelain tile. You'll also find an undermount sink, high arc faucet, Bertazzoni cooktop and hood, a Bosch dishwasher, a Summit wine cooler, an integrated refrigerator, and Bertazzoni double wall ovens. Loft grande black pendant lights and a NanaWall glass door system complete this space.

Paul Dyer Photo
Country l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and beige benchtop.

This high contemporary kitchen places an emphasis on the views to the expansive garden beyond. Soft colors and textures make the space approachable.
Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop, marble benchtops and stainless steel appliances.

This existing client reached out to MMI Design for help shortly after the flood waters of Harvey subsided. Her home was ravaged by 5 feet of water throughout the first floor. What had been this client's long-term dream renovation became a reality, turning the nightmare of Harvey's wrath into one of the loveliest homes designed to date by MMI. We led the team to transform this home into a showplace. Our work included a complete redesign of her kitchen and family room, master bathroom, two powders, butler's pantry, and a large living room. MMI designed all millwork and cabinetry, adjusted the floor plans in various rooms, and assisted the client with all material specifications and furnishings selections. Returning these clients to their beautiful '"new" home is one of MMI's proudest moments!

Photo of a kitchen in Other with raised-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, brick floors, with island and grey benchtop.

This renovated brick rowhome in Boston’s South End offers a modern aesthetic within a historic structure, creative use of space, exceptional thermal comfort, a reduced carbon footprint, and a passive stream of income. DESIGN PRIORITIES. The goals for the project were clear - design the primary unit to accommodate the family’s modern lifestyle, rework the layout to create a desirable rental unit, improve thermal comfort and introduce a modern aesthetic. We designed the street-level entry as a shared entrance for both the primary and rental unit. The family uses it as their everyday entrance - we planned for bike storage and an open mudroom with bench and shoe storage to facilitate the change from shoes to slippers or bare feet as they enter their home. On the main level, we expanded the kitchen into the dining room to create an eat-in space with generous counter space and storage, as well as a comfortable connection to the living space. The second floor serves as master suite for the couple - a bedroom with a walk-in-closet and ensuite bathroom, and an adjacent study, with refinished original pumpkin pine floors. The upper floor, aside from a guest bedroom, is the child's domain with interconnected spaces for sleeping, work and play. In the play space, which can be separated from the work space with new translucent sliding doors, we incorporated recreational features inspired by adventurous and competitive television shows, at their son’s request. MODERN MEETS TRADITIONAL. We left the historic front facade of the building largely unchanged - the security bars were removed from the windows and the single pane windows were replaced with higher performing historic replicas. We designed the interior and rear facade with a vision of warm modernism, weaving in the notable period features. Each element was either restored or reinterpreted to blend with the modern aesthetic. The detailed ceiling in the living space, for example, has a new matte monochromatic finish, and the wood stairs are covered in a dark grey floor paint, whereas the mahogany doors were simply refinished. New wide plank wood flooring with a neutral finish, floor-to-ceiling casework, and bold splashes of color in wall paint and tile, and oversized high-performance windows (on the rear facade) round out the modern aesthetic. RENTAL INCOME. The existing rowhome was zoned for a 2-family dwelling but included an undesirable, single-floor studio apartment at the garden level with low ceiling heights and questionable emergency egress. In order to increase the quality and quantity of space in the rental unit, we reimagined it as a two-floor, 1 or 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom apartment with a modern aesthetic, increased ceiling height on the lowest level and provided an in-unit washer/dryer. The apartment was listed with Jackie O'Connor Real Estate and rented immediately, providing the owners with a source of passive income. ENCLOSURE WITH BENEFITS. The homeowners sought a minimal carbon footprint, enabled by their urban location and lifestyle decisions, paired with the benefits of a high-performance home. The extent of the renovation allowed us to implement a deep energy retrofit (DER) to address air tightness, insulation, and high-performance windows. The historic front facade is insulated from the interior, while the rear facade is insulated on the exterior. Together with these building enclosure improvements, we designed an HVAC system comprised of continuous fresh air ventilation, and an efficient, all-electric heating and cooling system to decouple the house from natural gas. This strategy provides optimal thermal comfort and indoor air quality, improved acoustic isolation from street noise and neighbors, as well as a further reduced carbon footprint. We also took measures to prepare the roof for future solar panels, for when the South End neighborhood’s aging electrical infrastructure is upgraded to allow them. URBAN LIVING. The desirable neighborhood location allows the both the homeowners and tenant to walk, bike, and use public transportation to access the city, while each charging their respective plug-in electric cars behind the building to travel greater distances. OVERALL. The understated rowhouse is now ready for another century of urban living, offering the owners comfort and convenience as they live life as an expression of their values. Photography: Eric Roth Photo

Design ideas for a transitional galley eat-in kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Spacecrafting
Photo of a modern kitchen in Minneapolis.

Perfect white inset cabinetry with a large farmhouse sink, working island for food prep and gathering. Photos by Chris Veith
Mid-sized country u-shaped kitchen pantry in New York with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and black benchtop.