The Atherton House is a family compound for a professional couple in the tech industry, and their two teenage children. After living in Singapore, then Hong Kong, and building homes there, they looked forward to continuing their search for a new place to start a life and set down roots. The site is located on Atherton Avenue on a flat, 1 acre lot. The neighboring lots are of a similar size, and are filled with mature planting and gardens. The brief on this site was to create a house that would comfortably accommodate the busy lives of each of the family members, as well as provide opportunities for wonder and awe. Views on the site are internal. Our goal was to create an indoor- outdoor home that embraced the benign California climate. The building was conceived as a classic “H” plan with two wings attached by a double height entertaining space. The “H” shape allows for alcoves of the yard to be embraced by the mass of the building, creating different types of exterior space. The two wings of the home provide some sense of enclosure and privacy along the side property lines. The south wing contains three bedroom suites at the second level, as well as laundry. At the first level there is a guest suite facing east, powder room and a Library facing west. The north wing is entirely given over to the Primary suite at the top level, including the main bedroom, dressing and bathroom. The bedroom opens out to a roof terrace to the west, overlooking a pool and courtyard below. At the ground floor, the north wing contains the family room, kitchen and dining room. The family room and dining room each have pocketing sliding glass doors that dissolve the boundary between inside and outside. Connecting the wings is a double high living space meant to be comfortable, delightful and awe-inspiring. A custom fabricated two story circular stair of steel and glass connects the upper level to the main level, and down to the basement “lounge” below. An acrylic and steel bridge begins near one end of the stair landing and flies 40 feet to the children’s bedroom wing. People going about their day moving through the stair and bridge become both observed and observer. The front (EAST) wall is the all important receiving place for guests and family alike. There the interplay between yin and yang, weathering steel and the mature olive tree, empower the entrance. Most other materials are white and pure. The mechanical systems are efficiently combined hydronic heating and cooling, with no forced air required.

Contemporary Kitchen

Inspiration for a contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Other with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, black splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, white floor and black benchtop.

A Haberdasher's Hideaway In Skåne, Sweden by deVOL

deVOL Kitchens

Inspiration for a large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, pink splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, painted wood floors, multiple islands, white floor, pink benchtop and wood.

Walnut and Black Modern Kitchen Remodel

USA Cabinet Store Fairfax

Photo of a large modern u-shaped open plan kitchen in DC Metro with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, with island, white floor and black benchtop.

Lincoln Park, Chicago

Mobili Mobel

Valcucine kitchen cabinetry in Elm Pieve melamine with gloss lacquer uppers. The bar area in the kitchen features wall paneling to the ceiling with think aluminum shelves. The floors are Arrigoni engineered oak with oiled finish.

Fauntleroy Mid Century

The Alhadeff Group

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped kitchen in Seattle with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, a peninsula, white floor and grey benchtop.

A Little Hacienda on the Lake

Geschke Group Architecture

Mediterranean l-shaped kitchen in Austin with recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, with island, white floor and white benchtop.

San Jose Eichler

BLAINE architects

Jean Bai, Konstrukt Photo
Photo of a midcentury kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, with island, white benchtop and white floor.

Lighting Design, Holland Park

Light House Designs Ltd

Light House Designs were able to come up with some fun lighting solutions for the home bar, gym and indoor basket ball court in this property. Photos by Tom St Aubyn

Maple Glen Bathroom

J Wiley Designs

This is an example of a large midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Dallas with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and white floor.

Kitchen Projects Supplied by Peterman Lumber

Peterman Lumber

Photo of a large contemporary kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, brown splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island and white floor.

Modern Ranch Home

Destination Eichler, LLC

Small galley open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and white floor.

Zilker Park MCM

Ashby Collective

Photo of a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, terrazzo floors, no island, white floor, black benchtop and medium wood cabinets.

Brick Modern House

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Modern Brick House, Indianapolis, Windcombe Neighborhood - Christopher Short, Derek Mills, Paul Reynolds, Architects, HAUS Architecture + WERK | Building Modern - Construction Managers - Architect Custom Builders

Gorgeous Fort Collins Kitchen Remodel

Artisan Remodeling & Design

Gorgeous Fort Collins kitchen remodel featuring quartzite countertops and backsplash, custom and contrasting cabinetry, a custom wood hood, and Viking appliances. We love how the quartzite adds natural elegance, while the custom cabinetry maximizes storage efficiency. We love how the contrasting tones throughout help to create visual interest, and the custom wood hood creates a fantastic focal point.

Modern Glam Kitchen

French Cabinetry

Inspiration for a mid-sized modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, white floor and white benchtop.

Alameda

Monaco Interiors

This once crowded, dark space is now bright and organized! Maximum storage achieved! A two-tone, walnut and white shaker kitchen with modern gold accents and a distinct mid-century modern ethic that boasts a statement chandelier and Calacatta inspired tiles. Layers of texture and movement create a space that requires very little in means of décor to be elevated.

Reforma integral en Premià de Mar

DianaHome - La Eco-Reforma

Inspiration for a small scandinavian eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, black appliances, marble floors, with island, white floor and white benchtop.

Bridge House

HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles

Built-in Coffee Make (Miele) in Leicht Cabinets - Bridge House - Fenneville, Michigan - Lake Michigan - HAUS | Architecture For Modern Lifestyles, Christopher Short, Indianapolis Architect, Marika Designs, Marika Klemm, Interior Designer - Tom Rigney, TR Builders

Walnut and Black Modern Kitchen Remodel

USA Cabinet Store Fairfax

Large contemporary u-shaped kitchen in DC Metro with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, porcelain floors, with island, white floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen with Medium Wood Cabinets and White Floor Design Ideas

There’s a lot to consider when it comes to planning your kitchen design. Where do you even start? Gathering some inspiration in a photo gallery is always a good starting point, as looking at different kitchen designs often brings up ideas you haven’t even thought of yet.

Browse Photos of Kitchen Designs for Inspiration and Collect Your Ideas

You can browse through photos of all kinds of kitchen styles, layouts and sizes on Houzz to get started before jumping into any design software or contacting a local professional for help. Here’s a few considerations to keep in mind when planning your kitchen.

1. What Makes a Good Kitchen Design, and Why is it Important?

For starters, you want to find a balance between aesthetics and function. You may have heard of the ‘kitchen work triangle’, which refers to the space between your fridge, sink and stove. You want everything within easy reach when you’re working in the kitchen and look beautiful at the same time. It’s a good idea to take note of both when browsing our photo gallery.

2. Consider Your Space to Determine Your Kitchen Layout

Firstly, consider the space you have, and the limitations that come with it. Do you have a small kitchen and need to maximise your workspace and storage? Can you allow yourself some more space and a big island with seating? Are you designing your kitchen from scratch or renovating an existing design? Which appliances do you already own and what are their measurements? Are there windows you need to take into consideration when planning cabinets? How do kitchen, living and dining areas connect? Depending on your space and needs, you want to use a shape that suits you. U, G, or L-shaped kitchen, with or without island or peninsula? Know your dimensions, plan cabinetry carefully and consider the placement of your appliances. You don’t want to end up with a finished design, only for your significant other to question where the fridge is supposed to go. Consider from the start where your fridge, oven, microwave and sink goes to save yourself from starting again from scratch - remember the kitchen work triangle! You also want to plan the layout of your cabinets. Maybe you’re planning for a pantry and can do with less storage space in your kitchen, so that your design can be one without upper or lower cabinets for a different look. A corner cabinet can be a smart storage solution if you want to keep the look clean and simple.

3. Decide on a Kitchen Style, But Don’t Forget Practicality

You want the style of your kitchen to reflect your personality and taste. We have curated a large array of kitchen styles here at Houzz, from traditional to contemporary to transitional and everything in between. Consider what your cooking style is for a start - Italy is known for its cuisine, so italian kitchen designs are generally popular. Also consider ergonomics - depending on how much time you spend in your kitchen, the height of your counters can make a big difference to your overall health. You also want to consider colour and finishes of cabinets, countertops and splashbacks. Which colour do you want your cupboards to be? Simple, timeless white or rather making a statement in black? Maybe rather a rustic wood? Also consider the colour of your floor - if you have dark floors, you may want to keep cabinets lighter. You could also go for an all-white look and choose black appliances for contrast. Once you know which style you fancy, don’t forget how you will be using the space. You want to keep cooking in mind, as well as how easy to clean and maintain the space will be. How many cooks do you need to accommodate? Do you have kids around? How much storage do you need? Maybe you want to go for open shelves rather than cabinets and allow for easy reach of key items you use when cooking. Again - remember the triangle! Lastly, choose lighting that both enhances the look of your kitchen as well as your cooking performance, providing light in all the right places.

4. Be Conscious of Your Budget

No matter what you plan for your kitchen design, cost is always a big factor. Be sure to plan with your budget in mind. It may make more sense to go for a modular kitchen design rather than custom build. You can save a lot of money if you get at least 3 estimates from professionals before locking in the job. And don’t forget to allow a 20% buffer for emergencies. Once you are ready to hire a pro, our directory will help you find one, no matter where you are. So whether you're looking for an Interior Designer in Melbourne or an Architect in Sydney, you can be sure to find a qualified expert for the job!