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Kitchen with an Undermount Sink and Light Wood Cabinets Design Ideas

Periscope House
Periscope House
Mihaly SlocombeMihaly Slocombe
Periscope House draws light into a young family’s home, adding thoughtful solutions and flexible spaces to 1950s Art Deco foundations. Our clients engaged us to undertake a considered extension to their character-rich home in Malvern East. They wanted to celebrate their home’s history while adapting it to the needs of their family, and future-proofing it for decades to come. The extension’s form meets with and continues the existing roofline, politely emerging at the rear of the house. The tones of the original white render and red brick are reflected in the extension, informing its white Colorbond exterior and selective pops of red throughout. Inside, the original home’s layout has been reimagined to better suit a growing family. Once closed-in formal dining and lounge rooms were converted into children’s bedrooms, supplementing the main bedroom and a versatile fourth room. Grouping these rooms together has created a subtle definition of zones: private spaces are nestled to the front, while the rear extension opens up to shared living areas. A tailored response to the site, the extension’s ground floor addresses the western back garden, and first floor (AKA the periscope) faces the northern sun. Sitting above the open plan living areas, the periscope is a mezzanine that nimbly sidesteps the harsh afternoon light synonymous with a western facing back yard. It features a solid wall to the west and a glass wall to the north, emulating the rotation of a periscope to draw gentle light into the extension. Beneath the mezzanine, the kitchen, dining, living and outdoor spaces effortlessly overlap. Also accessible via an informal back door for friends and family, this generous communal area provides our clients with the functionality, spatial cohesion and connection to the outdoors they were missing. Melding modern and heritage elements, Periscope House honours the history of our clients’ home while creating light-filled shared spaces – all through a periscopic lens that opens the home to the garden.
Newport Home
Newport Home
Joanne Green Landscape & InteriorJoanne Green Landscape & Interior
Joanne Green Landscape and Interior transformed a dated interior into a relaxed and fresh apartment that embraces the sunlit marine setting of Sydney's Barrenjoey peninsula. The client's brief was to create a layered aesthetic that captures the property's expansive view and amplifies the flow between the interior and exterior spaces. The project included updates to three bedrooms, an ensuite, a bathroom, a kitchen with a butler's pantry, a study nook, a dedicated laundry, and a generous dining and living area. By using thoughtful interior design, the finished space presents a unique, comfortable, and contemporary atmosphere to the waterfront home.
Rosebud beach side home
Rosebud beach side home
Jasmine McClelland DesignJasmine McClelland Design
Contemporary open plan spacious mixed surfaces kitchen with black steel island bench framing, feature window, feature shelving above window, contrast blue overheads and warm wood tones.
Carson
Carson
Daniela Fulford PhotographyDaniela Fulford Photography
Inspiration for a modern l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and grey benchtop.
WHISTLER STREET - KITCHEN + BUTLERS
WHISTLER STREET - KITCHEN + BUTLERS
Timpelle KitchensTimpelle Kitchens
Stunning finishes including natural timber veneer, polyurethane & Caesarstone make for a professionally designed space. Opting for the contemporary V Groove cabinetry doors creates warmth & texture along with black accents to complete the look.
Helensvale Surrounds
Helensvale Surrounds
iLiv ConstructionsiLiv Constructions
Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Gold Coast - Tweed with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.
Willow
Willow
Haus ResidentialHaus Residential
Modern l-shaped kitchen in Melbourne with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, pink splashback, black appliances, with island, white benchtop, an undermount sink, light hardwood floors and beige floor.
High House
High House
Dieppe DesignDieppe Design
Contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and white benchtop.
Belmont Modern Rif Oak Kitchen
Belmont Modern Rif Oak Kitchen
Kitchen Inspiration Inc.Kitchen Inspiration Inc.
Cabinetry: Sollera Fine Cabinets Countertop: Quartz
Photo of a large modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and light wood cabinets.
Seattle Contemporary Waterfront
Seattle Contemporary Waterfront
H2 ViewH2 View
Open format kitchen includes gorgeous custom cabinets, a large underlit island with an induction cooktop and waterfall countertops. Full height slab backsplash and paneled appliances complete the sophisticated design.
Underwood - Alexandria, VA
Underwood - Alexandria, VA
Ronda RoyaltyRonda Royalty
Everything needed for retreating by the pool! Photo by Stacy Zarin-Goldberg
Design ideas for a small traditional kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, glass-front cabinets, light wood cabinets, grey splashback and dark hardwood floors.
SouthEnd RowHome Kitchen
SouthEnd RowHome Kitchen
ZeroEnergy DesignZeroEnergy Design
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
Mike + Samantha's Kitchen and Bathroom
Mike + Samantha's Kitchen and Bathroom
Encircle Design and BuildEncircle Design and Build
Michelle Ruber
Design ideas for a small modern separate kitchen in Portland with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, concrete benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, linoleum floors and no island.
Moore II Residence
Moore II Residence
Hsu McCulloughHsu McCullough
Tiled kitchen with birch cabinetry opens to outdoor dining beyond windows. Entry with stair to second floor and dining room.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors, with island, grey floor and beige benchtop.
Classic With a New Angle
Classic With a New Angle
Studio DearbornStudio Dearborn
This expansive Victorian had tremendous historic charm but hadn’t seen a kitchen renovation since the 1950s. The homeowners wanted to take advantage of their views of the backyard and raised the roof and pushed the kitchen into the back of the house, where expansive windows could allow southern light into the kitchen all day. A warm historic gray/beige was chosen for the cabinetry, which was contrasted with character oak cabinetry on the appliance wall and bar in a modern chevron detail. Kitchen Design: Sarah Robertson, Studio Dearborn Architect: Ned Stoll, Interior finishes Tami Wassong Interiors
Stonebridge Stunner
Stonebridge Stunner
Design Studio WestDesign Studio West
Step into a kitchen that exudes both modern sophistication and inviting warmth. The space is anchored by a stunning natural quartzite countertop, its veined patterns reminiscent of a sun-drenched landscape. The countertop stretches across the kitchen, gracing both the perimeter cabinetry and the curved island, its gentle curves adding a touch of dynamism to the layout. White oak cabinetry provides a grounding contrast to the cool quartzite. The rich, natural grain of the wood, paired with a crisp white paint, create a sense of airiness and visual lightness. This interplay of textures and tones adds depth and dimension to the space. Breaking away from the traditional rectilinear lines, the island features curved panels that echo the countertop's gentle sweep. This unexpected detail adds a touch of whimsy and softens the overall aesthetic. The warm vinyl flooring complements the wood cabinetry, creating a sense of continuity underfoot.
Japandi-Inspired Kitchen
Japandi-Inspired Kitchen
Fox InteriorsFox Interiors
Inspired by their years in Japan and California and their Scandinavian heritage, we updated this 1938 home with a earthy palette and clean lines. Rift-cut white oak cabinetry, white quartz counters and a soft green tile backsplash are balanced with details that reference the home's history. Classic light fixtures soften the modern elements. We created a new arched opening to the living room and removed the trim around other doorways to enlarge them and mimic original arched openings. Removing an entry closet and breakfast nook opened up the overall footprint and allowed for a functional work zone that includes great counter space on either side of the range, when they had none before.
Bayadere Newport Beach
Bayadere Newport Beach
William Guidero Planning and DesignWilliam Guidero Planning and Design
Mid-sized transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Orange County with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.
Jersey Street Residency
Jersey Street Residency
Hayasa Flooring Design, IncHayasa Flooring Design, Inc
Photo of a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, glass sheet splashback and grey benchtop.
Kitchen Serving Counter
Kitchen Serving Counter
Great Rooms Building GroupGreat Rooms Building Group
This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, exposed beam and white splashback.

Kitchen with an Undermount Sink and Light Wood Cabinets Design Ideas

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