Architect Nils Finne has created a new, highly crafted modern kitchen in his own traditional Tudor home located in the Queen Anne neighborhood of Seattle. The kitchen design relies on the creation of a very simple continuous space that is occupied by intensely crafted cabinets, counters and fittings. Materials such as steel, walnut, limestone, textured Alaskan yellow cedar, and sea grass are used in juxtaposition, allowing each material to benefit from adjacent contrasts in texture and color. The existing kitchen was enlarged slightly by removing a wall between the kitchen and pantry. A long, continuous east-west space was created, approximately 25-feet long, with glass doors at either end. The east end of the kitchen has two seating areas: an inviting window seat with soft cushions as well as a desk area with seating, a flat-screen computer, and generous shelving for cookbooks. At the west end of the kitchen, an unusual “L”-shaped door opening has been made between the kitchen and the dining room, in order to provide a greater sense of openness between the two spaces. The ensuing challenge was how to invent a sliding pocket door that could be used to close off the two spaces when the occasion required some separation. The solution was a custom door with two panels, and series of large finger joints between the two panels allowing the door to become “L” shaped. The resulting door, called a “zipper door” by the local fabricator (Quantum Windows and Doors), can be pushed completely into a wall pocket, or slid out and then the finger joints allow the second panel to swing into the “L”-shape position. In addition to the “L”-shaped zipper door, the renovation of architect Nils Finne’s own house presented other opportunity for experimentation. Custom CNC-routed cabinet doors in Alaskan Yellow Cedar were built without vertical stiles, in order to create a more continuous texture across the surface of the lower cabinets. LED lighting was installed with special aluminum reflectors behind the upper resin-panel cabinets. Two materials were used for the counters: Belgian Blue limestone and Black walnut. The limestone was used around the sink area and adjacent to the cook-top. Black walnut was used for the remaining counter areas, and an unusual “finger” joint was created between the two materials, allowing a visually intriguing interlocking pattern , emphasizing the hard, fossilized quality of the limestone and the rich, warm grain of the walnut both to emerge side-by-side. Behind the two counter materials, a continuous backsplash of custom glass mosaic provides visual continuity. Laser-cut steel detailing appears in the flower-like steel bracket supporting hanging pendants over the window seat as well as in the delicate steel valence placed in front of shades over the glass doors at either end of the kitchen. At each of the window areas, the cabinet wall becomes open shelving above and around the windows. The shelving becomes part of the window frame, allowing for generously deep window sills of almost 10”. Sustainable design ideas were present from the beginning. The kitchen is heavily insulated and new windows bring copious amounts of natural light. Green materials include resin panels, low VOC paints, sustainably harvested hardwoods, LED lighting, and glass mosaic tiles. But above all, it is the fact of renovation itself that is inherently sustainable and captures all the embodied energy of the original 1920’s house, which has now been given a fresh life. The intense craftsmanship and detailing of the renovation speaks also to a very important sustainable principle: build it well and it will last for many, many years! Overall, the kitchen brings a fresh new spirit to a home built in 1927. In fact, the kitchen initiates a conversation between the older, traditional home and the new modern space. Although there are no moldings or traditional details in the kitchen, the common language between the two time periods is based on richly textured materials and obsessive attention to detail and craft.

Silverbell Seclusion

Apex Mountain Homes

Inspiration for a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Denver with a drop-in sink, raised-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Emerald Hills Home

David Henig, Architect

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, an undermount sink and limestone benchtops.

Farmhouse Kitchen

Covenant LLC

This is an example of a mid-sized country single-wall eat-in kitchen in Boston with blue cabinets, limestone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, slate floors, with island, grey floor, recessed-panel cabinets and grey splashback.

Swope Kitchen Renovation

The Aldrich Group, LLC

Rev-a-Shelf pantry storage with custom features Jeff Herr Photography
Photo of a large country kitchen pantry in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, limestone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

New French Country

Kyle Hunt & Partners, Incorporated

James Kruger, LandMark Photography Interior Design: Martha O'Hara Interiors Architect: Sharratt Design & Company
Large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, limestone benchtops, with island, dark wood cabinets, dark hardwood floors, stainless steel appliances, brown floor, beige splashback, stone tile splashback and recessed-panel cabinets.

Winter Woods Home

Damian Farrell Design Group

Although much of the home is single story, the ceilings are high -- allowing for large windows, natural light, sweeping views, and a feeling of openness.

Kitchen

A-K Design Professionals LLC

Inspiration for a large mediterranean l-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with white cabinets, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, limestone benchtops, cement tile splashback and ceramic floors.

Mountain Wood

Walker Warner Architects

Matthew Millman
Photo of a country galley kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, panelled appliances, limestone floors, with island, beige floor and limestone splashback.

French Provincial Kitchen

Jonathan Ivy Productions

Jonathan Ivy Productions
Mediterranean u-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with a single-bowl sink, yellow splashback, panelled appliances, raised-panel cabinets, limestone benchtops and grey cabinets.

Arts and Crafts

PB Kitchen Design

A remodel of a small home, we were excited that the owners wanted to stay true to the character of an Arts & Crafts style. An aesthetic movement in history, the Arts & Crafts approach to design is a timeless statement, making this our favorite aspect of the project. Mirrored in the execution of the kitchen design is the mindset of showcasing the craftsmanship of decorative design and the appreciation of simple lines and quality construction. This kitchen sings of an architectural vibe, yet does not take away from the welcoming nature of the layout. Project specs: Wolf range and Sub Zero refrigerator, Limestone counter tops, douglas fir floor, quarter sawn oak cabinets from Quality Custom Cabinetry, The table features a custom hand forged iron base, the embellishment is simple in this kitchen design, with well placed subtle detailing that match the style period.

East Memphis Kitchen Remodel

Heritage Builders

Design ideas for a mid-sized traditional eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, limestone benchtops, grey splashback, travertine splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchent

Kitchen and Bath on the Isle

Inspiration for a mid-sized country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Tampa with an undermount sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, beige splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, travertine floors and with island.

Kitchen Remodel Cedar Park

Matterhorn Development Co.

Photo of a large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, brown cabinets, limestone benchtops, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, beige floor and beige benchtop.

Newtown House

hungerford+edmunds architects

Photography by Simon Wood
Design ideas for a large modern galley eat-in kitchen in Sydney with a double-bowl sink, medium wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, white splashback, glass sheet splashback, stainless steel appliances, concrete floors and with island.

Contemporary Spaces

Fedewa Custom Works

Design by: Kelly & Stone Architects Contractor: Dover Development & Const. Cabinetry by: Fedewa Custom Works Photo by: Tim Stone Photography
Inspiration for a large contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with flat-panel cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, dark wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, porcelain floors, with island and brown floor.

Kitchens

Stone Source LLC

Design ideas for a traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New Orleans with a double-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances and with island.

Cabinet Masters

Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, light hardwood floors, with island and beige splashback.

Small Condo with Every Inch Used

Kitchens For Cooking

This kitchen took many months to plan, because the owner/cook wanted so many specific things within the kitchen, and yet had so little space. The entire wall space available for cabinets was

House 395

Ryan Group Architects

Vance Fox
Large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Sacramento with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, limestone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen with Limestone Benchtops 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!