Weather House is a bespoke home for a young, nature-loving family on a quintessentially compact Northcote block. Our clients Claire and Brent cherished the character of their century-old worker's cottage but required more considered space and flexibility in their home. Claire and Brent are camping enthusiasts, and in response their house is a love letter to the outdoors: a rich, durable environment infused with the grounded ambience of being in nature. From the street, the dark cladding of the sensitive rear extension echoes the existing cottage!s roofline, becoming a subtle shadow of the original house in both form and tone. As you move through the home, the double-height extension invites the climate and native landscaping inside at every turn. The light-bathed lounge, dining room and kitchen are anchored around, and seamlessly connected to, a versatile outdoor living area. A double-sided fireplace embedded into the house’s rear wall brings warmth and ambience to the lounge, and inspires a campfire atmosphere in the back yard. Championing tactility and durability, the material palette features polished concrete floors, blackbutt timber joinery and concrete brick walls. Peach and sage tones are employed as accents throughout the lower level, and amplified upstairs where sage forms the tonal base for the moody main bedroom. An adjacent private deck creates an additional tether to the outdoors, and houses planters and trellises that will decorate the home’s exterior with greenery. From the tactile and textured finishes of the interior to the surrounding Australian native garden that you just want to touch, the house encapsulates the feeling of being part of the outdoors; like Claire and Brent are camping at home. It is a tribute to Mother Nature, Weather House’s muse.

Laurelhurst Storybook Residence

Board & Vellum

Details like the dainty backsplash, rounded oven hood, suspended lanterns, and royal blue oven bring the kitchen to life.
Photo of a large transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Seattle with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, coloured appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Peaceful Spa-inspired Retreat

Peery Homes

Large transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Other with white cabinets, white splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop, an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, marble benchtops, ceramic splashback and stainless steel appliances.

A Home Remodel in Los Gatos

Baron Construction and Remodeling

Baron Construction & Remodeling Co. Kitchen Remodel & Design Complete Home Remodel & Design Master Bedroom Remodel Dining Room Remodel
Photo of a beach style u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, white benchtop, marble benchtops, ceramic splashback, light hardwood floors and beige floor.

Swing Home

Surfaces USA

Large contemporary l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

1300 Rodeo Rd., Arcadia, CA

Mur-Sol Builders Inc

Inspiration for an expansive mediterranean u-shaped kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop and recessed-panel cabinets.

Kitchen Back Splash

Southern Carpet & Interiors Of Fayetteville, Inc.

Inspiration for a contemporary kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Kitchen with breakfast room beyond

Tim Andersen Architect

This is the view from living room doorway through kitchen to breakfast room. Breakfast room includes a walk-in pantry. "Push buttons" on switch plates are actually knobs to control dimmers.

Kitchen--Bexley, OH

Scott Hall Remodeling

Transitional kitchen in Columbus with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Luxury Residential Photography

Leona Mozes Photography

Leona Mozes Photography for Nina Azoulay Design
This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped kitchen in Montreal with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and marble splashback.

Transitional Family Home

BeeTree Homes

Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Jacksonville with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, panelled appliances, vinyl floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Coffee and Tea in the Scullery: Pantry

Tamara Day Design

Design ideas for a transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Kansas City with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, yellow cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

English-French Manor House Remodel

Fiorito Interior Design

It is sometimes a surprise what beauty can lurk under the surface of a room. A client with a 1970s kitchen and eat-in area cut up by an unwieldy peninsula was desperate for it to reflect her love of all things English-and-French-Manor-Home. Working closely with my client, we removed the peninsula in favor of a lovely free-standing island that we painted a shade of French Blue. This is topped with Old World sink hardware (note the ceramic HOT and COLD medallions on the faucets!) and a gorgeous marble counter with a very special edge profile that evokes an antique French Boulangerie counter from the 1910s. Pendants with patinaed metal shades over the island further the charming Old World feel. Handmade white and blue tiles laid in a quilted diamond pattern cover the backsplash, and the remainder of the cabinetry at the perimeter is in a warm cream tone. The eat-in near the fireplace got a cozy treatment with custom seat cushions and window seat bench cushions in a classic blue-and-white Toile de Jouy matching the island stools. The nearby living room got a similar treatment. We removed dark wood paneling and dark carpeting in favor of a light sky blue wall and lighter wood flooring. A new rug with the appearance of an heirloom, a new grand-scaled sofa, and some of my client’s precious antiques helped take the room from 70s rec room to English Sitting Room. Photo: Bernardo Grijalva

Suburban Family Home Rejuvenated By The Addition Of A Modern Orangery

Westbury Garden Rooms

The original space was a long, narrow room, with a tv and sofa on one end, and a dining table on the other. Both zones felt completely disjointed and at loggerheads with one another. Attached to the space, through glazed double doors, was a small kitchen area, illuminated in borrowed light from the conservatory and an uninspiring roof light in a connecting space. But our designers knew exactly what to do with this home that had so much untapped potential. Starting by moving the kitchen into the generously sized orangery space, with informal seating around a breakfast bar. Creating a bright, welcoming, and social environment to prepare family meals and relax together in close proximity. In the warmer months the French doors, positioned within this kitchen zone, open out to a comfortable outdoor living space where the family can enjoy a chilled glass of wine and a BBQ on a cool summers evening.

Chandler Remodel Project

Alisha Taylor Interiors

This modern Chandler Remodel project features a completely transformed kitchen with navy blue acting as neutral and wooden accents.
Inspiration for a mid-sized beach style eat-in kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, stone tile splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Modern Farmhouse Phase III - Interiors

Darci Reimund Designs

Large modern u-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, terra-cotta splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Garden House

ANX / Aaron Neubert Architects

Photo of a mid-sized modern l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, pink splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

San Mateo Complete Home Remodel

Baron Construction and Remodeling

Baron Construction & Remodeling Co. Kitchen Remodel & Design Complete Home Remodel & Design Master Bedroom Remodel Dining Room Remodel
Inspiration for a large beach style u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, marble benchtops and ceramic splashback.

Modern Farmhouse in Beverly Hills

Joel Reis Architecture and Real Estate Photography

Inspiration for an expansive country single-wall open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, marble benchtops, matchstick tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and grey benchtop.

Barbara Project

M Architecture

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Kitchen with Recessed-panel Cabinets and Marble 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!