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.

Toorak Residence

MR.MITCHELL

Photo of a large contemporary eat-in kitchen in Melbourne with an integrated sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, beige splashback, stone slab splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, beige floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.

Rose Bay Penthouse

D'Cruz Design Group

Design ideas for an expansive contemporary kitchen in Sydney with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, light hardwood floors and with island.

Park Slope Townhouse Renovation

Studio Geiger Architecture

This is an example of a large transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, grey cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, a peninsula, quartz benchtops, matchstick tile splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and recessed-panel cabinets.

Perkins Kitchen Remodel

Dream Home Builders and Remodelers

Awesome shot by Steve Schwartz from AVT Marketing in Fort Mill.
Design ideas for a large transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in Charlotte with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, limestone benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Project Design by Kirby Foster Hurd

Kirby Home Designs

Robert Elkins
Transitional l-shaped kitchen in Oklahoma City with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Transitional Navy

Sanctuary Kitchen and Bath Design

Design ideas for a large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and blue benchtop.

Modern Timber Frame

Hermitage Kitchen Gallery LLC

Designed by Victoria Highfill, Photography by Melissa M Mills
Inspiration for an expansive transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Bayadere Newport Beach

William 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.

241 7th Ave North, Naples FL 34102

Dante DiSabato

Matt Steeves
Design ideas for an expansive transitional single-wall kitchen pantry in Miami with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and multiple islands.

Houston, Texas | Tamarron - Premier Rosewood Kitchen

Brightland Homes

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Houston with with island, recessed-panel cabinets, solid surface benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, white benchtop, a farmhouse sink, light hardwood floors, beige floor and dark wood cabinets.

Wauwatosa Open Kitchen & Dining Room Remodel

S.J. Janis Company, Inc.

With white cabinets and white granite countertops, this remodeled open concept kitchen feels a little bit bigger and a little bit brighter.
Inspiration for a mid-sized traditional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Milwaukee with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Misc Pictures

Curt Hofer & Associates

Design ideas for a traditional kitchen in Omaha with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances and light hardwood floors.

Kitchen

THINK Architecture, Inc.

Photo by: Joshua Caldwell
Photo of an expansive traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Salt Lake City with recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands and brown floor.

Modern Montecito, Danville, CA

Lauren Evans Interiors, LLC

This is an example of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Myrtle House

Regarding Design

Built in the iconic neighborhood of Mount Curve, just blocks from the lakes, Walker Art Museum, and restaurants, this is city living at its best. Myrtle House is a design-build collaboration with Hage Homes and Regarding Design with expertise in Southern-inspired architecture and gracious interiors. With a charming Tudor exterior and modern interior layout, this house is perfect for all ages.

South Loop Kitchen

Arete Renovators Inc.

This beautiful open concept kitchen is lit up by wonderful natural light. All white cabinets and countertops are paired perfectly with light hardwood floors to create a bright space. Matte black fixtures and Vigo faucet contrast nicely against the white subway tile backsplash and white cabinets. Quartz countertops and stainless steel appliances complete the look of this amazing kitchen.

Village at Silverleaf

Cullum Homes

Inspiration for a contemporary u-shaped kitchen in Phoenix with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Class Romantic Ranch

KBG Design

Large scandinavian l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, recessed-panel cabinets, quartzite benchtops, marble splashback, light hardwood floors, beige floor and white benchtop.

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 with Recessed-panel Cabinets and Light Hardwood Floors 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!