Photo of a traditional u-shaped kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

  Download our free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   Lakefront property in the northwest suburbs of Chicago is hard to come by, so when we were hired by this young family with exactly that, we were immediately inspired by not just the unusually large footprint of this 1950’s colonial revival but also the lovely views of the manmade lake it was sited on. The large 5-bedroom home was solidly stuck in the 1980’s, but we saw tons of potential. We started out by updating the existing staircase with a fresh coat of paint and adding new herringbone slate to the entry hall. The powder room off the entryway also got a refresh - new flooring, new cabinets and fixtures. We ran the new slate right through into this space for some consistency. A fun wallpaper and shiplap trim add a welcoming feel and set the tone for the home. Next, we tackled the kitchen. Located away from the rest of the first floor, the kitchen felt a little isolated, so we immediately began planning for how to better connect it to the rest of the first floor. We landed on removing the wall between the kitchen and dining room and designed a modified galley style space with separate cooking and clean up zones. The cooking zone consists of the refrigerator, prep sink and cooktop, along with a nice long run of prep space at the island. The cleanup side of the kitchen consists of the main sink and dishwasher. Both areas are situated so that the user can view the lake during prep work and cleanup! One of the home’s main puzzles was how to incorporate the mudroom and area in front of the patio doors at the back of the house. We already had a breakfast table area, so the space by the patio doors was a bit of a no man’s land. We decided to separate the kitchen proper from what became the new mudroom with a large set of barn doors. That way you can quickly hide any mudroom messes but have easy access to the light coming in through the patio doors as well as the outdoor grilling station. We also love the impact the barn doors add to the overall space. The homeowners’ first words to us were “it’s time to ditch the brown,” so we did! We chose a lovely blue pallet that reflects the home’s location on the lake which is also vibrant yet easy on the eye. Countertops are white quartz, and the natural oak floor works well with the other honey accents. The breakfast table was given a refresh with new chairs, chandelier and window treatments that frame the gorgeous views of the lake out the back. We coordinated the slate mudroom flooring with that used in the home’s main entrance for a consistent feel. The storage area consists of open and closed storage to allow for some clutter control as needed. Next on our “to do” list was revamping the dated brown bar area in the neighboring dining room. We eliminated the clutter by adding some closed cabinets and did some easy updates to help the space feel more current. One snag we ran into here was the discovery of a beam above the existing open shelving that had to be modified with a smaller structural beam to allow for our new design to work. This was an unexpected surprise, but in the end we think it was well worth it! We kept the colors here a bit more muted to blend with the homeowner’s existing furnishings. Open shelving and polished nickel hardware add some simple detail to the new entertainment zone which also looks out onto the lake! Next we tackled the upstairs starting with the homeowner’s son’s bath. The bath originally had both a tub shower and a separate shower, so we decided to swap out the shower for a new laundry area. This freed up some space downstairs in what used to be the mudroom/laundry room and is much more convenient for daily laundry needs. We continued the blue palette here with navy cabinetry and the navy tile in the shower. Porcelain floor tile and chrome fixtures keep maintenance to a minimum while matte black mirrors and lighting add some depth the design. A low maintenance runner adds some warmth underfoot and ties the whole space together. We added a pocket door to the bathroom to minimize interference with the door swings. The left door of the laundry closet is on a 180 degree hinge to allow for easy full access to the machines. Next we tackled the master bath which is an en suite arrangement. The original was typical of the 1980’s with the vanity outside of the bathroom, situated near the master closet. And the brown theme continued here with multiple shades of brown. Our first move was to segment off the bath and the closet from the master bedroom. We created a short hall from the bedroom to the bathroom with his and hers walk-in closets on the left and right as well as a separate toilet closet outside of the main bathroom for privacy and flexibility. The original bathroom had a giant soaking tub with steps (dangerous!) as well as a small shower that did not work well for our homeowner who is 6’3”. With other bathtubs in the home, they decided to eliminate the tub and create an oversized shower which takes up the space where the old tub was located. The double vanity is on the opposite wall and a bench is located under the window for morning conversations and a place to set a couple of towels. The pallet in here is light and airy with a mix of blond wood, creamy porcelain and marble tile, and brass accents. A simple roman shade adds some texture and it’s top-down mechanism allows for light and privacy. This large whole house remodel gave our homeowners not only the ability to maximize the potential of their home but also created a lovely new frame from which to view their fabulous lake views. Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD Photography by: Michael Kaskel For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

Cuisine ouverte alliant la sobriété et le minimalisme du stratifié fenix noir mat avec la chaleur du bois massif à cadre. Façades en bois à cadre massif chêne naturel défibré, totalement sans poignées. Plans de travail en Granit Noir Zimbabwé finition cuir. Table mange debout dans la même finition que les façades en bois: chêne naturel défibré pour une intégration parfaite. L'ensemble d'armoires est en Stratifié Fenix Noir mat avec poignée Filo intégrée dans le chant de la porte en aluminium anodisé noir.

Design ideas for a transitional eat-in kitchen in Jacksonville with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Transitional l-shaped kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

Our clients wanted the ultimate modern farmhouse custom dream home. They found property in the Santa Rosa Valley with an existing house on 3 ½ acres. They could envision a new home with a pool, a barn, and a place to raise horses. JRP and the clients went all in, sparing no expense. Thus, the old house was demolished and the couple’s dream home began to come to fruition. The result is a simple, contemporary layout with ample light thanks to the open floor plan. When it comes to a modern farmhouse aesthetic, it’s all about neutral hues, wood accents, and furniture with clean lines. Every room is thoughtfully crafted with its own personality. Yet still reflects a bit of that farmhouse charm. Their considerable-sized kitchen is a union of rustic warmth and industrial simplicity. The all-white shaker cabinetry and subway backsplash light up the room. All white everything complimented by warm wood flooring and matte black fixtures. The stunning custom Raw Urth reclaimed steel hood is also a star focal point in this gorgeous space. Not to mention the wet bar area with its unique open shelves above not one, but two integrated wine chillers. It’s also thoughtfully positioned next to the large pantry with a farmhouse style staple: a sliding barn door. The master bathroom is relaxation at its finest. Monochromatic colors and a pop of pattern on the floor lend a fashionable look to this private retreat. Matte black finishes stand out against a stark white backsplash, complement charcoal veins in the marble looking countertop, and is cohesive with the entire look. The matte black shower units really add a dramatic finish to this luxurious large walk-in shower. Photographer: Andrew - OpenHouse VC

Large country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Photo credit: Angelika Friday
Inspiration for a large transitional open plan kitchen in Chicago with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, with island and white benchtop.

Integrated bespoke cabinetry, butlers pantry and feature island bench are just some of the features of this functional and beautiful kitchen.
Inspiration for a large beach style galley kitchen in Sydney with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, with island, white benchtop, vaulted, timber, window splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors and brown floor.

Inspiration for a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, glass tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, with island, grey floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Photo of a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Chicago with shaker cabinets, black cabinets, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.

Our Ridgewood Estate project is a new build custom home located on acreage with a lake. It is filled with luxurious materials and family friendly details.

Asian kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

Colin Price Photography
Inspiration for a large eclectic l-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, blue splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

Recessed panel Woodharbor cabinetry with combination painted white finishes Island roughsawn white oak veneer by OP Signature Series in a gray stain Wolf 48” dual fuel range with double oven, six burners and griddle in stainless steel Wolf 24” E series steam oven in stainless steel Wolf Microwave Drawer 24″ Stainless transitional E series in Stainless Steel Wolf 30” Warming Drawer panel ready Best 48″ hood insert in stainless steel with 1200cfm remote blower Sub-Zero 36″ panel ready integrated refrigerator Sub-Zero 36″ panel ready integrated freezer Cove 24” built-In panel-ready dishwasher Kitchen stone tops 1/2″ Krion in White Concrete #9104 with a 1-1/4″ thick mitered edge

The dishwasher is raised for easy loading and unloading. The bi-level island keeps the sink and food prep hidden from the main living area.
Photo of a large transitional galley open plan kitchen in Raleigh with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Design ideas for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Dallas with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

While the majority of APD designs are created to meet the specific and unique needs of the client, this whole home remodel was completed in partnership with Black Sheep Construction as a high end house flip. From space planning to cabinet design, finishes to fixtures, appliances to plumbing, cabinet finish to hardware, paint to stone, siding to roofing; Amy created a design plan within the contractor’s remodel budget focusing on the details that would be important to the future home owner. What was a single story house that had fallen out of repair became a stunning Pacific Northwest modern lodge nestled in the woods!

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Oklahoma City with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor and white benchtop.