Charles Hilton Architects, Robert Benson Photography From grand estates, to exquisite country homes, to whole house renovations, the quality and attention to detail of a "Significant Homes" custom home is immediately apparent. Full time on-site supervision, a dedicated office staff and hand picked professional craftsmen are the team that take you from groundbreaking to occupancy. Every "Significant Homes" project represents 45 years of luxury homebuilding experience, and a commitment to quality widely recognized by architects, the press and, most of all....thoroughly satisfied homeowners. Our projects have been published in Architectural Digest 6 times along with many other publications and books. Though the lion share of our work has been in Fairfield and Westchester counties, we have built homes in Palm Beach, Aspen, Maine, Nantucket and Long Island.

kitchen and breakfast room

Rasmussen / Su Architects

Halkin Mason Photography
Traditional eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a double-bowl sink, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, raised-panel cabinets and green cabinets.

Past Meets Present

Judith Wright Design

Saving the original stained glass picture window from 1916, we created a focal point with a custom designed arch alcove with dentil molding. Leaded glass upper cabinets add ambiance and sparkle to the compact kitchen.

Surfside Farmhouse

interiorstyle

Tile: ARTO BRICK Custom Mix RANGE TILE: MICHAEL ARAM MOLTEN BRONZE Gloss 6" X 12" X 5/8" Ceramic Field Tile WHITE FIELD TILE: A TRAIN WHITE Gloss 5" X 10" X 3/8" Ceramic Field Tile Custom Island with Walnut wood top Perimeter Countertops: Black Soapstone

Transitional Kitchen

Photo of a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Indianapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Herndon Chase II

SK Interiors

Large country u-shaped separate kitchen in DC Metro with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

The 1790 Garvin-Weeks Farmstead

Cummings Architecture + Interiors

The 1790 Garvin-Weeks Farmstead is a beautiful farmhouse with Georgian and Victorian period rooms as well as a craftsman style addition from the early 1900s. The original house was from the late 18th century, and the barn structure shortly after that. The client desired architectural styles for her new master suite, revamped kitchen, and family room, that paid close attention to the individual eras of the home. The master suite uses antique furniture from the Georgian era, and the floral wallpaper uses stencils from an original vintage piece. The kitchen and family room are classic farmhouse style, and even use timbers and rafters from the original barn structure. The expansive kitchen island uses reclaimed wood, as does the dining table. The custom cabinetry, milk paint, hand-painted tiles, soapstone sink, and marble baking top are other important elements to the space. The historic home now shines. Eric Roth

Kitchen - Window View of Lake

Chapman Design Group, Inc.

Mark Hoyle
Inspiration for a mid-sized arts and crafts u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Other with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, medium hardwood floors and no island.

Riverbend Guest House - Green With Character

Jarrett Design

This is an example of a small country l-shaped separate kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Historic 1751 Residence in Essex County, VA

W. Douglas Gilpin, Jr. FAIA - Architect, PLC

Philip Beaurline
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Richmond with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Sterling Kitchen and Dining

down2earth Interior Design, LLC.

It is not uncommon for down2earth interior design to be tasked with the challenge of combining an existing kitchen and dining room into one open space that is great for communal cooking and entertaining. But what happens when that request is only the beginning? In this kitchen, our clients had big dreams for their space that went well beyond opening up the plan and included flow, organization, a timeless aesthetic, and partnering with local vendors. Although the family wanted all the modern conveniences afforded them by a total kitchen renovation, they also wanted it to look timeless and fit in with the aesthetic of their 100 year old home. So all design decisions were made with an eye towards timelessness, from the profile of the cabinet doors, to the handmade backsplash tiles, to the choice of soapstone for countertops, which is a beautiful material that is naturally heat resistant. The soapstone was strategically positioned so that the most stunning veins would be on display across the island top and on the wall behind the cooktop. Even the green color of the cabinet, and the subtle green-greys of the trim were specifically chosen for their softness so they will not look stark or trendy in this classic home. To address issues of flow, the clients really analyzed how they cook, entertain, and eat. We went well beyond the typical “kitchen triangle” to make sure all the hot spots of the kitchen were in the most functional locations within the space. Once we located the “big moves” we really dug down into the details. Some noteworthy ones include a whole wall of deep pantries with pull outs so all food storage is in one place, knives stored in a drawer right over the cutting boards, trash located right behind the sink, and pots, pans, cookie sheets located right by the oven, and a pullout for the Kitchenaid mixer. There are also pullouts that serve as dedicated storage next to the oven for oils, spices, and utensils, and a microwave located in the island which will facilitate aging in place if that becomes an objective in the future. A broom and cleaning supply storage closet at the top of the basement stairs coordinates with the kitchen cabinets so it will look nice if on view, or it can be hidden behind barn doors that tuck just a bit behind the oven. Storage for platters and a bar are located near the dining room so they will be on hand for entertaining. As a couple deeply invested in their local community, it was important to the homeowners to work with as many local vendors as possible. From flooring to woodwork to tile to countertops, choosing the right materials to make this project come together was a real collaborative effort. Their close community connections also inspired these empty nesters to stay in their home and update it to their needs, rather than relocating. The space can now accommodate their growing family that might consist of children’s spouses, grandkids, and furry friends alike.

Arlington Heights

Right Angle Kitchens

Photo of a mid-sized traditional galley separate kitchen in Boston with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and green benchtop.

Traditional Style Kitchen Inspiration

Everingham Design

This is an example of a large traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Columbus with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, beige splashback, subway tile splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and black benchtop.

Mullally Kitchen

Detailed Designs By Denise

Matt Harrer
Traditional l-shaped kitchen in St Louis with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, stainless steel appliances, with island, soapstone benchtops and medium hardwood floors.

English Country Kitchen

Bluebell Kitchens

Large traditional u-shaped kitchen in Philadelphia with an integrated sink, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, green splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and beaded inset cabinets.

Farmhouse Maple Kitchen Island

Brooks Custom

Premium Wide Plank Maple kitchen island counter top with sealed and oiled finish. Designed by Rafe Churchill, LLC
Design ideas for a mid-sized country galley eat-in kitchen in New York with beaded inset cabinets, soapstone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, with island and green cabinets.

White Shaker IKEA Kitchen

Semihandmade

Standard IKEA kitchen in Gladwyne, PA with custom Semihandmade DIY Shaker facing. Photo by Paul Lipowicz.
Contemporary galley eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances, an undermount sink, white splashback, stone slab splashback, green cabinets and soapstone benchtops.

Riverbend Guest House - Green With Character

Jarrett Design

Small country l-shaped separate kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, black splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, laminate floors, with island, brown floor and black benchtop.

Kitchen Remodel

Construction Development Inc.

Photo of an expansive country l-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, brown splashback, brick splashback, stainless steel appliances, terra-cotta floors, with island and beige floor.

Modern Two-Story with an Amazing View!

Metzler Home Builders

Photo Credits: Annie M Design
Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in Other with a farmhouse sink, green cabinets, soapstone benchtops, medium hardwood floors and with island.

Kitchen with Green Cabinets and Soapstone 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!