Painted custom cabinetry, MIneral black soapstone countertops, refinished oak hardwood flooring.
Photo of a small transitional galley separate kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, soapstone benchtops, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and a peninsula.

Designer’s Own Kitchen – Lower Manhattan

Bilotta Kitchen & Home

This kitchen was designed by Bilotta senior designer, Randy O’Kane, CKD with (and for) interior designer Blair Harris. The apartment is located in a turn-of-the-20th-century Manhattan brownstone and the kitchen (which was originally at the back of the apartment) was relocated to the front in order to gain more light in the heart of the home. Blair really wanted the cabinets to be a dark blue color and opted for Farrow & Ball’s “Railings”. In order to make sure the space wasn’t too dark, Randy suggested open shelves in natural walnut vs. traditional wall cabinets along the back wall. She complemented this with white crackled ceramic tiles and strips of LED lights hidden under the shelves, illuminating the space even more. The cabinets are Bilotta’s private label line, the Bilotta Collection, in a 1” thick, Shaker-style door with walnut interiors. The flooring is oak in a herringbone pattern and the countertops are Vermont soapstone. The apron-style sink is also made of soapstone and is integrated with the countertop. Blair opted for the trending unlacquered brass hardware from Rejuvenation’s “Massey” collection which beautifully accents the blue cabinetry and is then repeated on both the “Chagny” Lacanche range and the bridge-style Waterworks faucet. The space was designed in such a way as to use the island to separate the primary cooking space from the living and dining areas. The island could be used for enjoying a less formal meal or as a plating area to pass food into the dining area.

Mid-Century Modern Kitchen with Yellow & Green

Model Remodel

Mid century modern corner kitchen with wood cabinets, dark countertops, white textured backsplash tile, and open shelving © Cindy Apple Photography
Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury l-shaped separate kitchen in Seattle with flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, with island, an undermount sink, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors and black benchtop.

Unique Features - Kitchen Remodel - West Chester PA

Paradise Custom Kitchens, Inc.

Photo of a mid-sized traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, raised-panel cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and with island.

North Greenwich Cottage Renovation

Significant Homes LLC

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.

RedHouse

Misiaszek Turpin pllc

The 800 square-foot guest cottage is located on the footprint of a slightly smaller original cottage that was built three generations ago. With a failing structural system, the existing cottage had a very low sloping roof, did not provide for a lot of natural light and was not energy efficient. Utilizing high performing windows, doors and insulation, a total transformation of the structure occurred. A combination of clapboard and shingle siding, with standout touches of modern elegance, welcomes guests to their cozy retreat. The cottage consists of the main living area, a small galley style kitchen, master bedroom, bathroom and sleeping loft above. The loft construction was a timber frame system utilizing recycled timbers from the Balsams Resort in northern New Hampshire. The stones for the front steps and hearth of the fireplace came from the existing cottage’s granite chimney. Stylistically, the design is a mix of both a “Cottage” style of architecture with some clean and simple “Tech” style features, such as the air-craft cable and metal railing system. The color red was used as a highlight feature, accentuated on the shed dormer window exterior frames, the vintage looking range, the sliding doors and other interior elements. Photographer: John Hession

The Grantham Lakehouse

Yankee Barn Homes

Post and Beam barn house kitchen. Yankee Barn Homes Stephanie Martin Northpeak Design
This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Boston with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, beige cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors and with 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.

Van Alst Studios

OVERARCH

Slate and oak floors compliment butcher block and soapstone counter tops.
This is an example of a small eclectic galley eat-in kitchen in New York with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, slate floors and no island.

Morningside renovation

Level Craft Construction

Photo of a large contemporary l-shaped kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors and with island.

Mill Road

Cabinet Designers, Inc

Photo of a mid-sized country single-wall eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and brown floor.

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.

Cottage Kitchen

Divine Custom Homes

Photos by Spacecrafting
Photo of a large transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, soapstone benchtops, with island, dark hardwood floors, brown floor and shaker cabinets.

Hawthorne Custom Kitchen

McCall Design LLC

This is an example of a traditional kitchen in Portland with subway tile splashback, a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, yellow cabinets, white splashback, soapstone benchtops and stainless steel appliances.

History is in the details

User

Kitchen designed and constructed by Jewett Farms + Co. Cabinetry. Antique Oak floors by Jewett Farms + Co. Flooring. Photos by Eric Roth
Design ideas for a traditional kitchen in Boston with soapstone benchtops.

PARKWAY KITCHEN

Kate Roos Design LLC

This 1930’s gem did not have a functional, beautiful kitchen. In fact, many cabinets barely opened, and some appliances didn’t even work. The top priority was to replace the cabinetry, appliances, and finishes in the main kitchen and butler’s pantry for better functionality. The original footprint was kept mostly intact, with only minor adjustments to improve flow, connectivity, and layout. Custom cabinetry was designed to enhance storage, and a suite of high-performance appliances was installed. Finishes like a herringbone tile floor and soapstone countertops were chosen for longevity and durability. The secondary goal was to match the beauty of the rest of the home, with traditional elements, symmetry, and warmth. Details like fluting on the range hood and a unique corbel shape mirror original moldings. Stained oak accents were color-matched to the home’s existing woodwork. White oak cabinet interiors and custom inserts create a furniture-like feel. The finished design blends seamlessly into the historic home, and also enhances functionality for day-to-day living, hosting, and gathering.

Crocus Hill Kitchen

Full Circle Construction Inc.

Existing 100 year old Arts and Crafts home. Kitchen space was completely gutted down to framing. In floor heat, chefs stove, custom site-built cabinetry and soapstone countertops bring kitchen up to date. Designed by Jean Rehkamp and Ryan Lawinger of Rehkamp Larson Architects. Greg Page Photography

Tahoe Ski Cabin

Studio Bergtraun AIA

The wood used for the cabinetry was passed through a steel comb roller on a belt planer to give it a rugged but smooth texture expressing the wood grain and reminiscence of tree bark. -The industrial looking metal dining table on wheels reflects the outdoor light brightening the space and enhancing the informal feel of a fun home. The Oxgut chairs with rolls are made with recycled fire-hoses!

Charming Downingtown Kitchen

Dwell Design Co

Photo Courtesy of: Rittenhouse Builders Photo By: Josh Barker Photography Lancaster County's Design-Driven Cabinetry Experts
Mid-sized traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Philadelphia with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, soapstone benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and timber splashback.

Martis Camp Calm

Hills & Grant

Lisa Petrole
Inspiration for a contemporary galley open plan kitchen in Sacramento with a double-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors and with island.

Kitchen with 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!