Bold and Monochromatic Kitchen in Houston

From the street, it’s an impeccably designed English manor. Once inside, the best of that same storied architecture seamlessly meshes with modernism. This blend of styles was exactly the vibe three-decades-running Houston homebuilder Chris Sims, founder and CEO of Sims Luxury Builders, wanted to convey with the $5.2 million show-home in Houston’s coveted Tanglewood neighborhood. “Our goal was to uniquely combine classic and Old World with clean and modern in both the architectural design as well as the interior finishes,” Chris says. Their aesthetic inspiration is clearly evident in the 8,000-square-foot showcase home’s luxurious gourmet kitchen. It is an exercise in grey and white—and texture. To achieve their vision, the Sims turned to Cantoni. “We had a wonderful experience working with Cantoni several years ago on a client’s home, and were pleased to repeat that success on this project,” Chris says. Cantoni designer Amy McFall, who was tasked with designing the kitchen, promptly took to the home’s beauty. Situated on a half-acre corner lot with majestic oak trees, it boasts simplistic and elegant interiors that allow the detailed architecture to shine. The kitchen opens directly to the family room, which holds a brick wall, beamed ceilings, and a light-and-bright stone fireplace. The generous space overlooks the outdoor pool. With such a large area to work with, “we needed to give the kitchen its own, intimate feel,” Amy says. To that end, Amy integrated dark grey, high-gloss lacquer cabinetry from our Atelier Collection. by Aster Cucine with dark grey oak cabinetry, mixing finishes throughout to add depth and texture. Edginess came by way of custom, heavily veined Calacatta Viola marble on both the countertops and backsplash. The Sims team, meanwhile, insured the layout lent itself to minimalism. “With the inclusion of the scullery and butler’s pantry in the design, we were able to minimize the storage needed in the kitchen itself,” Chris says. “This allowed for the clean, minimalist cabinetry, giving us the creative freedom to go darker with the cabinet color and really make a bold statement in the home.” It was exactly the look they wanted—textural and interesting. “The juxtaposition of ultra-modern kitchen cabinetry and steel windows set against the textures of the wood floors, interior brick, and trim detailing throughout the downstairs provided a fresh take on blending classic and modern,” Chris says. “We’re thrilled with the result—it is showstopping.” They were equally thrilled with the design process. “Amy was incredibly responsive, helpful and knowledgeable,” Chris says. “It was a pleasure working with her and the entire Cantoni team.” Check out the kitchen featured in Modern Luxury Interiors Texas’ annual “Ode to Texas Real Estate” here.

Two-Tone Farmhouse Kitchen Design in Clarksville

Guthrie Kitchen and Bath Plus LLC

This stunning, modern farmhouse kitchen design features an on trend two-tone color scheme that creates a stunning style for this Clarksville, TN home. Holiday Kitchens cabinetry Mission cabinetry in Snow Drift provides ample storage around the perimeter of the room, accented by a quartz absolute black countertop. The island cabinetry in Ebony offers a striking contrast with a Cafe Countertops butcherblock European walnut top with a beveled edge. Top Knobs gun metal gray pulls accessorize the cabinet style. The white oak hardwood floors from Happy Floors bring warmth to the room. Black finish appliances, a custom black hood, and white apron front sink complete the two-tone color scheme.

Cottage Row 1

Black Rock Design | Build

This tiny 800sf cottage was in desperate need of a makeover. Black Rock remodeled the entire two-bedroom cabin and created this wonderful kitchen space. These two-tone cabinets, white and black tile backsplash, and white granite countertops highlight make this tiny kitchen feel bigger than it is.

Ideal Space, Lavish Lifestlye

Prime Realty

This is an example of a small midcentury l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with a drop-in sink, flat-panel cabinets, green cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Laurel - Complete Interior Remodel

G.B. Construction and Development, Inc.

Completely remodeled beach house with an open floor plan, beautiful light wood floors and an amazing view of the water. After walking through the entry with the open living room on the right you enter the expanse with the sitting room at the left and the family room to the right. The original double sided fireplace is updated by removing the interior walls and adding a white on white shiplap and brick combination separated by a custom wood mantle the wraps completely around. Continue through the family room to the kitchen with a large island and an amazing dining area. The blue island and the wood ceiling beam add warmth to this white on white coastal design. The shiplap hood with the custom wood band tie the shiplap ceiling and the wood ceiling beam together to complete the design.

Kitchens Gallery by Kith

Kith Kitchens

Beautiful kitchen created by The Kitchen Studio.
Transitional galley kitchen with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Kitchen with a View

Waterview Kitchens

Gorgeous all blue kitchen cabinetry featuring brass and gold accents on hood, pendant lights and cabinetry hardware. The stunning intracoastal waterway views and sparkling turquoise water add more beauty to this fabulous kitchen.

Modern Kitchen in Shoreline

Fitch Design Company

2 tone high gloss cabinetry with quartz counters and a large format glass backsplash. An open end on the counter supported by chrome legs leaves a place to sit and have a meal.

Open Shut House

WALA

A long galley-styled Kitchen is sandwiched between Blackbutt-lined ceiling & floor plates. The linear orientation of these timber boards draws one's eye to the rear garden beyond. Photo by Dave Kulesza.

A Splash of Yellow

Next Stage Design + Build

Design ideas for a mid-sized midcentury u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, yellow splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Putnam Valley Lakehouse

Elizabeth Strianese Interiors LLC

Expansive arts and crafts l-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with a single-bowl sink, raised-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, soapstone benchtops, grey splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and timber.

Modern Medina Two-Story

Swanson Homes

The gourmet kitchen appliances harmonize with the elevated interior finishes to provide the perfect blend of modern technology, innovation and beauty. The open concept main level aids in the feeling of coziness while creating a spacious, yet, comfortable area for entertainment and day-to-day life.

Austin Getaway

Interior Design Concepts

Modern Kitchen with paint and wood finish flat panel cabinetry. Black hardware and plumbing. Wall décor with local artists art.
Photo of a mid-sized contemporary kitchen in Austin with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, quartz benchtops, grey splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, timber, white cabinets and mosaic tile splashback.

Mequash

Cynthia Hayes Interior Design

Photo of a beach style l-shaped kitchen in Providence with a farmhouse sink, white cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop, timber and recessed.

My Latest Love

Sandcastle Homes

This is an example of a beach style l-shaped kitchen in San Diego with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, mosaic tile splashback, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and timber.

Cliffside Farmhouse // Modern Farmhouse

Younger Homes

This is an example of a mid-sized country u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Austin with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, black cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and timber.

Fairway Full Renovation

TJH Construction Company, LLC

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary single-wall eat-in kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, grey cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and timber.

Kitchen

Beth Howley Creative LLC

Modern farmhouse kitchen featuring hickory cabinets, cream cabinets, two kitchen islands, custom plaster range hood, black faucet, white and gold pendant lighting, hardwood flooring, and shiplap ceiling.

Winchester Gourmet Kitchen

Karen Walson Interiors

We added a 10 foot addition to their home, so they could have a large gourmet kitchen. We also did custom builtins in the living room and mudroom room. Custom inset cabinets from Laurier with a white perimeter and Sherwin Williams Evergreen Fog cabinets. Custom shiplap ceiling. And a custom walk-in pantry

Hauts-Bois

Cuisines Steam

Photo credit: Charles Lanteigne
This is an example of a large country kitchen in Montreal with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and timber.

All Backsplash Materials Kitchen with Timber 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!