A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

Alpharetta Modern Farmhouse

Haggard Home Cabinetry & Design

Large country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Atlanta with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Forest Hills Mid-Century Remodel

The Kingston Group - Remodeling Specialists

Design ideas for a large midcentury l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Nashville with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Watertown MA - Kitchen Remodel & Addition

Rebel Builders

Industrial transitional English style kitchen. The addition and remodeling were designed to keep the outdoors inside. Replaced the uppers and prioritized windows connected to key parts of the backyard and having open shelvings with walnut and brass details. Custom dark cabinets made locally. Designed to maximize the storage and performance of a growing family and host big gatherings. The large island was a key goal of the homeowners with the abundant seating and the custom booth opposite to the range area. The booth was custom built to match the client's favorite dinner spot. In addition, we created a more New England style mudroom in connection with the patio. And also a full pantry with a coffee station and pocket doors.

Emerson

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

Modern farmhouse kitchen with tons of natural light and a great open concept.
This is an example of a large eclectic l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, black benchtop and vaulted.

Kitchen Addition & Accessory Unit

Reliance Design Build

Mid-sized contemporary u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stone slab splashback, white appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, white benchtop and vaulted.

Knightsbridge Road

Anthony James Master Builders, LLC

All white classic and traditional kitchen with a statement backsplash. Custom prep counters.
Design ideas for a large traditional u-shaped open plan kitchen in New York with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, grey splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Downtown Mill Valley

Patti Ogden Design

Inspiration for a small traditional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Renovation Kitchen Classic

Debra DeLorenzo Interiors - One Ranfurly Ltd

Patterned tile splashback is a focal point.
Photo of a large traditional u-shaped separate kitchen in Wellington with shaker cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Lake of the Isles Kitchen

M. Victoria Johnson Interiors

Inspiration for a beach style u-shaped open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, dark hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and vaulted.

Milton Road, Mt Eden Kitchen

Bespoke Kitchens _ Formerly on Khyber

Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Auckland with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, grey splashback, ceramic splashback, black appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Spacious Contemporary Interior Remodel & ADU

Lux Builders & Remodeling Inc.

Family friendly open kitchen.
Design ideas for a mid-sized contemporary l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, blue cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, white floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Denver Dry Goods Building Loft

D2D Studio, Inc.

Inspiration for a large traditional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Denver with grey cabinets, marble benchtops, metallic splashback, glass tile splashback, light hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop and vaulted.

Desert. Rose

NUMI Build

Large country l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Los Angeles with a farmhouse sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, green splashback, cement tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, multi-coloured floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Warm Contemporary Kitchen

Design Moe Kitchen & Bath / Heather Moe designer

The dry-set ledgestone backsplash balanced the darker tobacco-color quartz perimeter countertops
Inspiration for a large transitional open plan kitchen in San Diego with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, dark wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, brown splashback, stone tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, grey floor, grey benchtop and vaulted.

Starmark Kitchen in Maple Bridgeport Dove & Oregano w/ Chocolate Glaze

Cabinetry by Better Bilt

Cabinetry: Starmark Style: Bridgeport w/ Five Piece Drawers Finish: (UPPERS/DESK) Maple – Dove; (LOWERS/ISLAND) Maple – Oregano w/ Chocolate Glaze Countertop: Select Solid Surfaces Unlimited – Boulder Pointe Quartz Sink: IPT - Stainless Steel Single Bowl Prep Sink; Elkay Large 60/40 Stainless Faucet: (Customer’s Own) Hardware: Hardware Resources – Milan Pulls in Gun MEtal Backsplash Tile: Virginia Tile – Marlow Cloud w/ Birch Grout Designer: Devon Moore Contractor: Carson’s Installation – Paul Carson Tile Installer: North Shore Tile – Joe Lovasco

Winthrop

Clearcut Construction, Inc.

This custom cabinet gives our clients a way to store their appliances close for functionality but out of sight when not in use.
Mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Raleigh with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, medium wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Galusha Refresh

Esslinger Design Company

The bones were good, but an update was dearly needed. Cabinets painted, quartz installed (countertop and backsplash), faucets and hardware replaced, and some uppers were replaced with floating shelves and sconces. Photography by Picture Perfect House

2020 Sandy Springs Kitchen Remodel

Ponce Design Build

Completed Sandy Springs Kitchen Remodel
Design ideas for a mid-sized modern galley separate kitchen in Atlanta with a double-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors, no island, multi-coloured floor, white benchtop and vaulted.

Whole Home Remodel- Almaden Valley

May Construction, Inc.

May Construction’s Design team drew up plans for a completely new layout, a fully remodeled kitchen which is now open and flows directly into the family room, making cooking, dining, and entertaining easy with a space that is full of style and amenities to fit this modern family's needs. Budget analysis and project development by: May Construction

Kitchen with Vaulted 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!