In our world of kitchen design, it’s lovely to see all the varieties of styles come to life. From traditional to modern, and everything in between, we love to design a broad spectrum. Here, we present a two-tone modern kitchen that has used materials in a fresh and eye-catching way. With a mix of finishes, it blends perfectly together to create a space that flows and is the pulsating heart of the home. With the main cooking island and gorgeous prep wall, the cook has plenty of space to work. The second island is perfect for seating – the three materials interacting seamlessly, we have the main white material covering the cabinets, a short grey table for the kids, and a taller walnut top for adults to sit and stand while sipping some wine! I mean, who wouldn’t want to spend time in this kitchen?! Cabinetry With a tuxedo trend look, we used Cabico Elmwood New Haven door style, walnut vertical grain in a natural matte finish. The white cabinets over the sink are the Ventura MDF door in a White Diamond Gloss finish. Countertops The white counters on the perimeter and on both islands are from Caesarstone in a Frosty Carrina finish, and the added bar on the second countertop is a custom walnut top (made by the homeowner!) with a shorter seated table made from Caesarstone’s Raw Concrete. Backsplash The stone is from Marble Systems from the Mod Glam Collection, Blocks – Glacier honed, in Snow White polished finish, and added Brass. Fixtures A Blanco Precis Silgranit Cascade Super Single Bowl Kitchen Sink in White works perfect with the counters. A Waterstone transitional pulldown faucet in New Bronze is complemented by matching water dispenser, soap dispenser, and air switch. The cabinet hardware is from Emtek – their Trinity pulls in brass. Appliances The cooktop, oven, steam oven and dishwasher are all from Miele. The dishwashers are paneled with cabinetry material (left/right of the sink) and integrate seamlessly Refrigerator and Freezer columns are from SubZero and we kept the stainless look to break up the walnut some. The microwave is a counter sitting Panasonic with a custom wood trim (made by Cabico) and the vent hood is from Zephyr.

Photo of a mid-sized mediterranean l-shaped eat-in kitchen in Minneapolis with a farmhouse sink, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, beige floor, white benchtop, quartz benchtops and shaker cabinets.

Justin Krug Photography
Inspiration for an expansive country u-shaped kitchen in Portland with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, quartz benchtops and medium hardwood floors.

Emily Followill
Mid-sized country kitchen in Atlanta with white cabinets, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, an undermount sink, marble benchtops, white splashback, white benchtop and beaded inset cabinets.

Photo Credit - Katrina Mojzesz topkatphoto.com Interior Design - Katja van der Loo Papyrus Home Design papyrushomedesign.com Homeowner & Design Director - Sue Walter, subeeskitchen.com

Kitchen design and full gut remodel in post and beam kitchen. New layout to improve functionality and flow, with center kitchen island, tall pantry storage cabinet, soft gray-beige shaker-style cabinets (Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter), quartz countertop, stacked subway tile backsplash, metal mesh cabinet fronts, Thermador range and hood vent, paneled refrigerator, Shaw's fireclay apron-front sink, matte black fixtures and hardware, cable lighting, and hardwood flooring.

Our Snug Kitchens showroom display combines bespoke traditional joinery, seamless modern appliances and a touch of art deco from the fluted glass walk in larder. The 'Studio Green' painted cabinetry creates a bold background that highlights the kitchens brass accents. Including Armac Martin Sparkbrook brass handles and patinated brass Quooker fusion tap. The Neolith Calacatta Luxe worktop uniquely combines deep grey tones, browns and subtle golds on a pure white base. The veneered oak cabinet internals and breakfast bar are stained in a dark wash to compliment the dark green door and drawer fronts. As part of this display we included a double depth walk-in larder, complete with suspended open shelving, u-shaped worktop slab and fluted glass paneling. We hand finished the support rods to patina the brass ensuring they matched the other antique brass accents in the kitchen. The decadent fluted glass panels draw you into the space, obscuring the view into the larder, creating intrigue to see what is hidden behind the door.

The showstopper kitchen is punctuated by the blue skies and green rolling hills of this Omaha home's exterior landscape. The crisp black and white kitchen features a vaulted ceiling with wood ceiling beams, large modern black windows, wood look tile floors, Wolf Subzero appliances, a large kitchen island with seating for six, an expansive dining area with floor to ceiling windows, black and gold island pendants, quartz countertops and a marble tile backsplash. A scullery located behind the kitchen features ample pantry storage, a prep sink, a built-in coffee bar and stunning black and white marble floor tile.

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and white benchtop.

We were commissioned to design and build a new kitchen for this terraced side extension. The clients were quite specific about their style and ideas. After a few variations they fell in love with the floating island idea with fluted solid Utile. The Island top is 100% rubber and the main kitchen run work top is recycled resin and plastic. The cut out handles are replicas of an existing midcentury sideboard. MATERIALS – Sapele wood doors and slats / birch ply doors with Forbo / Krion work tops / Flute glass.

This kitchen has a new layout which resulted in more organized storage and work space. A flush mounted ceiling hood give it an open feel. A custom baking center keeps like items in their proper place and accessible. Off white glazed cabinets and ogee edged quartz countertops make an elegant statement. A raised live-edge bar and beverage cooler make entertaining a breeze.

Photography by Golden Gate Creative
Photo of a mid-sized transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop and coffered.

Photo of a mid-sized scandinavian open plan kitchen in Raleigh with a single-bowl sink, flat-panel cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Photo of a large transitional u-shaped eat-in kitchen in Chicago with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, engineered quartz splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, white benchtop, exposed beam and white splashback.

Written by Mary Kate Hogan for Westchester Home Magazine. "The Goal: The family that cooks together has the most fun — especially when their kitchen is equipped with four ovens and tons of workspace. After a first-floor renovation of a home for a couple with four grown children, the new kitchen features high-tech appliances purchased through Royal Green and a custom island with a connected table to seat family, friends, and cooking spectators. An old dining room was eliminated, and the whole area was transformed into one open, L-shaped space with a bar and family room. “They wanted to expand the kitchen and have more of an entertaining room for their family gatherings,” says designer Danielle Florie. She designed the kitchen so that two or three people can work at the same time, with a full sink in the island that’s big enough for cleaning vegetables or washing pots and pans. Key Features: Well-Stocked Bar: The bar area adjacent to the kitchen doubles as a coffee center. Topped with a leathered brown marble, the bar houses the coffee maker as well as a wine refrigerator, beverage fridge, and built-in ice maker. Upholstered swivel chairs encourage people to gather and stay awhile. Finishing Touches: Counters around the kitchen and the island are covered with a Cambria quartz that has the light, airy look the homeowners wanted and resists stains and scratches. A geometric marble tile backsplash is an eye-catching decorative element. Into the Wood: The larger table in the kitchen was handmade for the family and matches the island base. On the floor, wood planks with a warm gray tone run diagonally for added interest." Bilotta Designer: Danielle Florie Photographer: Phillip Ennis

A detached Edwardian villa set over three storeys, with the master suite on the top floor, four bedrooms (one en-suite) and family bathroom on the first floor and a sitting room, snug, cloakroom, utility, hall and kitchen-diner leading to the garden on the ground level. With their children grown up and pursuing further education, the owners of this property wanted to turn their home into a sophisticated space the whole family could enjoy. Although generously sized, it was a typical period property with a warren of dark rooms that didn’t suit modern life. The garden was awkward to access and some rooms rarely used. As avid foodies and cooks, the family wanted an open kitchen-dining area where the could entertain their friends, with plentiful storage and a connection to the garden. Our design team reconfigured the ground floor and added a small rear and side extension to open the space for a huge kitchen and dining area, with a bank of Crittall windows leading to the garden (redesigned by Ruth Willmott). Ultra-marine blue became the starting point for the kitchen and ground floor design – this fresh hue extends to the garden to unite indoors and outdoors. Bespoke cabinetry designed by HUX London provides ample storage, and on one section beautiful fluted glass panels hide a TV. The cabinetry is complemented by a spectacular book-matched marble splash-back, and timber, parquet flooring, which extends throughout the ground floor. The open kitchen area incorporates a glamorous dining table by Marcel Wanders, which the family use every day. Now a snug, this was the darkest room with the least going for it architecturally. A cool and cosy space was created with elegant wall-panelling, a low corner sofa, stylish wall lamps and a wood-burning stove. It’s now ¬the family’s favourite room, as they gather here for movie nights. The formal sitting room is an elegant space where the family plays music. A sumptuous teal sofa, a hand-knotted silk and wool rug and a vibrant abstract artwork bring a fresh feel. This teenager’s bedroom with its taupe palette, luxurious finishes and study area has a grown-up vibe, and leads to a gorgeous marble-clad en-suite bathroom. The couple now have their own dedicated study, with a streamlined double desk and bespoke cabinetry. In the master suite, the sloping ceilings were maximised with bespoke wardrobes by HUX London, while a calming scheme was created with soft, neutral tones and rich textures.

Making Dreams come true
Traditional kitchen in Louisville with glass-front cabinets, white cabinets, granite benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances and white benchtop.

Colin Price Photography
This is an example of 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.

Luxuriously dark cabinetry, light worktops and walls with a spacious feel - this is a cool take on a classical kitchen design. Custom made for a couple with a keen eye for design, who work hard, know how to relax and absolutely adore their pups. Their kitchen renovation was part of a whole house restoration. With busy careers and two pups the brief highlighted two main aims. Firstly, to create space to enjoy the kitchen, for cooking and relaxing. Secondly, to provide customised storage so that everything has a place to help keep the space tidy. The main kitchen area is where the culinary magic happens with space to unwind. The home bar for gin and wine lovers, includes wine racks, antique mirror, glazed shelves for the gin collection and two fridge drawers for wine and mixers. Designed with pocket doors it can be left open to admire the beautiful bottles, or closed – maybe for Dry January?! It’s positioned cleverly next to their outdoor ‘lounge’ area complete with comfortable chairs and an outside rug. The larder cupboard has spice / oil racks, baskets and boxes at the bottom for treats. There are electrical points inside so the coffee machine is plugged in here and ready to serve that morning espresso. Being able to keep the kitchen tidy was important so we created a ‘home for everything’ using drawers within drawers, an Oak baking tray divider, pan drawers with lid holders and integrated chopping board and tray spaces. The ovens, warming drawer, induction hob and downdraft extractor are positioned together with the plenty of prep worktop space. The cooking section is aligned with the washing area including Fisher and Paykel dishwasher drawers, beautifully glossy white ceramic sink and boiling water tap. With a slim Oak shelf above for displaying favourite things. The Island serves as a breakfast bar as well as a sweet spot for a casual supper. There is a Zebrano wood knife block inset into the Island worktop so that their Global knife collection is on hand for food prep by the hob and oven. The table and chairs are painted in the same colour as the cabinets and upholstered in black and white, with bench seating by the window including drawers for dog toys conveniently by the doors to the garden. The second part of the design is the walk-in butler’s style pantry. This area was designed to keep the kitchen ‘clutter’ out of the main area. And it is a brilliant area to stack all the dirty dishes when entertaining as it’s completely out of sight. The cabinetry is an a classic ‘u’ shape and houses the fridge, freezer, cupboards for large appliances, oversized dishes and one for the mop and bucket. The tall cupboards with bi-fold doors are for food storage, and you can see from the photos that everything is beautifully kept – rice, pasta, popcorn, quinoa all in lovely named jars. It’s an organisers dream come true. There is also a sink for washing vegetables and oodles of prep surface. Colour pallet The cabinetry is hand painted in Farrow and Ball ‘Off-Black’. Dark and inky, it just lures you right in, timeless and deeply refined. With the cabinetry being grand in proportion too, with detailed cornicing it creates a really bold statement in this space. It can be daunting to go for a dark shade of black, blue or green, but you can see the drama of the cabinets is perfectly matched with plenty of natural light, the white walls and warm Oak floor tiles. The white patterned Domus ‘Biscuit’ tiles bring texture and playfulness. The worktop, Caesarstone Ocean Foam, is a white quartz with speckles of grey crystals. In a classic polished finish it lets the rest of the room do the ‘singing’ while providing a clean light reflecting practical surface for preparing and enjoying food and drinks. The floor tiles bring the warmth. No two tiles have the same pattern so they really do look like wood, but are better suited to the pups as they don’t scratch and are non-slip. Lighting Design The slim black framed windows with doors onto the garden flood the kitchen with natural light and warmth during the day. But atmospheric lighting into the evening was important too, so we incorporated custom lighting in the glass cabinet, gin cabinet and pantry. “It is so well integrated and was a really important thing for me, along with all the smart lighting in the room, and Mike did a great job with it all.” It was such a pleasure to make this kitchen. They wanted to work with a local company and we feel so lucky they picked us.