This beautiful kitchen remodel and renovation is timeless and classic with a nod to the coastal influences of living in sunny Newport Beach. The wonderful textures in the granite and backsplash materials add so much depth and interest with these rich textiles. Photos taken from a private photographer in Orange County.

Firmness . . . Santa Cruz’s historically eclectic Pleasure Point neighborhood has been evolving in its own quirky way for almost a century, and many of its inhabitants seem to have been around just as long. They cling to the relaxed and funky seaside character of their beach community with an almost indignant provinciality. For both client and architect, neighborhood context became the singular focus of the design; to become the “poster child” for compatibility and sustainability. Dozens of photos were taken of the surrounding area as inspiration, with the goal of honoring the idiosyncratic, fine-grained character and informal scale of a neighborhood built over time. A low, horizontal weathered ipe fence at the street keeps out surfer vans and neighborhood dogs, and a simple gate beckons visitors to stroll down the boardwalk which gently angles toward the front door. A rusted steel fire pit is the focus of this ground level courtyard, which is encircled by a curving cor-ten garden wall graced by a sweep of horse tail reeds and tufts of feather grass. Extensive day-lighting throughout the home is achieved with high windows placed in all directions in all major rooms, resulting in an abundance of natural light throughout. The clients report having only to turning on lights at nightfall. Notable are the numerous passive solar design elements: careful attention to overhangs and shading devices at South- and West-facing glass to control heat gain, and passive ventilation via high windows in the tower elements, all are significant contributors to the structure’s energy efficiency. Commodity . . . Beautiful views of Monterey Bay and the lively local beach scene became the main drivers in plan and section. The upper floor was intentionally set back to preserve ocean views of the neighbor to the north. The surf obsessed clients wished to be able to see the “break” from their upper floor breakfast table perch, able to take a moment’s notice advantage of some killer waves. A tiny 4,500 s.f. lot and a desire to create a ground level courtyard for entertaining dictated the small footprint. A graceful curving cor-ten and stainless steel stair descends from the upper floor living areas, connecting them to a ground level “sanctuary”. A small detached art studio/surfboard storage shack in the back yard fulfills functional requirements, and includes an outdoor shower for the post-surf hose down. Parking access off a back alley helps to preserve ground floor space, and allows in the southern sun on the view/courtyard side. A relaxed “bare foot beach house” feel is underscored by weathered oak floors, painted re-sawn wall finishes, and painted wood ceilings, which recall the cozy cabins that stood here at Breakers Beach for nearly a century. Delight . . . Commemorating the history of the property was a priority for the surfing couple. With that in mind, they created an artistic reproduction of the original sign that decorated the property for many decades as an homage to the “Cozy Cabins at Breakers Beach”, which now graces the foyer. This casual assemblage of local vernacular architecture has been informed by the consistent scale and simple materials of nearby cottages, shacks, and bungalows. These influences were distilled down to a palette of board and batt, clapboard, and cedar shiplap, and synthesized with bolder forms that evoke images of nearby Capitola Wharf, beach lifeguard towers, and the client’s “surf shack” program requirements. The landscape design takes its cues from boardwalks, rusted steel fire rings, and native grasses, all of which firmly tie the building to its local beach community. The locals have embraced it as one of their own. Architect - Noel Cross Architect Landscape Architect - Christopher Yates Interior Designer - Gina Viscusi-Elson Lighting Designer - Vita Pehar Design Contractor - The Conrado Company

The new floors are local Oregon white oak, and the dining table was made from locally salvaged walnut. The range is a vintage Craigslist find, and a wood-burning stove easily and efficiently heats the small house. Photo by Lincoln Barbour.

The remodeled kitchen was enlarged to extend across the entire back end of the house. Detailing of the cabinetry remained simple but traditional to give a fresh look to the house. Sally Schoolmaster, photographer

  Free ebook, Creating the Ideal Kitchen. DOWNLOAD NOW   This large open concept kitchen and dining space was created by removing a load bearing wall between the old kitchen and a porch area. The new porch was insulated and incorporated into the overall space. The kitchen remodel was part of a whole house remodel so new quarter sawn oak flooring, a vaulted ceiling, windows and skylights were added. A large calcutta marble topped island takes center stage. It houses a 5’ galley workstation - a sink that provides a convenient spot for prepping, serving, entertaining and clean up. A 36” induction cooktop is located directly across from the island for easy access. Two appliance garages on either side of the cooktop house small appliances that are used on a daily basis. Honeycomb tile by Ann Sacks and open shelving along the cooktop wall add an interesting focal point to the room. Antique mirrored glass faces the storage unit housing dry goods and a beverage center. “I chose details for the space that had a bit of a mid-century vibe that would work well with what was originally a 1950s ranch. Along the way a previous owner added a 2nd floor making it more of a Cape Cod style home, a few eclectic details felt appropriate”, adds Klimala. The wall opposite the cooktop houses a full size fridge, freezer, double oven, coffee machine and microwave. “There is a lot of functionality going on along that wall”, adds Klimala. A small pull out countertop below the coffee machine provides a spot for hot items coming out of the ovens. The rooms creamy cabinetry is accented by quartersawn white oak at the island and wrapped ceiling beam. The golden tones are repeated in the antique brass light fixtures. “This is the second kitchen I’ve had the opportunity to design for myself. My taste has gotten a little less traditional over the years, and although I’m still a traditionalist at heart, I had some fun with this kitchen and took some chances. The kitchen is super functional, easy to keep clean and has lots of storage to tuck things away when I’m done using them. The casual dining room is fabulous and is proving to be a great spot to linger after dinner. We love it!” Designed by: Susan Klimala, CKD, CBD For more information on kitchen and bath design ideas go to: www.kitchenstudio-ge.com

A view of the kitchen with the IKEA butcher block countertop in the foreground. 3'x9' Hanstone island in the background, with view through arched opening into the dining room/library. Windows under the upper cabinets bring soft northern light into the kitchen. Stair guardrail of steel and maple. Wall paint color: "Beach Glass," Benjamin Moore. Photo by Whit Preston.

This beach house was renovated to create an inviting escape for its owners’ as home away from home. The wide open greatroom that pours out onto vistas of sand and surf from behind a nearly removable bi-folding wall of glass, making summer entertaining a treat for the host and winter storm watching a true marvel for guests to behold. The views from each of the upper level bedroom windows make it hard to tell if you have truly woken in the morning, or if you are still dreaming… Photography: Paul Grdina

Porebski Architects, Beach House 2. The client brief asked for a private sanctuary to escape their city home. Aside from capturing the beach and ocean views, the house needed to afford protection against the coastal environment including the daily onshore winds, sand and salt spray and at the same time be low-key and low maintenance; the sort of place you can walk bare-foot throughout the entire year. It achieves this via an open plan, with free-flowing spaces from inside to out, allowing summer and winter solar access within a protective barrier to the on-shore winds. Photo: Conor Quinn

This beautiful cottage styled kitchen design with Dura Supreme Cabinetry was created by Linda Williams at Hahka Kitchens. It contrasts white painted cabinetry with a black/dark kitchen island cabinetry to create an eclectic cottage feel. Black counter tops contrast the white cabinetry while a wood countertop compliments the black/dark cabinetry of the kitchen island and coordinates with the wood beams stretched across the ceiling. Designed by Linda Williams of Hahka Kitchens. http://www.houzz.com/pro/lindasadie/hahka-kitchens Request a FREE Brochure: http://www.durasupreme.com/request-brochure Find a dealer near you today: http://www.durasupreme.com/dealer-locator

This custom kitchen is constructed using clear cedar to create unique flat panel door faces. The cedar is complemented with solid black counter tops. This galley style kitchen, features a breakfast bar open to the great room. The cedar breakfast ledge features solid stone inserts.

Cool white kitchen, with a stunning statuary white marble island. Photography by Danny . House design by Charles Isreal.
Inspiration for a traditional eat-in kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, white cabinets, white splashback, marble benchtops and grey benchtop.

Inspiration for a traditional kitchen in Cincinnati with shaker cabinets, stainless steel appliances and granite benchtops.

For this project, the initial inspiration for our clients came from seeing a modern industrial design featuring barnwood and metals in our showroom. Once our clients saw this, we were commissioned to completely renovate their outdated and dysfunctional kitchen and our in-house design team came up with this new this space that incorporated old world aesthetics with modern farmhouse functions and sensibilities. Now our clients have a beautiful, one-of-a-kind kitchen which is perfecting for hosting and spending time in. Modern Farm House kitchen built in Milan Italy. Imported barn wood made and set in gun metal trays mixed with chalk board finish doors and steel framed wired glass upper cabinets. Industrial meets modern farm house

Contemporary design of beach bedroom. White walls, light furniture, modern art, and high ceilings... Perfect for a beach house with ocean view.
Photo of a small beach style guest bedroom in Los Angeles with white walls, light hardwood floors and no fireplace.

DESIGN BRIEF “A family home to be lived in not just looked at” placed functionality as main priority in the extensive renovation of this coastal holiday home. Existing layout featured: – Inadequate bench space in the cooking zone – An impractical and overly large walk in pantry – Torturous angles in the design of the house made work zones cramped with a frenetic aesthetic at odds with the linear skylights creating disharmony and an unbalanced feel to the entire space. – Unappealing seating zones, not utilising the amazing view or north face space WISH LIST – Comfortable retreat for two people and extend family, with space for multiple cooks to work in the kitchen together or to a functional work zone for a couple. DESIGN SOLUTION – Removal of awkward angle walls creating more space for a larger kitchen – External angles which couldn’t be modified are hidden, creating a rational, serene space where the skylights run parallel to walls and fittings. NEW KITCHEN FEATURES – A highly functional layout with well-defined and spacious cooking, preparing and storage zones. – Generous bench space around cooktop and sink provide great workability in a small space – An inviting island bench for relaxing, working and entertaining for one or many cooks – A light filled interior with ocean views from several vantage points in the kitchen – An appliance/pantry with sliding for easy access to plentiful storage and hidden appliance use to keep the kitchen streamlined and easy to keep tidy. – A light filled interior with ocean views from several vantage points in the kitchen – Refined aesthetics which welcomes, relax and allows for individuality with warm timber open shelves curate collections that make the space feel like it’s a home always on holidays.

Design: Jules Duffy Design; This kitchen was gutted to the studs and renovated TWICE after 2 burst pipe events! It's finally complete! With windows and doors on 3 sides, the kitchen is flooded with amazing light and beautiful breezes. The finishes were selected from a driftwood palate as a nod to the beach one block away, The limestone floor (beyond practical) dares all to find the sand traveling in on kids' feet. Tons of storage and seating make this kitchen a hub for entertaining. Photography: Laura Moss

Wood and stainless steel give the kitchen a modern glow.
Design ideas for a modern l-shaped kitchen in Austin with stainless steel appliances, flat-panel cabinets, medium wood cabinets, metallic splashback and with island.

-The kitchen was isolated but was key to project’s success, as it is the central axis of the first level -The designers renovated the entire lower level to create a configuration that opened the kitchen to every room on lower level, except for the formal dining room -New double islands tripled the previous counter space and doubled previous storage -Six bar stools offer ample seating for casual family meals and entertaining -With a nod to the children, all upholstery in the Kitchen/ Breakfast Room are indoor/outdoor fabrics -Removing & shortening walls between kitchen/family room/informal dining allows views, a total house connection, plus the architectural changes in these adjoining rooms enhances the kitchen experience -Design aesthetic was to keep everything neutral with pops of color and accents of dark elements -Cream cabinetry contrasts with dark stain accents on the island, hood & ceiling beams -Back splash is over-scaled subway tile; pewter cabinetry hardware -Fantasy Brown granite counters have a "leather-ed" finish -The focal point and center of activity now stems from the kitchen – it’s truly the Heart of this Home. Galina Coada Photography

Simon Wood Awning | Markilux - Kinder Conservatory
This is an example of a contemporary patio in Sydney with a roof extension.