The Magnolia Renovation has been primarily concerned with the design of a new, highly crafted modern kitchen in a traditional home located in the Magnolia neighborhood of Seattle. The kitchen design relies on the creation of a very simple continuous space that is occupied by highly crafted pieces of furniture, cabinets and fittings. Materials such as steel, bronze, bamboo, stained elm, woven cattail, and sea grass are used in juxtaposition, allowing each material to benefit from adjacent contrasts in texture and color. The existing kitchen and dining room consisted of separate rooms with a dividing wall. This wall was removed to create a long, continuous, east-west space, approximately 34 feet long, with cabinets and counters along each wall. The west end of the space has glass doors and views to the Puget Sound. The east end also has glass doors, leading to a small garden space. In the center of the new kitchen/dining space, we designed two long, custom tables from reclaimed elm planks (20" wide, 2" thick). The first table is a working kitchen island, the second table is the dining table. Both tables have custom blued-steel bases with laser-cut bronze overlay. We also designed custom stools with blued-steel bases and woven cattail rush seats. The lighting of the kitchen consists of 15 small, candle-like fixtures arranged in a random array with custom steel brackets. The cabinets are custom designed, with bleached Alaskan yellow cedar frames and bamboo panels. The counters are a dark limestone with a beautiful stone mosaic backsplash with a bamboo-like pattern. Adjacent to the backsplash is a long horizontal window with a “beargrass” resin panel placed on the interior side of the window. The “beargrass” panel contains actual sea grasses, which are backlit by the window behind the panel. Photo: Benjamin Benschneider

Kitchen

Andre Rothblatt Architecture

Inspiration for a transitional l-shaped kitchen in San Francisco with stainless steel appliances, granite benchtops, shaker cabinets and light wood cabinets.

Winoka Kitchen/Hearth/Pantry

Before and After Builders, Inc.

Beautiful Bianco Superior Quartzite countertop! Emser Sterlina Asphalt 12 x 24 floor tile in matte finish!
This is an example of a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Other with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, stone slab splashback, stainless steel appliances, porcelain floors, with island, black floor and multi-coloured benchtop.

Appartement Boyer

Ludily

Au cœur de la place du Pin à Nice, cet appartement autrefois sombre et délabré a été métamorphosé pour faire entrer la lumière naturelle. Nous avons souhaité créer une architecture à la fois épurée, intimiste et chaleureuse. Face à son état de décrépitude, une rénovation en profondeur s’imposait, englobant la refonte complète du plancher et des travaux de réfection structurale de grande envergure. L’une des transformations fortes a été la dépose de la cloison qui séparait autrefois le salon de l’ancienne chambre, afin de créer un double séjour. D’un côté une cuisine en bois au design minimaliste s’associe harmonieusement à une banquette cintrée, qui elle, vient englober une partie de la table à manger, en référence à la restauration. De l’autre côté, l’espace salon a été peint dans un blanc chaud, créant une atmosphère pure et une simplicité dépouillée. L’ensemble de ce double séjour est orné de corniches et une cimaise partiellement cintrée encadre un miroir, faisant de cet espace le cœur de l’appartement. L’entrée, cloisonnée par de la menuiserie, se détache visuellement du double séjour. Dans l’ancien cellier, une salle de douche a été conçue, avec des matériaux naturels et intemporels. Dans les deux chambres, l’ambiance est apaisante avec ses lignes droites, la menuiserie en chêne et les rideaux sortants du plafond agrandissent visuellement l’espace, renforçant la sensation d’ouverture et le côté épuré.

NICOLLET

Kate Roos Design LLC

An angled view of the kitchen looking towards the river features the two island and the partial waterfall detail at the sink.
Large transitional single-wall open plan kitchen in Minneapolis with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, engineered quartz splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, multiple islands, brown floor and white benchtop.

Livable Modern

Designtheory Inc.

Design ideas for a large transitional single-wall eat-in kitchen in Toronto with flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, white splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island and beige floor.

West Hollywood - New Construction

Luxe Remodel

Large transitional l-shaped open plan kitchen in Los Angeles with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, marble floors, with island, black floor, white benchtop and exposed beam.

Roseville Kitchen - open plan through dining room.

Wise Design & Remodel LLC

Small Galley kitchen, becomes charming and efficient.
Photo of a small transitional galley kitchen pantry in Other with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, porcelain splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, no island, multi-coloured floor and grey benchtop.

Warm Modern Farmhouse

Lorin Hill, Architect

Sited on a quiet street in Palo Alto, this new home is a warmer take on the popular modern farmhouse style. Rather than high contrast and white clapboard, earthy stucco and warm stained cedar set the scene of a forever home for an active and growing young family. The heart of the home is the large kitchen and living spaces opening the entire rear of the house to a lush, private backyard. Downstairs is a full basement, designed to be kid-centric with endless spaces for entertaining. A private master suite on the second level allows for quiet retreat from the chaos and bustle of everyday. Interior Design: Jeanne Moeschler Interior Design Photography: Reed Zelezny

Heights Road Residence

Z+ Interiors

© amandakirkpatrickphoto
This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped kitchen in New York with a farmhouse sink, light wood cabinets, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, white benchtop, shaker cabinets and brown floor.

A Baker's Dream Kitchen

Next Stage Design + Build

Scott DuBose Photography / Designed by Corina Ramirez: https://www.casesanjose.com/bio/corina-martinez/

O'Brien Harris Chathem Oak Kitchen

O'Brien Harris LLC

This bright urban oasis is perfectly appointed with O'Brien Harris Cabinetry in Chicago's bespoke Chatham White Oak cabinetry. The scope of the project included a kitchen that is open to the great room and a bar. The open-concept design is perfect for entertaining. Countertops are Carrara marble, and the backsplash is a white subway tile, which keeps the palette light and bright. The kitchen is accented with polished nickel hardware. Niches were created for open shelving on the oven wall. A custom hood fabricated by O’Brien Harris with stainless banding creates a focal point in the space. Windows take up the entire back wall, which posed a storage challenge. The solution? Our kitchen designers extended the kitchen cabinetry into the great room to accommodate the family’s storage requirements. obrienharris.com

LUX CLASSIC Medium Oak Matrix in Old Town, Alexandria

Studio Snaidero DC Metro

Snaidero LUX CLASSIC kitchen in Medium Oak Matrix. Photographed by Jennifer Hughes.
This is an example of a transitional kitchen in DC Metro with an undermount sink, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island and shaker cabinets.

Natural Elements

Thompson Remodeling

Empty nesters decided to remodel their home instead of moving. We were happy to work with them to complete a whole house remodel, which included renovating the entire exterior, energy upgrades throughout, a new kitchen, updated fireplace, living room, dining room, and main staircase. The heart of the home is the beautiful new kitchen featuring natural hickory cabinets with a modern flat front door that allows the texture and grain of the wood to shine. Special features include floating shelves flanking the kitchen sink, window trim that matches the cabinets, wrought iron balusters, and lighting with an industrial edge.

Storage Hub around Range

Studio Dearborn

A 1920s colonial in a shorefront community in Westchester County had an expansive renovation with new kitchen by Studio Dearborn. Countertops White Macauba; interior design Lorraine Levinson. Photography, Timothy Lenz.

Chappaqua Kitchen

Macchia Photography

This kitchen was designed by Studio Dearborn and Wendy Strauss. Photos by Adam Kane Macchia
Design ideas for a transitional eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, with island and grey floor.

Armstrong - Vivero

The Floor Store

Inspiration for a mid-sized transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, solid surface benchtops, grey splashback, subway tile splashback, dark hardwood floors and no island.

Coronado NY

Forato Design Group

Small transitional l-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, multi-coloured splashback, mosaic tile splashback, panelled appliances, dark hardwood floors, a peninsula and brown floor.

Modern Farmhouse Kitchen Manhattan Style

Zobel & Co. Kitchens

We chose cabinetry made from reclaimed barnwood from Country Roads Associates (in Holmes, NY) as well as a copper farmhouse sink to get the farmhouse feel. Adding the brick wall and reclaimed 2" thick barnwood beam shelving further enhanced the rustic nature of the design. The Caspian blue glass tile by Akdo Tile, stainless steel appliances (Viking, Bosch, Liebherrr, Thermador) and thin Dekton (by Cosentino) counter tops lend the contemporary touch. Hafele hardware and interior cabinet lighting also adds a contemporary touch along with the Blum Aventos lift-systems (automatic cabinet doors). Photo by Chris Sanders

Coastal Florida Homes

Wilson Lighting

This is an example of a large transitional l-shaped separate kitchen in Miami with a farmhouse sink, recessed-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, granite benchtops, beige splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, ceramic floors and with island.

Transitional Kitchen with Light Wood Cabinets 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 Transitional 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!