Design ideas for a small transitional u-shaped separate kitchen in Atlanta with a single-bowl sink, recessed-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, marble benchtops, white splashback, marble splashback, stainless steel appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Design ideas for a large transitional u-shaped open plan kitchen in Chicago with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, medium hardwood floors, with island, brown floor, multi-coloured benchtop and exposed beam.

Photo of a traditional u-shaped kitchen in London with a farmhouse sink, beaded inset cabinets, turquoise cabinets, white splashback, subway tile splashback, coloured appliances, light hardwood floors, a peninsula, beige floor and white benchtop.

Welcome to this captivating house renovation, a harmonious fusion of natural allure and modern aesthetics. The kitchen welcomes you with its elegant combination of bamboo and black cabinets, where organic textures meet sleek sophistication. The centerpiece of the living area is a dramatic full-size black porcelain slab fireplace, exuding contemporary flair and making a bold statement. Ascend the floating stair, accented with a sleek glass handrail, and experience a seamless transition between floors, elevating the sense of open space and modern design. As you explore further, you'll discover three modern bathrooms, each featuring similar design elements with bamboo and black accents, creating a cohesive and inviting atmosphere throughout the home. Embrace the essence of this remarkable renovation, where nature-inspired materials and sleek finishes harmonize to create a stylish and inviting living space.

Modern kitchen with an open plan and an island. Walnut cabinets combined with white high gloss paint. White marble countertops, backsplash and island with a waterfall edge. Wall recessed microwave and coffee station. High end appliances: Miele, Wolf and Sub Zero.

White cabinetry, taupe island and beautiful lighted cabinets above coffee bar. White subway tile from counter to ceiling.
Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Dallas with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, white cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

“Hygge”: the Danish esthetic characterized by cozy environments featuring natural materials, clean design, and light colors to fend off the doldrums of the long northern winters. Embodying these attributes is this welcoming space mixing colors and textures to spectacular effect. Pale wood-look porcelain tile flooring sets the tone. Traditional inset cabinetry with a delicate ogee inner profile is painted light blue on the perimeter and cream on the island. The ever-popular apron front sink adds charm. White oak floating shelves showcase decorative items and cookbooks. They sit adjacent to a bifold countertop wall cabinet that’s lined in more white oak; it conceals a freestanding microwave and abundant dishware storage. Appliances are paneled to match for a cohesive look. The crown jewel of the room, however, is the range and vent hood. For European flair, a CornuFe range in ivory with brass trim was chosen. A custom curved plaster hood is accented with white oak edging and sweeping corbels. Brass appears again in the faucet, the island pendants, and the eclectic mix of hardware: cupboard latches, bin pulls, and knobs. To complete the classic look, gray and honey-veined Danby marble countertops were selected, complemented by a handmade white subway backsplash tile.

This beautiful North Vancouver home belongs to a nature-loving and health-conscious couple, Emma and Vince (names changed), their two young children, and their dog, Jasper. When they contacted us about renovating and furnishing their kitchen and family room, we walked in and saw a world of potential waiting to be uncovered. Before: Larkhall Crescent Home: Like many original North Vancouver homes, the interior was definitely dated. We encountered late ‘80s finishes in powder pink and teal green, old carpet, and a kitchen that wasn’t maximized to suit this family’s modern-day lifestyle. However, the size of the rooms offered us a ton of space with which to get creative. Knowing our clients’ love of cooking, need for work spaces (Emma and Vince both work remotely), and growing family, we developed a design concept that would increase usable space, optimize storage, and create intimacy in this large area. As for the style, we were inspired by their European roots, inventing a new and modern take on “Belgian Farmhouse” style. Now, the home is truly one-of-a-kind. After: Warm & Cozy Family Room: Fresh, bright, and comfortable, this living area has been transformed! We started with the fireplace as a focal point, selecting aged brick tiles for added texture and a crisp wood mantle. The taupe-coloured sectional infuses the room with visual warmth and serves the added purpose of separating the family room from the kitchen. Emma and Vince were also keen on using non-toxic materials in their home, and we were happy to oblige. To meet their needs, we sourced natural wood elements and sought out Canadian-made products - that adhere to high health standards - whenever possible. Look closer at the elements of this space, and you will find this stunning, honeycomb-patterned rug in earthy gold, beige, and charcoal tones. It’s plush to the touch and full of visual texture that brings this room’s colour palette together. We sourced these two-tone chairs with caning, petrified wood side table, black sconces, and botanical prints in greyscale from local artist, Heather Johnston. We topped off the space with this dark wood and rattan console that offers storage facing the kitchen and presents an opportunity to display cherished items. The result is a cozy lounging space brimming with comfort and functionality. It’s perfect for enjoying quality family time, or Emma can simply slide the coffee table away to make room for her morning yoga practice. Now, let’s turn around and give some attention to the kitchen. Do you remember what the original kitchen looked like? If not, scroll back up, because the transformation is shocking… Moody & Welcoming Kitchen for Healthy Living: This kitchen looks very different from how it started, right? Though we didn’t touch any walls, the kitchen has almost doubled in usable space! We created a long, extended island with storage, an outlet for small appliances, and seating for comfortable prep, after-school snacking, or mingling among friends. On the other side of the island, the family has even more storage and an integrated dishwasher within easy reach of the sink, perfect for quick clean-up. From this angle, you can also see the expansive custom Shaker cabinetry in white and the integrated double ovens. These facilitate their cooking experience and gave us the opportunity to add an additional surprise… A coffee garage station and more hidden storage! Keeping these items located along the perimeter allows them to be accessed by the family or their guests without someone getting under the cook’s feet. These are the little details that make everyday life easier and more enjoyable. Moving deeper into the kitchen, the seamless induction cooktop topped with a freestanding concealed hood fan commands attention in a soft yet prominent way. The natural wood accent mirrors the fireplace mantle, and the choice of off-black wood-grain cabinets not only continues our black-and-white colour palette but adds a sense of depth and contrast. The corner sink is located to the right and perfectly positioned with a view of their thriving backyard. To invite more of this family’s character into the space, we mixed metals for interest — matte black, dark pewter, and warm brass — and created open shelves in white oak for their plants and decor. You can also glimpse the tumbled edge of the backsplash tile, which echoes the rustic brick of the fireplace. It adds that farmhouse charm while still feeling timeless and sophisticated. Last but not least, we designed this dining banquette in the bay window (with integrated bench storage, of course), where the family can share a meal together, the kids can do homework, or Emma and Vince can work and enjoy a change of scenery from their offices. Like the other spaces in the home, it was designed to be beautiful, multi-functional, and long-lasting. Praise from Our Clients: It is clear that we love this home, but what did our clients have to say? “Lori is a visionary and masters execution to the finest detail all at the same time. When she first met us to know more about who we are and how we live, she could right away envision how we could use the space in our kitchen and living room…The results exceeded our expectations. Lori and her team were also a delight to work with — coordination with all the trades, fast problem-solving, regular updates, professional and friendly attitude of her entire team — made it the dream team. Thank you SHD for making our space so beautiful!” In turn, we are so grateful for this family’s trust, their open communication, and for being wonderful people with whom to work. (So, thank you!)

We combined LED lighting with pendant lighting in both rooms. Now every work surface is well lit and welcoming. The kitchen has even incorporated a hidden Sonos sound system, letting the family listen to TV while cooking, or pipe in music during dinner.

Inspiration for a small u-shaped eat-in kitchen in San Francisco with a single-bowl sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, vinyl floors, brown floor and white benchtop.

In the original kitchen valuable counter space was taken up by small appliances. Out of the way of the main work zones, small appliances are now consolidated into one space and concealed behind bifold doors for easy access at countertop height.

Our clients, a family of five, were moving cross-country to their new construction home and wanted to create their forever dream abode. A luxurious primary bedroom, a serene primary bath haven, a grand dining room, an impressive office retreat, and an open-concept kitchen that flows seamlessly into the main living spaces, perfect for after-work relaxation and family time, all the essentials for the ideal home for our clients! Wood tones and textured accents bring warmth and variety in addition to this neutral color palette, with touches of color throughout. Overall, our executed design accomplished our client's goal of having an open, airy layout for all their daily needs! And who doesn't love coming home to a brand-new house with all new furnishings?

Open plan dining kitchen looking towards the main house
Inspiration for a transitional u-shaped kitchen in Cambridgeshire with a farmhouse sink, shaker cabinets, blue cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, subway tile splashback, medium hardwood floors, a peninsula, brown floor, beige benchtop and vaulted.

Large scandinavian u-shaped open plan kitchen in San Francisco with an undermount sink, shaker cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartz benchtops, white splashback, ceramic splashback, stainless steel appliances, light hardwood floors, with island, brown floor and white benchtop.

Inspiration for a mid-sized contemporary u-shaped open plan kitchen in Moscow with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, grey cabinets, solid surface benchtops, white splashback, black appliances, ceramic floors, no island, brown floor and grey benchtop.

I designed this kitchen during my time at Harvey Jones. The client knew she wanted to feature colour but was concerned due to the narrowness of the room. By opting for natural limestone flooring and bright white walls to contrast, we were able to bring in beautiful blues and still maintain an airy, open feeling. I later designed (and Handley Bespoke built), the centre blue bookcase to complement the chosen kitchen cabinetry, featuring a hidden door leading into a cosy drinks snug. This is a great example of how bespoke builds can be made to fit in with your existing cabinetry.

With natural materials and clean lines, this Scandinavian-inspired kitchen channels stylish serenity. The European Oak brings a warm feel to the london kitchen extension balanced with white cabinets and worktops. The long run of tall cabinets houses a bespoke bar cabinet, double larder and a utility cupboard. The cool and calm nordic aesthetic continues into the banquette seating designed to create more space to allow for an open-plan lounge area as the social hub of the home.

Design ideas for a small modern u-shaped eat-in kitchen in New York with an undermount sink, flat-panel cabinets, light wood cabinets, quartzite benchtops, white splashback, light hardwood floors, white benchtop and a peninsula.

Photo of a mid-sized country u-shaped open plan kitchen in Le Havre with an undermount sink, beaded inset cabinets, white cabinets, wood benchtops, white splashback, panelled appliances, terra-cotta floors, no island, pink floor, beige benchtop and exposed beam.