HMR Kitchen
Homeowners’ request. A large, open, coastal-contemporary kitchen. “The previous space was very closed in and separated from the main living space,” says builder Jeremy Peterson, whose clients found him by searching on Houzz. “We removed the walls closing it off from the living area, continued the vaulted ceiling into the kitchen and moved a supporting beam up into the attic. We also incorporated the previous dining area into the kitchen by providing a lot of seating around the kitchen island.” Island details. The multilevel design includes a lower portion with seating for up to nine guests and an upper portion for prep work that includes a sink, dishwasher and microwave drawer. Both countertops are quartz. Designer tip. “What really made this space was the vaulted ceiling we continued into the kitchen from the living space,” Peterson says. “Uh-oh” moment. “We were concerned about being able to support the lower bar top on the kitchen island,” Peterson says. “Normally these tops are cantilevered out and [don’t need an] independent support structure. We had to design a custom concealed steel support structure for the lower bar top. I knew we could design one to carry the heavy l...
The butcher-block section extending off the middle of the island was a happy accident. Ott wanted a large island for big gatherings of friends with plenty of space for prepping and collecting dishes. But the soapstone countertop didn’t come in a slab the size she wanted, and she didn’t want to have a seam in the island. To gain the extra space she wanted, she designed a 2-by-5-foot maple butcher-block countertop; one end sits snugly on top of the soapstone countertop and the other on hairpin legs, an idea that Ott first saw on Houzz. She can slide the piece in to create a chopping station right by the sink, or slide it out to create a two-person dining spot, or slide it all the way out and down the island to accommodate four people. “It’s a problem that turned into one of the features I love the most,” she says.
The butcher-block section extending off the middle of the island was a happy accident. Ott wanted a large island for big gatherings of friends with plenty of space for prepping and collecting dishes. But the soapstone countertop didn’t come in a slab the size she wanted, and she didn’t want to have a seam in the island. To gain the extra space she wanted, she designed a 2-by-5-foot maple butcher-block countertop; one end sits snugly on top of the soapstone countertop and the other on hairpin legs, an idea that Ott first saw on Houzz. She can slide the piece in to create a chopping station right by the sink, or slide it out to create a two-person dining spot, or slide it all the way out and down the island to accommodate four people. “It’s a problem that turned into one of the features I love the most,” she says.
The butcher-block section extending off the middle of the island was a happy accident. Ott wanted a large island for big gatherings of friends with plenty of space for prepping and collecting dishes. But the soapstone countertop didn’t come in a slab the size she wanted, and she didn’t want to have a seam in the island. To gain the extra space she wanted, she designed a 2-by-5-foot maple butcher-block countertop; one end sits snugly on top of the soapstone countertop and the other on hairpin legs, an idea that Ott first saw on Houzz. She can slide the piece in to create a chopping station right by the sink, or slide it out to create a two-person dining spot, or slide it all the way out and down the island to accommodate four people. “It’s a problem that turned into one of the features I love the most,” she says.
The butcher-block section extending off the middle of the island was a happy accident. Ott wanted a large island for big gatherings of friends with plenty of space for prepping and collecting dishes. But the soapstone countertop didn’t come in a slab the size she wanted, and she didn’t want to have a seam in the island. To gain the extra space she wanted, she designed a 2-by-5-foot maple butcher-block countertop; one end sits snugly on top of the soapstone countertop and the other on hairpin legs, an idea that Ott first saw on Houzz. She can slide the piece in to create a chopping station right by the sink, or slide it out to create a two-person dining spot, or slide it all the way out and down the island to accommodate four people. “It’s a problem that turned into one of the features I love the most,” she says.
An island automatically gives you plenty more worktop to play with. However, because of the multi-functional nature of a typical family island, clutter is almost inevitable (at any one time, it could be a laptop perch, a place to sit with a cuppa and a pile of post, which gets left where it lands, a homework station and a phone charging spot). This solution tackles that by dropping the part of the island’s worksurface that will be used for the above functions, keeping the food prep surface fit for purpose.
Add a shelf The shallow under-unit shelf is a stealthy worktop liberator. Here, it’s been designed by Jones Associates Architects as a ledge – part of a marble splashback. It provides a good spot for cooking oils, spices, chopping boards and other small cooking items. It’s an idea that would work very well with deeper worktops (as shown in the first image). If you have standard-size worktops, a shelf rather than a ledge will give you more room, as the back of the worktop will still be accessible. It could also be installed retrospectively if your kitchen design allows it.
If you’re having a new kitchen, don’t scrimp on dedicated utensil storage. It’s obvious to build in space for small utensils and cutlery, but have you made room for tin foil and clingfilm rolls, large ladles, cheese graters and all those essential bits and pieces that might currently live in large pots on your worktop? This wide drawer, designed and fitted by Schmidt Kitchens, is a good solution, with room for items that might otherwise sit in a jar or knife block.
The sea just beyond the front door inspired designer Stephen Graver to paint the base of this kitchen island. And even though the island is double-width, the color doesn’t overwhelm the room. All that extra space gives the family a ton of storage, as well as space for three barstools and a hidden dishwasher.
This family wanted something different in its kitchen, and interior designer Jacqueline Fortier made that happen, especially on the island. The custom 72-by-46-inch piece is topped with lead-free pewter and framed in handmade iron. It provides the family with additional seating and a farmhouse sink for meal prep and cleanup. Besides its functional uses, the island helps blend the farmhouse and industrial styles of the room. For example, Fortier opted to leave the iron framework raw to give the space a bit of industrial style. The apron sink and touches of soft, deep blue provide a more farmhouse feel.
This stately blue island adds contrast to the room, standing out against the white cabinets, walls and backsplash tiles. It immediately grabs your attention and begs you to pull up a barstool. It’s not just a place for sitting, though. The couple who live here with their two children also needed their remodeled kitchen to do a lot of work. That’s why, in addition to seating for three, Gilday Renovations helped the couple design an island with a stainless steel sink, two dishwashers and a polished marble top.
Homeowners’ request. Update a childhood home by expanding the kitchen while preserving the water view, which meant minimizing upper cabinets. Kitchen island end. Microwave drawer. “I like to locate the microwave close to the refrigerator for convenience, and we didn’t want to compromise the wall cabinetry space,” designer Jennifer Jacob says. “With the addition of the second sink and dishwasher, we were running out of options for the microwave, so placing the microwave drawer at the end of the island was our best option.”
Homeowners’ request. A kitchen with smart storage that would make grabbing appliances easy, and in a style that would depart from the popular white cabinets and white subway tile. Kitchen island end. One end is a full-height, 12-inch-deep base cabinet that stores serving trays that can be easily pulled out for entertaining. On the other end, opposite the range, there’s a 12-inch-deep cabinet with dividers for cookie trays and muffin tins. There’s also a 12-inch-deep drawer that stores spices. The homeowner taking the lead on the project “wanted to use all ends of her island,” designer Kimmie Rokahr says.
Homeowners’ request. A warm, inviting, light and bright kitchen. Otherwise, the homeowner taking the lead on the project “was very trustful on letting me run with the finishes,” designer Sarah Kahn Turner says. Kitchen island end. A custom end-cut cherrywood cutting board installed on a cabinet. “She loves to cook, and having a nice chopping block designated right at the island made prep a snap,” Kahn Turner says. “It’s got a food-safe mineral oil finish and is designated FDA food-safe. All her cooking needs are kept in the island storage.”
Homeowners’ request. A warm, inviting, light and bright kitchen. Otherwise, the homeowner taking the lead on the project “was very trustful on letting me run with the finishes,” designer Sarah Kahn Turner says. Kitchen island end. A custom end-cut cherrywood cutting board installed on a cabinet. “She loves to cook, and having a nice chopping block designated right at the island made prep a snap,” Kahn Turner says. “It’s got a food-safe mineral oil finish and is designated FDA food-safe. All her cooking needs are kept in the island storage.”
Homeowners’ request. Integrate the dining room with the kitchen, creating one larger space. “The hope for an island was the driving force in the redesign,” designer Jan Goldman says. “The island surface dramatically increases the work surface, so that the kitchen could account for more than one person to work in the kitchen at the same time.” Kitchen island end. Two top drawers store napkins, place mats and other tableware close to a nearby bistro table. The bottom drawer stores a large stockpot that one of the homeowners wanted easy access to. “This tall stockpot was not going to fit in the pot-and-pan drawers to the left and right of the range,” Goldman says. “I need both of those drawer cabinets to be exactly the same dimensions to each other. Since she needed a particularly tall or deep bottom drawer, I suggested the end of the island, and tableware items in the two drawers above.” Other special features. Graphic Moroccan-style backsplash tile, which was the jumping-off point for this kitchen design and helped determine the navy blue cabinet color. Designer tip. “The work triangle is not necessarily the answer for each homeowner,” Goldman says. “I prefer to create designs t...
Homeowners’ request. A traditional-style kitchen with more storage, a larger island and a workspace separate from the eating and entertaining areas. “The family is also tall and asked for my advice on raising the counter height in order to reduce back strain while chopping food, and to eliminate as many upper cabinets as possible,” designer Wendy O’Brien says. Island details. An angled design — the result of a staircase on the other side of the wall to the right in this photo — maximizes countertop and storage space. The island includes a raised walnut cutting board on one end and a seating area on the other, as well as a prep sink, trash pullout, microwave drawer, beverage cooler and cookbook cabinet. The base cabinets are painted in Magnetic Gray by Sherwin-Williams. Other special features. Perimeter cabinets painted in Pure White by Sherwin-Williams (walls are Lattice, also by Sherwin-Williams). Quartz countertops and backsplash. Accent cabinets with curved fretwork. Designer tip. “I love a kitchen that is easy to clean,” O’Brien says. “Using the same counter material as your backsplash creates a seamless look with no grout lines. It can be cost prohibitive for some clients,...
Homeowners’ request. Update a dated kitchen and get rid of the downdraft range over a curved island that prevented the homeowners from using the island as a gathering space. The renovation also included adding pantry storage, new lighting and a new range. “The first step in addressing this list was to relocate the range to a wall so that the island could be utilized as the multipurpose space they desired,” designer Melinda Woodruff says. “They were a bit unsure of this change initially, but after seeing the first round of drawings, they were completely on board. This also allowed us to incorporate the larger, pro-style range they desired as well as a furniture hood that they were excited to add as a design feature.” Island details. Natural walnut base with a 3-inch quartz countertop that resembles white Macaubas quartzite. The island doubles as the homeowners’ office workstation, so Woodruff added a slim shelf below the countertop for storing a laptop and other materials. Outlets at the back let the owners recharge their laptops. Drawers on one end store papers and other supplies. “The shelf and drawers turned out to be a simple yet ideal solution,” Woodruff says.
Custom Island If you’re planning a kitchen remodel and would like to incorporate space for doing homework, consider adding a sleek hidden shelf to the island, as shown in this space by Irons McDuff Architecture. Kids can work at the island and simply slide books and papers out of sight when the space is needed for cooking. A hidden outlet beneath the counter for charging laptops and other devices would be a helpful finishing touch.
Designer Kate Roos of Kate Roos Design used a whitewashed wood-look tile for the floor in this Minneapolis kitchen and laid it in a herringbone pattern. “A lot of my work is in older, turn-of-the-century homes and the wood-look planks laid in a herringbone pattern ties in nicely with the flooring in the rest of the home, which is almost always hardwood,” she says.
Whether it’s wood or wood-look vinyl, many of the designers we spoke to said that laying the material in a herringbone pattern is a stylish way to go. Frankie Castro of Square Footage says that “herringbone floors provide a classic look that began in the 16th century.” Castro’s design team laid white oak planks in a herringbone pattern in this Toronto kitchen. “The resurgence of this luxury flooring pattern will stand the test of time,” Castro says.
A popular alternative to wood that many designers on our panel recommend is wood-look vinyl flooring. “It’s softer on the foot than hardwood or engineered wood and it’s incredibly durable,” designer Barbara Milner of South Hill Interiors says. “It also has acoustic qualities that make it suitable for apartments.” Milner covered the floor in this Toronto kitchen with a gray wood-look vinyl that she continued throughout the rest of the apartment. “The vinyl flooring is used throughout this studio apartment to avoid breaks in the flooring that would make the space feel smaller,” she says.
Woodinville Retreat Transitional Kitchen, Seattle TraditionalSeattleWebsite 10' ceilings and 2-story windows surrounding this space (not in view) bring plenty of natural light into this casual and contemporary cook's kitchen. Other views of this kitchen and the adjacent Great Room are also available on houzz. Builder: Robert Egge Construction (Woodinville, WA). Cabinets: Jesse Bay Cabinets (Port Angeles, WA) Design: Studio 212 Interiors
Addition/Renovation in Lincoln Park Contemporary Kitchen, Chicago ContemporaryChicagoWebsite In a narrow city house this kitchen had to be designed as a galley but I put a lot into it. The peninsula in the foreground acts as a eat in bar on the opposite side. The sink is in the peninsula. The refrigerator and pantry are hidden within dark wood feature piece. There is also a wine refrigerator built in behind the cabinets in this piece. Finally this piece is centered on the dining room pocket door so that you have a view of it when the door is open. Great flow in this house between the kitchen, family room, dining room and living room.
Conceived as a remodel and addition, the final design iteration for this home is uniquely multifaceted. Structural considerations required a more extensive tear down, however the clients wanted the entire remodel design kept intact, essentially recreating much of the existing home. The overall floor plan design centers on maximizing the views, while extensive glazing is carefully placed to frame and enhance them. The residence opens up to the outdoor living and views from multiple spaces and visually connects interior spaces in the inner court. The client, who also specializes in residential interiors, had a vision of ‘transitional’ style for the home, marrying clean and contemporary elements with touches of antique charm. Energy efficient materials along with reclaimed architectural wood details were seamlessly integrated, adding sustainable design elements to this transitional design. The architect and client collaboration strived to achieve modern, clean spaces playfully interjecting rustic elements throughout the home. Greenbelt Homes Glynis Wood Interiors Photography by Bryant Hill
Complete interior renovation of a 1980s split level house in the Virginia suburbs. Main level includes reading room, dining, kitchen, living and master bedroom suite. New front elevation at entry, new rear deck and complete re-cladding of the house. Interior: The prototypical layout of the split level home tends to separate the entrance, and any other associated space, from the rest of the living spaces one half level up. In this home the lower level "living" room off the entry was physically isolated from the dining, kitchen and family rooms above, and was only connected visually by a railing at dining room level. The owner desired a stronger integration of the lower and upper levels, in addition to an open flow between the major spaces on the upper level where they spend most of their time. ExteriorThe exterior entry of the house was a fragmented composition of disparate elements. The rear of the home was blocked off from views due to small windows, and had a difficult to use multi leveled deck. The owners requested an updated treatment of the entry, a more uniform exterior cladding, and an integration between the interior and exterior spaces. SOLUTIONS The overriding strategy wa...
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