Kitchen
Hardworking sink stations. As kitchens expand into multiple zones, the kitchen sink zone is following suit with what’s known as a workstation. Though relatively new to the market, workstations are quickly catching on. Built-in ledges support movable components such as a cutting board, colander and racks for draining and drying. It combines functions you might perform elsewhere in the kitchen, limiting the need to move back and forth between those areas.
Lighting: The importance of good lighting cannot be stressed enough, and in kitchens especially the lighting is often insufficient, coming just from ceiling fixtures in the center of the room. Add lighting under, above and even inside the cabinets to make the room feel much brighter and bigger, as the dark shadows around the cabinets would otherwise visually shrink the space. For a quick fix, add plug-in LED strip fixtures or battery-powered tap lights under the cabinets for extra brightness.
Consider Shallow Cabinets Here’s some outside-the-box thinking: Not all of your lower cabinets must be the standard 24-inch depth. Most cabinet lines (even stock cabinets from big box stores) also come in a 12- or 15-inch depth usually used for upper cabinets. Using slimmer lower cabinets for one area has its advantages. It opens a bit more floor space, which can make a big difference in a tight kitchen. It also reduces your storage slightly, but often the backs of deep cabinets are hard to reach anyway, so the shallower cabinets can be just right for everyday items.
Wood cabinets. As you’ll see, wood features heavily throughout this article, and we seem to be on the cusp of a renaissance of full-wood kitchen cabinets. Perhaps it’s a reaction to past years of mostly white and gray palettes, but some credit must be given to designers, artisans and cabinetmakers who have shown their clients how rich and diverse various woods and grain patterns can be. If there’s one wood that might outshine them all in 2020, it’s walnut. Walnut is such a naturally rich, warm, elegant and inviting wood, which makes it perfect for lively kitchens. Walnut pairs beautifully with whites, grays, blues and brass tones — all popular colors in modern-day kitchens. So it’s no wonder that designers and homeowners like it.
Love this sage colour: Designer Lisa Furey used a three-tone strategy in this kitchen, which is one of the most popular kitchen photos uploaded to Houzz in 2019. Sage-green cabinets surround a dark stained wood island base, while an inky painted window frame (Wrought Iron by Benjamin Moore) punches up the design considerably.
*** Nivce style. At a modest 125 square feet, the most popular Kitchen of the Week in 2019 made an oversize impact with Houzz readers. This San Jose, California, kitchen was a down-to-the-studs renovation that stayed within the original footprint. “We had to be really smart about maximizing storage and prep areas,” says designer Samantha Hillstrom. “This included minimizing countertop clutter and having a place for everything.” The kitchen has a clean transitional look that combines modern minimalist design moves, such as extending the marble-look quartz from the countertops onto the backsplash, and more traditional features like Shaker-style cabinetry.
Interesting banquette idea to achieve more floor space... "light gray cabinets, an engineered oak floor and a stunning custom tufted banquette on the back of the island that frees up space. “By making the banquette attached to the island, you save space by not having additional walkways,” Santoro says.
One of the first decisions made was to bring color and life into the kitchen by adding pale green cabinets. “Green was a favorite color of the homeowners, and this pale green is a 1920s period color,” Nelson says. A large custom mahogany island with turned legs provides another standout feature that pairs well with new mahogany casement windows placed to provide a lovely view from the sink.
(one of most pop on Houzz, this is a blue and white kitchen) The custom range wall is another standout feature of the kitchen. Elongated white subway tile laid vertically draws the eye up to the custom tiger-wood detail on the vent hood. The vent hood itself is covered in decorative white trim that adds a farmhouse touch to the kitchen.
(one of most pop on Houzz)
As Swedish kitchens go, this isn’t one that the locals would recognize as typical. Sure, Swedes love white cabinets, but bold wallpaper in a kitchen isn’t a common sight, although Swedes are increasingly embracing color and patterns in other parts of the home. But the floral wallpaper on the island was enough to make this the most-saved kitchen photo in the country.
Russia: the surprising door on the side of the island. It turns out it’s a Dunavox wine fridge that holds six bottles. Another clever feature is the upper cabinets, which were designed in two rows, with the lower one shallower than the top. This design trick ensures the homeowners won’t bump their heads when doing dishes.
Germany; Tiny space: Even though space in this studio apartment is limited, interior designer Ute Günther was able to install a fully equipped small kitchen. Sacrificing a dining table wasn’t an option, so here it simply pulls out from the cabinetry. “This kitchenette and bench were made by our carpenter,” Günther says. “There is storage space under the bench, and the corner cupboard can be reached from the door under the extensible table. You can never have enough storage space.” Another trick is that the sink and range disappear under a cover when not in use.
UK: This cupboard is a beautiful piece of design that maximizes space and provides custom storage in a London kitchen created by Barry Sawyer at Brayer Design. The Shaker-style cabinets were designed with minimal ornamentation to blend traditional and contemporary styles. “The units go right to the ceiling, but without any decorative moldings at the top,” Sawyer says. He included a marble countertop and outlets for a coffee machine and juicer. “The doors are retractable and slot into the sides,” he says. “The cabinet is located near to the breakfast bar for easy access, and concealed lighting comes on when you open the doors.”
Spain: A soothing color palette, a pot filler in the range area and carefully planned lighting are among the features that drew the eye. “The white Corian countertop with a built-in sink is a fundamental feature that brings elegance to the space, as does the glass cupboard which stands on top of it,” says Lluisa Deulonder, founder of Deulonder Arquitectura Doméstica. “This solution works only for custom-made kitchens and is very practical because you can store small appliances and always have them within arm’s reach. The American lamps in the range area bring a unique touch to kitchens of this style.”
in India: an all-white kitchen, so the designers opted for a herringbone backsplash, quartz countertop and Shaker-style cabinets in white. They added open wood shelves to give the space some warmth. The kitchen also has a small utility zone at the far end for laundry and storage.
Created by Archipelles studio, it was very popular in France after being featured in a Houzz before-and-after story. It consists of Ikea modules customized with high-quality finishes, like the custom-made Carrara marble countertop and the brushed-brash cabinet hardware. The Farrow & Ball paint on the walls and the geometric floor were also popular among Houzz France users. A glass partition faces the living area, maintaining a connection while mitigating noise and odors. “My clients did not want an open kitchen because they wanted to keep cooking smells and noise out of the living area,” interior designer Hélène Paoli says. “Nevertheless, they wanted the two areas to be in close dialogue. We nibbled away at part of the large 32-square-meter [345-square-foot] living area to create this 12.6-square-meter [136-square-foot] kitchen and make it the center of the flat.”
in Singapore: The graphic floor tile is vinyl and “helped to shape and ground the kitchen area and ties the palette together beautifully,” Tan says.
the most popular new kitchen photo (as well as the most popular new photo overall) uploaded to Houzz in the U.S. this year. It exemplifies many of the reigning trends in American kitchens today: white Shaker-style cabinets (these are painted in Pure White by Sherwin-Williams), a colored island base (Gravel Gray by Benjamin Moore), warmly colored hardware and pendants over the island. Houzz users also loved the unique island countertop, which is Florida quartzite, a natural stone, and the floors, which are engineered, wire-brushed European oak. Glossy gray backsplash tile in a herringbone pattern dresses up the walls, and black granite in a leathered finish adds contrast on the perimeter counters.
some open shelves always nice.
hmmm
note butcher block on some
too much white, but note wood, and black frame windows.
A slab backsplash is simply a backsplash made of a continuous material (or in cases like this one, a few large pieces with the occasional break for an appliance or a cabinet). The solid surface creates a different visual effect than, say, tile. When matched to the countertop, it creates an especially big, bold look.
Note black windows frames, and subway tile, and apron front.
Apron front sink can also be made of composite.
Note blue and white combo of cabinets.
Note some open uppers. Could use more.
Note open shelves beside stove. and elsewhere.
Craftsman-style kitchens spotlight the simple beauty of natural wood and quality workmanship within a warm, cozy atmosphere. Craftsman kitchens are not the place to experiment with trends or veer too far from the plucked-from-nature aesthetic. Key features of Craftsman-style kitchens: Handcrafted cabinetry made of oak, pine or maple Artful lighting with strong geometric lines Built-in storage such as bookshelves, wine cubbies and glass-front display cabinets Banquette seating Handcrafted tile Nature-inspired details like botanical artwork and earthy pottery Color palette: Craftsman-style kitchens feature rich earth tones, vibrant greens and warm neutrals that coordinate well with natural wood.
Farmhouse-style kitchens balance the rustic appeal of regional, rural heritage with simplicity-loving modern sensibilities. And while farmhouse kitchens today often incorporate modern elements, this isn’t the place to experiment with trends: Think simple, honest and homespun. Key features of farmhouse-style kitchens: Shaker-style cabinetry Tongue and groove, shiplap and beadboard Natural wood floors, exposed beams, butcher block and farm tables Spacious pantry area Apron-front sinks Subway tile Color palette: Farmhouse-style kitchens tend toward simple, natural hues with a timeless feel. Crisp white with black accents is a popular choice. Colors inspired by nature, historic homes and farm finds also work well — think of barn red, robin’s-egg blue, mustard, buttermilk and sage.
Transitional kitchens gracefully walk the line between traditional and contemporary, with just enough detailing to please folks in both design camps. Keep in mind that while there are elements of both traditional and contemporary styles present, transitional kitchens don’t veer too far in either direction. Key features of transitional-style kitchens: Shaker-style cabinetry Farmhouse sinks Stone waterfall countertops made from marble and quartz Subway tile Stone slab backsplash Pendant lighting Color palette: In transitional kitchens, serene neutrals are key. Whether you opt for cool or warm hues, the colors tend to be soft and subtle. For a richer look, consider deep blue or gray cabinetry.
Turquoise
Nice combos.
“The design places the fridge where it is accessible to all — not just the cooks but a kid popping in for a drink or a guest grabbing ice for a drink — without interfering with the cook’s workflow and without dominating the space despite the large size of the appliance,” says Zomorodi, whose clients used a Houzz ideabook of photos for inspiration that informed the design process and selection of materials.
Prefinished maple plywood cabinets with vertical-grain Douglas fir drawer and door faces. Restaurant-style commercial stainless steel island cabinet with a bar-height vertical-grain fir extension. The open shelving is suspended using components typically used for sailboat railings.
Polished-concrete floor stained to the blue-green color of a copper patina, with a matte sealant.
Nice cupboard.
Next to it is a pantry cupboard whose interior is solid oak, and when its doors are open, the warmth of the unpainted wood further softens the clean, modern lines of the kitchen. In the corner is one of two open shelving areas where the owners can display attractive items and add more character to the space. The base cabinets include a pullout corner unit, pot drawers and two side-by-side ovens with tray storage underneath. Behind the door to the left of the refrigerator is a utility room containing a washer and dryer, a full-height freezer, an additional sink and extra storage.
Navy blue cabs
Navy blue cabs, wood grain barely visible. "“One of the key details we introduced was a birchwood wrap on the back wall, which continues into the reveal of the window, keeping the lines simple,” Walker says.
Navy blue cabs: “They liked the idea of darker shades but didn’t want it to look cold, in the way that some contemporary kitchens can.” The key to getting the look right was in the balance of materials and colors.
Black lowers.
Black lower cabs, dining chairs, stairs (off to right),a dn lots of white and light.
Black and white combos.
Note shelf brackets. a subway-tiled wall, a marble-look quartz countertop, a trio of reclaimed wood floating shelves and black task-style wall sconces to light up the inviting scene
Q