Photos by William Quarles. Designed by Homeowner and Robert Paige Cabinetry. Built by Robert Paige Cabinetry.

Rob Kaufman

With such a small footprint for a kitchen (8 feet x 8 feet) we had to maximize the storage, so we added a toekick drawer and a stepstool in the toekick!

Architectural Photography by Simon Kennedy http://www.simonkennedy.net/

Splashes of turquoise inspire fun and bring a vibrant feel to this hilltop Yarmouth, Maine, home. Corner windows allow the sun to warm the bright colors inside. Fresh, white cabinetry and wood countertops balance one another out. And industrial touches like the weathered range hood pair with the classic trellised chair patterns seen on the island barstools, lending the home a unique and balanced personality. A true modern statement with a classic touch.

The goal for this project was to reconfigure the spaces to accommodate the lifestyle of the client while maintaining the classic seven layout of this pre-war Upper West Side apartment. The large book collection was the driving force in the renovation. Excess doors in a long corridor were converted to bookshelves flanking the clients study. The renovation included a large master bedroom (combining two bedrooms), new fixtures and finishes in all three bathrooms and a more functional kitchen. All plaster moldings and column capitals were stripped and restored. Stain glass windows were placed back in as the original intent. The dining area paneling was stripped entirely to expose the rich oak wood and plaster detailing. The foyer received new marble flooring and fine detailing revealed rich motifs. New wood oak flooring was installed throughout and new bordered stone tiling was placed in the bathrooms. The kitchen was reconfigured which allowed for a fully functioning space using wolf and subzero appliances and open eating area with a 3’ by 7’ marble slab island. The new layout provides the formal yet casual feeling the client desired while maintaining an elegance worthy of its grand south views of the neo-romanesque building of the Natural History Museum.

Kitchen expansion and remodel with custom white shaker cabinets, polished nickel hardware, custom lit glass-front cabinets doors, glass mosaic tile backsplash. Coffered copper ceiling with custom white trim and crown molding. White cabinets with marble counter top, dark island with white marble countertop, medium hardwood flooring. Concealed appliances and Wolf range and hood. White and nickel pendant lighting. Island with seating for four. Kitchen with built-in bookshelves in open layout.

This couple wanted a completely custom kitchen using Wood-Mode and Brookhaven Cabinetry, along with the expertise of a professional kitchen designer, for their new home. In collaboration with Veranda Designer Homes out of Southlake, TX, we created this lovely and fresh kitchen that fulfilled the needs and desires of the homeowners.

Credit: Ron Rosenzweig

This transitional kitchen, circa 2006, features St Clair Fine Handcrafted Cabinetry with a stepped door design on a flush inset box. The coffered ceiling designed by Antoinette Fraser conceals structural beams and are accented by flush mounted lights from Restoration Hardware. Photgraphy: Rob Kern

Custom Kitchen & Island with Banquette seating. Shaker doors and drawers in 'BM CC-30 Oxford White'. Mahogany Island with Black Stain and worn edges. Marble countertop on perimeter, Natural Walnut butcher block top for Island. Photography by Shouldice Media

Jeff Beene Interior Design by Michelle Dolasinski with Passages Design Inc.

Committing to a kosher kitchen is quite a daunting undertaking and when you are also taking on a complete remodel, it can be overwhelming. It does not, however, have to be insurmountable. There are many resources to help guide you through the experience. Check out the internet and magazines to guide you. Once you have done the initial research, contact your Rabi with questions and for clarification on a kosher kitchen. Kosher requirements can vary differently between Orthodox, Conservatism, Ultra Orthodox and Reform Judaism. Your Rabi most likely will have a list of rules and guidelines. Also, hire a professional kitchen designer. They will not only be able to design the needs of a kosher kitchen but also make it personal to your needs and beautiful too. If the space and the budget allow, two distinct kitchens within one space is a possibility. A kosher kitchen requires stringent separation of meat and dairy items. Depending on the sect of Judaism you practice ------ Storage: The Storage areas need space for two sets of dishes, pots and pans, flatware, cups and utensils. You can combine the storage areas as long as there is a separation and that you do not mix service ware. A good recommendation is to color code your plates, flatware, table linen, pots. For example, red plates, gold-colored flatware, copper pots for meat items while dairy items have white plates, stainless flatware, stainless pots. You may want to label each area so when you have your new sister-in-law help in the kitchen; everything stays in the correct place. Appliances: When selecting appliances look for the STAR-K logo. This will help you determine to what extent an appliance is Kosher. Some ovens will have Sabbath modes where they will turn on automatically at a predetermined time. Once the oven is open, the oven turns off. Some refrigerators also have Sabbath modes where the ice maker turns off on the Sabbath and back on the following day. One refrigerator is usually sufficient provided all foods stay on the proper container in the proper section of the refrigerator. Having an immaculately clean refrigerator is a must if this is the case. You do not want spills from one food source contaminating food from the other. If you decide on two refrigerators, one can be full size while the other is smaller. A good kitchen designer can help assess your family’s needs to determine which is best for you. Dishwashers cannot be Kosher in most cases. You either need two dishwashers, separate compartment dishwashers as in dishwasher drawers or wash by hand. Look at Fisher Pikel or Kitchen Aid for dishwasher drawers. Each drawer is on separate controls. You can dedicate the top drawer for dairy while the bottom drawer is for meat service ware. If you have space and decide to have two dishwashers, you can get two 24” wide dishwashers. Another option is to have one full size dishwasher and supplement it with a small 18” wide dishwasher. Miele makes an 18” wide dishwasher that is super quiet and cleans dishes very well. You may also opt for a single dishwasher drawer in addition to a full sized dishwasher. A single Microwave oven can be used for milk and meat provided that a complete cover is used around the food. You will also need separate plastic plate’s places on the bottom or glass turn table. Keeping the unit clean is very important. Counter tops: Counter tops may or may not be able to be koshered depending on your sect. Simply having sets of trivets for dairy, meat and pareve (not meat or dairy) will provide adequate separation of foods. Sinks: If you can’t have two separate sinks, include three separate tubs to be places in the sink. Color code the tubs for meat, dairy and pareve. If you have one sink or a single divided sink, you will need to be cautious about splashing, to keep the meat and dairy particulates apart. You will also need space for separate dish cloths or sponges and dish towels. Again, color coding is extremely helpful and highly suggested. Must Haves: ~Storage space for two sets of dishes, flatware, pans bowls ~Color Code and label where appropriate ~Separate burners dedicate for either meat or dairy ~Separate clean up areas ~Clean environment to avoid contamination between meat and dairy ~A space that functions for how you cook ~A space that reflects you Design and remodel by Design Studio West Brady Architectural Photography

Elegant built-in china cabinets with both recessed panel and glass doors. The carrara marble countertop is a subtle connection.