In 2019, Interior designer Alexandra Brown approached Matter to design and make cabinetry for this penthouse apartment. The brief was to create a rich and opulent space, featuring a favoured smoked oak veneer. We looked to the Art Deco inspired features of the building and referenced its curved corners and newly installed aged brass detailing in our design. We combined the smoked oak veneer with cambia ash cladding in the kitchen and bar areas to complement the green and brown quartzite stone surfaces chosen by Alex perfectly. We then designed custom brass handles, shelving and a large-framed mirror as a centrepiece for the bar, all crafted impeccably by our friends at JN Custom Metal. Functionality and sustainability were the focus of our design, with hard-wearing charcoal Abet Laminati drawers and door fronts in the kitchen with custom J pull handles, Grass Nova ProScala drawers and Osmo oiled veneer that can be easily reconditioned over time. Photography by Pablo Veiga

Encino Modern

Tracy A. Stone Architect

This kitchen remodel involved the demolition of several intervening rooms to create a large kitchen/family room that now connects directly to the backyard and the pool area. The new raised roof and clerestory help to bring light into the heart of the house and provides views to the surrounding treetops. The kitchen cabinets are by Italian manufacturer Scavolini. The floor is slate, the countertops are granite, and the ceiling is bamboo. Design Team: Tracy Stone, Donatella Cusma', Sherry Cefali Engineer: Dave Cefali Photo by: Lawrence Anderson

RSF Kitchen

Marrokal Design & Remodeling

Contemporary Kitchen

Design Focus

Custom designed wenge wood cabinetry, a mosaic glass backsplash with a second glass style above the cabinetry, both underlit and uplit to enhance the appearance, made the most of this small kitchen. Green Typhoon granite provided a beautiful and unique counter work surface . Photography: Jim Doyle

After 1 - Saint Anthony Mid Mod Kitchen

Knutson Residential Design, LLC

Old Town Townhouse

Lisa Godsey

Energy Efficient, Empty Nester New England Timber Frame

Designs for Living by Wendy, LLC

Eric Roth

Retro Remodel

Montenegro Homes & Development LLC

California Dreaming Kitchen & Dining

Linette Dai Design

Ultimate Bungalow

Tyner Construction Co Inc

David Dietrich

Atlanta Estate Home

Joel Kelly Design

Emily Followill

Rolling Hills Estates Modern Kitchen

Fred Wylds Design

The Neoteric Classic

Archipelago Hawaii Luxury Home Designs

Kitchen and Bath in a Mt. Kisco Colonial

Fivecat Studio | Architecture

Photos by Scott LePage Photography

A&E TV Makeover

CW Design, LLC

This kitchen was the result of a 5-day gut-to-finished kitchen rehab in A&E's 'Fix This Kitchen' television series. As Ikea was the sponsor, everything you see except for the windows and the island countertop is an ikea product.

Purist Paradise Kitchen

Liv4 Architecture

After a substantial remodel, the interior and exterior of the home take on a clean, contemporary feel. New cherry cabinetry with sleek stainless steel fixtures adorn the large open kitchen that was once closed off and dated.

Columbus Kitchen Expansion

Details Design and Staging

To keep this kitchen expansion within budget the existing cabinets and Ubatuba granite were kept, but moved to one side of the kitchen. This left the west wall available to create a 9' long custom hutch. Stock, unfinished cabinets from Menard's were used and painted with the appearance of a dark stain, which balances the dark granite on the opposite wall. The butcher block top is from IKEA. The crown and headboard are from Menard's and stained to match the cabinets on the opposite wall. Walls are a light spring green and the wood flooring is painted in a slightly deeper deck paint. The budget did not allow for all new matching flooring so new unfinished hardwoods were added in the addition and the entire kitchen floor was painted. It's a great fit for this 1947 Cape Cod family home.

Sample Images

Jerry B Smith Photography

Bold Eclectic Kitchen

Jackson Design & Remodeling

After

Chalk Hill LLC

Extra large island of green granite is the locus for family activity: dominating the main living areas and providing the hub around which all family life circulates. Top quality vinyl plank flooring is tough and resilient with good acoustic dampening and traction for large family pets. Design by Chalk Hill

Kitchen with Dark Wood Cabinets and Green Benchtop 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 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!