A Modern Kitchen for a Retreat in the Woods

This is a great house. Perched high on a private, heavily wooded site, it has a rustic contemporary aesthetic. Vaulted ceilings, sky lights, large windows and natural materials punctuate the main spaces. The existing large format mosaic slate floor grabs your attention upon entering the home extending throughout the foyer, kitchen, and family room. Specific requirements included a larger island with workspace for each of the homeowners featuring a homemade pasta station which requires small appliances on lift-up mechanisms as well as a custom-designed pasta drying rack. Both chefs wanted their own prep sink on the island complete with a garbage “shoot” which we concealed below sliding cutting boards. A second and overwhelming requirement was storage for a large collection of dishes, serving platters, specialty utensils, cooking equipment and such. To meet those needs we took the opportunity to get creative with storage: sliding doors were designed for a coffee station adjacent to the main sink; hid the steam oven, microwave and toaster oven within a stainless steel niche hidden behind pantry doors; added a narrow base cabinet adjacent to the range for their large spice collection; concealed a small broom closet behind the refrigerator; and filled the only available wall with full-height storage complete with a small niche for charging phones and organizing mail. We added 48” high base cabinets behind the main sink to function as a bar/buffet counter as well as overflow for kitchen items. The client’s existing vintage commercial grade Wolf stove and hood commands attention with a tall backdrop of exposed brick from the fireplace in the adjacent living room. We loved the rustic appeal of the brick along with the existing wood beams, and complimented those elements with wired brushed white oak cabinets. The grayish stain ties in the floor color while the slab door style brings a modern element to the space. We lightened the color scheme with a mix of white marble and quartz countertops. The waterfall countertop adjacent to the dining table shows off the amazing veining of the marble while adding contrast to the floor. Special materials are used throughout, featured on the textured leather-wrapped pantry doors, patina zinc bar countertop, and hand-stitched leather cabinet hardware. We took advantage of the tall ceilings by adding two walnut linear pendants over the island that create a sculptural effect and coordinated them with the new dining pendant and three wall sconces on the beam over the main sink.

Mukilteo Gem

Interiors by Popov

When we drove out to Mukilteo for our initial consultation, we immediately fell in love with this house. With its tall ceilings, eclectic mix of wood, glass and steel, and gorgeous view of the Puget Sound, we quickly nicknamed this project "The Mukilteo Gem". Our client, a cook and baker, did not like her existing kitchen. The main points of issue were short runs of available counter tops, lack of storage and shortage of light. So, we were called in to implement some big, bold ideas into a small footprint kitchen with big potential. We completely changed the layout of the room by creating a tall, built-in storage wall and a continuous u-shape counter top. Early in the project, we took inventory of every item our clients wanted to store in the kitchen and ensured that every spoon, gadget, or bowl would have a dedicated "home" in their new kitchen. The finishes were meticulously selected to ensure continuity throughout the house. We also played with the color scheme to achieve a bold yet natural feel.This kitchen is a prime example of how color can be used to both make a statement and project peace and balance simultaneously. While busy at work on our client's kitchen improvement, we also updated the entry and gave the homeowner a modern laundry room with triple the storage space they originally had. End result: ecstatic clients and a very happy design team. That's what we call a big success! John Granen.

Kitchen Renovation

Jennifer Cavorsi Design

White subway tile with platinum grout was used to keep the space bright and classic. Calcutta carrera marble and a bertazzoni range and hood make a statement in this modern kitchen. Jessica Delaney Photography

Wallace K. Harrison Estate

SchappacherWhite Architecture D.P.C.

Toorak Gardens

Space Craft Joinery

Jonathan VDK

Lost Creek Kitchen

Dawn Hearn Interior Design

A microwave drawer leaves counter space for a coffee bar. Tre Dunham with Fine Focus Photography

Modern Kitchens

Mu-2 Inc.

We hired Mu-2 Inc in the fall of 2011 to gut a house we purchased in Georgetown, move all of the rooms in the house around, and then put it back together again. The project started in September and we moved in just prior to Christmas that year (it's a small house, it only took 3 months). Ted and Geoff were amazing to work with. Their work ethic was high - each day they showed up at the same time (early) and they worked a full day each day until the job was complete. We obviously weren't living here at the time but all of our new neighbors were impressed with the regularity of their schedule and told us so. There was great value. Geoff and Ted handled everything from plumbing to wiring - in our house both were completely replaced - to hooking up our new washer and dryer when they arrived. And everything in between. We continue to use them on new projects here long after we moved in. This year they built us a beautiful fence - and it's an 8,000 sq foot lot - that has an awe inspiring rolling gate. I bought overly complicated gate locks on the internet and Ted and Geoff figured them out and made them work. They basically built gates to work with my locks! Currently they are building a deck off our kitchen and two sets of stairs leading down to our patio. We can't recommend them highly enough. You could call us for more details if you like. Michael & David in Georgetown

Truro Residence

Rachel Reider Interiors

Michael Partenio

Froemmling Residence

AMD Architecture

Westchester County Sustainable Luxury

EK ARCHITECTURE, PLLC

Introducing Sustainable Luxury in Westchester County, a home that masterfully combines contemporary aesthetics with the principles of eco-conscious design. Nestled amongst the changing colors of fall, the house is constructed with Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT) and reclaimed wood, manifesting our commitment to sustainability and carbon sequestration. Glass, a predominant element, crafts an immersive, seamless connection with the outdoors. Featuring coastal and harbor views, the design pays homage to romantic riverscapes while maintaining a rustic, tonalist color scheme that harmonizes with the surrounding woods. The refined variation in wood grains adds a layered depth to this elegant home, making it a beacon of sustainable luxury.

Création de la cuisine. Travail de la couleur et des matières.

ATELIER DES TUILERIES

Rounded Rocks Cabin

Akar ARchiTecture

Farshid Assassi

San Jose White Shaker Kitchen Remodel- semi custom cabinets, quartz counter tops

Visionary Home Remodeling Inc.

House Beautiful Kitchen of the Year

Kohler

A dramatic study in black and white, House Beautiful's Kitchen of the Year, set in San Francisco’s Presidio Heights and designed by Steven Miller, is a too-die-for combination of smart details and luxe comfort.

marine

Beyond Kitchens and Bath Inc

Montclair Kitchen + Family Room + Powder Room

Tracey Stephens Interior Design Inc

Memories TTL/Wing Wong

modern kitchen for pre-war building

Spectra Design Build

Maple City | New Modern Custom Home

kbh architects, ltd.

New Modern Lake House: Located on beautiful Glen Lake, this home was designed especially for its environment with large windows maximizing the view toward the lake. The lower awning windows allow lake breezes in, while clerestory windows and skylights bring light in from the south. A back porch and screened porch with a grill and commercial hood provide multiple opportunities to enjoy the setting. Michigan stone forms a band around the base with blue stone paving on each porch. Every room echoes the lake setting with shades of blue and green and contemporary wood veneer cabinetry.

Kitchen

Redrose Woodworking & Design Ltd.

Custom cabinetry and millwork by Redrose Woodworking & Design in Port Coquitlam, BC.

Conroe Lake House

Kennedy Architecture

Modern Kitchen with Slate Floors 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 Modern 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!