Kitchen
Dining room. The bright blue and berry hues continue in the adjacent dining room on the tufted banquette and sconce shades. Surrealist paintings contrast with the traditional chinoiserie wallcovering. The table adds an Art Deco touch. The dining room serves as a breakfast room just off the kitchen and as a more formal dining area thanks to a two-table approach.
“We appreciate the open floor plan of the house. We recently had four families, including kids, all stay at the house. The layout and the big kitchen make it so everyone fits,” Sophie says. “Everyone cooks dinner together while our kids run around either catching lizards, flying kites or swimming in the pool. The space is perfect for that.”
After. A sleek minibar, complete with a 24-inch-high wine fridge and a sink, allows the couple to easily make drinks for guests — or let them mix their own. Its placement over to the far side of the room also ensures that no one is in the way of the cook when preparing a cocktail before dinner.Pro tip: Before ordering cabinets, Nepacena measured the couple’s liquor bottles to make sure they would fit inside the new cabinetry.Browse wine fridges
Pet feeding stations are often incorporated into kitchens designed by Architecture in Formation, says principal Matt Bremer. This pet station with a stainless steel shelf in the kitchen of a downtown New York City loft “integrated seamlessly with the contemporary pared-down industrial aesthetic,” Bremer says.
Location was a key consideration when designing this pet feeding station in a Sunnyvale, California, kitchen. “Pet storage is so fun to incorporate in cabinet designs,” says Ralph Saviano, whose company, Via Builders, worked on the project.Created for a small dog, the station was placed in an island next to the breakfast nook. “We located it close to the exterior door,” he says. “One of the reasons we placed it here was because it’s at first hidden from your first impression of the kitchen-great room when you walk in.”
Sink. Kaplan knew that the dining room window would provide a nice big view of the kids playing in the backyard for whoever was working at the sink. The window is dressed with a soft custom Roman valance. This configuration creates an easy work triangle between the fridge, range and sink. To the left of the sink is a panel-front dishwasher.Backsplash. “I love the look of a wall completely covered in tile, especially when there aren’t upper cabinets,” Kaplan says. “It’s so pretty and clean, and because these tiles are textured they add movement and reflect the light.” The tiles are wavy white elongated ceramic subway tiles. Cabinets. The cabinets are Shaker, which brings some modern farmhouse style into the room. Wall paint: Gray Owl OC-52, Benjamin Moore; cabinetry: custom, Elmwood, through Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens
Photos by Stacy Zarin GoldbergKitchen at a GlanceWho lives here: A couple who love to spend time in the kitchen, their two kids and their dogLocation: Bethesda, MarylandSize: 312 square feet (29 square meters); 12 by 26 feet Designers: Kirsten Kaplan and Sarah Cummings of Haus Interior Design and Stephanie Fried and Ryann Last of Jack Rosen Custom Kitchens
9. Appliance columns. In today’s market, people expect to be able to customize their product purchases, and individual fridge and freezer columns allow you to include the exact size of refrigerator or freezer you need, in whatever combination and placement best suits your needs.Compared to a traditional fridge-freezer combo with fixed proportions, the choices feel a lot less limited, so you can expect more homeowners to pursue this option in 2018 and beyond.
Tiling the seating area gives a little more durability to the surface, while also making a stylish statement that gives a beautiful burst of color and pattern.The tile here doesn’t need to be the same as the backsplash tile, especially if the backsplash is a more plain finish, like a crisp white subway pattern. Besides, letting the island front be its own feature is more unexpected and fun.
A pullout work surface gives Wilson extra prep space. The engineered quartz countertop wraps around the wall to become storage and cocktail bar space for the dining room (shown later in this story). Wilson clears off that extra countertop area and dusts it with flour on nights when she’s rolling out dough to make fresh ravioli.Exposed ceiling beams — the one in the foreground is original to the home — and caged bulb lights fit with the industrial-transitional style Ferrarini was going for.Ephesians rug in sky blue, beige and medium gray: Surya
Wilson is used to working in commercial kitchens, so Ferrarini didn’t want her home kitchen to feel too precious. Wire mesh cabinet fronts and stainless steel appliances help keep the look sophisticated but durable.Calacutta Miel quartz countertop: Quartz Masters; Nova square 40-piece dishware set: 10 Strawberry Street; Trinsic kitchen faucet in champagne bronze, Delta; four-piece hammered stainless steel canister set: Old Dutch International
After. Ferrarini reconfigured the kitchen so Wilson would be able to see straight through the home to the backyard as soon as she walks in the front door. Putting two glass-paneled doors in the center of the back wall led him to a galley-style layout. From there, he knew he wanted to tuck the taller elements like the refrigerator and pantry cabinets on the left. That meant the right wall could be a bit airier with the range and sink.“Never in a million years would I have thought to flip the kitchen how he did, and this is what I do for a living,” Wilson says. “It’s really remarkable.”Wall range hood, 30 inches: Proline; conduit one-light flush mounts in old silver: Troy Lighting; cabinet paint: Naval, Sherwin-WilliamsWatch: See more of this new kitchen transformation
Project at a GlanceWho lives here: Chef Christina Wilson, winner of Fox’s Hell’s Kitchen, season 10 Location: PhiladelphiaSize: Ground floor about 450 square feet (41.8 square meters); entire home about 900 square feet (83.6 square meters), with three bedrooms, one bathroomDesigner: Matthew Ferrarini of Ferrarini & Co. Kitchens & InteriorsKeen upholstered vinyl armchair in blue, Modway; Vintage Lindy area rug in aqua: nuLoom; Lena coffee table with white marble top: 1st Avenue
Next in a series of important face-lifts was the kitchen, where Salter focused on creating a more functional space for the homeowners to host intimate gatherings and indulge their culinary interests and wine-tasting. She inserted a wine fridge into the cabinetry, working with a master cabinetmaker to ensure that it would tie in seamlessly with the rest of the cabinetry.
Painting ScheduleThere is some debate about painting when it comes to the schedule. Some like to bring the painter in at the end of the job. The painter comes in once, tapes and protects finishes and executes the job. We typically bring the painter on the job in at least two stages: first, to prime and paint walls and ceiling, and then, after flooring, to paint or stain wood trim and put a second finish coat on walls.The size of your job may give you the answer on this. If the remodel is small and simple, it can make sense to skip the first painter step and bring your painter in at the end of the job.Another consideration is the cabinet finish. If you are refinishing existing cabinets, your painter may be able to remove drawers and doors and refinish them in the shop, leaving your kitchen mostly usable in the process. In that case, the painter would only refinish the cabinet frames on the job. Take-away: In a simple, more manageable staged remodel, it can make sense to complete the painting as a final step on the job.
10. Feature windows. Windows can do a lot more than let the light in. They also make exceptional accent pieces. Fortunately, homeowners have caught on and will allow their windows to steal some of the spotlight this year. “No longer hidden, windows are making a bold statement in interesting shapes and dark and black frames,” Lockhart says. “They’re being hung higher and longer as they become more of a feature to contrast with drapes.” A dark frame can create dramatic effect in a light and airy kitchen or accentuate medium-toned woods and wall colors.More: How to Reface Your Old Kitchen Cabinets25 Kitchen Photos Houzzers Can’t Get Enough Of7 Ways to Mix and Match Cabinet Colors11 Islands With Furniture Style
7. Smaller, smarter appliances. Hyper-efficient meal prep is on the way, and there’s an app for that, according to Drury. Homeowners will use their smartphones to program their appliances and monitor the meals they’re cooking. “We will be able to turn our appliances on and off from the office and adjust temperature settings,” she says.Homeowners will also turn to smaller appliances such as wall-mounted mini refrigerators and built-in steam ovens to cut down on meal prep and cleanup time. “Single units like induction elements will become more popular as people use their large stoves and ovens less to accommodate more specific, personalized meal preparation,” Lockhart says.
6. Pops of pink. Kitchens were no stranger to pink color tones last year (see: rose gold accessories), and they’ll only get better acquainted this year. You won’t find too many spaces with bubblegum pink accents, though. Lockhart believes 2017’s pink will be much more muted. “Dusty pink is seen in small appliances now and will look beautiful with gold fixtures,” Lockhart says.She expects dusty pinks to pop up in window treatments and dish towels, as well as appliances. “Full-sized retro pink appliances are available now but in a brighter pink shade,” she says. You can work pink into other design elements such as light fixtures and florals too.
2. Personalization. Homeowners won’t shy away from incorporating colors, patterns and decor they love into their kitchens in 2017. As a result, Lockhart anticipates more personalized kitchen spaces. “While white is still popular, it’s not personalized, so we’ll see more individualized kitchens through color and materials,” she says. Colors will range from pink and black to jewel tones, while materials will emphasize geometry and texture. You can also expect to see decor items such as area rugs and runners to add even more personalization to a kitchen.
Photo by Kristin SjaardaAFTER: Talk about a dramatic change. The window over the sink at left is where the door used to be. Botrie likes spaces that contrast dark and light, as the color scheme for this room shows. She also prefers a traditional vibe overall, with modern touches. Dark grout makes it easier to keep the tilework looking clean. Cabinet paint: Kendall Charcoal HC-166, Benjamin Moore; antiqued brass cabinet pulls: Lee Valley Hardware; range: SamsungMoreHomeowner’s Workbook: How to Remodel Your KitchenFrom the Pros: 8 Reasons Kitchen Renovations Go Over Budget
AFTER: Designer Michelle Ruber and writer Becky Harris decided to call the style of this kitchen “eco-modern farmhouse,” thanks to its mashup of elements. The Shaker-style cabinets, steel drawer pulls and subway-like tiles recall farmhouse style, while the stainless steel appliances, color palette and clean lines look more modern. The homeowners used local vendors and materials for an environmentally friendly design. A skylight brings in extra light, while taller cabinets enhance the storage space. Paint: Imagine 01, Colorhouse; cabinets: Kitchens & More NW; cabinet pulls: Northport, Schaub and Co.; dishwasher: MieleRead more about this remodel
Pantry staples fill the kitchen’s open shelves. The couple like to experiment with new recipes and enjoy them over conversation at their tiny bistro table. “I find we communicate and share more about our day over a table setting than eating on the sofa, which still happens once in a while!” Ninelle says.Bistro table: Target; chairs: Craigslist; high chair: Skip Hop Tuo convertible high chair
Kitchen. “I love a white kitchen but wanted to give this one a different color,” Hackman says. “The gray picks up on the barns and the flooring.” The kitchen layout includes an appliance wall, which keeps the more modern components mostly off to one side and out of view from the living room. She placed the sink underneath the windows, which provide a view across the property to the main house. The stainless steel vent hood and black fixtures add a few modern elements to the room, while the rest has more traditional cottage style. Cabinets, hardware and sink: Ikea; chairs: Crate & Barrel
The kitchen layout was intended to accommodate the possibility of mobility impairment. Wynne omitted upper cabinets and used Ikea cabinet bases with only full-extension drawers and no cabinets to make access easier.Wavy tile from Porcelanosa accents one wall, with windows providing a view from the front of the home toward Wynne’s barn. The peninsula features locally made concrete countertops and an integrated sink.Range: KitchenAid; faucet: Moen; porcelain-enameled pendant lights: Barn Light Electric
The open-concept floor plan was created to encourage traffic flow and easy entertaining. In the kitchen, a walnut island with a live edge and walnut floating shelves were created by Ben Dagitz and custom bar stools by And Collaborative. High-gloss white laminate cabinets were paired with a contrasting dark ceramic hand-fired tile backsplash and a custom-made steel range hood.Nearby, a small powder room is tucked under the staircase, which leads upstairs to three bedrooms and two baths.
Exterior cedar siding wraps inside the house to frame the view toward the kitchen and dining areas. A blue-gray, high-gloss painted backsplash enlivens the matte silver-gray Poggenpohl kitchen cabinets.
A few floating shelves, also in alder wood, are stained to match the cabinetry. Cabinets: Michael Edwards Custom Cabinetry and Millwork; countertops: Organic White, Caesarstone; backsplash tile: Duquesa Fatima decorative field tile, 4⅝ by 4⅝ inches in Mezzanotte, Walker Zanger; hardware: Apollo pulls, Ashley Norton
Kitchen: Bentwood counter stools and a V-groove painted pine ceiling bring traditional touches to the space. The ceiling creates a rhythm and a more human scale in the large, wide-open area.At the right is a bay that serves as an office alcove and looks out over the pool. File cabinets are tucked away to the side.French cafe stools: Restoration Hardware
The family loves to savor weekend breakfasts in the kitchen. “We all congregate around the kitchen island with messy bedhead, make pancakes and listen to the Verve’s Storm in Heaven,” Jane says.The glass crystal star hanging in the window belonged to Jane’s late grandmother.Backsplash tile: Metro rhombus matte white porcelain mosaic, Home Depot; single-handle faucet in Champagne Bronze: Delta; Alden counter stools: West Elm; chandelier: West Elm; see similar midcentury-style chandeliers
Floor: The designers used lots of patterned cement tile to make a statement and take the kitchen to another level. Flooring: Bristol in Pacific black/Pacific white, Pacific Classic Collection, Cement Tile Shop
7. Mix metals. While the stainless steel appliances and chrome faucet are more industrial, brass cabinet hardware balances them out with warm touches. The texture of the backsplash helps bounce the light around. The trim at the top of the cabinets, painted in the same color, makes the ceilings seem higher.Tile: Convex Birch, Sobu
6. Find a style that will resonate with potential homeowners. The hip neighborhood of East Atlanta is popular among singles and young families due to its restaurants, clubs and funky shopping village, so that was at the forefront of Mattison’s vision of what “Kerby” and “Lenny” would be searching for in a home. “I was going for what I call ‘soft industrial’ in here,” the designer says. Details such as the wire basket pendant light, metal cafe table and white gearwheel mirror nod to industrial but are refined over rusty.While the color scheme is neutral, a rich gray gives it a luxe feeling and is versatile enough to appeal to many potential homeowners. So do elegant touches such as a 3D beveled backsplash, brass hardware, thoughtful lighting choices and floor-to-ceiling paneling. “All of this wainscoting makes the house feel like a little jewel,” he says. “It puts you ahead of what else is on the market.”3 Stunning White-and-Gray Kitchens
Ripsawn white oak cabinetry and a built-in wet bar form the back side of the kitchen space.
The kitchen island is topped in mesquite, and countertops and backsplash are basaltina. A custom gun-blued steel hood covers the stove’s exhaust system. Island task lighting is from a trio of pendants by Visual Comfort.
The kitchen and dining room flow seamlessly together. The farmhouse sink was a must, Gustafson says. A stack of Marvin windows over the sink were “mulled together and painted to resemble steel-framed windows.” The cabinetry is white oak. The countertops are Carrera marble.
In the dining room, a custom wall of wine is made with black walnut racking, steel and doors resembling warehouse windows. On the opposite side of the 12-foot-long custom zinc table are three custom steel doors that open to a family room and deck.
22. Warm wood cabinets. Taking that concept a step further, warm wood cabinets in modern styles are gaining in popularity. These aren’t the honey-colored, off-the-shelf cabinets from the 1990s, but rather clean-lined, beautifully stained versions that celebrate various wood grains and species.
22. Fewer white or stainless-steel sinks. White and stainless steel sinks have had their day, says designer Ott. Expect more concrete, stone, copper and granite composite sinks in darker hues of gray, bronze or black.Your turn: What’s big on your design list this year? Have you spotted the next big trend of 2018? Give us your predictions in the Comments!See last year’s design predictionsBrowse the most popular photos on Houzz right now
17. Fish-scale pattern backsplash. If you’ve grown bored of subway tile but still want something simple and classic, check out a scalloped or fish-scale pattern. The look offers more movement, and a bit more interest, than rectangular tile but is still versatile enough to work with almost any kitchen style.See more photos of fish-scale tile in design
16. Trough or bucket sinks. These deep, wide and durable sinks are great for hardworking laundry rooms and busy kids bathrooms. And their rise dovetails nicely with the expected continued prevalence of a quieted-down modern farmhouse style.15 Modern-Rustic Farmhouses Celebrate Simple Pleasures
And here, a chiseled edge completely changes the look and feel of this kitchen.
Other homeowners are embracing a material palette to offset a kitchen area from an open living space, as shown here.
11. Defining kitchens in open floor plans. Every time a bell rings, an interior wall gets knocked down. OK, maybe not that frequently but it seems like the open floor plan has dominated homes in recent years, and not all homeowners love it. And some are going the other way, seeking some sort of delineation of space, such as in the photo shown here. A half wall of cabinetry creates a semi-closed space between the kitchen and living room. See more semi-open kitchens
This dining table features a quartz top that can be used like an island countertop as needed.
5. Dining tables in the kitchen. Not everyone is in favor of a big island, especially for eating family meals. Who wants to face the same direction all the time, as in a diner? Many homes, especially those with smaller kitchens, are reconsidering a traditional dining table in place of an island.Browse dining tables
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