Beach Kitchen

This Denver kitchen sets a marble backsplash, that continues up the wall as the backsplash for a display shelf, against walnut cabinetry and countertops of an alternate gray material.

New Zealand architect Gerald Parsonson and his wife, Kate, designed their vacation beach home in Paraparaumu with an open-plan kitchen with open shelves, bar light bulbs, and bright orange MDF cabinets.

To transform a gaudy and green developer's special, Nanelda Priftaj, an in-house designer at bulthaup Toronto, stuck to a sophisticated palette of light woods and stainless-steel appliances. "We chose materials that elevate the aesthetic timelessness and comfort of the space," she says. "Keeping this in mind, we chose several reflective surfaces to brighten the kitchen." The floors are heated Mare Argento travertine and the rug is from AGATHOM Co.

Sniff out hidden opportunities. Dan Brown, Hufft: Dan Brown of Hufft says, “The best kitchen remodels simplify an owner’s life and make efficient use of every available square inch.”

The architect brought the solid walls of certain rooms down to 7’ 8”, filling the remaining 4’ 2” with glass. This defining feature allows sunlight penetrate deep into the core of the space. The clients say the bright reds, oranges, and yellows of sunsets race across the ceiling and white walls.

Plywood covered with Fenix NTM forms the kitchen cabinetry and surfaces. A Cascata satin bronze tap by Olif adds a metallic element.

Kitchen, all wood finishes was taken from the forest.

Joseph Eichler developed more than 11,000 homes in California from 1949 to 1966, and though tons are still standing today, many of them have lost their authenticity after going through drastic transformations—but this particular renovation is a different story. Josh and Moeka Lowman of San Francisco branding firm Goldfront reached out to Michael Hennessey Architecture to renovate the interior of their two-story, single-family residence in Diamond Heights, which was built by Eichler in 1965. Michael Hennessey explains,

Kitchen with loft bedroom sliding screens above

Kitchen looking back to stair and fireplace

“The client wanted an interior space where you could read the materiality of the building elements like understanding the ingredients in a recipe,” principal architect Elizabeth Webster explains. The extension features distinctly textured materials: an exposed timber ceiling, painted brick walls, and polished concrete floors. Warm lighting by Brinklicht unifies the space.

Wood siding salvaged from an old barn in Spokane, Washington, was repurposed for the project.

Alexia, Achilleas, and friend Fotini prepare lunch in the kitchen, outfitted with cabinets by Zeyko.

New custom kitchen with high-gloss cabinets, custom plywood enclosures, concrete island counter top.

When their house was in need of a pick-me-up, a London couple turned to the designer of their favorite coffee shop for an industrial-strength renovation. A Lebanese cedar island and stainless-steel countertops provide ample work space—and a place to display treasured items, such as the Buono V60 drip kettle by Hario. The island features a Franke sink with a Vola faucet. The oven is by Siemens and white MDF cabinets stow tools.