Downsizing from 6,200 sq.ft to a 2,200 sq.ft home was a challenge for this retired couple. How the design solved the needs and use of the space was a priority to the homeowners. We were able to design the library around the kitchen eating area. This charming room was a great solution in combining two functions and maximizing storage needs. The 34 foot great room also includes a bar area, dining area, a game table as well as 2 seating areas. This lovely space has the elegance of a hotel lobby with the warmth of the friendly owners.

• A busy family wanted to rejuvenate their entire first floor. As their family was growing, their spaces were getting more cramped and finding comfortable, usable space was no easy task. The goal of their remodel was to create a warm and inviting kitchen and family room, great room-like space that worked with the rest of the home’s floor plan. The focal point of the new kitchen is a large center island around which the family can gather to prepare meals. Exotic granite countertops and furniture quality light-colored cabinets provide a warm, inviting feel. Commercial-grade stainless steel appliances make this gourmet kitchen a great place to prepare large meals. A wide plank hardwood floor continues from the kitchen to the family room and beyond, tying the spaces together. The focal point of the family room is a beautiful stone fireplace hearth surrounded by built-in bookcases. Stunning craftsmanship created this beautiful wall of cabinetry which houses the home’s entertainment system. French doors lead out to the home’s deck and also let a lot of natural light into the space. From its beautiful, functional kitchen to its elegant, comfortable family room, this renovation achieved the homeowners’ goals. Now the entire family has a great space to gather and spend quality time.

Lori Hethmon is the founder, owner of, and lead designer at Granite Grannies. Her home is a historic house in rural Prince George's County, MD. The core of the home (the kitchen and two other rooms) were built in 1809, and the rest of the home was added in 1870. The home was restored by its previous owners in the 1980's. They were faithful to the history of the home. The kitchen floors are the original heart pine. The granite countertops are Macusha Granite, an extremely exotic stone. A couple slabs showed up on the market, and we've never seen anything exactly like it since. The counter are bookmatched so that the large quartz formation above the sink runs down onto the sink counter, hops across the galley kitchen, and runs back up the wall on the other side. The antique kitchen table is also covered in a piece of the Macusha Granite. The cabinets were probably added to the home sometime in the mid 20th century, but every other improvement and decorating aspect was done by Lori personally (including stripping the painted wainscoting, staining it, and then distressing it.) The sink is copper with black patina.

A beautiful hand made full inframe or face frame inset kitchen made from solid wood and hand painted in Farrow & Ball 'Almost White.' The painted finish is complimented by the walnut detailing inside the cabinets, on the corbels over the range cooker, and on the wine rack over the American fridge freezer. A timeless painted kitchen from Noel Dempsey.

Tones of black and brown highlight this traditional style kitchen. An angled counter top offers a raised eating bar, bordering on the breakfast room. A large archway opens to the living room.

David White Photography

Galaxy Brown natural granite countertop with full bullnose edge, installed by Merrimack Stone.

Randall Perry

Designed by J.S. Brown & Co. Photography by Todd Yarrington Backsplash tile: Anatolia 4x4 copper, Crossville 2x12 crackle liner, Crossville 4x2 slate mosaic, Crossville 1x2 ball liner Top Knobs cabinet hardware Black Ubatuba granite counters Shiloh cherry cabinets: Richmond beaded inset door style, Coffee stain with Black glaze

This shore house kitchen features beautiful Coast Green granite countertops which are paired with classic white cabinetry. The ceramic subway style backsplash tile is a nice compliment and adds an attractive focal area over the stove.

Vibrant color, exquisite details, beautiful cabinetry, and a unique granite make this one-of-a-kind kitchen a visual feast for the eyes! This is the view of the kitchen space

Fantasy Brown Quartzite Countertops and Blue Glass Tortuga Backsplash Tile proved by DSF Granite & Tile

This kitchen was remodeled using the Medallion Designer Line Cabinets in the Briarwood Morel Oyster Vintage Paint Door Style, Hardwood Oak Flooring, Baltic Brown Granite countertops and Roman Stone pattern backsplash with glass accents.

In this kitchen, we updated the existing cabinets with new bronze pulls and knobs hardware. Installed for the countertops are a natural stone Giallo Fiorito 3cm Granite with a small ogee edge profile and Durango 4x4 tumbled decorative tile with Accents Bliss Crème Brulee blend linear glass/stone mosaic tile was used for the backsplash. Also installed was a Blanco Café Brown Undermount sink accented with Moen Arbour stainless steel faucet.

Specially designed for entertaining and family gatherings, this Tuscan inspired kitchen, features Natural Cherry Glazed Cabinets, Dark Brown Granite Countertops, Rust Color Glazed Porcelain Floor Tiles (in four sizes), and Neutral Porcelain Backsplash Tiles with Decorative Copper Inserts. Ornate design features including a customized Wood Hood with Corbel Details, Crown Moldings with Rope Inserts, Fluted Column Boxes, Furniture Valance Toe Kick Details, and Glass Mullion Display Cabinet Doors (that can be lit-up with interior lights), are beautifully appropriate finishings for a Kitchen of this stature.

Full outdoor kitchen & bar with an induction grill, all weather cabinets, outdoor refrigerator, and electric blue Azul Bahia Brazilian granite countertops to reflect the color of the sea; An octagonally shaped seating area facing the ocean for sunbathing and sunset viewing.; The deck is constructed with sustainably harvested tropical Brazilian hardwood Ipe that requires little maintenance..Eric Roth Photography

Wood Stone Granite is one of the single most unique and beautiful granite colors available on the market. Rich, clearly defined veins of caramel, amber, oak, and chocolate brown course through a sandy tan background. It has the appearance of wood rings, and so the stone is called Wood Stone Granite (or Stone Wood Granite) or Yellow Wood Granite.

In this kitchen we installed Waypoint Livingspaces cabinets on the perimeter is 702F doorstyle in Painted Hazelnut Glaze and on the island is 650F doorstyle in Cherry Java accented with Amerock Revitilize pulls and Chandler knobs in oil rubbed bronze. On the countertops is Giallo Ornamental 3cm Granite with a 4” backsplash below the microwave area. On the wall behind the range is 2 x 8 Brickwork tile in Terrace color. Kichler Avery 3 pendant lights were installed over the island. A Blanco single bowl sink in Biscotti color with a Moen Waterhill single handle faucet with the side spray was installed. Three 18” time weathered Faux wood beams in walnut color were installed on the ceiling to accent the kitchen.