White painted cabinetry is paired with light oak flooring and matte black granite counters. Kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Quad Cities kitchen experts at Village Home Stores.

White painted cabinetry is paired with light oak flooring and matte black granite counters. Kitchen remodeled from start to finish by the Quad Cities kitchen experts at Village Home Stores.

Russell Long

Black coffee stained cherry cabinets with a black glaze and resin waterproof finish. Granite ogee edge countertops with full height granite backsplash. Honey onyx was used for the back of the island. Custom designed ironwork with bronze finish. Copper farmhouse sink. Island trough copper sink 42" in width. Oil Rubbed bronze faucets. Viking appliances. Frontgate outdoor barstools.

Merillat Maple Sedona cabinetry, silver pearl granite with bullnose edge, Philadelphia Light tumbled stone backsplash, Whirlpool black appliances, and Kohler stainless steel faucet and stainless steel sink.

The decision to remodel your kitchen isn't one to take lightly. But, if you really don't enjoy spending time there, it may be time for a change. That was the situation facing the owners of this remodeled kitchen, says interior designer Vernon Applegate. "The old kitchen was dismal," he says. "It was small, cramped and outdated, with low ceilings and a style that reminded me of the early ‘80s." It was also some way from what the owners – a young couple – wanted. They were looking for a contemporary open-plan kitchen and family room where they could entertain guests and, in the future, keep an eye on their children. Two sinks, dishwashers and refrigerators were on their wish list, along with storage space for appliances and other equipment. Applegate's first task was to open up and increase the space by demolishing some walls and raising the height of the ceiling. "The house sits on a steep ravine. The original architect's plans for the house were missing, so we needed to be sure which walls were structural and which were decorative," he says. With the walls removed and the ceiling height increased by 18 inches, the new kitchen is now three times the size of the original galley kitchen. The main work area runs along the back of the kitchen, with an island providing additional workspace and a place for guests to linger. A color palette of dark blues and reds was chosen for the walls and backsplashes. Black was used for the kitchen island top and back. "Blue provides a sense of intimacy, and creates a contrast with the bright living and dining areas, which have lots of natural light coming through their large windows," he says. "Blue also works as a restful backdrop for anyone watching the large screen television in the kitchen." A mottled red backsplash adds to the intimate tone and makes the walls seem to pop out, especially around the range hood, says Applegate. From the family room, the black of the kitchen island provides a visual break between the two spaces. "I wanted to avoid people's eyes going straight to the cabinetry, so I extended the black countertop down to the back of the island to form a negative space and divide the two areas," he says. "The kitchen is now the axis of the whole public space in the house. From there you can see the dining room, living room and family room, as well as views of the hills and the water beyond." Cabinets : Custom rift sawn white oak, cerused dyed glaze Countertops : Absolute black granite, polished Flooring : Oak/driftwood grey from Gammapar Bar stools : Techno with arms, walnut color Lighting : Policelli Backsplash : Red dragon marble Sink : Stainless undermountby Blanco Faucets : Grohe Hot water system : InSinkErator Oven : Jade Cooktop : Independent Hoods, custom Microwave : GE Monogram Refrigerator : Jade Dishwasher : Miele, Touchtronic anniversary Limited Edition

Donna Dotan Photography Inc.

Renovation of 1957 kitchen. New layout, all new cabinets, appliances and finishes. Kosher kitchen. Photos by Rion Rizzo at Creative Sources Photography. Island of Amazon Black Granite, counters of Black Pearl granite, Ron Rezek pendants over the island.

www.marciarothfield.com

This unique Old Hampshire Designs timber frame home has a rustic look with rough-cut beams and tongue and groove ceilings, and is finished with hard wood floors through out. The centerpiece fireplace is of all locally quarried granite, built by local master craftsmen. This Lake Sunapee area home features a drop down bed set on a breezeway perfect for those cool summer nights. Built by Old Hampshire Designs in the Lake Sunapee/Hanover NH area Timber Frame by Timberpeg Photography by William N. Fish

D&M Images

Photography by Sara Eastman Photography

Photography by Sara Eastman Photography

Photography by Rick Keating http://www.rickkeatingphotographer.com/

Paint-Sherwin Williams Tony Taupe, Cabinetry-Kitchen Craft, Alabaster w/Pewter Glaze and Cappuccino w/Chocolate Glaze, Lighting-Pottery Barn's Hundi Lantern's and Kichler's Circolo chandelier, Tile-Emser Tile, Glass 3 x 6 Fog, Granite-Arctic Cream. Thanks for looking! Jo McKeown/Great Spaces! Special Thanks to Reed Lewis Photography

Black Pearl Granite, paired up with Granite Vessel Sinks and Travertine Tiles throughout.

Black Pearl Granite, paired up with Granite Vessel Sinks and Travertine Tiles throughout.

Black Pearl Granite, paired up with Granite Vessel Sinks and Travertine Tiles throughout.