Robert Radifera Photography

A classic black and white laundry room with Leathered Absolute Black Granite counters (cut from a remnant). This is one of only a handful of center hallway historic row homes in DC. Located near Eastern Market, this beautiful home was completely renovated last year. It had rented out to several students. The homeowners lived in a nearby house while a team of skilled craftsmen and niche contractors transformed the interior. Granite Grannies installed two kitchens, four bathrooms, a laundry room counter and two fireplaces.

Designer: Paul Dybdahl Photographer: Shanna Wolf Designer’s Note: One of the main project goals was to develop a kitchen space that complimented the homes quality while blending elements of the new kitchen space with the homes eclectic materials. Japanese Ash veneers were chosen for the main body of the kitchen for it's quite linear appeals. Quarter Sawn White Oak, in a natural finish, was chosen for the island to compliment the dark finished Quarter Sawn Oak floor that runs throughout this home. The west end of the island, under the Walnut top, is a metal finished wood. This was to speak to the metal wrapped fireplace on the west end of the space. A massive Walnut Log was sourced to create the 2.5" thick 72" long and 45" wide (at widest end) living edge top for an elevated seating area at the island. This was created from two pieces of solid Walnut, sliced and joined in a book-match configuration. The homeowner loves the new space!! Cabinets: Premier Custom-Built Countertops: Leathered Granite The Granite Shop of Madison Location: Vermont Township, Mt. Horeb, WI

The renovation involved adding a sleeping loft above the existing structure (which actually floats on huge logs). Because it's not an "official bedroom," this staircase by The Iron Shop is allowable. I "waterfalled" the countertops to wrap cabinet sides for a more interesting look. The existing rounded door to storage/laundry was refinished/refitted. Heated blue stone tile floors keep this kitchen cozy. Beams across the ceiling support the upper structure as does wood post in foreground. There are two sinks in this tiny galley kitchen. Kohler's "trough sink" sits below window in this view, creating a highly functional prep area adjacent to range top.

Cabinets: Waypoint Cabinetry | Maple Espresso & Painted Stone Countertops: Caeserstone Countertops - Alpine Mist and Leathered Lennon Granite Backsplash: Topcu Wooden White Marble Plumbing: Blanco and Shocke Stove and Hood: Blue Star

Tom Zikas

Angola Black leather granite counter with New Juparana granite island. photo credit:llcoolhomes

Cabinet paint color is Edgecomb Gray (Benjamin Moore HC-173) with a black glaze Custom stain on island Island countertop: Swiss Alps (granite) Perimeter countertop: Aqua Brown Leathered (granite)

February and March 2011 Mpls/St. Paul Magazine featured Byron and Janet Richard's kitchen in their Cross Lake retreat designed by JoLynn Johnson. Honorable Mention in Crystal Cabinet Works Design Contest 2011 A vacation home built in 1992 on Cross Lake that was made for entertaining. The problems • Chipped floor tiles • Dated appliances • Inadequate counter space and storage • Poor lighting • Lacking of a wet bar, buffet and desk • Stark design and layout that didn't fit the size of the room Our goal was to create the log cabin feeling the homeowner wanted, not expanding the size of the kitchen, but utilizing the space better. In the redesign, we removed the half wall separating the kitchen and living room and added a third column to make it visually more appealing. We lowered the 16' vaulted ceiling by adding 3 beams allowing us to add recessed lighting. Repositioning some of the appliances and enlarge counter space made room for many cooks in the kitchen, and a place for guests to sit and have conversation with the homeowners while they prepare meals. Key design features and focal points of the kitchen • Keeping the tongue-and-groove pine paneling on the walls, having it sandblasted and stained to match the cabinetry, brings out the woods character. • Balancing the room size we staggered the height of cabinetry reaching to 9' high with an additional 6” crown molding. • A larger island gained storage and also allows for 5 bar stools. • A former closet became the desk. A buffet in the diningroom was added and a 13' wet bar became a room divider between the kitchen and living room. • We added several arched shapes: large arched-top window above the sink, arch valance over the wet bar and the shape of the island. • Wide pine wood floor with square nails • Texture in the 1x1” mosaic tile backsplash Balance of color is seen in the warm rustic cherry cabinets combined with accents of green stained cabinets, granite counter tops combined with cherry wood counter tops, pine wood floors, stone backs on the island and wet bar, 3-bronze metal doors and rust hardware.

This design for a year-round retirement home addresses all aspects of the site, which resides on the western flank of Blue Hill Bay and has easterly water views framed by a mature forest of oak, birch, and fir. The use of natural materials, featuring wood in all aspects, was an important way to tie the building to its site and its cultural context. Photo by Brian Vanden Brink

A wonderful sun room with log-burner for winter day warmth! Colin Cadle Photography, Photo Styling Jan Cadle

Andrew Lipsett from http://www.lipsettphotographygroup.com/

The reclaimed pine on this vanity are paired with a leathered absolute black granite counter top.

The lower level features a wet bar with marble subway tile, leather-textured granite, and custom cabinetry. There are also beverage and wine refrigerators, perfect for entertaining. Photo Credit: David Bader Photography