If you’ve sacrificed valuable wall storage space in exchange for a kitchen with a view, use the added natural light to create an eye-catching kitchen garden window. This project is a practical way for homeowners to add their own creativity to a space, by implementing an efficient means of growing culinary herbs for daily use in recipes and meal preparation.

A little bit of greenery in the kitchen can go a long way and take the room in a whole new direction. And you’re not limited to growing culinary herbs on your kitchen windowsill, if your plant tastes happen to lie outside the edible arena. Kitchen by Case Design/Remodeling.

Culinary herbs and leafy greens are easy to grow, and dense root systems make them perfect for container gardening. An indoor window garden can accommodate a wide range of herbs throughout the year, while planters and containers just outside your kitchen door can be a substantial supplement for additional edible plants from spring to fall. Many homeowners choose to grow culinary herbs for convenience, and they also tend to be expensive items at the market that are relatively inexpensive to grow at home. The plants themselves are beautiful and add a wonderful aroma to the air. Design options are practically limitless, so unchain your imagination after gathering some inspiration from these kitchen garden window ideas and designs.

Kitchen garden windows

Most culinary herbs like direct sunlight, but you don’t have to grow them all right in the window. Plants that get plenty of indirect light will do just as well, increasing your space and design options.

Image courtesy of Jennifer Ashton

It’s a shame to let the windowsills go to waste in a sunny kitchen like this one. Potted plants can also be a smart and stylish way to diffuse the view from the outside in, without hanging a window treatment that ruins your own view or natural lighting scheme.

This tiered, self-watering hanging planter from Plow & Hearth is a great space saver that makes it easy to rotate plants for cuttings and even sun exposure.

Perfect for a windowsill, countertop, or tabletop, these beveled herb pots from Made in Design are chic, portable, and easy to cut from.

This recessed countertop organizer is perfect spot for frequently used herbs, which help add pattern, texture, and color to the cooking station. Image courtesy of Bonfigli Design.

The planting troughs in this kitchen utilize wall space rather than countertops or windowsills, while supporting the rustic aesthetic of the open floor plan. Image courtesy of The Lettered Cottage.

With showy plants like culinary herbs, it’s easy to let the greenery steal the show, but in an eclectic kitchen the containers themselves can become an integral part of the design aesthetic. Image courtesy of Colleen Steixner.

Expanding your kitchen garden windows outdoors.

Ideally, a culinary garden is convenient to the kitchen so it can be accessed quickly to cut herbs and other edibles as needed. You don’t need a large outdoor garden space to grow culinary herbs and other produce. Any hardscaped area will do, even if it’s as small as an apartment balcony or patio. Around a home’s exterior, there are plenty of options for planter and container gardening, including upcycling ideas you can implement yourself.

A space saver like this tiered garden box helps bring more light and heat to the plants. The design is perfect for herbs, strawberries, lettuces, and overhanging plants. Image courtesy of Etsy.

This similarly designed idea repurposed old deck stairs and provides the growing space of a garden bed without any breaking ground. Image courtesy of Houzz.com.

These colorful plants dress up the brick wall and provide a ton of growing room, while taking up virtually no additional space. Image courtesy of Carolina Katz and Paula Nunez.

Keeping plants in containers can really help extend both your design options and the growing season for outdoor plants. The cement patio, black pots, and wood siding all increase both soil and air temperatures by several degrees. Image courtesy of Aloe Designs.

Many edible plants make colorful and attractive design accents. Kale, rainbow chard, arugula, mustards, lettuces, and most culinary herbs are all used in ornamental landscape design. Image courtesy of Glenna Partridge Landscape Design.

When your needs aren’t very high volume or you’re only cooking for one, a simple design like this one from Hayneedle can become the perfect kitchen herb garden indoors or out.

Choosing a kitchen sink isn’t as easy as one might think. Style, size, shape, material, finish, color, and even texture may all play a role in the quest for the perfect kitchen sink. However, style and related matters always become the most pressing issues, as these elements dictate both the look and functionality of a kitchen sink. A modern kitchen sink is quite different from the type many of us may have grown up with. A major difference is in the installation, with most modern sinks now positioned underneath the countertop, as apposed to the drop-in, overlay style of days gone by. With an undermount sink kitchen countertop space expands by a square inch or two and creates a cleaner, more continuous look that’s typical of modern style.

Image courtesy of Case Design/Remodeling Inc.

Undermount sinks and similarly installed farmhouse sinks are growing in popularity and have become the rule more than the exception for a few reasons. The deeper style holds more volume, the sink is positioned lower and closer to the user making use more comfortable, and the simple look works well with a variety of kitchen styles. A unique kitchen sink can become a focal point in the room while remaining highly functional. Here’s a rundown of both modern and unique kitchen sink styles and designs that may inspire ideas for the new sink station in your own kitchen remodel. Undermount sinks. Undermount sinks tend to be deeper and wider than your typical drop-in sink. These sinks offer the advantages of a seamless design and improved function because they hold more volume, so dirty dishes don’t have to take up countertop space or leave the kitchen looking cluttered. Undermount sinks come in single and dual-compartment styles, depending on your kitchen’s needs. If you like to keep a dish drainer or other accessories inside the sink and off the countertop, a dual-compartment undermount sink may be a better choice for your kitchen. Keep in mind that undermount sinks don’t work well with wood or laminate countertops and are better suited to stone slab or tile counter designs.

Image courtesy of Case Design/Remodeling Inc.

Farmhouse sinks. Also called apron-front sinks or simply farm sinks, these unique kitchen sinks have an old-fashioned look that can match the aesthetic of nearly any kitchen style. Farmhouse sinks are even deeper than undermount sinks and are typically designed as a single compartment. The exposed apron-front design brings the sink to the counter’s edge and the undermount installation places it below the countertop.

Image courtesy of Case Design/Remodeling Inc.

Extending slightly past the edge of the countertop, the exposed front of a farmhouse sink gives it that country or cottage look. The design makes it easier to stand over the sink, which can be more comfortable and better for the back. It also creates a clean, contemporary look that seems to match any style.

Image courtesy of Case Design/Remodeling Inc.

While the classic farmhouse sink is porcelain stark white, we’re seeing more of these sinks available in a wider range of materials, colors, and textures, such as the custom granite farm sink pictured above and the copper farm sink pictured below.

Image courtesy of Venegas and Company

Custom concrete cast sinks. Concrete sinks may sound cold, hard, and industrial, but they come in a range of colors and offer a lot of design benefits such as affordability, the look and feel of continuous countertops, and the option for custom designs according to a space’s needs. The concrete sink pictured below is a farm sink-style extension of the concrete countertops.

Image courtesy of Frank Valdes

Custom molds and pours of concrete sinks and countertops allow for unique designs and custom solutions, such as the built-in countertop dish drainage system pictured above. More unique kitchen sinks. If you prefer a more traditional sink or you simply don’t like the newer farmhouse and undermount sink styles, consider one of these unique kitchen sink styles instead.

Image courtesy of Dona Rosene Interiors.

A repurposed antique wall-mount sink provides a lot of function and style in this kitchen, with two oversized compartments, a built-in dish-drying platform with drainage, and three lower storage cabinets.

Image courtesy of Melissa Miranda Interior Design.

A simple stainless steel undermount sink allows a beautiful marble countertop to take center stage in this modern kitchen.

Image courtesy of Jauregui Architecture Interiors Construction.

A second sink in the island improves the kitchen work triangle and provides a place for quick water access that doesn’t disrupt activity at the main sink. This dual compartment porcelain undermount sink is perfect for washing fresh produce as the kitchen’s second sink, leaving the main sink for dirty dishes and other cleaning-related tasks, in this Case Design kitchen remodel. An oversized dual compartment undermount sink provides two sinks in one while maintaining the seamless look of continuous countertops and blending with the other stainless steel appliances in this kitchen by Case Design.

The choice of cabinet style is an integral part of creating a modern look in the kitchen. The cabinet doors and overlay style, hardware choices, finish, materials, and even the color all require specific directions a modern kitchen cabinet must take in order to be considered “modern.” The look associated with modern is flat, sleek, and unadorned with plenty of lines running along a horizontal axis. The grain of natural wood and the look of veneer are often the only texture and ornamentation to be found in a modern space. Many modern kitchens showcase beautiful cabinets that become the centerpiece of the room. Natural wood finishes, flat-panel doors , and simple hardware pulls are all elements that work together to create the look of modern cabinets in this Case Design kitchen remodel. Frameless cabinets with flat panel doors, sleek hardware, horizontal lines, and ornamentation through natural materials are the main aesthetic points to look for in modern cabinets for kitchen remodels. Color choices can help support the look of a modern kitchen as well.

1. Frameless cabinets with flat-panel doors.Frameless cabinets have minimal framing on the inside face so that cabinet doors overlay the outer frame to create a flat, continuous look. The design is more economical because it doesn’t waste space with framing and it makes cabinet boxes look and feel bigger. Flat panel doors work hand-in-hand with the frameless design of a modern cabinet, by helping create a sleek and continuous look. The frosted glass panels on the wall cabinets contrast the composite wood veneer panels underneath, a common style element in modern kitchens. Image courtesy of Barker O-Donoghue Master Builders
2. Sleek hardware.Modern cabinets tend to have little to no hardware and simple, sleek pulls when applicable. Flat or tubular pulls, C and J-channel pulls, recessed pulls, and tab pulls are all common hardware styles found on modern kitchen cabinets. It’s common for the pulls on modern cabinets to extend the horizontal length of the cabinet parallel to the wood grain. Image courtesy of LDa Architecture and Interiors.
3. Horizontal lines.The cabinet layout and fine lines visible between flat-paneled cabinet doors are often the strongest horizontal elements found in a modern kitchen. Modern kitchen layouts tend to be long rather than tall when it comes to cabinetry and appliances, and the cabinet pulls are often laid horizontally as well to support the aesthetic and eliminate the horizontal-vertical axis. How many horizontal elements can you find in this kitchen? The island, cabinets, and inlaid cook station all support the horizontal theme of this modern kitchen by Thirdstone Inc.
4. Ornamentation through natural materials.From the floors to the cabinets and even the countertops, you’ll find a lot of natural wood grains in a variety of light to dark finishes in modern kitchens. The patterns and visual textures of the wood allow some adornment to creep into modern kitchen design elements, providing that hint of decoration every space demands. Wood floor and cabinet finishes often contrast one another in a modern kitchen design, although the horizontal lines are consistent in both. The rift-cut wood of the cabinetry is a common element in modern kitchens as well, adding visual interest to the flat surfaces. Kitchen by Case Design and Remodeling. The wood grain and pattern becomes the aesthetic focal point and element of color in this otherwise stark white modern kitchen. The fine veins in the marble countertops and backsplash are another element of natural beauty common in modern kitchens. Image courtesy of J. Weiss Design.
5. Color.As you may have noticed in many of the images above, modern kitchen designs seem to lack color. The colorless aesthetic helps maintain the sleek, clean, and simple look of modern kitchen cabinetry while allowing the beauty of natural materials to shine through as the room’s focal point. But not all modern spaces integrate nature’s patterns and textures into the aesthetic, and this is where color can take center stage. Turquoise paint and a lacquer finish support the sleek look of modern and make these cabinets the kitchen’s aesthetic centerpiece. Image courtesy of Alterstudio. This modern kitchen explodes with color and contains no natural elements whatsoever, even though a simple white finish was chosen for the cabinetry. Image courtesy of Stephanie Norris.

Kitchen appliances have been getting sleeker and chicer in recent years, and vent hoods for stoves are no exception. Some kitchen stove hoods have a contemporary design that helps them blend in with the woodwork, while others are stealing the show by becoming the aesthetic centerpiece of the kitchen. The industrial design of the vent hood in this Case Design kitchen matches the contemporary look of stainless steel appliances.

How to choose a vent hood for your kitchen

A vent hood needs to move exhaust, in addition to looking great in your kitchen. When it comes to design a stove hood can take couple of different directions. It can match the range itself, the cabinetry, and/or the other appliances. It can also take the opposite approach so it stands out on its own as a design element. The copper vent hood is an eye-popper in this white kitchen by Carolina Kitchens. But vented range hoods should also be selected based on the size of your kitchen and the type of cooking you do. A family who does a lot of baking or microwaving or who simply doesn’t use the stovetop much may not demand the same level of ventilation that other households do. And newer, airtight homes require better ventilation in the kitchen than older homes tend to. Look for a range hood that’s about 6 inches wider than the stove top. Units should circulate a minimum of 300 cubic feet of air per minute (cfm) and a maximum of 1200 cfm. A lower cfm won’t have enough power for most kitchens, while more can ventilate too much air from the home and decrease the efficiency of your heating and cooling system. The massive stove hood in this Case Design kitchen keeps heat, smoke, and exhaust from rising to the second story in this open floor plan.

Types of vented range hoods

While there are dozens of vented range hood designs to choose from, most hoods are one of five styles:

1. Under cabinet hoods. Installed underneath the cabinets above your range, these hoods save a lot of space and leave room for additional storage.This under cabinet stove hood leaves plenty of room for storage cabinets, a beautiful backsplash design, and even a custom kitchen stove mantel. Image courtesy of Mandy Brown.
2. Wall mount hoods. These hoods are standalone units that attach to the wall when there’s no cabinets above the stove.The wall mount hood in this Case Design kitchen matches the lower cabinetry while standing apart from the white upper cabinets.
3. Island hoods. These attach to the ceiling above a range built into a kitchen island or peninsula.This island hood uses a chimney to ventilate exhaust. Kitchen by Case Design and Remodeling.
4. Downdraft hoods. Located at the back of the stove or between the burners, these ventilation systems are integrated into the range top design and aren’t really hoods at all.This space saving design of this downdraft hood keeps the room and the view open. Image courtesy of Glenvale Kitchens.The downdraft hood in this kitchen by Case Design is built into the stove’s flattop design at the back of the stove in this cooking island.
5. Insert hoods. As the name suggests, these are installed in many custom built hoods. These hoods can also be installed directly into the ceiling.This custom-built hood by Sullivan Building and Design Group uses a hood insert for ventilation.

Sculptural stove hoods

These hoods add just as much style to a kitchen as they do ventilation. This aerodynamic design is commonly seen in wall mount and island hood styles. Image courtesy of Build for Me Construction. This distressed wood hood vent keeps with the industrial look of a modern kitchen without using characteristic stainless steel. Image courtesy of Artistic Designs for Living. This custom hood blends in with the rest of the cabinetry, allowing the woodwork to take the spotlight. What type of range vent hood did you choose for your own kitchen remodel? Share the specs with our readers in the comments section below.

As a follow up to a recent post on modern kitchens, we’re discussing contemporary kitchens and how these two kitchen design styles differ. It’s important to note that when it comes to design, contemporary and modern are not synonymous. Contemporary refers to current trends, while Modern refers to styles that followed the Industrial Revolution and dominated design from the early to mid-1900s. To make things even more confusing, contemporary and modern design styles share several common characteristics. Both styles are dominated by lines and angles, have an emphasis on whites, grays and solids, and lack accessories. But modern style is fairly distinct and rules-driven, while contemporary encompasses elements of several design styles on top of a few of its own dominant characteristics. And some of the best contemporary spaces come out of designs that break these loose to begin with rules.

The design choices in this kitchen are all classic examples of contemporary. The rounded chair backs, shiny surfaces, distinct color choices, stacked tile backslash, and dominant rectangular theme all make this space contemporary. Image courtesy of John Lum Architecture

http://www.houzz.com/photos/103167/Eberhart-modern-kitchen-san-francisco.

In a contemporary kitchen, you’ll find features that are trendy right now: natural building materials, high-tech appliances, and smart storage solutions. As far as design styles go, look for natural or neutral colors, a blend of sharp angles and rounded corners, and plenty of open space.   Whites, grays, and neutral colors. Contemporary designs draw attention away from the room’s décor and to the design itself. While white, gray, and neutrals can sound boring or depressing, the designs in our examples show that contemporary designs are anything but dull.

This contemporary kitchen remodel by Case Design/Remodeling of San Jose is the perfect example of how colorless contemporary can be light and bright. Stark white, muted green, and a warm finish on wooden surfaces give this kitchen plenty of life.

  A single focal point. Instead of a lot of embellishment, accessories, artwork, and décor, contemporary designs tend to draw attention to just one or two major elements in the room. This is often through which a contemporary room sneaks a little color into the design.

The lime green accent wall and mosaic tile backsplash are the aesthetic centerpieces of this Case Design/Remodeling contemporary kitchen. Sleek surfaces, a mix of natural materials, and the casement windows all add to the contemporary feel. Beautiful backsplashes are common design elements in contemporary kitchens.

  A blend of sharp edges and round corners. Another design element that makes a room overtly contemporary is its synthesis of straight lines and soft edges.

This kitchen by Increation http://www.houzz.com/photos/1183960/Great-Jubilee-Wharf-Contemporary-Home-contemporary-kitchen-london is a beautiful blend of angles and curves. Rounded cabinet edges contrast the sharp corners of the island. Geometric shapes such as the pillar and raised countertop often find a place in contemporary spaces. The curved edge of the lowered ceiling becomes the perfect accent.

  Shiny surfaces. A sleek aesthetic is a major element behind the look of contemporary, and a blend of materials and finishes is usually used to achieve this look.

A glass backsplash combines with unadorned high-gloss surfaces and metallic accents to give this contemporary kitchen a sleek, ultra-clean look. Image courtesy of Jennie Hunt

http://www.houzz.com/photos/746733/Fresh-Family-Home-modern-kitchen.

  Sleek Appliances. Stainless steel appliances are one way to keep with the shine of a contemporary kitchen, but black and white appliances are making a comeback these days and have their place in contemporary kitchens too.

The shape of appliances can also contribute to a contemporary kitchen design. The flush stovetop and matching hood don’t draw the eye away from other design features in this kitchen by Studio M Design

http://www.houzz.com/photos/384124/Modern-Poggenpohl-PLUSMODO-kitchen-with-induction-cooktop-modern-kitchen-boston.

  Windows and open space. These are two elements not to be ignored when designing a contemporary space. A feeling of open space is another dominant feature in a contemporary room. In the spirit of contemporary, open spaces draw the eye away from the concrete and into the void. Windows can become the perfect focal point in a contemporary room, while a series of stacked or adjacent windows can create the sharp lines and angles that dominate contemporary design. Contemporary spaces like to downplay details and bring focus to the space itself, and windows do exactly that.

This contemporary Case Design kitchen uses natural light and plenty of large windows to increase the spaciousness of the room while adding geometric shapes and angles to the design.

  Hidden Storage. Cutting edge storage designs keep with current trends and support the clean, clutter-free look of a contemporary kitchen.

You won’t find a trash can or paper towel dispenser within view in a contemporary kitchen. Pull-out storage and smart designs keep kitchens streamlined. This contemporary trash console is hip to the times with removable bins for garbage, recycling, and compost, plus a storage shelf for cleaning supplies. Image courtesy of Divine Kitchens, LLC

http://www.houzz.com/photos/67082/Divine-Kitchens-LLC-contemporary-kitchen-boston.

  The overall feeling. No single element or feature can make a room contemporary. That’s why it’s so easy to get away with breaking the rules by integrating elements that’s aren’t contemporary at all. Contemporary is simply a combination of many design features that have all drawn from trends of the past while still integrating the best design features of today.

While this kitchen is dominated by bright colors, accessories, and multiple focal points, it is still overwhelmingly contemporary. Image courtesy of Divine Kitchens, LLC http://www.houzz.com/photos/66894/Divine-Kitchens-LLC-contemporary-kitchen-other-metros.

Share your own unique contemporary kitchen design ideas with other Case Design readers below.

Creating Outdoor Rooms   Summertime means outdoor living by creating comfortable outdoor living spaces, whether it’s through a permanent remodel or a seasonal sun shade. If you have an outdoor living space that’s underused or just an urge to spend more time relaxing outside, you can make the most of your home’s exterior on long summer days by creating outdoor rooms.

This Case Design outdoor dining room creates a shady oasis with a country view. An open, covered area without the cost of windows, heating, or infrastructure for power or water can be an affordable, yet luxury, home improvement.

This state-of-the-art Seattle-area sun porch has all the amenities of an indoor room: a grill with ventilation, running water, refrigeration, fireplace, flatscreen, ceiling fans, and even space heaters. Image courtesy of Logan’s Hammer Building and Renovation http://www.houzz.com/photos/53326/Wittman-Deck-traditional-porch-seattle.

An outdoor room living room, kitchen, dining area, or even a bedroom can be created out of any number of exterior spaces. An indoor outdoor room combines shade and shelter with fresh air and views, while some outdoor living spaces have no roof or shelter at all. The secret is in defining the space and decorating it with the right water resistant materials.

Waterproof cushions, pillows, and area rugs give this open deck an interior feel. Image courtesy of Cococozy http://www.houzz.com/photos/102887/COCOCOZY-IN-THE-HOLLYWOOD-HILLS-eclectic-patio-los-angeles.

Patios and pergolas. An outdoor room can be fashioned out of any space that’s adjacent to your home. Porches, decks, balconies, patios, and even open spaces can all become outdoor living rooms with a few easy design techniques. A pergola is one common way to provide the framing for an outdoor structure.

A traditional pergola creates shade by providing a place for vining plants to grow, as in this Mediterranean-inspired patio by Sandy Koepke http://www.houzz.com/photos/163992/beverly-hills-peck—mediterranean-patio-los-angeles, but in many outdoor rooms it becomes another space-defining design element.

This Portland pergola lets the sun shine through any time of year. Image courtesy of Paradise Restored Landscaping and Exterior Design http://www.houzz.com/photos/82606/Portland-Patio-s-Landscaping-traditional-patio-portland.

A covered porch or a patio with a pergola are easy to add-on to most homes if you’re interested in doing a permanent addition to help create an outdoor living space.

This Case Design/Remodeling sun porch put a screened outdoor room in the unused corner of the home’s existing deck. With a permanent shelter to protect furniture and keep the sun and bugs at bay, the family now spends more time outdoors than in.

No space? No Problem! Adding on to your home can be cheap and easy when it comes to impermanent structures. Walls and a ceiling of sorts help define the parameters of an outdoor living space, but these can be fashioned from nearly anything when it comes to outdoor rooms. Try experimenting with some different creative ideas inspired by some of these do-it-yourself outdoor room photos. Some people simply put an outdoor room where there’s space. PVC pipe and transparent drapes provide the walls for this backyard oasis by Shades of Green Landscape Architecture http://www.houzz.com/photos/33789/Magazine-Idea-House-2-modern-landscape-san-francisco.

Smaller patios, narrow driveways, and apartment balconies can be transformed into stylish outdoor spaces too. An outdoor room doesn’t have to have a lot of frills or square footage, just a peaceful setting to relax in. Image courtesy of Becky Harris http://www.houzz.com/photos/218426/Decorate-by-Holly-Becker-and-Joanna-Copestick-eclectic-patio.

 

A vacant deck corner becomes a private summer reading nook with the help of some bamboo shades, a comfy couch, and colorful accents. Image courtesy of Barbara Cannizzaro http://www.houzz.com/photos/29375/oceandesigner-contemporary-landscape-new-york.

Comfort is key. An outdoor living space must be comfortable and inviting. Creating an outdoor space with interior design elements is essential to both the function and appeal of a modern outdoor room. In many cases, it’s simply a matter of finding items made from materials that weather well. There’s no room for rockers on this front porch. Comfy, living room-style furniture is gracing all types of outdoor rooms these days. Patio furniture is taken to the next level with exterior easy chairs and coffee tables. Image courtesy of Texas Construction Company http://www.houzz.com/photos/218823/Bonnie-Road-Residence-contemporary-porch-austin.

Wrought-iron trellises, waterproof cushions and pillow covers, and a coffee table refinished in exterior paint are all well-protected from the elements and easy to keep clean. Image courtesy of Cococozy http://www.houzz.com/photos/102882/COCOCOZY-IN-THE-HOLLYWOOD-HILLS-eclectic-patio-los-angeles.

  Integrating elements that add comfort—such as shade, cushy couches, running water, or a ceiling fan—help make outdoor rooms a place where people want to spend their time. Image courtesy of Webber Studio Architects http://www.houzz.com/photos/101833/Tarrytown-House-asian-porch-austin.   Some outdoor rooms are more in than out. In many areas of the country it’s too hot during the day to spend time outside, but the evenings can provide some much-needed relief and protection from bugs inside a screened room or porch. Many indoor outdoor rooms aren’t much more than an open extension of the home, and some are more open than others.

Skylights provide filtered sunlight and the open framing keeps views clear on this screened sun porch by Case Design/Remodeling of Bethesda.

Screened porches, long-time staples in the East and South, are now providing much-needed fresh air and protection from bugs in many homes across the country. This screened sun porch retains an open feeling with plenty of views and light colors. Image courtesy of Joel Snayd http://www.houzz.com/photos/337414/Porch-contemporary-porch-other-metros.

 

A screened sunroom by Case Design creates an interior feeling with views on three sides and plenty of fresh air.

Outdoor kitchens. Many outdoor rooms are centered around eating and entertaining. Adding a kitchen to your outdoor living space makes cooking and serving food outside a lot easier. It also means you’ll spend even more time outside during the warmer months.

A gourmet outdoor kitchen puts a whole new spin on summertime barbeques. Image courtesy of Sandy Koepke http://www.houzz.com/photos/108157/manhattan-beach—outdoor-kitchen-eclectic-kitchen-other-metros.

 

A wood fired pizza oven is a nice addition to this exterior natural stone kitchen. Image courtesy of Chipper Hatter Architectural Photography http://www.houzz.com/photos/73489/Harmony-Outdoor-Elements-traditional-patio-san-diego.

 

This outdoor patio kitchen is tucked out of the way in a nook but makes outdoor serving and entertaining so much easier, and a lot more fun for the cook too. Image courtesy of Lorraine Vale http://www.houzz.com/photos/125598/Lorraine-Vale-traditional-kitchen-charleston.

 

With an outdoor setup like this one by Dena Brody http://www.houzz.com/photos/82193/Dena-Brody-eclectic-patio-houston, there’s no reason to spend time indoors when it’s warm out.

Staying warm. Many climates experience cooler temperatures on summer nights. Even if fire is the last thing you want at the end of a muggy summer day, adding an outdoor fireplace can extend your time spent outdoors into the fall and spring months. In more temperate areas, it can even mean year-round outdoor living.

An adobe fireplace creates a warm atmosphere any time of year. Image courtesy of Sandy Koepke http://www.houzz.com/photos/108165/manhattan-beach—outdoor-patio-eclectic-patio-los-angeles.

 

Adding a fireplace to any indoor outdoor living area makes it more useful year-round. Image courtesy of Forum Phi http://www.houzz.com/photos/102142/-traditional-porch-boston.

How have you made your own exterior spaces into outdoor living rooms? Share your exterior room design ideas and creativity with our readers below.

  Contemporary generally refers to what’s trendy in design styles now, while Modern refers to an established period in design. But modern styles are making a big comeback in design right now, so the latest kitchen trends blend both contemporary and modern styles.

A colorful, two-toned kitchen combines the best of contemporary and modern design within a relatively small space. Image courtesy of Stephanie Norris http://www.houzz.com/photos/88356/Colorful-Kitchenette-modern-kitchen-other-metros.

A lot of new kitchen trends rise out of a demand for design solutions to meet the current needs of our lifestyles, making contemporary an ever-changing but very up-to-date style. Hot kitchen trends in 2012 include:

• high-efficiency stainless steel appliances
• renewable and repurposed materials
• designing homes around the kitchen as the new family room
• integrating a plethora of gadgets and high-tech solutions that make cooking healthy food more fun and less of a chore.

The modern period was characterized by the retro, space-age look, and that’s why a lot of modern design elements actually make us feel like we’ve traveled back in time. I’ve tried to stick to classic modern styles in the examples below, but keep in mind that many of today’s modern kitchens incorporate contemporary elements for practical purposes. Do you prefer the sleek and simple look of modern design? The horizontal nature of modern design is celebrated in the kitchen where there are endless ways to incorporate sleek and elongating elements.

The cabinets, hardware, floorboards, island, and layout of this kitchen all reinforce the horizontal plane of the room. Modern kitchens often integrate natural materials that follow suit, like the grain of the wood around the island base. Image courtesy of 2Go Custom Kitchens http://www.houzz.com/photos/211549/Kitchen-007-modern-kitchen-other-metros.

 

The pattern in this magnanimous ceiling sets the stage for the horizontal layout of the modern kitchen design below. Image courtesy of Ainslie-Davis Construction http://www.houzz.com/photos/332945/Modern-Remodel-modern-kitchen-seattle.

Even a side shot of a modern kitchen has a linear look. Image courtesy of SB Architects http://www.houzz.com/photos/49420/The-Hillside-House-modern-kitchen-other-metros.

The linear layout of a modern kitchen is no space saver. Smaller kitchens sometimes have a hard time creating horizontal overtones, but can focus on other elements to help construct that sleek look.

The long cabinet pulls, glass tiles, and floorboards all help create a modern look in this smaller kitchen by Case Design.

Little to no décor or embellishment is a hallmark of modern design. The floor in this Mal Corboy Design http://www.houzz.com/photos/39662/Matakana-Kitchen-modern-kitchen-los-angeles is all the decoration this modern kitchen needs. The natural grain of the long floorboards and different colors of stain soften and warm up the otherwise cold, hard look. The sleek, wrapped countertop, frameless cabinets, and no-back bar stools all keep with the minimalist look.

 

Frameless cabinets are characteristic of a modern kitchen because they really lend a lot to the sleek, minimalist look. The flat-paneled doors of the cabinets and drawers create a level surface void of the depth and texture that mark many other design styles. The raised ceiling in this design is reminiscent of the pop-up campers that grew out of the modern era, and helps open up the elongated, single-floor layout of most modern homes. Image courtesy of Tracy Stone http://www.houzz.com/photos/92884/Encino-Modern-contemporary-kitchen-los-angeles.

A simple design doesn’t have to lack color. Modern designs often incorporate bright, bold colors, but stick to the minimalist approach by introducing only one color in each room. The turquoise cabinetry is balanced out with so much white that it doesn’t overpower the room. The two colors, along with the sleek finish, work together to keep the room clean and crisp in this kitchen design by Alterstudio http://www.houzz.com/photos/248557/Scout-Island-modern-kitchen-austin.

A modern design doesn’t demand a lot of color, but matching furniture and accents keep with the simple theme and do a lot to brighten up the room. Image courtesy of alno.de http://www.houzz.com/photos/8751/ALNO-modern-kitchen-other-metros.

Industrial materials are another component of modern design because they reflect the times that the era grew out of and tend to lack ornamentation. In this kitchen by Elad Gonen and Zeev Beech http://www.houzz.com/photos/86212/kitchen-modern-kitchen-other-metros, the bare concrete walls lend an industrial look while the white concrete countertops and floors, open shelves, and no pulls on the cabinetry keep the design extremely minimalist.

 

While a lot of wood is used in modern designs for the lengthy look of the grain, other natural materials are often absent from modern spaces. Stone tiles with busy patterns and lots of veins are too much for many modern kitchens. But in this kitchen by See Construction http://www.houzz.com/photos/40006/White-Laquer-and-Dark-Oak-Kitchen-modern-kitchen-los-angeles, a marble countertop accents the sleek look and becomes the perfect embellishment for the room.

Rift-cut wood lends a busy look that leans toward contemporary, but it’s used a lot in modern design for the horizontal layout of the wood. The panels are fabricated by stacking sheets of wood that are then compressed together; sheets are sawed off the stacks and cut into frameless cabinet fronts and surrounds like the ones pictured here. When combined with the long floorboards, elongated cabinet pulls, and wrapped marble slab countertop, this Chelsea Atelier Architect http://www.houzz.com/photos/26018/Chelsea-Loft-modern-kitchen-new-york kitchen screams modern.

A similar look is created in this kitchen by Croma Design http://www.houzz.com/photos/544976/Modern-Loft-Kitchen-modern-kitchen-toronto by using stacked stone tiles in the backsplash wall. The thick tile edges become narrow faces that reinforce the horizontal nature of the room, while the vertical stacking is more organized than the staggered layout of many tile designs.

As we’ve seen in the above examples, no modern kitchen in 2012 can ignore the pragmatic approach of contemporary design, making the best current kitchen designs a perfect marriage of both modern and contemporary. 

Is baking your passion? Perhaps you missed your calling as a culinary artist, or you’re working toward becoming the next Food Network star. Maybe you simply want to become a better cook for your family and friends. A gourmet kitchen makes cooking a lot more fun and a lot less challenging, regardless of your skill level in the kitchen.

Read more →

If you’re in the process of replacing kitchen cabinets, you may be overwhelmed already. Your choices include dozens of different types of wood, stain color, finishes, hardware, and styles. And it’s not an isolated choice. Your cabinets need to match your kitchen’s theme, countertops, floors, backsplashes, walls, and appliances, and it all needs to work within your budget.

Kitchen cabinet selection isn’t as easy as simply picking your favorite cabinets. Cabinets tie the whole kitchen together, and can be its centerpiece, or conversely, blend into the background. No wonder finding the right cabinets is such a daunting task!

The following kitchen cabinet styles will give you an overview of your choices without overwhelming you. Organized by style, you may be able to combine some of the below ideas to help create the perfect kitchen.

Read more →

Do you have a small, cramped kitchen that’s in need of some extra counter or cabinet space? Or perhaps your kitchen is big enough for the entire family to gather in, and your living room goes unused as a result. A remodeling trend that’s been popular since the early ’90s is to combine the living room and kitchen into one central room called a “great” room. You can actually create a lot of extra space in your home without doing an addition, simply by using existing under-used space. Most families spend more time in the kitchen than any other room. Over the past few decades, main floor plans have seen a trend toward a great room that functions as the main living area, and a trend away from distinct kitchens, living rooms, and dining rooms. By putting these main rooms in a shared, open space, contemporary design has put the heart of the home where the bulk of the action takes place. Read more →