I was looking for some inspiration the other day and came across this beautiful kitchen. It had so many details that I thought could be incorporated into a remodel of any size or budget, I thought I’d highlight a few of them for you.
Check this out:
Pretty inspiring, huh? I have a huge collection of photography like this and sometimes when I need inspiration I can find it there! This picture, in particular can get me going in about a hundred directions! Let me highlight a few. Maybe you’ll find some ideas you can use yourself!
Mixed Cabinet Tones or Colors
Check out the way this design uses two different cabinet finishes. I’m sure you’ve all seen this before, but it’s worth looking at again!
I’ve often seen this done the other way around, with finished wood tone cabinets on the walls and a painted island.
I’m working on a design right now that calls for a dark painted island, maybe a deep blue or a black. It’s really looking outstanding!
No matter how you decide to do it, the contrast is the point.
You can do this with existing cabinets by refinishing in two different finishes. Even if you don’t have an island, there is usually a natural break if you look for it!
Appliances (of course)
I’m right there with the majority that really can’t just run out and grab all the latest appliances. 
Maybe one day, I’ll find an appliance company that wants an ad on the Remodeling Guy blog so bad that they come looking for me!
In my dream(s), they’re tripping over themselves to see who can be the first to give me run of the catalog!
Cool dream isn’t it!?
When that happens (or when I break down and decide to just pay for them), something like this is what I want.
We’ve recently installed this exact arrangement in a new kitchen for a client and I really love the way it works out.
Notice how low they set everything. This keeps the oven and microwave at a manageable level. Saves some problems on Thanksgiving!
The warming drawer is a great feature.
Take a closer look at her drawers! (Ha!)
I like the use of the large pots and pans drawers to the right of the oven cabinet.
Details, Details, Details
Where do I start? There are so many things going on in this close-up!
- Wall Splash – Great use of tumbled marble! This is a material within the reach of most DIY crews, yet retains its great high-end look in the fanciest of homes! A great project for an existing kitchen!
- Stepped out base cabinet – A nice detail without adding much cost! I especially like this look when using granite counters.
- Lighted Stained Glass Uppers – I love this look! It’s one of my favorite features in this kitchen. Very inspiring! Super Cool!
- Crown Molding – Hard not to mention the molding in a job like this. Adding some molding to your existing cabinets is another quick job.
- Great Looking Veggies – Just kidding…
Look Past the Cabinetry
This is obviously a fancy place. But many of these features are easily within reach of most homeowners.
In a recent post on lighting, I highlighted a fixture that you could buy at Lowe’s for $17.00. Something as simple as that can really change your look.
There are four design details here that can be used in almost any design to make it better.
- Lighting – these pendants look great, while recessed cans provide general lighting.
- Doors and Trim– I love these doors! And the transoms are a beautiful feature not found in many newer homes. Look at the detail in the trimwork.
- The Ceiling – ceilings are so often neglected in design. I don’t know why as they are the largest unbroken surface in most rooms.
- The Floor Tile – the color here isn’t my favorite, but the use of the multiple sizes of tile really looks great! You can do this!
Here we’ve taken a very high-end kitchen and broken it down into the individual components that make you go “Wow!”. The benefit of doing this is that you can then apply one, two, or all of those to your kitchen or the design you’re working on! It doesn’t have to cost a fortune!
So, what do you think about this cute little kitchen?
“cute little kitchen” hehe…
This is amazing… and I appreciate the way you break down the beautiful pieces. Love it!
i want to live in that kitchen! i wouldn’t take up too much room. i bet i could just curl up in a cabinet under the island – heehee.
what i love most about the kitchen are the stained glass (i’m assuming it’s effect created w/ paint?) details along the tops of the cabinets and flanking the nook which holds the TV. of course, now i’m sitting her figuring out where and how i can add something like that to my kitchen…. the ‘want to do’ list is certainly growing!
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Exactly perfect in every way! I really like how the boards on the ceiling are installed diagonally. & the tiling above the cook top is beautiful. Little ??? Can we fit 12 ft.ceilings in a cape? When do I get to move in there? =0)
You KNOW what I have to say about this!!!
When should we start?
mom
This is gorgeous! In our possible future home (under contract), I want to do the mis-matched cabinets. I love all of the moldings and the ceilings. Could you add those “beams” to an existing flat ceiling? They are so interesting! Thanks for sharing! I did my post on your site today! I think it’s great!
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Hey, came over from Corey’s blog. I am getting ready to paint my wood cabinets, but am worried I am getting in over my head. Could I send you some pics and get your advice? Do you charge a consult fee? If so, just let me know how you do that. Thanks~
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Jenni – Glad you liked the humor at the end… It’s a huge kitchen isn’t it?
Jenn – I think that’s the real deal on the stained glass, no paint there! I loved that TV too and I thought about doing a nother zoom in to talk about it, but I figured I had bored y’all enough!
Jennifer – I think there are houses you could fit inside this kitchen and very few houses the kitchen could fit in! But I’m sure we can include some of these features, like cabinets, and a sink! 😉
Mom – You better not let Dad here you say that! He’ll go out and get parental controls for your internet and block my site!
Corey – You absolutely can add those beams to an existing ceiling. It’s a great project with serious impact for low cost!
Denise – No fee. Free advice. Sometimes I need a little patience though, and no guarantees it will be worth what you pay! Send me some pictures.
Thanks for all the comments!
Tim
I LOVE THE CONTRAST BETWEEN THE ISLAND AND THE WALL CABINETS. GREAT IDEAS. HUGS FROM MAINE
http://sophie4me.blogspot.com/
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What a “dream” kitchen. It is super nice. If I blew out a wall I could get a larger kitchen. I wonder what my husband would say. hehe
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I’m visiting from Melissa’s today. And I’m enjoying what I’m seeing!!
Thanks for not only posting LOVELY photos, but then sharing all the items that are in the photo…and what makes them special. As an Interior Designer, I know there are alot of people out there that see a photo…but don’t see and understand what it is that they like about it. I’ve always helped my clients “pick apart” a photo…much like you did with this one. By the end…they KNOW what they like and WHY!!!
Thanks…
Jan
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I’m loving your blog – I feel like it’s an excellent resource! Thanks so much for writing it. My husband and I are in the “vision” stage for some light remodeling and, as I told him the other day, you are our new best friend! Your site has given me much to think about, which has been invaluable inspiration-wise.
Thanks again!
Andrea
ps – when I have a better idea of the direction we’re heading, we’ll email you with some before pictures and possibly get some ideas from you!!
I LOVE the tile splash guard. I’d like to use a trivet that matches my dishes in mine, umm, someday, when I have a kitchen and get to redo it!
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