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If you’ve never completed a kitchen remodel, you and I had something in common 7 weeks ago. Fast forward to last week, to my mostly new kitchen (shown above) which sports white shiny cabinets, an almost white Silestone countertop and an off white porcelain backsplash. White, white, white. If you’re curious as to how the project progressed, you’ll find more pictures and commentary below.

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I usually use our tumblr account to bookmark interior images, and because we’ve been crazy busy with the site remodel, I’ve been a bit remiss about occasionally posting some of the ones that stand out the most. Today I finally got a chance to go through some of my rss feeds, and found this image over at kbculture. I think it’s a pretty perfect example of how minimal design can have interest and warmth with the right use of materials- in this case, with the green glass backsplash and the wood accents. To see more, take a look at the Pool House via Retrouvious.

These two photos of a 70’s villa are uber-minimal/sparse, but the other shots show a quirky side. Refurbished by interior architects Renaud De Poorter and Femke Holdrinet, the home still has the bones of the original build, but the updates make it feel thoroughly modern and livable. It’s quite the showpiece.

Photography: Verne

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Well, this sort of idea for kitchen storage would certainly motivate you to keep your shelves tidy. The balance of industrial and natural materials (wood, marble, etc.) makes for a pleasing picture, I’m just wondering about those sliding panels. Would they get in the way, or just act as strategic screening for the untidy areas?

See Dwell for complete slideshow.

These two kitchens (shot by Stuart McIntyre) are entirely tempting to put into my future kitchen renovation file. However, the lack of upper cabinets seems sort of… scary. I know it’s quite a popular option, as it opens up the room and allows display of dinner and glass ware, but losing all that storage space seems risky. I love the way it looks, but I’ll have to think of alternate storage options if I go that route, as I have very little lower cabinet storage space.

More proof that black isn’t going anywhere. I wish I would stop finding pictures of glorious black shiny floors, because it makes me itch to paint my own hardwood floors (that have absolutely nothing wrong with them).

[via BOLIG Magasinet]

This is by far one of my favorite spaces. The black/brown/grey color scheme is classic and I love how simple and eclectic it feels.

To see more: APARTMENT FH

If you’re in the market for a new kitchen or bath, check out the custom cabinetry by Eastvold located in Minnesota. They’re a full service design firm and design and install the cabinets and are there from beginning to end of the process.

Just how fun is this kitchen island covered in Lego? Pretty fantastic idea.

Munchausen, a duo formed by Parisian designers Simon Pillard and Philippe Rosetti, took a bold approach with their own kitchen by venturing to IKEA for the basic kitchen island and then spending the next week covering it with more than 20,000 pieces by another Scandinavian brand, Lego. –The Cool Hunter

300 square feet seems incredibly small, but the way this tiny studio is arranged it seems three times as big. The kitchen is especially notable, as doors unfold to reveal hidden compartments and storage space, as well as a sliding counter that extends for food preparation. The bright blue on the interior kitchen area is an incredibly smart touch, as it adds to the whole jewelry box concept.

“My studio has been transformed into a flexible living space which allows me to work, sleep, eat, and relax within the confines of 300 square feet…The concept of a jewelry box has been expanded so that the space can be transformed through pushing, pulling, sliding, opening and closing of individual elements of the cabinetry. The rubber floor creates a seamless look that leads one’s gaze through the windows into the garden square below. I have a hidden stairway and secret compartment. I think it rocks. I am now broke. –Mia, the London Urchin via AT ”

architect: Jennifer Beningfield of Open Studio Architects (more photos and project description shown here.)

for more photos and the complete posting go here.
[via AT]

More plywood? Yes, please. This loft is an excellent example of utilizing plywood as a finishing element. Also, Remodelista posted this kitchen a while back and linked to a video showing how the islands can be rearranged to fit the homeowner’s needs. It’s a great idea for making the most out of a smaller space. To see the video, go here.

Renovated by architects Karine Chartier and Thomas Corbasson (who trained in the studio of Jean Nouvel–last year’s Pritzker Award winner), the old industrial laboratory (check out the building’s original freight elevator below) is transformed by adding a heavy textual and uncanny element–plywood.
Plywood, a moisture-proof, marine-grade, very low formaldehyde-content pine, certified by the European sustainable forest practices agreement, becomes a strong, almost abnormal complement to what would normally be simply a white, industrial space. It’s hard to see but the plywood kitchen islands are mostly on locking wheels, which creates a flexible space that can mutate from a small cooking area to a larger gathering area. Combined with the other moveable furniture, plywood has stopped looking cheap, and starts looking high-end (or high-grade, maybe?) whether it just sits pretty or on wheels. – LoftLife Magazine

To see more pics, visit LoftLife Magazine.

Also seen in Vogue Australia Living was this rather interesting mirror-faceted island bench. A simple setting of white laminate joinery with mirrors (if I was attempting to do that myself I’d certainly not call it simple) makes for a focal point in this lovely white room. To see a close-up of the island, go here.

See the complete project here.

This kitchen is fantastic. Obviously, the wood floors are nice and the layout is perfection, but I especially love the giant vent hood masquerading as a giant lamp fixture.

[posted by kris]

Here’s a great architectural piece by Jackson Clements Burrows. I’m especially drawn to the ‘black cube’ execution of the kitchen and it reminds me of the black cube at the FCET house.

[posted by kris]

The people over at OWI were nice enough to let me use these images which are usually reserved for architectural books. If you’re looking for remodel ideas, you could literally spend hours at the OWI site looking through fantastic homes.

In this Bruge home in particular, there are some very interesting modifications to an old home with modern ideas. This kitchen which is hidden behind a sliding glass door is pretty cool.

[posted by kris]