Kitchen Sink and Lower Cabinets
Want a quick kitchen update but don’t want to spend a lot? “Just updating the cabinet pulls can be a major transformation for very little money,” says Jeff Lewis.

Design Bath & Hardware pulls, Kohler faucet and sink.

Remove Rugs
“I’m not a carpet guy. I love the solid floors, wood or stone, with area rugs because I can lift them up and clean underneath,” says Jeff Lewis.

Mohawk floors, Benjamin Moore paint.

A Contemporary Kitchen
“It’s a contemporary kitchen, the most contemporary kitchen so far for Kitchen of the Year,” says Jeff Lewis. “It’s definitely California modern. It has a tremendous amount of glass and natural light. We put in as many doors and windows as possible.”

Sleek Open Shelving
“If you overbuild the cabinets, I think it makes it seem claustrophobic,” says Jeff Lewis. “Open shelves or glass doors on the uppers and lowers really help a space look better.”

KraftMaid cabinets.

Smart Storage
Forget about that cluttered catchall drawer. Drawer dividers make organizing kitchen tools easy — no more hunting for the wine opener.

The Container Store drawer dividers.

A Convenient Island Cooktop
An island cooktop uses a filter to eliminate smoke so that overhead vents aren’t necessary. The location also lets the cook chat easily with family and guests seated at nearby bar stools.

Jenn-Air appliances.

photo credit: Tzirel Kaminetzky, via: http://www.housebeautiful.com By Jen DeRose