Few rooms in your home get the wear, tear and love that a kitchen does. From quick morning coffees to comforting lunches to impressive dinner spreads, this room is a workhorse. No wonder it is often dubbed the “heart of a home.”
As we begin our preparations for the most food-focused holiday of the year, we flipped through our NJ HOME archives, in addition to our sister magazines BERGEN, MONMOUTH and MORRIS & ESSEX, for kitchens to inspire and delight. Enjoy!
Photo by Patricia Burke
When tasked to create this beach house in Surf City, designer James Yarosh thought outside the box for something a little vintage, a little modern and very memorable. The kitchen skips the costal cliché for sleek stone and modern shapes.
Photo by Aimee Ryan
Light, bright and joyful, this West Orange townhome came to life thanks to Molly Miller. Yellow accents and lots of natural light make this the perfect gathering space for the homeowners, their children and their six grandchildren.
Photo by Lauren Hagerstrom
This kitchen reno in Monmouth Beach, created by Shelia Rich, features custom cabinetry, a Wolf range, sleek appliances and an expansive quartz island.
Photo by Meghan Balcom
A Belle Mead colonial received a serious personality boost thanks to South Main Design, and the kitchen is no exception. Dark-stained cabinetry, luminous tile and refined lighting make it a study in contrast.
Photo by John Muggenborg
When Tina Manis and her team created this kitchen in Woodcliff Lake, the goal was to make it the perfect gathering place for a large family. Top-of-the-line appliances make cooking a breeze, and the statement light adds the perfect visual interest.
Photo by Tori Sikkema
Over in Manasquan, a new build was perfectly tailored to be a family’s dream home thanks to Town and Country Design Studio. With a black-and-while palette, it reads as crisp and sophisticated without ever feeling sterile.
Photo by Marisa Pellegrini
Designer Amy Greenberg had a lot of pressure on her when she took on this Livingston reno—she was designing for her daughter. Dark cabinets and quartzite countertops feel elevated while keeping everything kid-friendly (important for a home with two young boys).
Photo by Front Door Photography
The expanded kitchen of a home in Flanders feels elegant and restrained. Designer Samantha Spurr used cabinetry and counters from Art of Kitchen Tile and Bath in Ridgewood and a backsplash from Virtue Tile and Design in Summit.
Photo by Michael Sparks
A beach house on Long Beach Island embodies coastal ease thanks to Faye Roeber. Pendant lights and white oak flooring keep that vibe going in the kitchen, and the Calacatta gold quartz counter adds a sleek, stylish edge.
Photo by Mike Van Tassell
Pops of teal in this Ramsey kitchen keep it unique and add the perfect contrast to rich walnut cabinetry. The full redesigned by Diane Durocher permits a smarter use of the abundant space.
Photo by Meghan Balcom
Creating this Morristown kitchen included input from the homeowners college-aged children, and Lisa Santoro handled every request beautifully. Brass lighting and a gentle green color (that’s Farrow & Ball’s Mizzle) make this a soothing space for all.
Want to see more beautiful local spaces? Check out the new issue of NJ HOME.